Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has warned that the country’s cannabis industry could be shut down if authorities conclude it is causing more harm than benefit, following a series of major international cannabis smuggling cases linked to Thailand.

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Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in 2022, promoting it as a medical crop with significant economic potential. Four years later, however, lawmakers are still debating cannabis control legislation, while recreational dispensaries have expanded and falling prices have pushed some growers towards illegal export markets.

Speaking to reporters, Anutin said the government must reassess its approach if cannabis continues to be smuggled abroad despite stricter enforcement. “No matter how strict our measures are, if people can still smuggle drugs out, we need to go back and reassess our approach,” he said. He added that Thailand must prevent other countries from blaming it as “the weak link” and said he was prepared to “shut down” the industry if necessary.

His comments follow several high-profile seizures. On 2 July, German customs announced they had dismantled a smuggling route transporting Thai cannabis to Europe by sea, seizing two shipments totalling 1.2 tonnes with an estimated street value of more than US$13 million. Investigators said the cannabis had been hidden inside containers of building materials and linked the operation to a German-Polish criminal group.

SoutheastAsians & Pacific Islanders

The same day, Indonesian authorities revealed they had seized 3.37 tonnes of cannabis buds from Thailand in East Java. The shipment was allegedly intended for cannabis vape products destined for Jakarta and Bali. Twelve suspects, including several Thai nationals, were arrested.

Authorities have also reported increasing numbers of British nationals arrested after attempting to fly home carrying cannabis in their luggage. Investigators say organised crime groups have recruited couriers through Telegram chat app, offering free holidays to Thailand in exchange for transporting drugs.

The UK Embassy in Thailand last week repeated its warning that travellers should never carry cannabis or packages for others, noting that those caught leaving Thailand with cannabis face fines of 30,000 baht per kilogram seized, with prison sentences possible if fines cannot be paid.

Hong Kong customs also arrested two travellers arriving from Thailand last week carrying suspected cannabis buds weighing 13kg and 10kg respectively. Thaicultural experiences

Thailand has already tightened domestic regulations by requiring cannabis dispensaries to hold licences and buyers to present medical certificates. Hundreds of dispensaries have reportedly closed, although recreational use remains widespread and the proposed Cannabis Bill is still progressing through parliament.

Some growers say the expected financial benefits never materialised. One former grower, identified only as Noi, said collapsing prices and criminal involvement had driven legitimate producers out of the market. She said cannabis prices had fallen from more than 10,000 baht per kilogram to around half that level and argued that the drug should be made illegal again.

ScMP reported that the government’s next steps are likely to depend on whether tighter controls and the proposed legislation can reduce illegal exports while preserving the legal medical cannabis sector.

Pictures courtesy of SCMP

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Adapted by ASEAN Now SCMP 8 July 2026

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Black market players welcome this news.

Who could’ve predicted that opening thousands of dispensaries without clear laws might have unintended consequences? Oh… everyone.

Yes shut it down as Thailand has become the global hub for all the junkies around the world who come to Thailand to get high in broad daylight with all the disastrous consequences it bears, Very bad image for tourism.

As expressed in the OP the immediate concern of PM Anutin is Thailand becoming an export hub for cannabis, not the domestic implications.

So the shops will stop offering the 1Kg special 'take it home and get rich' packs?

Edited 15 hours ago15 hr by jacko45k

Nobody should be smoking that damn weed, esp the goverment approved strains. Turns your damn brain to soup.

MGIA ! (make ganja illegal again)

💯%

3 hours ago, Sigmund said:

Yes shut it down as Thailand has become the global hub for all the junkies around the world who come to Thailand to get high in broad daylight with all the disastrous consequences it bears, Very bad image for tourism.

Last night I infected thc.

1 hour ago, blaze master said:

Last night I infected thc.

What disease did you give to THC? I didn't think that was possible. Maybe you meant injected.

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

while recreational dispensaries have expanded and falling prices have pushed some growers towards illegal export markets.

Ah, ok.

So it's not that they determined that smoking cannabis has negative effects.

Got it.

There is definitely a direct correlation between the recent legalization and uptick in trashy tourists showing up , which is a shame as ganja is not a bad thing at all .

2 minutes ago, PhilipHabib said:

There is definitely a direct correlation between the recent legalization and uptick in trashy tourists showing up , which is a shame as ganja is not a bad thing at all .

You are contradicting yourself.

Because you imply that most people who consume cannabis are "trashy".

So then maybe it is bad if mostly trashy people are smoking it?

There's no direct correlation to anything. Impossible to compile any statistics to back up those claims.

Off topic troll post removed @save the frogs

Rule 10. You will not post troll messages. Trolling is the act of purposefully antagonizing forum members by posting controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages with the primary intent of provoking other members into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.

23 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

You are contradicting yourself.

Because you imply that most people who consume cannabis are "trashy".

So then maybe it is bad if mostly trashy people are smoking it?

There's no direct correlation to anything. Impossible to compile any statistics to back up those claims.

No No

Ganja is no bad

But many of the bad press involves trashy type of weed smokers who came to TH because they can legally buy herb

See I don't make the rules , but I try my best to follow them.

Ya Good ?

7 minutes ago, PhilipHabib said:

Ya Good ?

Not really.

You're saying there are 2 types of weed smokers?

2 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Not really.

You're saying there are 2 types of weed smokers?

yes , indica and sativa but please don't omit hybrid

u understand that the plants are sexed also before maturing ?

4 hours ago, Sigmund said:

Yes shut it down as Thailand has become the global hub for all the junkies around the world who come to Thailand to get high in broad daylight with all the disastrous consequences it bears, Very bad image for tourism.

What about Amsterdam or Portugal.

"....industry could be shut down if authorities conclude it is causing more harm than benefit,..."

If that is the criteria, then alcohol and tobacco should be shut down ASAP....

I don't use any of those substances, so no dog in this fight, but do wonder if there has been any reduction in domestic violence, alcohol influence car accidents.... other behaviors that might have gone down due to switching from booze (factor in violence) to pot (put on some Allman Brothers and chill)

5 hours ago, Sigmund said:

Yes shut it down as Thailand has become the global hub for all the junkies around the world who come to Thailand to get high in broad daylight with all the disastrous consequences it bears, Very bad image for tourism.

Junkies are not associated with cannabis. A junkie is associated with heroin. Thailand has a serious problem with yaba. Cannabis is much less of a problem.

8 hours ago, gargamon said:

What disease did you give to THC? I didn't think that was possible. Maybe you meant injected.

Oh ya good catch.

46 minutes ago, blaze master said:

Oh ya good catch.

How do you inject THC anyway? Maybe a rectum infusion?

4 minutes ago, gargamon said:

How do you inject THC anyway? Maybe a rectum infusion?

Was just a shot at the pinkie comment made by another poster.

I don't smoke it, but it's a shame the people that do chose to push the boundaries and started smoking in public areas.

If they strictly enforced only to be consumed in the venue of point of sale and / or one's residence, it would have been more out of sight out of mind.

As for the smuggling cases being the reason, I don't believe it.

It would be a shame to see cannabis criminalized again, so people could be extorted by corrupt officials.

"strictly enforced" ?????

how many laws in thailand are really strictly enforced? Ironically the loose law enforcement and mai bphen rai life is a feature that many visitors seem to enjoy until some law is enforced against them and then it's not so much fun.

Start with the most openly ignored and dangerous law of all...wear a helmet on motorbikes. Then work on pot, booze, and the rest of a very long list of "crimes".

8 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Junkies are not associated with cannabis. A junkie is associated with heroin. Thailand has a serious problem with yaba. Cannabis is much less of a problem.

Absolutely, methamphetamines and amphetamines are a terrible scourge on Thailand, especially visible in upcountry villages.

Youths are often sent to Wat Tham Bork in Saraburi for a month of herbal treatment and hard hitting semons/ talks.

It works for some but if, as often happens, the addict goes back to his old stomping ground, plus has no work, then there's the inevitable relapse.

The problem with ya ba is it's so easy to produce in Myanmar and Laos, and there's the porous borders.

Regarding cannabis, what to do? It was Anuthin's own party that legalised it, perhaps keeping it legal to smoke only at home, or for foreigners on a designated island, Koh Ganja....

I'm no expert, but can't this stuff be grown by anyone just about anyplace by now?

15 hours ago, Sigmund said:

Yes shut it down as Thailand has become the global hub for all the junkies around the world who come to Thailand to get high in broad daylight with all the disastrous consequences it bears, Very bad image for tourism.

It's not a "bad image" for tourism. Most adults understand are tolerant to the fact that some people enjoy consuming cannabis.

Most people don't care if you smoke cannabis, as long as you're not bothering them.

You're not tolerant?

Do you drink alcohol in the middle of the day? What's the difference?

And that's not the reason they are closing down the industry.

Edited 50 minutes ago50 min by save the frogs

11 hours ago, gargamon said:

Maybe you meant injected.

Ingested?