The Prime Minister pointed out that cannabis not intended for medical use cannot be exported abroad. He revealed a three-hour discussion with the National Narcotics Board (ป.ป.ส.), stating that cannabis policy should not be designed to please ministers or those in power.
At 19:48 on 3 Jul 2026 GMT+7 at the Government House, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul commented on Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency (BNN) announcement of a major cannabis flower smuggling network arrest. He noted that the seized cannabis originated from Thailand and that 12 people were arrested. He emphasized that exporting cannabis products not intended for medical use is already prohibited.
Regarding reports of smuggling by stuffing cannabis into luggage, Anutin said that drug traffickers entering any country will have their drugs confiscated and face prosecution. Anyone caught must face the laws of that country. For example, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia impose severe penalties for drug importation, including the death penalty. Entry documents clearly prohibit carrying weapons or drugs, regardless of the originator’s legal status. Thailand also has measures to prevent and prosecute drug trafficking.
The Prime Minister stated that he held a three-hour meeting with the National Narcotics Board (ป.ป.ส.), during which many measures were discussed. Regarding the cannabis law proposed by the Ministry of Public Health to Parliament, he instructed the National Narcotics Board that future policies should not be made to please ministers, those in power, or the government. All related agencies, including the Ministry of Public Health as the bill proposer, must study the issue thoroughly.
“It’s not acceptable that when I’m not Minister of Public Health they say it’s bad, but when I am, they say it’s good. That’s not how it should be. All data used for policy must come from government agencies. Today, I told the National Narcotics Board that I personally reviewed this as its chairman—my first meeting—and clearly stated how policy should be. Now that I’m with the National Narcotics Board, if cannabis is good, we must examine why when Mr. Somsak (former Minister Somsak Thepsuthin) was in charge, it was said to be bad, and before him, I said it was good. What’s the difference? I push policies based on government data under the law and constitution. I told the National Narcotics Board, if it’s not good, I’m ready to stop it, but all aspects must be considered.” The Prime Minister concluded.