Thai law
- Cannabis News
Thailand to reclassify cannabis as narcotic from 2025
The Ministry of Public Health has announced a proposal to classify cannabis and hemp as illegal narcotics under Thai law. This decision follows a meeting of the Narcotics Control Board, where the majority agreed on the medical and research benefits of cannabis but opposed its recreational use. A minority expressed concerns that strict regulations might cause public inconvenience. The draft…
- Thailand News
Spirited debate: Health ministry’s alcohol curfew talks hit a hiccup
The Ministry of Public Health held a meeting today, February 15, to deliberate on the potential abolition of the time restriction for alcohol sales, currently set between 11am and 2pm. However, the meeting failed to reach a clear conclusion. The Public Health Minister, Chonlnan Srikaew, reported that the proposal to cancel the time limit for alcohol sales was submitted to…
- Guides
Why do you need legal protection as a foreigner in Thailand?
Legal protection might not top your list as a foreigner living in Thailand. But imagine having to navigate the Thai legal system without being fluent in the language or knowing the local culture. This is the reality for numerous foreigners in Thailand. You see, not all Thai experiences involve pristine beaches and colourful night markets. Sometimes, it also includes brushing…
- Thailand News
Sobering reminder: Entertainment venues to open until 4am, but no alcohol sale to drunks
The Thailand Health Minister yesterday stressed that entertainment venues must not serve alcohol to customers who are already drunk, even if establishments are allowed to stay open until 4am. Partygoers have been advised to carry breathalysers. Public Health Minister Cholnan Sikaew said that the policy allowing nightclubs to stay open until 4am had not yet been implemented. Cholnan made known…
- Crime News
Violent criminals in Thailand to be tagged for 10 years after release to protect women
Soon, criminals put away for violent crimes against women in Thailand will have to wear an electric monitoring (EM) ankle bracelet for up to 10 years after their release. The new law – Measures for the Prevention of Repeat Offenses in Sexual or Violent Crimes Act – aims to reduce the chance of reoffending, prevent violence against women and make…
- Cannabis News
Thailand bans recreational use of cannabis inside cafes
Cannabis shops and cafes in Thailand are no longer allowed to let customers smoke the plant recreationally on the premises anymore. On-site consumption of cannabis for medical purposes is still permitted if the cannabis is sold by a medical practitioner. The announcement was made in the Royal Gazette yesterday and is effective immediately. The announcement states that the Ministry of…
- Thailand News
Woman faces jail for trafficking girls after karaoke raid in Thailand
A Thai woman faces a ten-year prison term and a heavy fine after police raided a karaoke bar and found scantily-clad underage girls serving alcohol in the Lat Yao district of central Thailand. Acting on complaints from residents nearby, officers from the Department of Provincial Administration (DPA) law enforcement team burst into the Ran Theederm karaoke bar at Moo 11…
- Thailand News
What Happens When Foreigners Die In Thailand?
Do you need a will as a foreigner or expat living in Thailand? What roles do the embassy have to play in such a case? What if you don’t have a will? Does all your money and assets go to the state if you don’t have a beneficiary? Is it cheap or expensive to have a will? Tim sits with…
- Thailand News
Do you legally have to wear masks in Thailand?
With the Covid 19 pandemic came the wearing of masks as the new normal in Thailand, and many other countries around the world. Some people are fine with wearing masks whilst other remain strongly opposed to it, for a variety of reasons. Whether you like it or not it is “strongly encouraged” to wear a mask in Thailand. But do…
- Crime News
Confusion over cannabis laws, Thai officials consider decriminalisation
Thai officials are looking into decriminalising cannabis… but not recreational use. The Thai Food and Drug Administration is set to meet with the Office of the Narcotics Control Board today and propose removing cannabis from a list of controlled drugs. Then, the measure will need to be approved by the Public Health Ministry, which is led by a cannabis advocate…
- Thailand News
Can you protest in Thailand as a foreigner?
Can a foreigner in Thailand go out on to the streets and protest and express his opinion? Will you get dragged away by the police and put into jail? Should you be protesting at all even though it might not have anything to do with you as a guest in the country? What are the things you can and can’t…
- Thailand News
How do you get permanent residency in Thailand?
What is the point of getting permanent residency in Thailand? What are the benefits of having such a document? What are the things you can and can’t do? What is the criteria for being able to apply for a PR? Find out more in todays episode where Tim sits down with Benjamin Hart from Integrity Legal to talk about the…
- Thailand News
Will legalising prostitution benefit Thailand? | Lawyers, Guns & Money
What is the law regarding prostitution in Thailand? What gets a person in trouble with the law? How do the police deal with prostitution in Thailand? Would it be more beneficial for Thailand to have legal prostitution? Find out more in todays episode where Tim sits down with Benjamin Hart from Integrity Legal to talk about Prostitution in Thailand.
- Thailand News
Thai female lawyers to fight law that bans them from wearing trousers in court
Female lawyers in Thailand are fighting back against an archaic law that prohibits them from wearing trousers in court. Thai PBS World reports that the Human Rights Lawyers Association has teamed up with the Nitihub forum for public discussion to petition the Thai Bar Association to change the law. Both groups say they will take their complaint to the Central…
- Thailand News
The future of Covid vaccine ‘passports’ in access to services | VIDEO
Tim Newton speaks to Bangkok lawyer Benjamin Hart from Integrity Legal (link below). Ben is concerned at recent mutterings from the Thai government which may have insisted on proof of covid vaccines for any number of services, from simply eating to domestic travel. There is currently an instance on proof of vaccines for any provincial travel in Thailand in and…
- Thailand News
Polygamy is not under Thai law, but the lifestyle is still practiced
While polygamy in Thailand isn’t as prevalent as it was a century ago and the marriages aren’t recognised under Thai law, the lifestyle is still practiced by some. Thai media reporters recently interviewed a polygamous trio and apparently “life is good,” according to the husband with 2 wives. The wives didn’t seem to do much talking in the interview. Reporters…
- Thailand News
Thai law to be amended to allow for abortion up to 12 weeks
The Thai Cabinet has approved an amendment to the country’s laws that will permit abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Government deputy spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek confirmed the amendment in a press statement yesterday. “The cabinet has approved to amend the law of abortion in the Thailand Criminal Code, Section 301, for women who are not more than 12…
- Things To Do
When next in Thailand, don’t do these things – VIDEO
Most of the time you’re spoiled for choice with things to do in Thailand. It’s what makes the country so popular for overseas visitors, and as a place to live. But there are a few things that may be worth avoiding, despite being available, during your time in the Land of Smiles. Here’s The Thaiger’s Top 10 list of potential…
- Thailand News
Digital Minister defends decision to ban Pornhub
Following backlash on the move to block PornHub and other websites considered “offensive,” the Minister of Digital Economy and Society Buddhipongse Punnakanta says he is standing by his decision, adding that the pornography violates children’s and women’s rights. Pornography is illegal in Thailand. Buddhipongse says the explicit videos gave access to users of any age. He says Pornhub not only…
- Crime News
Student activist arrested on charges from protesting
Police arrested a student while he protesting outside a market PM Prayut Chan-o-cha was visiting. The student Panupong Jadnok, known as Mike Rayong, was holding up a sign saying “1,000 rai sea reclamation. What will Rayong people get?” Apparently Mike’s land reclamation protest didn’t have much to do with his arrest. He had an arrest warrant for his role in…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s Court of Justice says chief judges can screen verdicts of junior judges
PHOTO: AFP The spokesman of the Court of Justice, Mr. Suriyan Hongvilai, says regional chief judges can legally screen the decisions of the lower courts and provide advisory feedback if they disagree with verdicts. However, he adds that judges in the lower courts are independent and do have the final say. Thai PBS World reports that Mr Suriyan says such…
- South Thailand News
Special committee to investigate Yala judge suicide attempt
Photo montage: Bangla Tribune The Nation reports that a special panel will investigate the case of a judge in southern Thailand shooting himself in court, after he was allegedly made to change the verdict he handed down. The committee is expected to report back in 15 days, confirms deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Judiciary, Sarawut Benjakul. It’s understood…
- South Thailand News
Judge forced to change “not guilty” verdict shoots himself in court in southern Thailand
A judge has shot himself in the chest at the provincial court in Yala, southern Thailand, after he was forced to change his verdict. Thai PBS World reports that Kanakorn Pianchana tried to kill himself following delivery of his verdict yesterday afternoon. It’s believed he is now out of danger and recovering in hospital. Meanwhile, Thai social media lit up…
- Pattaya News
Two foreigners arrested in Pattaya for long overstays
A woman from Turkmenistan has been arrested in Pattaya for overstaying her Thai visa by 2,675 days. It’s understood the woman was detained by Chonburi Immigration and the Tourist Police on Friday. She was stopped outside a hotel in what was a random passport check in the area. On the same day, a Russian man who was randomly stopped and checked…
