Sophon is serious about using parliamentary mechanisms to overhaul drug laws, considering strict measures such as imprisoning repeat drug users after discovering high relapse rates and treatment failures.
On 25 May 2026, Sophon Sarum, Speaker of the House of Representatives, revealed after visiting and encouraging medical staff at Khu Muang Hospital in Khu Muang District, Buriram Province, that he held meetings with relevant agencies including the Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, district officials, and public health departments to examine issues involving drug patients. He found concerning data showing many users who had undergone treatment relapsed and required rehabilitation more than once because returning to their original environments proved too difficult, leading them back to drug dependency.
In response to this crisis, Sophon stated that future solutions must integrate cooperation to tighten existing laws and instill fear among users. The idea is that repeat users who relapse after treatment will no longer enter the traditional rehabilitation process but will instead face immediate imprisonment. Plans are underway to use legislative mechanisms to convene all agencies involved in enforcement, treatment, and rehabilitation for a major brainstorming session at the Parliament building to find solutions and enact effective, comprehensive drug law reforms.