Great idea to put 20,000 cannabis shops out of business and throw more workers out on the street after the flip flop to end all flip flops (The Mother of Flip Flops).

Worried about Thailand's economy? Close more businesses.

Want to lower interest rates to encourage new businesses? Wait until they open then have them closed again if their business model is profitable.

Teach the world that Thailand cannot be relied on to stick to its guns on anything. TAFF (Thailand Always Flip Flops)

I would not know of one single case where the legalization of cannabis would have led to an increase on dop dependents. I also never came across an outdoor establishment being "smoked" in clouds of cannabis smoke. 

It certainly hurt the boys in brown as they could not collect any fees and fines any longer though ............ 

3 hours ago, sungod said:

If they were serious about tourism, they could start with outlawing 2 tier pricing for starters. 

 

Also allow foreigners to participate in government stimulus packages aimed at tourism. 

 In Vancouver we have two tier pricing and it ain’t 40 baht vs 200 baht.  You living on 1,000 baht a day?  You are not on any radar or in any calculations related to spending by tourists.  And foreigners who don’t pay taxes are not eligible for any stimulus packages in any country in the world.  Drink your Chang and share your opinions with your partner.  

4 hours ago, Galong said:

Prove it! Show us some actual studies that back up this claim, please.

   Google says 4% of the world's population smokes marijuana.  Family travel data varies by country but one website on Google estimates that 66% of the world's families will be planning leisure trips in 2026, either domestically or internationally.   

    Looked at another way, the worldwide marjuana market was worth about 42 billion dollars in 2024.  Worldwide tourism in 2024 was 11.1 trillion dollars.  

Thailand is Party Land ! Embrace it ! Get better at it . Specialize and invest to make it even better !! Trying to hit all segments of the market doesn't work specifically for the Family Tourist who has so many alternatives . This move of liberalization and than step back is not good .

2 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

I do not partake of cannabis myself but I rather like the aroma it creates, likewise cigars. However, I loathe the smell of cigarette smoke.

I've never smoked, but years ago I used to get quite "stoned" going to music gigs where other people were. Quite liked it as it happens.

4 hours ago, Formaleins said:

What a pathetic ridiculous spouting of garbage! They promoted weed as a viable, legal business, got loads of locals to invest, then made it illegal again and ripped everyone off as usual, if you are not from the "preferred " stock, you will always be a "peasant" with these creatures running the show. Shame on them - but they are so arrogant that they have no shame!

And it seems nobody really looked at the terms for the legalization 

 

Can't cure stupid

 

Message for U.S. Citizens in Thailand (June 22, 2022)

Recreational use of marijuana in public is illegal in Thailand

Thailand made marijuana legal for medical purposes on June 9, 2022. However, according to a health directive announced in the Royal Gazette on June 14, anyone smoking cannabis and hemp in public for recreational purposes shall face imprisonment of up to three months or a fine of up to 25,000 baht if they cause a public nuisance or pose health hazards to others

 

https://th.usembassy.gov/message-for-u-s-citizens-in-thailand-june-22-2022/

 

 

Oh give me a break. More BS from the government.

4 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Can't cute stupid

 

 

Irony.

I guess you can't.

...Such A Lame...After-The-Fact Statement... (?)

 

2 hours ago, kuzmabruk said:

 In Vancouver we have two tier pricing and it ain’t 40 baht vs 200 baht.  You living on 1,000 baht a day?  You are not on any radar or in any calculations related to spending by tourists.  And foreigners who don’t pay taxes are not eligible for any stimulus packages in any country in the world.  Drink your Chang and share your opinions with your partner.  

 

You come across as just another nasty, lonely old man. Now trot on.

 

 

 

 

4 hours ago, paul1804 said:

There is definitely truth in the first part of the article where the stench of cannabis is off putting to many and not what you would call a family environment!! Unfortunatly one drug often leads to another and attracts a different type of person to Thailand!! 

However the government as usual never thought this through from the start and flip flopping like they so often do is unsettling, many have already made a small fortune and many will loose which is always a business risk in countries like Thailand where laws & regulations have little basis and are frequently changed to suit those in power on the day!! 

 

The smell is usually only noticeable in areas which are not for families, anyway. You know, such as Bua Khao, WS, Nana, etc...

 

The market for Yaba, Ketamine, etc... is another market and uses other distributors (and was already florishing in Thailand before 2022). That's the advantage of legal weed. Shops selling weed won't propose anything else, unlike illegal weed dealers.

3 hours ago, Hummin said:

 

Yeah of course I hang around Chang drinking weed smokers who smoke in public, 

 

sounds like you do not get around much in Thailand where tourists smoke anywhere and everywhere in public. Some low class expats thinks it is a good idea to, and not only sit outside 7/11 with their Chang, but also lit a doobie to. 

 

Here is two fine examples outside our beach side restaurant at our hotel 

 

 

 

 

 

Shock, horror, 2 people having a beer on the beach. 

 

Take your head out your .... mate. 

22 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Data from leading travel platforms like Booking.com illustrate that family travel is outpacing other segments,

 

I know a family (4) that visited Thailand twice more than they planned to in the past 12 months specifically because Dad enjoys a toke once in a while and loved that he could sit by the pool in his villa and smoke after the kids went to bed...so they'll be heading elsewhere now. On the flipside, I don't know of a single "non-smoking" family that cancelled plans due to weed being sold here.

10 minutes ago, sungod said:

 

Shock, horror, 2 people having a beer on the beach. 

 

Take your head out your .... mate. 

Smoke a joint straight below restaurant tables, and this is why you guys lost what you had of privileges and to ignorant to acknowledge it. 

 

Your brain reckoned this as a single incident in tourist areas? In thai villages I haven't seen it once only at tourist areas 

2 hours ago, newnative said:

    Looked at another way, the worldwide marjuana market was worth about 42 billion dollars in 2024.  Worldwide tourism in 2024 was 11.1 trillion dollars.  

They don't have to be mutually exclusive. Zoning would solve the issue as would actual law enforcement so the two 'sides' don't meet. Functional law enforcement is more challenging than simply stopping the flourishing cannabis industry. It seems like the easy way was chosen without proper consideration. There's a surprise. 😉

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2 hours ago, Marco100 said:

Thailand is Party Land ! Embrace it ! Get better at it . Specialize and invest to make it even better !! Trying to hit all segments of the market doesn't work specifically for the Family Tourist who has so many alternatives . This move of liberalization and than step back is not good .

If you go party places, then that's what you see. I dear to say, party is a definition question, and after travelling Thailand for decades, party is not the first thing that comes to my mind, 

39 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Smoke a joint straight below restaurant tables, and this is why you guys lost what you had of privileges and to ignorant to acknowledge it. 

 

Your brain reckoned this as a single incident in tourist areas? In thai villages I haven't seen it once only at tourist areas 

 

I live in a tourist city, all this open cannabis smoking is pure fantasy made up by old fuddy duddys who live sheltered lives in villages in Nakon Nowhere. Not saying it does not happen, just not as widespread as reported by the drama queens. 

1 hour ago, Hummin said:

And it seems nobody really looked at the terms for the legalization 

 

Can't cure stupid

 

Message for U.S. Citizens in Thailand (June 22, 2022)

Recreational use of marijuana in public is illegal in Thailand

Thailand made marijuana legal for medical purposes on June 9, 2022. However, according to a health directive announced in the Royal Gazette on June 14, anyone smoking cannabis and hemp in public for recreational purposes shall face imprisonment of up to three months or a fine of up to 25,000 baht if they cause a public nuisance or pose health hazards to others

 

https://th.usembassy.gov/message-for-u-s-citizens-in-thailand-june-22-2022/

 

 

 

Are you going the 'grass' people up? (pun intended)

 

Head of back to your village and live your own life rather than interfere with others living theirs. 

On 8/12/2025 at 4:39 PM, snoop1130 said:

the recent reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic is expected to bolster the country's appeal to family travellers.

 

<deleted>.

11 minutes ago, sungod said:

 

Are you going the 'grass' people up? (pun intended)

 

Head of back to your village and live your own life rather than interfere with others living theirs. 

You still do not understand, and that is your problem,  not mine why you guys lose your privileges 😄

 

And it is a bigger problem than you are willing to admit, especially on the Islands. 

 

Ignorant tourists think smoking in public is legal, as well a few expats in their fogged up mind.

 

You are welcome

15 minutes ago, sungod said:

 

Are you going the 'grass' people up? (pun intended)

 

Head of back to your village and live your own life rather than interfere with others living theirs. 

 

👏

 

Having a good day ain't you

On 8/12/2025 at 4:39 PM, snoop1130 said:

In a move set to reshape Thailand’s tourism landscape, the recent reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic is expected to bolster the country's appeal to family travellers.

What to make Thai cities "Family Friendly."  Start by installing first-world side walks so families aren't force to walk on the road to dodge traffic. Until then.  It's a bucket of <deleted>.

22 hours ago, candide said:

Lol! So families care about weed smell, but widespread and quite visible prostitution should not be a problem...... 

There is no prostitution in Thailand. It's a deeply devout "Buddhist country". 

The former prime minister General Chavalit, the initiatior of the Tom Yam Kung crash, inspected Pattaya and couldn't find a single hooker. 

8 hours ago, ronster said:

Do they really think the tourist numbers have dropped because of weed shops ?

They are in for a big shock when they realise that's not the reason people numbers are down 😀

Have to feel for all the shops that were quickly put up at expense and leased for years I imagine. Now will leave people trying to give them away for sale or lease as the property market will be flooded with them soon.

When has the elite ever cared about the little people? 

23 hours ago, Hummin said:

Where do you have your numbers from?

 

The pot tourism I have seen is a low class phenomenon and not especially wealthy tourist spending much money

I often pay 250 baht for a joint. I think that is wealthy tourism. Don't you?

6 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

I often pay 250 baht for a joint. I think that is wealthy tourism. Don't you?

I often pay 2bht for a joint that lasts me 2 evenings.

7 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I often pay 2bht for a joint that lasts me 2 evenings.

My mother in law grows some great weed, free for me. But that wasn't the point if my comment. If we go to Pattaya then I'll buy some weed from one of the many cannabis shops. 250 baht for a joint is not big deal at that time. Probably spent 4000 baht on dinner and drinks before that. Don't do it every week mind you. Just saying that a lot of people will and do pay for weed at that price from time time. Refuting the previous posters claim.

10 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

My mother in law grows some great weed, free for me. But that wasn't the point if my comment. If we go to Pattaya then I'll buy some weed from one of the many cannabis shops. 250 baht for a joint is not big deal at that time. Probably spent 4000 baht on dinner and drinks before that. Don't do it every week mind you. Just saying that a lot of people will and do pay for weed at that price from time time. Refuting the previous posters claim.

 

Do you smoke weed in public in front of non smokers? 

 

Weed supply have never been a problem for those who wanted to smoke, just seems the imagination of legalization opened up for illegal recreational use.

 

Just to remind you the purpose of the  legalization 

 

Message for U.S. Citizens in Thailand (June 22, 2022)

Recreational use of marijuana in public is illegal in Thailand

Thailand made marijuana legal for medical purposes on June 9, 2022. However, according to a health directive announced in the Royal Gazette on June 14, anyone smoking cannabis and hemp in public for recreational purposes shall face imprisonment of up to three months or a fine of up to 25,000 baht if they cause a public nuisance or pose health hazards to others