Leaderboard

A catering business owner has lodged a complaint with Pak Chong Police Station, alleging a Thai-foreign couple failed to pay the remaining 195,000 baht bill for their wedding reception in Nakhon Ratchasima province. Somsak Taemsuay, 39, filed the complaint on July 16 after repeated attempts to obtain payment, according to his account. Police said they intend to summon the couple to discuss the dispute, although no date has been set. Booking and deposit Somsak said a Thai woman identified only as Paphada booked his company on June 9 for a wedding reception held on July 7. The order was for catering for 130 tables, charged at 2,500 baht each, making the total bill 325,000 baht. He said he met Paphada at her home in Ban Rai subdistrict, Thep Sathit district, on June 10 to agree the menu and arrangements for the venue. She subsequently paid a 130,000 baht deposit, he said. Because of the size of the booking, Somsak said his business also supplied drinks free of charge and arranged a live band for the morning wedding ceremony. Caterer says balance was not paid The catering service was completed on the wedding day, and Somsak said his company asked for settlement of the remaining balance afterwards. He alleged that the couple asked to pay the following day, but the 195,000 baht did not arrive. According to Somsak, Paphada later told him that her foreign husband had not provided the dowry he had promised, leaving her unable to pay the outstanding amount. Somsak said the unpaid bill has caused financial pressure for him and his business. Despite making a police complaint, he said he would prefer to resolve the matter through negotiation rather than court action. The complaint remains an allegation, and the report does not identify the foreign husband's nationality or give his response. What foreign residents should note For foreigners planning a wedding or other major event in Thailand, the case underlines the importance of making clear arrangements with suppliers over deposits, final-payment dates and who is responsible for settling the bill. Police have said only that they plan to call the couple in for questioning and discussions over the alleged debt. Pictures courtesy of Facebook/ Khao Pak Chong News Join the discussion? 18 July 2026

A foreign customer speaking fluent Isan surprised staff at a Korean grilled meat shop in Kalasin after ordering two jumbo sets and asking to pay through the Thai discount scheme using his wife's mobile phone. The moment, recorded on the shop's CCTV at 5.28pm on 14 July, was posted by the owner on Facebook and drew comments from viewers wondering how a foreigner could use the Khon La Khrueng or Thai Chuai Thai Plus benefit. Shop owner Apinya Phunnoina later explained that the entitlement belonged to the man's wife. He used her phone to scan and pay for the order, according to the report. Fluent Isan leaves staff laughing The customer entered the long-established grilled meat shop on Thanon Thinnanon, on the Kalasin-Yang Talat route in Muang district, to buy food to take home. He placed his order in Isan, the Lao-influenced dialect commonly heard across north-eastern Thailand. Apinya said she could not contain her laughter after hearing his accent. In her Facebook caption, the owner said she was already amazed that the foreign customer could speak Isan, before he asked whether the shop accepted the half-price scheme. She described him as both handsome and able to speak Isan. Apinya said the man asked about the available meal sets. She told him a large set cost 250 baht and a jumbo set 320 baht. He chose two jumbo sets. He then asked whether the shop accepted Khon La Khrueng. Staff asked whose benefit he intended to use, and he replied that it belonged to his wife before producing the phone to scan the payment. For foreign residents and visitors, eligibility for government cost-of-living schemes remains separate from simply being able to make a payment at a participating shop. Anyone hoping to use such a programme should check the official conditions and ensure the registered beneficiary is making the transaction in line with the scheme's rules. Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Patong police have detained an Australian man after officers saw him skateboarding on a public road in Phuket town. The man, whose name was not released, was apprehended and Police cited safety concerns and local traffic laws after spotting him using the road with his skateboard. Taken to investigation unit Phuket Tourist Police told Phuket Express that the Australian was taken into custody along with his skateboard and escorted to the investigation unit for legal proceedings. Authorities said the matter would be dealt with under Thai law. The report did not specify the particular charge or any potential penalty. The case follows a reminder from local officials that skateboarding and similar recreational activities should be limited to designated areas rather than public roads. Officials said road-use violations can endanger both tourists and other people in the community, particularly in busy areas such as Patong where traffic, pedestrians, motorcycles and tour vehicles often share limited space. Reminder for visitors and residents For foreigners visiting or living in Thailand, the incident is a practical warning that activities considered harmless or routine elsewhere may draw police attention when carried out on public roads. Holidaymakers and expats using skateboards, scooters, bicycles or other recreational equipment should be particularly cautious in tourist centres, where enforcement can be swift if officers believe road safety rules have been breached. Patong's streets can be congested throughout the day and evening, while the area's nightlife and high pedestrian numbers can add further risks after dark. Visitors should use officially designated spaces where available and avoid treating roads as recreation areas. The authorities' message was directed at visitors generally: recreational activity must not interfere with traffic or create a danger to road users and pedestrians. No further details about the Australian man's case, including the outcome of the legal proceedings, were released. 8407471088241598470.mp4 Video courtesy of Phuketinsta Join the discussion? 18 July 2026

Koh Samui has been named the World's Best Island for 2026 by Travel + Leisure, placing Thailand's Gulf island ahead of the Maldives, Bali and Milos. The Surat Thani island received a reader score of 95.64 in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards. The Maldives came a close second with 95.38, while the Galapagos Islands ranked third, Bali fourth and Phuket fifth. The result gives Thailand two of the five highest-ranked island destinations in the 2026 list, with Koh Samui and Phuket both featuring in the top five. Reader score puts Samui ahead The Ministry of Tourism and Sports said the recognition reflected Koh Samui's appeal beyond its beaches. It cited the island's scenery, cultural heritage, local character and range of food experiences. Koh Samui is expected to gain further standing in the premium international travel market following the award, while the recognition also supports Thailand's wider position as a global tourism destination. For foreign residents, repeat visitors and prospective holidaymakers, the accolade may bring greater international attention to Samui. The government has indicated that its response will focus not only on attracting more visitors, but also on how the island manages tourism over the longer term. Government promises tourism improvements Rather than viewing the award as an endpoint, authorities said they would use it to improve tourism quality and long-term management on Koh Samui. The stated priorities include stronger visitor safety measures, public-infrastructure improvements and tighter action against illegal businesses which could undermine confidence in the destination. These areas are particularly relevant to foreigners who live on the island or visit regularly, as safety standards, transport and other public facilities form part of daily life as well as the holiday experience. The government has not set out specific measures or a timetable in the announcement. Authorities also plan to improve tourism services and support development intended to protect Koh Samui's environment and distinctive identity, while benefiting local communities and the wider economy. Thailand has two islands in the top five Koh Samui's first-place finish narrowly edged the Maldives, while the Galapagos Islands, Bali and Phuket completed the top five. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports said the result underlined Thailand's continued ability to draw travellers through its mix of natural scenery, culture, food and hospitality. For Samui, the challenge outlined by the government is to preserve those qualities while improving services, infrastructure and visitor confidence. Picture courtesy of PR Thai Government Join the discussion? 18 July 2026

Thai Immigration Bureau investigators have revoked the permission to stay of Chinese national Jiang Liping, after Chinese authorities identified him as the subject of an Interpol Red Notice over an alleged pyramid scheme. Immigration police said on July 17 that Jiang, who is also facing an arrest warrant in China, had been detained at a property in Nong Prue, after investigators from Division 2 of the Immigration Bureau Investigation Division gathered evidence to support the cancellation of his permission to remain in Thailand. The case concerns KP International Group, an online platform alleged to have attracted investors with promises of high returns. Alleged scheme involved thousands of investors Investigators said Jiang and others established an organisation operating as a pyramid scheme and multi-level marketing network. Investors were encouraged to put money into online platforms, websites and applications, while members were required to recruit further participants. Authorities found that more than 31,580 people had invested across eight levels of the scheme. More than 3,261 people were allegedly harmed, with losses put at more than 939 million yuan. Jiang, described by police as the founder and executive, is alleged to have received more than 31 million yuan from the operation. Police said the money was subsequently used to buy property, insurance and vehicles, as well as for personal spending. China requested international action Chinese authorities opened criminal proceedings and issued an Interpol Red Notice requesting member countries to locate and detain Jiang. An Interpol Red Notice is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition or other legal action. It is not itself an international arrest warrant. Travel records showed that Jiang most recently entered Thailand on August 30, 2019, through Don Mueang Airport Immigration Checkpoint. He was later granted permission to remain in the kingdom on a Non-O immigration visa. For foreign residents, the case is a reminder that a Thai visa or extension of stay can be cancelled where immigration authorities identify serious overseas criminal allegations or international police alerts. A visa does not prevent Thai authorities from taking action under immigration law or coordinating a handover with another country. Immigration investigators said they had submitted evidence to revoke Jiang's permission to stay and would proceed under Thai law while coordinating his transfer through the relevant procedures. Pictures courtesy of Daily News Join the discussion? 18 July 2026

Tourism operators in southern Thailand have urged the government to postpone a proposed 300-baht tourist entry fee, saying it could deter cross-border travel and duplicate insurance already arranged for visitors. The proposal was discussed at a tourism development meeting in Hat Yai chaired by Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul. Government agencies, private-sector representatives, the Songkhla Chamber of Commerce, tourism associations and hotel operators attended the meeting. Businesses seek fuller review Songchai Mungprasitchai, president of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, said tourism businesses wanted the government to delay the charge and carry out a more comprehensive study before proceeding. He said one concern was that the proposed fee could overlap with travel insurance already supplied by tour operators. The issue is particularly relevant to organised visitors whose travel packages may already include insurance cover. For foreigners planning trips to Thailand, the calls underline that the 300-baht charge remains under discussion rather than an announced new requirement. Travellers using land borders, especially those making short visits, would be among those most directly affected if it were introduced. Daily Malaysia border travel is a concern Mr Songchai said the greatest concern involved the southern border provinces, where large numbers of people travel daily between Thailand and Malaysia for trade, work, dining and short visits. A fee levied on every traveller could add up for people who cross frequently, including foreign residents and visitors based on either side of the border. It could also affect tourists making brief overland trips rather than longer holidays in Thailand. The meeting was convened to discuss measures to make border crossings easier and improve safety, alongside wider tourism development issues. Call for a vehicle-based charge Mr Songchai urged the government to consider charging per vehicle instead of per traveller. Such an approach, he said, would better reflect the realities of high-volume daily crossings in the south. Join the discussion? 18 July 2026

A Norwegian man accused by child boxers of sexual abuse at a boxing gym in Rayong reportedly died from cancer one day before Central Investigation Bureau officers searched the premises. The 80-year-old, identified only as Kim, was named by children interviewed after police arrested the 28-year-old son of the gym owner, in Chon Buri on July 15. The investigation into alleged child prostitution and abuse at the gym remains ongoing. Arrest followed undercover operation Police said suspect was arrested at a resort in Chon Buri on allegations that he procured child boxers for prostitution. The arrest followed an undercover operation in which an officer posed as someone interested in becoming a boxing student. The officer questioned the suspect about alleged sexual services, then arranged to buy those services and set up a meeting involving the suspect and several boys at the resort, where he was arrested. Investigators subsequently searched the Rayong boxing gym and interviewed 15 child boxers. According to the children's accounts, Kim was involved in the alleged abuse. The children claimed the Norwegian man sexually abused young boxers and paid them between 500 and 5,000 baht. Several also alleged that he financially supported the gym and provided money to some of the children and their families. Long-standing financial support alleged Channel 7 reported that the gym owner met Kim around 10 years ago at a boxing competition in Pattaya. The broadcaster said the Norwegian subsequently became a major financial backer of the gym. Investigators later learned from local residents that Kim had died of cancer the day before the police raid, Channel 7 reported. For foreign residents and visitors using boxing gyms or arranging training for children in Thailand, the case is a reminder that the current police inquiry concerns alleged criminal activity at one specific Rayong gym. Authorities have not announced further arrests or named additional suspects. Claims over possible motive unconfirmed Channel 7 also spoke to a man named Wa, who said he had been close to Kim. Wa claimed he did not believe the suspect was involved in the alleged child prostitution ring, instead accusing another person linked to the gym, identified as Tar. Wa further alleged that Kim and the suspect had a difficult relationship. He claimed Tar regularly brought child boxers to visit Kim, including during the final stages of the Norwegian man's illness in Pattaya. He suggested that financial disputes may have led Tar to report the matter to police and shift blame towards the suspect. Police have not confirmed those claims. Channel 7 reported that a Thai woman, Thippawan, worked closely with Kim and managed his financial affairs. Attempts by the broadcaster to contact her for comment were unsuccessful. Related story Rayong-gym-manager-held-Norwegian-sought-in-underage-sex-case Join the discussion? 18 July 2026

Four Russian nationals were arrested in Chonburi on Friday, July 17, as police widened an investigation into suspected nominee company arrangements involving upmarket homes and land valued at more than THB5 billion. The operation targeted 33 companies suspected of using Thai shareholders to conceal foreign control of property businesses and bypass restrictions on foreign business activity and land ownership. Pol Lt Gen Nopasil Poolsawat, a commissioner attached to the Office of the National Police Chief, led the coordinated raids. Police carried out four arrest warrants and searched 41 locations across the province, including a housing development in Bang Lamung district. All four Russian suspects named in the warrants were taken into custody. Companies and land under scrutiny The immediate inquiry concerns 33 companies linked to 32 land plots with an estimated value of about THB235 million. Investigators suspect Thai nationals may have been registered as shareholders on behalf of foreign beneficiaries. Police seized company registration documents, accounting records, computers, mobile phones and a large quantity of electronic data. Officers are tracing financial flows and checking for possible links to a wider domestic and international network. The Chonburi investigation began with a provincial task force set up to examine unlawful foreign business activity, following earlier arrests involving foreign property brokers and suspected nominee arrangements. Immigration police, Chonburi Provincial Police, and officials responsible for business registration, land, tax and commerce later combined their findings, leading to the expanded operation. Police stressed that the companies and individuals are still under investigation. Any legal responsibility must be decided through the judicial process. Estate promoted as a 'Russian village' A key part of the inquiry involves a housing estate that was reportedly marketed for sale and rent on Russian-based websites. Investigators found the development had been described online as a "Russian village", leading authorities to examine who owned and controlled the houses and the land beneath them. Pictures courtesy of The Nation According to police findings, more than 495 companies had been set up to hold around 775 detached houses across five developments. The combined value of those properties was put at more than THB5 billion. Police said 435 of the companies had foreign shareholders. Investigators identified 19 companies suspected of using nominee shareholders, as well as another 14 companies in which foreign shareholdings allegedly exceeded legal limits while the businesses held land. Those two groups account for the 33 companies now facing possible legal action. For foreign buyers, residents and investors in Thailand, the case is a reminder that property structures involving Thai companies, shareholders or land ownership can receive close official scrutiny. The investigation concerns alleged nominee arrangements, rather than ordinary foreign residents renting homes or buying property within permitted legal structures. AQPjP4XPjkWkuK6OWSUyjKAWN7mkH4eQQmatPlwkJcdb1sTU_snk-wPIuKzXxLuZy5E-I38z5zuVpP5ZPVBwiKe9OBf5Xb24q_b2qbbqlA.mp4 Related story Chonburi-raids-target-33-suspected-nominee-firms Join the discussion? 18 July 2026

Bangkok police believe an overloaded electrical system may have caused the fatal fire at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, while investigators are also examining reports that an emergency exit was bolted shut. Autopsies found that those who died inhaled carbon monoxide and cyanide released in the blaze. Police said the gases stopped body tissues receiving oxygen and, at high concentrations, could be fatal within minutes; the autopsy findings indicated victims died from cyanide and CO poisoning within four minutes. Electrical upgrade and possible short circuit Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Siam Boonsom met investigators at Phahon Yothin Police Station on Thursday, July 16, to review evidence, witness accounts and the case file. More than 106 people have been questioned, including management and staff, relatives of the dead and injured, forensic officers, engineers and electricity officials. Police are also seeking statements from electricians who previously carried out alterations at the premises. Information from the Metropolitan Electricity Authority has become central to the inquiry. The venue had initially applied for a 30/100 electricity supply, but later used more power and sought an upgrade. Police said the business repeatedly told electricity officials it was not ready when they tried to inspect. Investigators suspect electrical work may then have been completed without official inspection, potentially overloading the system before a short circuit started the fire. Bolted exit under investigation Employees and some of the first customers to escape told police that an emergency exit near the toilets had been secured with a bolt before the blaze. People attempting to flee reportedly had to remove the bolt before getting out. Investigators will determine how this affected the evacuation, whether all four entrances and exits met safety standards, and whether the venue had held emergency evacuation drills. Forensic officers have completed their examination if the site, but official reports on exits, ceiling materials and possible building irregularities are still pending. The case is a stark reminder to note accessible exits when entering bars, clubs and other crowded entertainment venues. Police say emergency exits should normally remain readily accessible. Several police officers who entered the building to rescue customers suffered respiratory irritation and severe smoke inhalation. They were treated at Police General Hospital and have since been discharged. The national police chief has ordered a review of benefits, awards and commendations for those involved. Ownership and possible charges Police are also tracing the business's financial arrangements and possible undeclared partners. Company documents list the injured owner and the owner's mother; the owner remains on a ventilator but is gradually improving, while the mother has not been questioned because she was not believed to handle daily operations of the venue. The owner's elder sister, described as part of the management team, has given a statement. Anyone found to have shared profits or managed the venue could face legal action, police said. No charges have yet been filed. Police expect to charge the owner when the owner can communicate, with possible allegations including negligence causing death and serious injury, negligence resulting in a fire, unauthorised alterations and operating outside the venue's licence. Picture courtesy of The Nation Related stories Fire-kills-at-least-27-in-Bangkok-pub Chatuchak-chief-avoids-licence-questions-after-fire Join the discussion? 17 July 2026

Pattaya police are searching for a man accused of snatching a two-baht-weight gold necklace on the evening of 17 July 2026, from a gold shop on the second floor of a shopping centre in Pattaya, Chonburi. The suspect allegedly threatened staff before running from the shop, saying he needed money to repay football gambling debts. Police said they are reviewing CCTV footage. Suspect left an ID card behind Police Lieutenant Colonel Sudet Imjai, investigation inspector at Pattaya City Police Station, received the report of the theft. He informed his superiors before Police Lieutenant Colonel Anek Srathongyu, superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, led investigators and patrol officers to the scene. The theft took place at Yaowarat Bangkok Gold on the second floor of the shopping centre in the north Pattaya area. A female employee told officers that the suspect was a tall, thin man wearing a black T-shirt. He fled through the front of the shopping centre with one gold necklace weighing two baht. He left behind an identity card, although police had not established whether it belonged to the alleged offender or is real. Employee describes alleged threat Wunsen, 22, an employee at the shop, said the man initially asked to try on a three-baht-weight necklace. He then returned it and asked to wear a two-baht-weight chain. She said he then told staff: "Do not make a loud noise. I do not want to kill anyone. I am in debt from football gambling and only need the money to pay the debt." The man then ran towards the front of the centre, she said. Staff activated the alarm and police began efforts to intercept him. Investigators will now use security camera footage to trace the suspect and seek his arrest for legal proceedings. AQOF-6R6TbYOOXP3mRgiueJOFm-ZPY8q_nwu1d5CDzE5I559tit8D8yr9-zWGjHX99qmKKAkJlmaNk402fOqbXucJnDJ2mGLb3qiNGxgTg.mp4 Join the discussion? 18 July 2026

A Thai activist group is preparing a petition calling for a law that would require pregnant migrant workers to return to their home countries to give birth. The Thai Mai Thon group hopes to collect at least 100,000 Thai signatures before submitting its demand to the Labour Ministry and Senate. The group says it announced the launch through its Thai Mai Thon page and the Facebook page of its leader, Akkarawut Buranaphan, known as Tae Achiwa. This political campaign highlights growing scrutiny of migrant-worker welfare, family dependants and public services - issues that could eventually affect employers and foreign families if policy proposals advance. Petition targets births and family dependants Akkarawut said the signatures would accompany a letter asking the Labour Ministry to act, while the Senate would be asked to send the issue to its labour committee and invite the labour minister for discussions. He argued that Thailand needs workers but should not accept accompanying dependants as a burden. He also called for the removal of rules allowing migrant workers to bring family members to live in Thailand. Akkarawut cited Singapore, Taiwan and Israel as countries which, he said, send Thai workers home if they become pregnant and admit workers without their families. He claimed migrant workers may seek to settle in Thailand and that births here create economic and security concerns. Education and healthcare rights criticised The Economic Party is separately campaigning for the government to review or repeal a Cabinet resolution of 5 July 2005. That resolution allows all children in Thailand, including those without household-registration documents or Thai nationality, to enter education at every level with state per-head funding equal to Thai children. Children born in Thailand without Thai nationality can access 15 years of basic education, from kindergarten to upper secondary school or an equivalent course. The reported state subsidy, including teaching, books, equipment, uniforms and activities, ranges from about 10,000 to 50,000 baht per child annually, depending on the level. The party puts the number of such children in the education system at around 150,000 to 200,000, with annual education spending estimated at 2-3 billion baht. Tassanan Sirilertmekasakul, the Economic Party's deputy spokesperson, said the party would seek a separate accounting of migrant children's education costs from the overall 20-billion-baht annual education budget cited in the report. Social Security benefits cited in debate The party said Section 33 Social Security members who have contributed for at least 12 months can receive 1,000 baht a month per child from birth until age six, for up to three children. A fourth child can qualify once an older child has passed six. It also cites maternity payments of 15,000 baht per birth, with no limit on claims, and 50 per cent of wages for 90 days for female insured workers, up to two claims. Daily migrant wages were put at 337-400 baht, or roughly 9,000-12,000 baht monthly, with contributions of 600 baht a month. Picture courtesy of Manager Online Join the discussion? 18 July 2026

A concrete slab fell in a building being renovated in Bangkok's Bang Na district on Friday morning, 17 July, killing one Myanmar worker and seriously injuring another. The incident happened at a site on Sukhumvit 66/1 in the Bang Na Nuea area at about 9.50am on July 17. Authorities are investigating what caused the slab to fall. The Phra Ram Radio Centre received the alert and sent firefighters and rescue teams from Phra Khanong fire and rescue station to the scene. Rescue teams find one worker trapped Initial reports said two men had sustained severe injuries in the collapse. One was taken to Ruamchai Rak Hospital for treatment. The second man was trapped beneath the fallen concrete structure. He was later pronounced dead, with rescue workers working for some time, to recover his body. Picture courtesy of Bangkokpost Bang Na district office identified the injured man as Aung Moe Thu, 28, a Myanmar national. The worker who died was named as Zin Min Thet Aung, 32, also a Myanmar national. Building had renovation approval According to the district office, the building had received permission for structural modifications on June 10. No cause for the failure has yet been confirmed. Officials were examining the site as part of their investigation into the accident. The incident occurred in a busy Sukhumvit-side neighbourhood of Bang Na, an area used by residents, office workers and visitors travelling through eastern Bangkok. Foreign residents and tourists passing construction or renovation sites are generally advised to follow site barriers and warning signs, particularly where work is under way above street level. The case also highlights the risks faced by migrant labourers, including workers from Myanmar, who make up a significant part of Thailand's construction workforce. Authorities have not announced whether any action will follow against those responsible for the renovation site while the investigation remains under way. Join the discussion? 18 July 2026

A school tour bus carrying 51 pupils and six teachers, left the road and rolled over onto it’s side, in Prasat district, Surin, on Friday, 17 July. All 57 people on board suffered minor injuries, with no deaths or serious injuries reported. Prasat Police received the report at 11.22am, following the crash on Highway 214 opposite Wat Talwak in Kang-an subdistrict, Prasat district. The bus had been transporting pupils from a school in Khukhan district, Si Sa Ket, on an educational trip. Passengers taken to hospital Police, traffic officers, patrol units and emergency responders were sent to the scene following instructions from Pol Col Weeraphan Na Lampang, deputy provincial police commander for Surin, and Pol Col Weenawat Sriyaem, superintendent of Prasat Police Station. Pictures courtesy of Naewna Officials assisted those involved, arranged for all the injured passengers to be taken to hospital and managed traffic around the crash site. Police said every passenger suffered only minor injuries. The road was subsequently reopened and traffic returned to normal. Cause remains under investigation Investigators are still establishing what caused the bus to leave the highway and rolled over. School transport safety has remained a concern in Thailand following a number of serious bus crashes in recent years. In this case, authorities said thankfully, there were no fatalities and no one was seriously hurt. AQP2W5t037JKA1cIEUzb2ZmXo73EPz2NQdCRo87WalVlmJ_LgDPxaxVhSUCpGeBRrkmynnJLy-rsPGZpBAaLO3p5wqWffktcRbtaCWQLCQ.mp4 Join the discussion? 18 July 2026

The government has repeated that cannabis flower is classified as a "controlled herb", requiring licences for commercial research, export, sale and processing, while public sales are limited to people with valid medical prescriptions. The measures, outlined by deputy government spokesperson Ploythalay Laksameesaengjan on Friday, July 17, 2026, form part of the Ministry of Public Health Notification on Controlled Herbs (Cannabis) 2025. Cannabis flower can be prescribed for medical purposes by a physician, Thai traditional medical practitioner, folk healer, pharmacist or dentist. Each prescription can cover no more than 30 days. Prescription-only sales Under Section 46, anyone intending to research, export, sell or process cannabis flower commercially must obtain a licence. Sales to the general public are permitted only where the buyer has a prescription from a qualified practitioner. Retailers that secretly sell flowers to people without a doctor's prescription may face prosecution. Smoking cannabis flower on business premises is prohibited, except when it is part of treatment provided by a qualified practitioner. The regulations also ban sales through vending machines, electronic channels and computer networks, as well as advertising through any channel. Those who illegally sell, process or export cannabis flower can be prosecuted under Section 78 of the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Act 1999. The maximum penalty is one year's imprisonment, a fine of up to THB20,000, or both. What travellers need to know For foreign residents and visitors, the most important point is that cannabis flower cannot simply be treated as an ordinary tourist purchase. Buyers should ensure any flower is obtained in line with the prescription requirement, while businesses catering to tourists must comply with the new sales and advertising restrictions. Travellers should also be particularly careful not to carry cannabis out of Thailand. Ploythalay said that, although Thailand has laws governing cannabis for medical and health purposes, some countries still classify it as a serious narcotic drug. The government urged the public and travellers to follow the laws of destination countries, whether they are aware of those rules or not. This includes avoiding carrying cannabis in luggage, across land borders or on onward flights. Smuggling cannabis out of Thailand without customs formalities, or attempting to evade inspection, carries a far heavier penalty: up to 10 years in prison, a fine equal to four times the value of the goods including duty, or both. Reporting suspected breaches Members of the public can report suspected illegal cannabis flower sales, or gatherings involving narcotics that cause a public nuisance, to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board hotline on 1386. The line operates 24 hours a day. Join the discussion? 18 July 2026