Took them long enough to get rid of the sketchy shops.  This will make life easier for the  shops which respect the regulations. The closed shops were marginal operations or were questionable in their operations.

Get rid of weed after making it fully legal? Okay, probably should not have been legal in the first place but this is draconian.

 

This really goes to the heart of why no one should own a business in Thailand. I'd also include shares of corporations in that assessment. 

 

One thing certain. Foreigners will not be buying weed which is a direct injection of foreign money into Thailand. Some may even decided not to holiday here bc of the decision. 

 

Most weed shops dying a slow death anyway. Just let them go under as they will. 

 

Funny, not only do they halt legit business, but they've re-criminslized it as well. 

 

I just saw an article somewhere how younger US generation drinking less, smoking weed hmmmmm... here too I'm guessing 

 

The nation is run on whims of corrupt politicians. Alcohol lobby strikes fast and hard. Wealthy oligopolists say jump and Thai pols ask how high. Thailand can't do anything with precision and or expediency, yet when the call comes in - things get done with immediacy 

3 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Took them long enough to get rid of the sketchy shops.  This will make life easier for the  shops which respect the regulations. The closed shops were marginal operations or were questionable in their operations.

 

Appears they closed 100s of licensed shops. 

I smoke it everyday to help with pain and sleeping but I'm glad there shutting them down in Phuket there everywhere and the prices are a joke I buy it online and it's excellent quality,, plus it's attracting the wrong type of tourist 

21 hours ago, marin said:

This article has about as much truth as the figures for tourism. Notice its over the last two months, of which the last 6 weeks nothing has been enforced or happened. Simply BS hyperbole from an untrusted source. 

1000 down 19000 to go 

1 hour ago, daveAustin said:

Oh dear, Thailand, what are you doing? Becoming <deleted>tyy and controlling does not a happy nation make. Would laugh my tits off if Vietnam went cannabis friendly and stole ALL their tourists. 

 

 

Vietnam is very strict. Same with Singapore. 

 

Some tourists want a strict state that priorities safety. 

3 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

Vietnam is very strict. Same with Singapore. 

 

Some tourists want a strict state that priorities safety. 

I think either of those countries would be much better for you. With all the trials and tribulations you have incurred here Singapore seems like it would be heaven for you. Big brother to watch after  you all the time. 

Weed is not good for individuals nor for society in general.

Doing weed, in an attempt to escape reality, is a non-starter.

Far better to exercise, have a positive outlook, climb the mountains here in Thailand,

And truly enjoy life, without damaging our bodies with intake of questionable substances.

 

Anyone who knows anything about how the mind works, as do I, will tell you that weed-smoking is probably not the best option.

 

We will all feel better with less smoke in the air, which should be completely obvious.

 

Therefore, I do hope that the closure of these pot-shops is only the beginning....only just the start...

Only the beginning, only the beginning

Only the beginning, only just the start.

 

2 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Anyone who knows anything about how the mind works, as do I, will tell you that weed-smoking is probably not the best option.

 

Why do you feel the need to tell other adults what their options should be?

 

BYW, you're not the only member here who, in their anti-cannabis fervor, feels the need to tell others what to do.

 

BTW, I am not a "mind expert" so no clue what motivates these folks to hector others about cannabis use.

 

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

 

Why do you feel the need to tell other adults what their options should be?

 

BYW, you're not the only member here who, in their anti-cannabis fervor, feels the need to tell others what to do.

 

BTW, I am not a "mind expert" so no clue what motivates these folks to hector others about cannabis use.

 

 

 

 

 

As I recall it:  We did not have this problem when I first came to Thailand in 1971.  This was not an issue. I would like to return to those days of the past when there was almost zero debate, and when pot-use was almost non-existent in Thai society.

 

26 minutes ago, marin said:

I think either of those countries would be much better for you. With all the trials and tribulations you have incurred here Singapore seems like it would be heaven for you. Big brother to watch after  you all the time. 

 

I am speaking in general for tourism in Thailand.

 

They can rely on the violent Benidorm Brits, draft dodging Russians, and cheap Indians = or pivot to families that cause no trouble, go home after a few weeks, and spend some money. 

8 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

I am speaking in general for tourism in Thailand.

 

They can rely on the violent Benidorm Brits, draft dodging Russians, and cheap Indians = or pivot to families that cause no trouble, go home after a few weeks, and spend some money. 

You seem to hate so much here that you really should consider leaving.

 

Why are you even here?   Because no woman wanted you at home?

 

You don’t like whites, Indians, Chinese, Russians,…..my gosh…..is there anybody that you do like?

 

44 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

Some tourists want a strict state that priorities safety. 

Perhaps North Korea would be good for you.   Where do you come from?   Maybe you should go back.  And while you’re at it, take an ESL class.

16 hours ago, Ebumbu said:

 

Glass jars retain moisture. So, mason jars. If you're going to keep it for many months or even years, this is the tried-and-true method. Or, turn it into hashish at your own risk. I have read that hash carries higher legal penalties, but who knows what's true now? 

It actually keeps well in mason jars in non a/c conditions for several months at least. 

1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Weed is not good for individuals nor for society in general.

Doing weed, in an attempt to escape reality, is a non-starter.

Far better to exercise, have a positive outlook, climb the mountains here in Thailand,

And truly enjoy life, without damaging our bodies with intake of questionable substances.

 

Anyone who knows anything about how the mind works, as do I, will tell you that weed-smoking is probably not the best option.

 

We will all feel better with less smoke in the air, which should be completely obvious.

 

Therefore, I do hope that the closure of these pot-shops is only the beginning....only just the start...

Only the beginning, only the beginning

Only the beginning, only just the start.

 

I can never understand why vaporizer use is not being promoted in a medical marijuana context. It's actually the complete opposite. Smoking and health are the antithesesis of one another. I use a Dynavap vape in Thailand but it is not as easy to use as a lithium battery vape, which I dare not bring into the country in a carry bag. In Australia not even cookies are approved as medical marijuana because of the effect that baking has on the grass that renders it less useful as a medicine. If Thailand is ever going to get real with the medical part of the experiment it needs to make weed vaporizers cheaply and readily available on the local market.

21 hours ago, thecyclist said:

Thais are not good with numbers. You buy two items in a shop. One costs ten Baht, the other 5 Baht, they use a calculator to add that up. Give them a 20 Baht note, again the calculator to determine the change. 

That is  complex three step process. True story: 7/11 bill was 99. Give clerk a 100 baht note and she uses calculator to determine change

On 8/16/2025 at 10:01 AM, webfact said:

File photo for reference only. AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

 

The authorities have ramped up efforts to control cannabis misuse by closing over 1,000 shops and seizing nearly a tonne of cannabis flowers in a sweeping nationwide operation.

 

The crackdown, initiated by Thailand's Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, targeted 5,218 out of 18,763 cannabis-related businesses from 16 June to 13 August 2025, as part of a strategy to regulate the burgeoning industry and prevent youth access.

 

The actions taken during the operation included suspending 724 licences, revoking 129 licences, and prosecuting 180 businesses for operating without a valid licence. A significant move: 1,079 shops have been permanently closed.

 

Additionally, the operation resulted in the seizure of cannabis products in 116 instances. The authorities also made 33 arrests related to attempts to smuggle cannabis out of the country through Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. Overall, a staggering 980.65 kg of cannabis was confiscated.

 

This enforcement follows a rise in public complaints since the decriminalisation of cannabis in 2022. A total of 176 complaints have been registered, focusing on issues like unlicensed sales, smoking within shop premises, sales to minors, public nuisances, and advertising violations. The most frequent complaints concerned unlicensed sales, with 68 reported cases.

 

Dr. Thewan Thaneerat, Deputy Director-General of the Department, emphasised the importance of strict regulation to ensure that cannabis usage aligns with health and social benefits rather than contributes to misuse. The focus remains on safeguarding youth and ensuring that the cannabis industry operates within a legal and socially responsible framework, reported The Nation.

 

D Nantasak Chotichanadechawong, Director of the Office for Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional and Folk Medicine Wisdom, stressed the proactive nature of these operations. These operations occur on a weekly basis, with the most recent sweep taking place on 13 August 2025.

 

This effort involved collaboration with various agencies in Bangkok and Nonthaburi, including police stations such as Phaya Thai, Chana Songkhram, Samae Dam Metropolitan, and Rattanathibet Provincial.

 

Detailed inspections during these operations revealed that out of 17 shops, seven possessed valid licences, one had no violations, five were closed on the day of inspection, one was no longer in business, and two were operating without a licence, leading to prosecution. Another shop faced suspension because it breached licence conditions.

 

Authorities urge the public to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine.

 

Reports can be made via phone at 0-2591-7007 or through the department's website, www.dtam.moph.go.th. Continuous collaboration among communities, businesses, and authorities is critical to ensuring that cannabis use remains safe and beneficial for society.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-08-16

 

this drastic hastily organized clean-up-style reminds me of the "War against Drugs" when Thaksin was PM. and of course at the bottom the snitch-request... 

 

@GammaGlobulin One of my clearest memories of when I visited the islands in the early nineties, were vendors offering me weed...for free. Simply sharing it or as a bonus for spending over a certain amount in their restaurant or bar.

You clearly don't have a clue as to what happens in the real world outside your little bubble. 

I was surprised, when flowers were legalised, at the people who would be chatting to vendors about their products. People who you might not have imagined that would use cannabis.

It's a medicine for many and you don't have a clue as to what you are writing about, as per usual.

 

15 minutes ago, JakeC said:

@GammaGlobulin One of my clearest memories of when I visited the islands in the early nineties, were vendors offering me weed...for free. Simply sharing it or as a bonus for spending over a certain amount in their restaurant or bar.

You clearly don't have a clue as to what happens in the real world outside your little bubble. 

I was surprised, when flowers were legalised, at the people who would be chatting to vendors about their products. People who you might not have imagined that would use cannabis.

It's a medicine for many and you don't have a clue as to what you are writing about, as per usual.

 

 

My comment was partially discussing what I witnessed in 1971, and following years.

I have never been to a bar in Thailand, and you are correct that I know nothing much about the bar-life here.

Most people I know, the Thai people and the Chinese people, who are my friends, never go to bars.

I think these people, the  people I know who make up the majority of Thai society, would not be interested in weed, either for medicinal or for recreational purposes.

Given a choice between alcohol and weed, the majority choose alcohol.

The introduction of weed as a legalized substance is not good for children or for adults, since it is more linked to other drugs in the minds of most.

Alcohol is a problem, as we all know, for so many in the world.

However, just because alcohol might be a problem, this does not justify the legalization of other mind-altering drugs.

Psychoactive drugs always present a problem just due to the way the human brain works.

I cannot even imagine the friends who I know smoking weed.

And, my friends  rarely imbibe in the use of alcohol, perhaps in moderation, but only once in a dog's age.

This is the way it should be.

 

We should be using our brains (minds) for better things rather than expose them to mind-altering substances.

 

Therefore, I am happy to see that the gov is now, seemingly, clamping down a bit.

This is something POSITIVE, for a change, which I read in the local news.

 

We need to clean up our act, and protect our youth from exposure to peer pressure to bend their minds on psychoactive drugs, of any sort.

This includes psychotropic drugs prescribed by medical doctors, especially in places like the USA.

 

The use of psychotropic drugs in the USA is skyrocketing.

Has any good come of this trend?

And, what are the major negative consequences?

Have you considered this?

 

 

I don't go to bars either @GammaGlobulin. This happened on a beach and in a restaurant. There were also bars etc and whilst there I made friends with some policemen from the Narcotics Suppression unit who were also taking some time out, self medicating.

You are simply living inside your head, with little or no outside stimulus; namely, reality.

Outside of your meaningless rambling, if you actually understood how cannabis works, you might understand that it helps you to use your mind in the way nature intended. 

It was useful for me when I had what seemed to be a shoulder and neck injury. Helped me to understand it and to solve it.

Why don't you stop posting nonsense when you obviously don't have even the slightest clue about what is being discussed?

21 hours ago, Johno57 said:

Think you'll find that rather than risk giving back the paid license fees or a class action there in...this will be the strategy, even if the rules are followed, but what about the financial losses, and  what of all that seized cannaboid, let alone the legality of the whole change of policy...

You sound like you favour lawbreakers – "...don't follow rules or don't have valid license..." – rather than those following the rules...🤔

On 8/16/2025 at 1:30 PM, RJRS1301 said:

How long before it hits the streets again?

Can anyone in the Thai administration make a decision and stick to it?
 

I would doubt if it has ever not been available on the streets.

19 hours ago, KhunLA said:

It was never supposed to be a recreational free for all, with thousands of shops opening and ignoring all the rules.  

 

Couldn't be happy with it just being decriminalized, and enjoy your weed responsibly in the privacy of your home.   

 

NO ... had to be a big in your face "F' you, we'll do we want"

 

som nan naa

The days of wine & roses & pot. As soon as the Thai  luuk's got access to it and their parents started complaints,it  was the demise of Pot Shops. Back to under the radar for the puffers.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.....lol

7 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

Some tourists want a strict state that priorities safety. 

What exactly has cannabis to do with safety?

 

Oh, I see: a state that legalizes cannabis is probably a state where i don't get whipped for some harmless graffiti. In Thailand, I am safe from Singapore's police state. 

3 hours ago, JakeC said:

You are simply living inside your head,

 

Speaking of heads...

I am not one, as I continue to tell you.

 

Concerning psychotropic drugs, I guess I know a lot.

 

 

@GammaGlobulin

" ...as you continue to tell me"? What fresh nonsense is this? When did this conversation take place? I think it extremely unlikely, since I studiously ignore anything that you post. I only need to see the username...

 

What do you know about the medicinal effects of cannabis? Anything at all...or just more waffle from a talking head?

 

 

 

 

I don't think they closed 1,000 shops, just like I don't believe they killed 3,000 Cambodian soldiers. In fact, I don't believe much of anything those in authority say here.

The irony is they would actually be doing pot smokers a favor if they would only be thorough/probably not corrupt about shutting down shops. The shop weed is ruinously expensive and its bad, genetically bottlenecked yawn festival stuff, often not harvested correctly or cured (these require waiting and who can be bothered with that when you can make the same money off of weak stuff), and so therefor weak in effect and not the wild and crazy mania inducing stuff we had back in the 1920's. They even spray the stuff with terpenes (aroma producing oils) because they dont harvest when they should or grow it well so it has little to no terpenes and these are said also to have some influence on the effects.

 

You want to smoke pot, then dont smoke the styrophone hormone and fertilizer salts nonsense that most shops sell and grow your own, get some good Thai, Indian lowlands or African seeds that can handle the humidity and heat here, one or two plants is all you need and grown the way it should using organic fertilizers, bat manure cow poo, worm castings, kelp extract, molasses and grown in a living garden soil or in a pot on a balcony and Kevin's your uncle, you;ll have bags of kick ass stuff for 1000-2000 baht. Of course, Its terribly unfair  what has happened, closing the shops the Thai govt has utterly betrayed their subjects once again.

On 8/16/2025 at 6:42 PM, corepuncher said:

I bought some weed on the street like a dumb@ss and it was laced with something. I was messed up for like 4 days. AI thinks it was PCP. I highly recommend NOT buying on the street!

Some weed has very intense effects. We used to think that too back in the day, "Oh! There was PCP on that weed!" PCP has a strong chemical taste and smell so you would know. There are some types of weed better left to the hard core, which is the problem with most Thai businesses selling weed, they dont have very good knowledge or even smoke it themselves, so they might sell fermented weed, which is what Thai stick probably was back in the 70's and fermented weed has very strong effects or itcoul dsimply be say a very strong Afghani strain, some of them can induce paranoia and other negative effects.

I don't think anyone who opened a Weed shop thought there was security in that business. However, in saying that i think the current government who gave the green light to open these weed shops (so can't blame someone else) should compensate the business owners.

 

It's been a disgrace all round.