The government confirms that cannabis is not fully legalized, reiterating the Ministry of Public Health's announcement to strictly control cannabis flower buds. Buying and selling require a medical prescription only. Authorities warn that smuggling cannabis out of the country carries severe penalties, including up to 10 years imprisonment, fines four times the product's value, or both.
On 17 July 2026, Ms. Ploytale Laksamee Sangchan, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, stated that although cannabis in Thailand is regulated specifically for medical and health use, in some countries cannabis remains classified as a dangerous narcotic. The government reminds citizens and travelers to strictly comply with the laws of those countries to avoid unintentional violations or deliberate offenses. She added that if the public observes illegal sales of cannabis flower buds or gatherings involving drug use causing public disturbance, they can report tips to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board hotline at 1386, available 24 hours.
Ms. Ploytale said the government continues to strengthen control and monitoring of cannabis use under the Ministry of Public Health’s announcement on Controlled Herbs (Cannabis) B.E. 2568 (2025). This classifies cannabis flower buds as controlled herbs. Anyone intending to study, research, export, sell, or process controlled herbs for commercial purposes must obtain a license under Section 46. Sales to the general public require a "prescription" from a licensed professional (such as a medical doctor, traditional Thai doctor, local healer, pharmacist, or dentist) for medical purposes, limited to 30 days' supply. Sales for smoking in business establishments are prohibited (except for treatments by licensed practitioners). Sales via vending machines, electronic channels, or computer networks are forbidden, as is advertising through any medium.
Those who violate the law by illegally selling, processing, or exporting cannabis flower buds, including secretly selling to individuals without a medical prescription, are subject to penalties under the Traditional Thai Medicine Wisdom Protection and Promotion Act B.E. 2542 (1999), Section 78, with imprisonment up to one year, a fine up to 20,000 baht, or both. Regarding smuggling cannabis out of the country, "Illegal export of cannabis without customs procedures or attempts to evade inspection carries severe legal penalties, including imprisonment up to 10 years or a fine four times the product’s value including customs fees, or both."