27/06/2025
CANNABIS - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) advises all visitors that, as of 23 June 2025, cannabis flower is now classified as a controlled substance in Thailand. This follows the issuance of a new regulation by the Ministry of Public Health under the Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Protection and Promotion Act B.E. 2552 (2009), which revokes and replaces the earlier directive from November 2022.
Under the updated regulation, recreational use, possession, or purchase of cannabis flower is illegal, and enforcement measures are already in effect across the country.
Tourists are strictly prohibited from using, buying, carrying, or transporting cannabis flowers unless they have a valid prescription issued in Thailand by a licensed medical professional in Thai traditional medicine, Chinese medicine, or dentistry. Even in such cases, dispensation must be limited to what is medically necessary for treatment and must not exceed a 30-day supply.
Shops or stalls offering cannabis for smoking—especially those targeting walk-in customers—may be operating outside the law. Tourists should not assume that cannabis products on public display are legal or safe to purchase. Authorities are actively cracking down on unlicensed businesses and monitoring cannabis sales in popular tourist areas.
The law also prohibits the sale of cannabis products online, via vending machines, or through any form of advertising. Sales are not permitted in designated public areas, including temples, dormitories, parks, zoos, and amusement venues.
TAT strongly urges all visitors to exercise caution, avoid purchasing or consuming cannabis flowers in any form, and seek clarification from licensed medical providers or official sources before engaging with any cannabis-related product. What may have seemed acceptable in the past is no longer legally permitted. Staying informed and compliant will help ensure a safe and respectful visit to Thailand.
