On Wednesday, Thailand's health minister warned tourists to stop smoking cannabis just two months after a new law that nearly decriminalized drugs was passed. It discouraged me from visiting the country alone.
"We do not welcome this type of tourist," Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters when asked about recreational marijuana use by foreign tourists.
In 2018, Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize medical cannabis. In June, the entire factory was decriminalized and recreational use became widespread.
Despite government bans on getting high, cannabis businesses with special smoking rooms are popular with locals and tourists alike.
But if you smoke in public, you risk a three-month prison term or a fine of up to 25,000 baht ($705.82).
Staff prepare cannabis for customers at Happy Bud, a cannabis truck on Khaosan Road in Bangkok.
Athit Perawongmeta/REUTERS
Anutin's comments also come at a time when foreign arrivals are beginning to rise in the tourism-dependent country. . The country, which is the second largest economy in Southeast Asia, is expected to have 10 million arrivals this year, from 8 million to 10 million, surpassing initial projections of 7 million.
Last year, the pandemic reduced foreign arrivals to just 428,000, compared with his record of nearly 40 million in 2019.
Cannabis policy for the 28 billion baht ($790.29 million) industry is built around its medical and health benefits.
But as we learn more about the drug, Anutin said recreational use could be considered.
"It may come soon," he said.
Thailand's cannabis policy has also attracted the attention of neighboring countries such as Malaysia, which are studying the use of cannabis for medical purposes.
