Thailand, the first Asian country to decriminalise cannabis in 2022 with a focus on medicinal use, now faces challenges as illegal exports surge. A series of cannabis seizures traced back to Thailand have occurred in the UK, Germany, Indonesia, and Hong Kong, raising concerns about the misuse of the plant.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul warned that if stalled cannabis control legislation does not effectively curb illegal activities, the government may reconsider its approach, including the possibility of re-criminalising cannabis. "No matter how strict our measures are, if people can still smuggle drugs out, we need to go back and reassess our approach," Anutin told reporters on Sunday.

The cannabis market in Thailand has expanded beyond medicinal use, with recreational dispensaries proliferating amid ongoing legislative debates. Growers facing low prices due to oversupply have increasingly turned to illegal export markets.

Sources