As of June 23, 2025, cannabis flower is a controlled substance in Thailand. Tourists must avoid use or purchase without a Thai prescription; strict laws and penalties enforce safe, authorized cannabis use only.
Key Points
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From June 23, 2025, cannabis flower is a controlled substance in Thailand, regulated under the Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Protection and Promotion Act. Tourists must avoid using or buying cannabis without a Thai medical prescription, limited to a 30-day supply for medical use only.
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Stricter nationwide rules prohibit unlicensed sales, especially targeting tourists. Illegal shops are actively monitored, and sale or advertisement of cannabis products online, in vending machines, or public places like temples and parks is banned.
- Authorities stress public safety through enforcement and educational campaigns. Tourists are urged to comply with local laws, use only licensed sources, and contact the Ministry of Public Health’s FDA hotline 1556 for guidance to ensure a lawful and safe visit.
As of June 23, 2025, cannabis flower has been officially designated as a controlled substance in Thailand, marking a significant regulatory shift. This classification arises from a new regulation issued by the Ministry of Public Health under the Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Protection and Promotion Act B.E. 2552 (2009), superseding the previous directive from November 2022. Although cannabis was removed from the narcotics list in 2022 with the intention of restricting its use to medical, research, and health-related purposes, the updated 2025 regulation imposes stricter nationwide controls on its use, possession, and sale, particularly addressing potential misuse and unauthorized commercial activities.
Tourists visiting Thailand are now expressly prohibited from using or purchasing cannabis flower unless they possess a valid prescription from a licensed Thai medical professional. Even under medical authorization, consumption is tightly regulated, limited to a 30-day supply for specific health needs. This stringent approach specifically targets unlicensed cannabis sellers, many of whom have operated illegally by marketing products to tourists. Thai authorities have intensified monitoring and enforcement efforts to crack down on such illicit sales, aiming to uphold public safety and legal compliance.
The new regulations also explicitly ban the legal sale of cannabis products through online platforms, vending machines, or any form of advertisement. Furthermore, the sales and consumption of cannabis are prohibited in public spaces including temples, parks, and entertainment venues. To foster responsible tourism and ensure visitors’ adherence to Thai laws, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) urges tourists to avoid engagement with cannabis products unless obtained via authorized providers. The TAT emphasizes that some tolerant behaviors observed in the past were never legally sanctioned and warns of severe penalties for violations, which may include fines and imprisonment.
In addition to enforcement actions, the government has launched educational campaigns aimed at both locals and visitors to raise awareness about the legal and health-related aspects of cannabis use. Tourists are encouraged to stay informed about these regulations and to seek guidance or clarification through official channels such as the Food and Drug Administration at the Ministry of Public Health, accessible via hotline 1556. Overall, these comprehensive measures underscore Thailand’s commitment to maintaining public order while carefully regulating cannabis within a controlled, medically justified framework.
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