Thailand will soon require all cannabis users, both Thai citizens and foreign nationals, to present a valid medical certificate to legally access the plant, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin announced on Wednesday.
The new regulation will be issued via ministerial announcement within 40 days, marking a significant tightening of cannabis controls amid growing concerns over illegal exports.
At a press conference, Somsak addressed the enforcement of cannabis regulations under the 2022 Controlled Herb Announcement and outlined efforts to curb cross-border smuggling through major airports, particularly Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi.
Authorities have received reports of cannabis being smuggled out of Thailand to destinations including the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, and Hong Kong. In one case, 73 kilograms of cannabis were seized in three separate incidents at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
In response, the Ministry of Public Health has established a joint committee chaired by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary.
The task force includes representatives from the Customs Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Immigration Bureau, Airports of Thailand (AOT), and other relevant agencies.
“Cannabis has been illicitly exported, which has serious implications for our international relationships and legal credibility,” Somsak said.
“We warn those attempting to export cannabis illegally without permits that they face imprisonment. Enforcement will now be strictly intensified.”
Under current Thai law, cannabis can only be exported with prior authorization. Violations are subject to criminal penalties, including imprisonment and fines.
Somsak acknowledged public confusion over cannabis laws but insisted that authorities have maintained consistent efforts to prevent misuse and illegal exports.
The new ministerial order aims to close regulatory gaps by mandating medical certification for all cannabis users, effectively restricting recreational use.
“This measure will make it more difficult to obtain cannabis without a medical need,” Somsak stated.
Thailand removed cannabis from its narcotics list as part of a major legal reform that consolidated 30 separate drug-related laws into a single code. It is now classified as a controlled herb, treated similarly to a mild narcotic.
According to Somsak, regulating cannabis under herbal law allows for faster and more flexible enforcement than traditional drug legislation.
The Department of Thai Traditional Medicine is currently gathering public input on cannabis use, revealing a divide between those advocating for stricter controls and those supporting recreational use.
Pawina Chariyathitipong, Acting Director of Airports of Thailand, confirmed the agency’s cooperation in cracking down on smuggling attempts.
She noted that hundreds of kilograms of cannabis have already been intercepted at airports and said AOT is considering deploying K9 units to improve detection, as X-ray machines alone have proven insufficient.
India and the UK have emerged as key destinations in smuggling cases.
Dr. Somruk Jeungsaman, Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional Medicine, explained that medical certification will soon be mandatory for cannabis prescriptions related to conditions such as epilepsy, chronic pain, migraines, and insomnia.
Usage limits will also be introduced, with legal consequences for exceeding prescribed amounts.
Ras Chaleechan, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, reiterated Thailand’s commitment to international cooperation in stopping cannabis trafficking.
He said the government is working with diplomatic missions and global agencies to raise awareness about export restrictions and counter false claims suggesting cannabis can be legally transported abroad.
