Thousands of Australians who freely enjoyed cannabis while on holiday at a popular tourist spot will be disappointed when the drug is banned again.
Thailand will officially ban non-medicinal use of the drug later this year, reversing its decision to allow people to buy and sell marijuana for recreational purposes in 2022.
The surprising setback by the authorities will mean that the substance will be placed back on the narcotics list.
Australian visitors to Thailand will no longer be able to purchase or use cannabis for recreational purposes and the drug will be banned unless for health reasons (pictured, people buying lollipops of cannabis in Thailand)
Thailand’s Prime Minister Strettha Thavisin came to X on Wednesday to announce the major change.
“I would like to ask the Ministry of Public Health to amend the ministry’s announcement by converting marijuana back into a schedule 5 drug… allowing its use for medical and health purposes only,” he said.
‘Drugs are a problem that destroys the future of the nation. All young people are united. Everyone must hurry to get to work.
Thavisin said a 90-day target has been set for the country’s main anti-narcotics agencies to reduce illicit drug use throughout Thailand.
He said the goal is to completely eradicate the use of illicit substances.
The prime minister’s announcement comes as marijuana sales began to grow rapidly in Thailand.
The new laws will mean shops and other retailers in the country (pictured) will no longer be able to sell the drug for recreational use.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Strettha Thavisin (pictured center) took to social media to announce the surprising reversal of the cannabis policy the government introduced just two years earlier.
Thousands of stores and businesses began selling the drug following the 2022 change, creating an industry that was going to be worth $1.25 billion by 2025.
The revised rule will mean around 800,000 Australians who visit Thailand each year will no longer be able to purchase or use marijuana recreationally while in the country.
Cannabis was decriminalized in 2018 in Thailand before changes were made four years later to allow recreational use.
Opponents of the decision said the measure was rushed through parliament and caused confusion over rules on how the drug would be consumed.
The Thai government intends to pass a cannabis law by the end of 2024, with the aim of creating stricter regulations around the use of the drug.
Prasitchai Nunula, secretary general of Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network, criticized the move to ban the sale of marijuana.
“If scientific results show that cannabis is worse than alcohol and cigarettes, then they can put it back on the list of narcotic drugs,” he said.
“If cannabis is less harmful, they should include cigarettes and alcohol among narcotics as well.”
Around 800,000 Australians visit Thailand each year
