Cannabis News

Thailand cannabis news, legalization updates, medical cannabis, and industry trends—stay informed on regulations, research, and the impact of cannabis on society. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for cannabis news in Thailand.

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    The real cost of being a digital nomad in Thailand

    Thailand is a popular destination for digital nomads, known for its affordable living, lively culture, and modern facilities. With its warm climate, great food, and friendly communities, it's an ideal place for remote workers to balance work and travel. However,...

  • Don’t miss the exclusive Thaiger Top Shelf Product Drop at Slim Jim

    Don’t miss the exclusive Thaiger Top Shelf Product Drop at Slim Jim

    The Thaiger and Slim Jim Thailand are thrilled to announce an exciting collaboration to kick off 2025 in style! Join us for the Thaiger Top Shelf Product Drop, an exclusive event on Saturday, January 18 that is celebrating the launch of Thaiger-themed grinder packs and carbon filters. Mark your calendars for this Saturday and make your way to the Slim…

  • High stakes: Woman nabbed at Norway airport carrying cannabis

    High stakes: Woman nabbed at Norway airport carrying cannabis

    A woman was caught red-handed at Norway’s Gardermoen Airport in Oslo, allegedly smuggling a hefty 41.7 kilogrammes of cannabis through customs. Claiming ignorance, the suspect insists the suspicious suitcase was handed over by an unknown stranger in Thailand. Now, she’s in deep water, facing a probe that could unveil ties to a global drug trafficking network. Foreign news agencies disclosed that…

  • Eco cannabis practices in thailand

    Eco cannabis practices in thailand

    The green pot movement In Thailand, the push for eco-friendly practices within the cannabis industry has led to the emergence of the Green pot movement. This initiative is not just a trend; it’s a transformation of the cannabis industry towards sustainability and responsibility. You’re part of a global shift that sees the value in protecting the environment while enjoying the…

  • Thai transwoman betrayed by friend and caught in Hong Kong cannabis bust

    Thai transwoman betrayed by friend and caught in Hong Kong cannabis bust

    A Thai man allegedly betrayed a transwoman friend by hiding cannabis in her luggage, leading to her arrest in Hong Kong. More than 30 other victims of the Thai man came forward to expose his fraudulent behaviour. The Facebook account, Pat Catty, shared a story of her transwoman friend on January 25 and urged netizens to be aware of a…

  • Cannabis in Thailand: A Guide for Tourists

    Cannabis in Thailand: A Guide for Tourists

    Thailand’s crazy cannabis laws can be difficult to navigate so the Ministry of Public Health has issued a guide titled “10 Things Tourists Need to Know About Cannabis in Thailand” to help budding cannabis tourists stay out of trouble. Since the marijuana plant (“Gancha” in Thai language) was removed from Thailand’s list of Category 5 Narcotics on June 9 this…

  • Thailand to track cannabis users in government database

    Thailand to track cannabis users in government database

    Thai nationals will soon be required to show their ID cards when purchasing cannabis flowers. The ID and sales information will be entered into a government database, according to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM). Registered vendors will be required to insert the buyers’ ID into a “device” linked with the government system and input information regarding…

  • Not so fast, government tells Thailand’s pot growers new law not in effect yet

    Not so fast, government tells Thailand’s pot growers new law not in effect yet

    People planning to grow cannabis after it was removed from Thailand’s list of controlled drugs should just be patient and wait as the new law is not in effect yet. This from the deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam, who points out that the regulation only relates to some cannabis products, not all. The Bangkok Post reports that the law will be…

  • Thailand decriminalises cannabis, extracts with high-inducing THC still an illicit drug

    Thailand decriminalises cannabis, extracts with high-inducing THC still an illicit drug

    Thailand’s health minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has confirmed that the Narcotics Control Board has approved the removal of cannabis from the Category 5 list of controlled drugs. According to a report from the Associated Press, Anutin says the drugs that remain on the list are opium, magic mushrooms, and extracts of cannabis containing more than 0.2% by weight of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).…

  • Health Minister insists cannabis is not a narcotic, high-inducing THC still illegal

    Health Minister insists cannabis is not a narcotic, high-inducing THC still illegal

    Cannabis is not a narcotic drug… at least that’s what Thailand’s Public Health Minister is saying. In an interview with Thai media, Anutin Charnvirakul said cannabis (not with the high-inducing component THC) is legal and can be grown as well as used for medical purposes, adding that authorities should let residents grow the once-criminalised plant and sell cannabis as a…

  • House votes to remove kratom from Thailand’s narcotics list

    House votes to remove kratom from Thailand’s narcotics list

    The Thai House of Representatives voted to remove the plant kratom from the Thailand’s narcotics list and classify it as a controlled substance to be used for medicinal purposes. Kratom, a plant in the coffee family, is known for its relaxing effects and has been used in traditional medicine. In a 319-7 vote, with 3 abstentions, the House agreed to…

  • Government is to allow people to use “legal” parts of cannabis in business

    Government is to allow people to use “legal” parts of cannabis in business

    With intentions to promote cannabis as the country’s potential new cash crop, the government is preparing guideline to allow people to produce, sell or own cannabis and hemp. The permitted businesses, including textile, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics will be able to register to receive FDA permissions from January 29. According to the FDA secretary-general, leaves, stalks, stems, roots, flowers, and seeds…

  • Cannabis café: Prachin Buri hospital opens “Taste of Ganja” restaurant

    Cannabis café: Prachin Buri hospital opens “Taste of Ganja” restaurant

    Cannabis is now on the menu at a Thailand hospital restaurant, but don’t expect to get high from the meals seasoned with cannabis leaves. Only parts of the plant that contain very, very low traces of the psychoactive component tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, are legal for consumption. The THC-rich, euphoria-inducing buds are still illegal and classified as a Category 5 narcotic.…

  • Dutchman jailed for 100 years in Thailand for money laundering is released

    Dutchman jailed for 100 years in Thailand for money laundering is released

    A Dutch citizen who was jailed for 100 years in Thailand, is now on his way home after years of campaigning for his release. His sentence was reduced to 75 years on appeal and later to 50 years by the Supreme court. Johan van Laarhoven, who ran several cannabis “coffee shops” in Holland, was jailed in Thailand for money laundering, along…

  • Russian tourist in coma after Patong hotel balcony fall

    Russian tourist in coma after Patong hotel balcony fall

    A Russian tourist remains unconscious in hospital after falling four floors from the balcony of his Patong hotel. Police say the man, Daniil Solovev, is in “a serious but stable condition”. Police were called to the accommodation on Nanai Road hotel at 11am on Sunday morning. By the time they arrived, Solovev had already been rushed to hospital. Emergency responders say…

  • “Dr. Ganja” is helping promote medical marijuana in Thailand

    “Dr. Ganja” is helping promote medical marijuana in Thailand

    The Thai health ministry has come up with a plush toy character to encourage children to better understand Thailand’s current stance on marijuana and cannabis, now championed by the Health Minister as a new agricultural industry in Thailand. Yes, that’s a photo of the Thai PM holding a toy Dr Ganja doll which will be used to promote marijuana and…

  • Thai PM enacts his Article 44 powers to suspend cannabis patents

    Thai PM enacts his Article 44 powers to suspend cannabis patents

    Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has stepped in amid growing controversy over patents for medical marijuana. Critics of the process complain that the high number of patent applications from abroad shows that foreign pharmaceutical corporations were already trying to monopolise Thailand’s fledgling medical-marijuana business. The NCPO leader has used his Article 44 powers to authorise suspension of the current patent applications…

  • British man pioneers cannabis tom yum, police are not happy

    British man pioneers cannabis tom yum, police are not happy

    PHOTO: Khaosodenglish A 58 year old real estate developer, living in Koh Samui for 22 years, is facing some trouble with the police for his ‘medicinal’ innovations in the kitchen. Police have arrested and charged Gary Coughlan with drug offenses after they noticed he was acting a little ‘unusual and erratic’ this morning (Wednesday). He later tested positive for drug…

  • Phuket house keeper keeps 2,600 meth pills and 3kg of marijuana at house in Rawai

    Phuket house keeper keeps 2,600 meth pills and 3kg of marijuana at house in Rawai

    A Rawai house keeper has been arrested with 2,600 methamphetamine pills and three kilograms of marijuana. A team of Border Patrol Police has arrested 47 year old Wanlee ‘Mai’ Eiadkerd. Police seized 2,600 methamphetamine pills and three kilograms of marijuana inside a house in Rawai. The arrest follows police first arresting a Thai woman with methamphetamine pills in Chalong. She told…

  • Medical cannabis crops to be tightly controlled

    Medical cannabis crops to be tightly controlled

    The Thai narcotic control board head says that only Thai citizens who join hands with the government will be allowed to cultivate medical cannabis. The board yesterday stressed that growers of the potentially lucrative crop must be cooperatives, community enterprises or social enterprises made up of citizens – and not private companies. Their business will be under the scrutiny of…

  • English teacher arrested after inner city organic marijuana farm raid

    English teacher arrested after inner city organic marijuana farm raid

    A 46 year old English language teacher has been arrested for allegedly operating an organic marijuana farm and selling the produce online. He was arrested today after a raid on a four level building in Bangkok’s Phayathai inner city district. Police say that on the third floor of the building, officers found five litres of cannabis oil, 50 plastic pots…

  • The legalisation of cannabis for medical use – more questions than answers

    The legalisation of cannabis for medical use – more questions than answers

    by Laura Villadiego “Despite what looks to be the biggest step in decades towards legalisation of cannabis in Thailand… the use of cannabis in Thailand without a licence is still punishable with jail terms.” Unclear licensing rules have given rise to fears foreign firms might apply for patents and squeeze out local players There are concerns the public might think…

  • Baggage handlers arrested over thefts at Phuket airport

    Baggage handlers arrested over thefts at Phuket airport

    Police arrested two worker at the Phuket International Airport and their alleged accomplice over the theft of passengers’ belongings, said Sakhu Police Station superintendent Pol Colonel Jirasak Siamsak on Sunday. 29 year old Nirut Saksri and 30 year old Manock Nakphojit, plus alleged accomplice 23 year old Chakrit Chanprasert, were arrested and some 100 stolen items recovered, including computer notebooks,…

  • Three foreigners, one Thai arrested for drug possession in Kamala

    Three foreigners, one Thai arrested for drug possession in Kamala

    Kamala police arrested 27 year old Viktor Dvinsky from Russia and 22 year old Berezina Vladystava with 14.44 grams of cocaine, 2 amphetamine pills, 17.66 grams of marijuana. Police also seized an iPhone and $2,400 and 11,000 Baht in cash. They were charged for possession and trading of illicit drugs. After the two were arrested, police extended the investigation and…

  • THAIGER TODAY Wednesday, January 17

    THAIGER TODAY Wednesday, January 17

    Second boat incident in three days | Prawit’s offering to resign if found guilty of ‘wrongdoing’ | Smart Visa details | Krabi and Thepa coal plants ‘still happening’ | PM puts hold on cannabis crops | Tax breaks for Thai families having babies.

  • Koh Phangan bars closed for selling drugs to tourists

    Koh Phangan bars closed for selling drugs to tourists

    An Army division in Surat Thani has invoked Article 44 to order two pubs at the popular tourist destination of Koh Phangan to be closed indefinitely after they were found selling drug to foreign tourists. Colonel Kriangkrai Srirak, deputy commander of the Fifth Infantry Division, said he invoked Article 44 to order the indefinite closure of Reggae Bar and Bello…

  • Dirty dozen picked up in mass Phuket raid

    Dirty dozen picked up in mass Phuket raid

    PHUKET: A large task force swept up twelve suspects wanted for a series of crimes ranging from illegal drugs and firearms, to their role in the Thalang Police Station riot (story here). “The joint mission on Sunday saw 120 officers from local police forces, Thalang District and the Royal Thai Navy make 12 arrests with 12 search warrants,” said Phuket…

  • Police pounce on pot peddler in Phuket

    Police pounce on pot peddler in Phuket

    PHUKET: Police arrested a Myanmar national yesterday morning for selling marijuana at the Phuket Fishing Port in Koh Sirey. Min Min, 38, was caught with 295 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and 980 baht in cash by officers from the Region 8 Police Crime Suppression Division.“Undercover officers tipped us off, so we staked out the port,” Maj Roongsak Maichandee said.“We…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: In lair of Mexico drug boss, vigilantes hold sway

    Phuket Gazette World News: In lair of Mexico drug boss, vigilantes hold sway

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community In lair of Mexico drug boss, vigilantes hold sway Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: His AK-47 tossed onto a pristine leather sofa in the plush lair of a leader of one of Mexico’s most feared drug cartels, vigilante fighter “El Love” says he is longing for an end…

  • Phuket safety police blitz nets 8 drug, 3 gun arrests in first week | Thaiger

    Phuket safety police blitz nets 8 drug, 3 gun arrests in first week

    PHUKET: The first seven days of the month-long police safety boost (story here) in Phuket has yielded eight arrests on gun and drug charges in road checkpoint stops alone. Maj Gen Kittisan Detsunthonwat, Deputy Commander of Provincial Police Region 8, announced yesterday that so far his officers had seized over 300 grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine), 2,031 pills of…

  • Phuket Media Watch: Hindu pilgrims stream to mythical river in their millions for Maha Kumbh Mela

    Phuket Media Watch: Hindu pilgrims stream to mythical river in their millions for Maha Kumbh Mela

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Millions take to the Ganges at largest Hindu festival Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Upwards of a million elated Hindu holy men and pilgrims took a bracing plunge in India’s sacred Ganges river to wash away lifetimes of sins today, in a raucous start to an…