2 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

And then they will get new permits after the news item fades away.

Possibly, or, it becomes an industry where "tea money" has to be paid each month to turn a blind eye to those without a permit, so a great off the books earner for those in power.

This will stir uo the cannabis users.

Close all of them, logic would dictate cannabis to be dispensed from hospital dispensaries only...after all, it's only for medicinal purposes....

I'm sure to get a lot of hateful replies....555

6 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

This will stir uo the cannabis users.

Close all of them, logic would dictate cannabis to be dispensed from hospital dispensaries only...after all, it's only for medicinal purposes....

I'm sure to get a lot of hateful replies....555

Actually a great idea.

Put the profits into the Government Health Care System.

19 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

No different from many places. Look at the US where a new president comes in and cancels everything the previous one did through executive orders.

Very different... that's elections, here it's left hand, right hand, and whoever else, with money, gets involved, only any timescale... hourly, daily, weekly, etc

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

I suppose one could take a somewhat philosophical approach and say it wasn't meant to be since they are now revoking the privilege, but the government made a promise that they are not keeping and billions upon billions will be lost in the process. So no argument and no justification can be found for this regressive and reptilian behavior.

Billions ??

6 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

The sex trade is has also been illegal for decades but they are still operating so I take this new rule with a pinch of salt.

It makes no difference to me though as I never use either bar girls or drugs. 😃

Such a good boy !

52 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

Billions ??

Yes. Many billions. The retail dispensaries alone are way into the billions and then when you take into account all the infrastructure required to supply those stores it's likely into the hundreds of billions of baht that will be lost. And these ridiculous guys in the government keep on saying they're trying to improve the economy?

The only explanation that makes sense is that they're trying to bankrupt the youth.

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

This is a truly horrific development for Thailand, it sets the nation back two decades, it puts Thailand into the category of nations that are truly regressive

Is walking back cannabis legalization really regressive? Legalization was passed by a coalition of Thailand's most oppressive and regressive political parties, and not a platform of Thailand's most progressive party.

I'm amused by those who consider anti tobacco legislation to be progressive, but anti cannabis legislation to be regressive.

What's your opinion on New Zealand's tobacco ban. Progressive or regressive?

Is Donald Trump a progressive because his administration loosened Federal restrictions on cannabis in the US?

Unfortunately it attracts the wrong clientele to Thailand, which is doubly unfortunate as I enjoy a puff puff pass whilst sipping a brandy and listening to Marley. Luckily I have a very understanding doctor.

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Yes. Many billions. The retail dispensaries alone are way into the billions and then when you take into account all the infrastructure required to supply those stores it's likely into the hundreds of billions of baht that will be lost. And these ridiculous guys in the government keep on saying they're trying to improve the economy?

The only explanation that makes sense is that they're trying to bankrupt the youth.

Link, billions of what, there are mo

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Yes. Many billions. The retail dispensaries alone are way into the billions and then when you take into account all the infrastructure required to supply those stores it's likely into the hundreds of billions of baht that will be lost. And these ridiculous guys in the government keep on saying they're trying to improve the economy?

The only explanation that makes sense is that they're trying to bankrupt the youth.

Can’t stop laughing, I think you have been on the weed, do you have a reputable links, I doubt any government would ban anything which is raking in hundreds of billions.p of baht.

On 1/6/2026 at 1:19 PM, PingRoundTheWorld said:

While I personally have no problem with people smoking whatever the **** they want at home, there's still plenty of tourists who stink up the place in public. Aside from the fact most tourists aren't even aware it's illegal to smoke it in public - the availability as a selling point to tourists brings around the wrong kind of tourists (broke stoners aren't exactly quality nor do they contribute much to the economy).

So yeah- scrap it. No problem!

I quite agree, since cannabis has become a free for all , it has gone out of control. I don’t care what people do at home or discreetly, but unfortunately it has attracted exactly the wrong type of tourists . I have seen the difference, it’s blatant, before cannabis and after. As if there weren’t enough idiots running round and drunks , they’ve officially added potheads to the masses.

3 hours ago, ftpjtm said:

Is walking back cannabis legalization really regressive? Legalization was passed by a coalition of Thailand's most oppressive and regressive political parties, and not a platform of Thailand's most progressive party.

I'm amused by those who consider anti tobacco legislation to be progressive, but anti cannabis legislation to be regressive.

What's your opinion on New Zealand's tobacco ban. Progressive or regressive?

Is Donald Trump a progressive because his administration loosened Federal restrictions on cannabis in the US?

You been smoking too much ?

14 minutes ago, geisha said:

You been smoking too much ?

No, I can't stand the stench of burning tobacco or cannabis.

33 minutes ago, ftpjtm said:

No, I can't stand the stench of burning tobacco or cannabis.

I would suggest that you should not set fire to them then!

11 hours ago, Woke to Sounds said:

Well at least they won't be killin kids anymore with their damn drugs.

Nobody has ever died from using cannabis. In the 1970's The Netherlands decriminalised softdrugs which separated cannabis from the dangerous drugs like heroin and amphetamines so customers could legally and safely buy cannabis without being offered hard drugs from illegal street dealers. That move saved lives.

18 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

I would suggest that you should not set fire to them then!

I obviously don't.

I also appreciate the efforts by progressive governments to reduce my exposure to the stench generated by tobacco smokers. So find it ironic that efforts to curb cannabis smoking are considered regressive rather than progressive.

I think CP is trying to get a monopoly in this lucrative business.

5 hours ago, ftpjtm said:

No, I can't stand the stench of burning tobacco or cannabis.

When I am at a restaurant, I try to blow my tobacco smoke in the direction of the next table so they can enjoy my cigarette smoke as much as I do..

On 1/6/2026 at 7:19 PM, PingRoundTheWorld said:

While I personally have no problem with people smoking whatever the **** they want at home, there's still plenty of tourists who stink up the place in public. Aside from the fact most tourists aren't even aware it's illegal to smoke it in public - the availability as a selling point to tourists brings around the wrong kind of tourists (broke stoners aren't exactly quality nor do they contribute much to the economy).

So yeah- scrap it. No problem!

Agreed....

Under what new law? Was there a vote ? Can I just make up a law ? I thought this wack job Health Minister was long gone.

5 hours ago, chondan said:

I think CP is trying to get a monopoly in this lucrative business.

They have their hands in everything. From Petchabun?

4 hours ago, redwood1 said:

When I am at a restaurant, I try to blow my tobacco smoke in the direction of the next table so they can enjoy my cigarette smoke as much as I do..

One can only hope that some regressive government policy doesn't curtail your right to do that.

“Data from the Ministry shows that while 18,433 cannabis establishments were registered up to December 2025, only 1,339 shops renewed their licences, resulting in over 7,000 closures”

I think it’s a big assumption that those who didn’t renew their licence actually closed.

I haven’t see a single shop close down near me and many have been open far more than a year.

Maybe they realized it’s so easy to operate without a licence with impunity.

10 hours ago, redwood1 said:

When I am at a restaurant, I try to blow my tobacco smoke in the direction of the next table so they can enjoy my cigarette smoke as much as I do..

That's why as a non smoker when I walk into a restaurant the first thing I look for is a pack of cigarettes on the table I then sit as far away as possible.

Fantastic idea - let's send all the recreational users back to the black market! A thriving black market will help the Police low wage situation enormously. Plus think of all the health benefits cannabis users can expect from going back to buying unregulated products. This is sheer genius!

2 hours ago, Davedub said:

Fantastic idea - let's send all the recreational users back to the black market! A thriving black market will help the Police low wage situation enormously. Plus think of all the health benefits cannabis users can expect from going back to buying unregulated products. This is sheer genius!

It’s being legally controlled instead of a shop no knowing what quality of the product you are actually buying, for all you know it could be grass cuttings.

2 hours ago, Davedub said:

Fantastic idea - let's send all the recreational users back to the black market! A thriving black market will help the Police low wage situation enormously. Plus think of all the health benefits cannabis users can expect from going back to buying unregulated products. This is sheer genius!

Agreed it is, at least controlled and you know hat the product is your buying.

On 1/7/2026 at 9:15 AM, impulse said:

I think the speed and size of the weed market caught the powerful families by surprise. As soon as the same families that control booze and smokes get their ducks in a row, weed will be back in force. It will still employ millions up and down the supply chain, but the only ones making the big money will be the usual families. Everyone else will be fighting for their crumbs.

They know what they do, it's typical politics
create or allow the problems so they can provide their solution
which is always licensing, permission
then they remove the permission for the many and provide it for the few

On 1/7/2026 at 11:52 AM, ftpjtm said:

Then why did GDP growth in Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Philippines all outpace Thailand in 2025? Doesn't seem to be much of a magic elixir for the Thai economy.

What part of kickstart did you fail to understand?

On 1/8/2026 at 5:58 AM, spidermike007 said:

That's why as a non smoker when I walk into a restaurant the first thing I look for is a pack of cigarettes on the table I then sit as far away as possible.

I don't go to restaurants that have ash trays on the table anywhere in South East Asia.

I once walked into a restaurant that I hadn't been into before, sat down and started reading the menu. A guy asks for an ash tray and the staff give him one and he lights up. I got up and walked out and very politely told the staff why. No agro, no abuse. I just told them why they just lost a customer. I never went back.

From my experience in cnx many shops selling the stuff never a issue really.Thais happy they have a job or business never a problem from what i saw and empty shops that were being used.All postive but some people think this is a bad thing to do and want to stop it