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Thailand: Is weed still legal in Thailand? Here's what tourists need to know as government u-turns Angela Symons Euro News Thursday 07 Nov 2024 After months of uncertainty over the future of cannabis in Thailand, the government released a proposal to restrict it mainly to health and medical purposes. Published in September, shortly after Thailand's new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took office, the draft legislation does not explicitly ban the recreational use of weed nor does it uphold previous plans to reclassify the substance as a narcotic. But it does lay out fines and punishments for those selling or consuming cannabis for purposes not laid out in the bill. Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in 2022 for medical purposes, but in practice the market appears virtually unregulated. Neon weed signs have become ubiquitous in Bangkok’s busy tourist areas, with dispensaries cropping up on every corner. Hundreds of food and drink vendors advertise cannabis-infused menus. It became a hot topic in last year's election, as public backlash and concerns over misuse and crime grew. But weed also has its advocates: in July 2023, hundreds of people took to Bangkok's streets to protest a possible ban on general use are Thailand’s cannabis rules changing so soon? Following the general election in May last year, Thailand came under new leadership in September 2023. The conservative coalition government headed by the Pheu Thai Party is behind the calls for a crackdown on cannabis, which has been poorly regulated since its legalisation. Pheu Thai campaigned on banning the recreational use of marijuana, saying it poses health risks and could cause substance abuse issues among young people. In a post on X calling for the plant to be relisted earlier this year, former PM Srettha Thavisin reiterated this stance, saying "Drugs are a problem that destroys the future of the nation." In August, Thavisin was removed from office in a shock ruling that saw Paetongtarn take his place - bringing a slightly softer stance on the issue. Anutin Charnvirakul, the former Health Minister who oversaw the drug’s legalisation in the previous military-run government, rose the ranks to Deputy Prime Minister in the 2023 election. He is the leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, part of the current government coalition. https://www.euronews.com/travel/2024/11/07/is-weed-still-legal-in-thailand-heres-what-tourists-need-to-know-as-government-u-turns?fbclid=IwY2xjawHOgU5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfEXVdOpY2BGucvOVGSrwbU-kYm-GXsuGURkYg6MB-SiYOVYCTvvICTeyw_aem_Vh8K7bEc86zI2UmsBPg4Ng
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