Cannabis in Thailand

The Tradition of Cannabis in Thailand

Cannabis has always been used in Southeast Asia as an ingredient, a food seasoning, a medicine, and a source of fiber.

The best-known historical example of cannabis being used as a spice in Thailand is a noodle soup called kway teeow rua (Boat Noodle Soup).

Although the use of cannabis as a spice has long been banned in Thailand, it can still be found in provincial markets in neighboring countries, Laos and Cambodia. Traditional Thai medicine and Thai massage practitioners have also historically used cannabis to treat various conditions.

The Thai Institute of Healing Arts describes cannabis as an «analgesic and sedative for pain management.«.

The fibers of the cannabis plant have historically been used for clothing and rope in Thailand. The Hmong people of Thailand, an ethnic minority group originally from China, have used hemp as a textile fiber to make clothing and other items. Even today, hemp-fiber clothing remains a popular export item in Thailand.

Hemp was also used in the early days of Muay Thai. Thai fighters protected their hands during matches with hemp bandages that ended in shell-shaped knobs at each knuckle. This method of hand protection was eventually replaced by Western-style boxing gloves in the 1920s.

A Modern History of Cannabis in Thailand

Thailand’s association with recreational cannabis use first came to light in the late 1960s. Thailand was home to the main bases for U.S. soldiers serving in Vietnam, who discovered recreational cannabis use there.

Reports indicate that U.S. troops began smoking cannabis shortly after their arrival in 1963. Although Marines were subject to court-martial for possession of even the smallest amount of cannabis, the military only prosecuted dealers and users of hard drugs.

From the late 1960s to 1988, one of the world’s most prosperous drug cartels operated out of Bangkok, shipping hundreds of metric tons of «Thai stick» around the world.

The Legal History of Cannabis in Thailand

For most of its history, Thailand, like many other countries, had no laws prohibiting the use or possession of cannabis.

This situation began to change in the early 20th century. As one of the first signatories to the League of Nations’ 1912 International Opium Convention, Thailand—then known as Siam—enacted anti-drug legislation that enabled it to receive international grants, loans, and benefits. Had it not done so, it would have forfeited or jeopardized those benefits.

In accordance with its status as a founding signatory, Thailand enacted its first anti-drug laws in 1922—the Narcotics Act B.E. 2465—which laid the foundation for the Kingdom’s current drug laws.

As a founding signatory, Thailand was also required to accede to an amendment to the original Convention, sponsored by the United States in 1928. This amendment required signatories to prohibit the export of Indian hemp to countries that had banned its use.

In 1937, Thailand’s second prime minister, General Phot Phahonyothin, criminalized cannabis in Thailand by enacting the country’s first law specifically targeting cannabis, the Marijuana Act B.E. 2477 (1937).

Until recently, possession of up to 10 kg of cannabis was punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of 50,000 baht.

For possession of more than 10 kg, the penalty could range from 2 to 15 years in prison and/or include a fine of 20,000 to 150,000 baht.

Legalization of Cannabis in Thailand

The use of industrial hemp has been permitted since 2018. Under a regulation that took effect on January 5, 2018, licenses for the cultivation of hemp for industrial and medical purposes could be obtained.

Thailand made history in December 2018 by becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize medical cannabis.

In June 2022, the Thai government removed cannabis from the list of narcotics whose use or distribution is prohibited and legalized it for medical and culinary purposes. This was followed by widespread decriminalization and the opening of several hundred cannabis shops across the country, much to the delight of Thais and tourists alike.