Photo courtesy of Adventure.com

 

Thailand’s government, prioritizing the drug crisis, has declared cannabis reform complete and plans a four-month push for change. Deputy Prime Minister and senior Bhumjaithai Party MP, Sophon Saram, emphasized this commitment during a parliamentary session today, highlighting the government's focus on combating drugs as the nation’s primary concern.

 

Sophon addressed Parliament, stressing the urgency of the drug issue, and criticized the fragmented approach of previous administrations, which he claimed wasted over 6 billion baht. He articulated a need for collaboration between the police, military, administrative officials, and the Ministry of Public Health, reflecting on his success with the Buriram Model — a community-driven initiative that helped 1,600 people quit drugs.

 

The MP called for a sincere government and political effort, urging Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to guide the administration towards clear and practical policies. He stressed the importance of public involvement and legal reform to strengthen drug control, marking a shift from Bhumjaithai’s earlier cannabis legalisation advocacy.

 

Sophon criticised the lack of proper control legislation for cannabis, admitting its previous championing led to issues. With reform in this area now declared finished, the focus shifts entirely to drug suppression and setting an example for the country.

 

Looking forward, Sophon urged continuous observation of the government’s progress over the next four months, promising that the party is prepared to enact substantive changes within this timeframe.

 

Key Takeaways

• Thailand's government prioritizes the drug crisis with a four-month action plan.
• Cannabis reform is declared complete, shifting focus to drug suppression.
• Collaborative efforts and legal reforms are deemed necessary for success.

 

Related Stories:

Thailand forces closure of more than 1000 cannabis stores

Pattaya Urges Red-Light Zoning, Cannabis Rules After BBC Doc

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-09-30

 

 

10 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

highlighting the government's focus on combating drugs as the nation’s primary concern.

 

 

Heard that so many times, it's starting to sound like a never ending loop.....

People use drugs because they have no hope for the future. Get people educated with good jobs and drug use will drop.

9 minutes ago, captain_shane said:

People use drugs because they have no hope for the future. Get people educated with good jobs and drug use will drop.

and you know this how!!!!! 

Yeah making weed so accessible wasnt one of their better ideas

The war on drugs was lost many decades ago, worldwide.

The definition of stupid, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

Time to legalize all drugs .

Get control.

Get revenue.

Put the bad guys out of business.

 

Time for a breakfast Leo.

Life is good. 

 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of Adventure.com

 

Thailand’s government, prioritizing the drug crisis, has declared cannabis reform complete and plans a four-month push for change. Deputy Prime Minister and senior Bhumjaithai Party MP, Sophon Saram, emphasized this commitment during a parliamentary session today, highlighting the government's focus on combating drugs as the nation’s primary concern.

 

Sophon addressed Parliament, stressing the urgency of the drug issue, and criticized the fragmented approach of previous administrations, which he claimed wasted over 6 billion baht. He articulated a need for collaboration between the police, military, administrative officials, and the Ministry of Public Health, reflecting on his success with the Buriram Model — a community-driven initiative that helped 1,600 people quit drugs.

 

The MP called for a sincere government and political effort, urging Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to guide the administration towards clear and practical policies. He stressed the importance of public involvement and legal reform to strengthen drug control, marking a shift from Bhumjaithai’s earlier cannabis legalisation advocacy.

 

Sophon criticised the lack of proper control legislation for cannabis, admitting its previous championing led to issues. With reform in this area now declared finished, the focus shifts entirely to drug suppression and setting an example for the country.

 

Looking forward, Sophon urged continuous observation of the government’s progress over the next four months, promising that the party is prepared to enact substantive changes within this timeframe.

 

Key Takeaways

• Thailand's government prioritizes the drug crisis with a four-month action plan.
• Cannabis reform is declared complete, shifting focus to drug suppression.
• Collaborative efforts and legal reforms are deemed necessary for success.

 

Related Stories:

Thailand forces closure of more than 1000 cannabis stores

Pattaya Urges Red-Light Zoning, Cannabis Rules After BBC Doc

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-09-30

 

 

Cannabis is not a crisis or problem, just needs effective implementation.   The crisis of major proportions that threatens Thai society is Yaba

Thankfully there are no convicted drug traders/traffickers/producers in the Government.

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Sophon criticised the lack of proper control legislation for cannabis, admitting its previous championing led to issues.

Anutin was the one who pushed it through.

The most problematic drugs for Thailand that cause huge social and health issues are alcohol, yaabaa and cigarettes. 

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

and you know this how!!!!! 

what with the attitude?

1 hour ago, angryguy said:

Yeah making weed so accessible wasnt one of their better ideas

Cannabis is not a narcotic, has a calming effect, and has medical benefits.

1 hour ago, captain_shane said:

People use drugs because they have no hope for the future. Get people educated with good jobs and drug use will drop.

Eh ... no. I think people use drugs because they want to get high and like getting high. 

 

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Anutin was the one who pushed it through.

does that make him a pusher

2 hours ago, captain_shane said:

People use drugs because they have no hope for the future. Get people educated with good jobs and drug use will drop.

Not always.  There are other reasons too;

1. Self medication: Some  use drugs to deal with emotional torment. Others use to deal with chronic pain. Thailand does not do pain management well. Few countries do.

 

2. Drug addiction is an important tool for organized crime. Hook the vulnerable on drugs and they are easier to exploit. It is why the beer bar owners and massage shops usually have a connection to a dealer. Nothing makes a hooker work like a drug dependency.

Teenagers with a yaba habit are easy to convince to engage in motorbike and petty thefts.

 

3.  For some people, especially the better off younger Thais, drugs are fun. Nothing says party on like a dose of ketamine or ex. The Gay and dance clubs would be empty without the "party favours". What's a full moon party without drugged out farangs?

2 hours ago, captain_shane said:

People use drugs because they have no hope for the future. Get people educated with good jobs and drug use will drop.

Not realizing there are thousands of very well off that use cocaine, have parties with same, and are on yachts using it. People used drugs to get high. Some , who should have never started, get addicted. Many use weed to relax, have fun, and it's also helpful for those with pain. It can alter and ruin some futures with those that shouldn't have started in the first place, and or get addicted and waste much of the hard earned cash trying to keep that high feeling, which should always just be a part time thing. 

2 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

The Thai senator who was indicted on drug-related charges is Upakit Pachariyangkun. He was charged in Thailand—not abroad—with offenses including:

• Possession and attempted sale of ketamine
• Money laundering
• Association with a transnational criminal organization
• Committing offenses while serving as a senator A B C

Upakit was linked to Tun Min Latt, a Myanmar tycoon sanctioned by the U.S. for ties to the Burmese military junta. Their business dealings allegedly involved laundering drug profits through companies they co-owned, including a casino and power firms. Although Upakit denied all charges, he was released on bail and is scheduled to return to court for hearings.

 

Thankfully there are no convicted drug traders/traffickers/producers in the Government.

 

...How Many '6-Billion Baht Failed Initiatives' Were There... (?)

 

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

Some , who should have never started, get addicted. 

It can alter and ruin some futures with those that shouldn't have started in the first place

 

I'm tired of those people ruining things for everyone else. Why must society be designed around drug addicts?

 

36 minutes ago, davb said:

 

I'm tired of those people ruining things for everyone else. Why must society be designed around drug addicts?

 

Many people like to get high but some shouldn't, so they need programs to get them back to normal, so they can be productive instead of wasting their lives. 

2 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Not realizing there are thousands of very well off that use cocaine, have parties with same, and are on yachts using it. .....

Indeed. We always get shown junkies and homeless druggies. But there would be no drug business if those were the only or the main consumers. The drug business needs relatively well-off users who control their addiction and practice harm reduction so as to be able to go on for years working ie earning money, part of which will go to buy drugs.

1 hour ago, davb said:

 

I'm tired of those people ruining things for everyone else. Why must society be designed around drug addicts?

 

You are right. We are on the same wavelength you and me. Society including the law should ignore drug addicts and leave them to their own devices. I am a proponent of total liberalization of all drugs. Total disregard of drugs by Society, the government, the police and the courts.

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Anutin was the one who pushed it through.

Khun Sophon has yet to learn that being critical of the boss can be career limiting.😀

Yaba is the problem drug, not weed. Absolutely nobody gets aggressive from weed alone!

7 hours ago, captain_shane said:

People use drugs because they have no hope for the future. Get people educated with good jobs and drug use will drop.

 Are Cannabis users included?

Pardon Thaksin get him to revive the war on drugs and you will see positive results within one year 

1 hour ago, JulesMad said:

Yaba is the problem drug, not weed. Absolutely nobody gets aggressive from weed alone!

 

That's not what that scientific documentary said.  I'm pretty sure it was named "Reefer Madness" for a reason.

 

And for 80 years, anyone denying "the science" was ostracized, prosecuted and deplatformed.  Sound familiar?  History may not repeat itself, but it does rhyme.

 

Edit: In fairness, I do believe that weed used to be a gateway drug.  I mean, if you're going to risk a decade in jail, you may as well try the good stuff and get really high.  But that argument goes away where they legalized it.

On 10/1/2025 at 1:47 AM, quake said:

Time to legalize all drugs .

Get control.

Get revenue.

 

I'm not disputing you, but, as long as the idiots in charge of the government cant get rid  of the stray dogs, I think you can forget about it'll happen to drugs.

17 hours ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

Pardon Thaksin get him to revive the war on drugs and you will see positive results within one year 

Stupid post !! trying to justify the killing of1,372  people that had no drug related records. who thaskin is responsibly for 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/384560/thaksin-war-on-drugs-a-crime-against-

23 hours ago, JackGats said:

Eh ... no. I think people use drugs because they want to get high and like getting high. 

 

 

It's important to distinguish between drug use and drug abuse

 

Drug use is (mostly) harmless, especially when undertaken by well informed, mentally healthy people

 

Drug abuse is a symptom of somethine else; desparate attempts to sooth the symptoms of untreated mental health issues being at the top of the list. Providing an escape from high levels of discontentment and stress being another

 

Drug harm is mostly due to drug abuse and rarely from drug use. This is a very important distinction to keep in mind if the goal is truly to effectively reduce drug harm to both individuals and society as a whole