Chiang Mai magic mushroom vendor arrested after death of British man
Police arrested a Thai vendor selling magic mushrooms in Chiang Mai following the death of a British man who purchased and consumed the drugs from her shop.
Officers from the Investigation Division of Provincial Police Region 5, in cooperation with the Provincial Public Health Office, raided a cannabis shop on Tha Pae Road in Chiang Mai’s Mueang District on December 24. They arrested the female owner of the shop, identified only as Paul.
Paul was charged with the illegal sale of psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, classified as a Category 5 drug under Thai law.
Police confirmed her offence through a sting operation, during which an undercover officer posed as a customer and purchased a pack of magic mushrooms for 500 baht. Paul agreed to the transaction, leading to her arrest.
A search of the premises uncovered a significant quantity of illegal mushrooms in her possession. Paul now faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 500,000 baht for violating Sections 35, 93, and 148 of the Narcotics Act, which prohibits the production, importation, exportation, distribution, or possession of Category 5 drugs.
The arrest followed the death of a 25 year old British man, Vadher Raj Akhil. The tourist, who travelled to Chiang Mai with his girlfriend, was found dead in his hotel room with foam around his mouth.
An autopsy requested by Akhil’s family revealed that his death was caused by the excessive consumption of magic mushrooms. His girlfriend later disclosed to both the family and Thai authorities that they purchased the drugs from Paul’s shop.
Magic mushrooms are also illegal in the United Kingdom. Possession, cultivation, or distribution of the substance can result in up to seven years in prison, a fine, or both. Although the mushrooms are believed to have potential therapeutic uses, such as treating depression and PTSD, their medical application has not been approved in either Thailand or the UK.
In contrast, certain countries, such as the Bahamas, Brazil, and Jamaica, legalised magic mushrooms or allow their use under strict regulations.
