Thailand will soon introduce stricter cannabis laws following a spike in smuggling incidents involving foreign tourists. Since legalizing cannabis in 2022, the country has seen a rise in tourism and business. However, the growing number of drug trafficking cases, especially at airports, has alarmed Thai officials. Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin confirmed that new rules will be announced in the coming weeks, focusing on medical-only access and tighter export controls.
Thailand Moves to Control Cannabis Sales
Thailand’s Health Ministry is preparing new cannabis rules after authorities linked relaxed laws to rising drug smuggling and misuse.
Under the proposed measures, cannabis will only be sold to people with approved medical prescriptions. Recreational use, which had flourished in recent years, is expected to face strong limits.
“We want to ensure public safety while protecting the country’s international image,” said Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin.
He stressed that exporting cannabis remains illegal without proper approval, adding that authorities will increase efforts to prevent misuse by both locals and tourists.
Legalization Sparked a Business Boom—And Problems
In 2022, Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis. The decision led to thousands of new cannabis shops and gave a boost to local farmers and tourism businesses.
But the rapid rise of cannabis use has drawn criticism. Experts warned about addiction risks and easy access for minors. Parents and schools have raised concerns as cannabis products became widely available.
The ruling Pheu Thai Party has promised to roll back cannabis liberalization. However, they face resistance from coalition partners who support the cannabis industry.
Smuggling Cases Increase at Airports
Thai airport officials have ramped up security after uncovering numerous attempts to smuggle cannabis out of the country.
Many of the suspects are tourists, especially from the UK and India. Thai and British authorities are working together after arrests in Sri Lanka and Georgia linked back to travelers from Thailand.
In February, a joint operation between Thai and UK officials led to the seizure of more than two tonnes of cannabis. Since July last year, over 50 British nationals have been arrested in Thailand for drug-related offenses.
British postal officials also reported a sharp increase in parcels containing cannabis mailed from Thailand after 2022.
Koh Samui Used as Smuggling Hub
One of the largest recent cases happened in March at Samui Airport, a key entry point for tourists visiting southern Thailand.
Police seized 375 kilograms of cannabis packed in 22 suitcases. The cannabis was set to be smuggled to Europe, passing through Singapore.
Thirteen suspects, mainly from the UK, were arrested. They had entered Thailand on tourist visas and stayed at booked hotels while awaiting deliveries.
Each courier expected a payment of around £2,000 after successfully delivering the drugs to the UK.
Authorities believe the traffickers targeted Koh Samui due to its popularity and busy airport traffic, which they hoped would help them avoid detection.
Tighter Controls and Warnings Ahead
The Thai government has pledged stronger action to close legal loopholes and punish drug traffickers.
“The law is clear. Exporting cannabis without a license is a crime,” Thepsutin said. “We will not tolerate abuse of our policies by foreign visitors or criminal groups.”
Police say more arrests are expected as ongoing investigations continue across multiple provinces.
Tourists are being warned to follow Thai drug laws carefully. Signs have been placed at airports and public areas to educate travelers about what is legal and what is not.
Meanwhile, government officials are reviewing cannabis laws to align with international standards while still allowing limited medical use.
Thailand’s decision to legalize cannabis brought short-term economic gains but also opened doors for misuse and smuggling. With international attention growing and trafficking cases on the rise, Thai authorities are moving quickly to tighten rules. The new laws are expected soon and will focus on public health and national security.