Tourism: “Cannabis Guide”: How Thailand became a stoner’s paradise

tourism
“Cannabis Guide”: How Thailand became a stoner’s paradise

Cannabis cookies and medicinal cannabis taken at the Cannabis Kingdom store in Silom district. photo

© Carola Frentzen/dpa

Thailand legalized cannabis in 2022 – previously there were draconian penalties. Now the country is the mecca for marijuana fans. But the final law is missing. A guide explains the rules to tourists.

Half a dozen varieties of weed are carefully arranged on a sleek metal counter. The marijuana varieties have such promising names as “Painkiller”, “Gorilla Burger” or “Mango Sunset Haze”. Whether locals, tourists or expats living in Thailand – the enthusiasm for the cannabis shops, which have sprung up like mushrooms nationwide in the last six months, knows no bounds. “All of our produce is grown locally in Thailand, which is really good for the economy,” says a vendor at stylish Bangkok shop The Dispensary.

Since the government surprisingly legalized cannabis last June, old Siam has become the new Mecca for marijuana fans from all over the world. The names of the countless shops are program: “Cannabangka”, “Cannabis Twins”, “The Chillax”, “Ministry of High” and “Fat Buds Weed Shop”, to name just a few. The palette ranges from rather dodgy establishments to noble specialist shops. The new pop-up trucks with pot are also popular.

Thailand is the first country in Asia where cannabis can be sold. While previously anyone who smoked a joint in Thailand risked jail time, smoking is now free. In other countries like Indonesia, Malaysia or Singapore, however, possession of weed can lead to long prison terms or even the death penalty.

Unique Thailand

“The current legal situation is helping tourism, which is only slowly recovering from the corona pandemic,” says Thomas, a German who emigrated to Bangkok 20 years ago. The sudden opening shows how unique Thailand is. “In Europe, cannabis has been debated for decades, while here the legal situation can change overnight – in this case in a positive sense.”

Since the rules are constantly being adjusted and a corresponding law is still being debated controversially in parliament, the Ministry of Health has now published a cannabis guide. The guide is titled “Ten Things Tourists Need to Know About Cannabis in Thailand”. The tourism offices of each province have been instructed to distribute it. The manual is intended to help vacationers find their way around the scene – and to understand what is allowed and what is illegal.

Perhaps the most important rule is that cannabis products must not be consumed by anyone under the age of 20. In Germany, experts warn that young people in particular are at risk of significant health risks from regular consumption. The products are also prohibited for pregnant or breastfeeding women – unless they are being cared for by medical professionals. And transporting seeds or parts of the cannabis plant to or from Thailand for personal use is not permitted.

Business is booming

“But basically, as long as the marijuana stays in the country, customers can buy as much as they like,” says André, the Russian-Canadian business owner of Cannabis Kingdom. The shop in the central district of Silom opened its doors just a few days ago and is a mixture of ganja shop and café. Since then, business has been booming. “Koreans, Japanese, Russians and Germans, but also many Thais have already come, experienced consumers as well as absolute newcomers,” says André.

Smoking the joint on site is not allowed – this is also in the government guide. “Smoking cannabis in public places, including schools and shopping malls, is illegal,” it says. Many shop owners have therefore set up private smoking areas nearby.

The architect behind the decriminalization of cannabis is Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand’s Public Health Minister. The government even gave away a million hemp plants to private households last year to boost production – and thus help the pandemic-weakened economy. Officially, cannabis has only been approved for medical and industrial use – but since it has been removed from the list of illegal drugs, recreational use is no longer prohibited.

But until parliament finally enshrines legalization in law, the marijuana fumes will continue to waft through the balmy tropical air. However, most shop owners do not believe that there will be a complete ban again – the economic advantages are too great for that. Emigrant Thomas says: “Of course there are conservative voices who insist loudly on making the consumption of cannabis illegal again.” But that probably has more to do with politics than with morality or health.

A recent editorial in the Bangkok Post said it was impossible to turn back time and put marijuana use back in prison. That is simply unrealistic. “The use of cannabis just needs to be properly regulated – especially to keep it from falling into the wrong hands.”

dpa

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