The government is intensifying inspections of 12,279 licensed cannabis shops. Violations such as selling without a prescription, advertising, or allowing on-site smoking will result in license suspension for 30 to 90 days. Authorities emphasize they do not support recreational use.
On 6 Nov 2026, Ms. Ploytale Laksamee Sangchan, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government is advancing controls. on cannabis. The government is effectively regulating, monitoring, and enforcing laws continuously to ensure operators strictly comply with conditions. The focus is on medical cannabis use within the highest safety standards to protect public health, build confidence in the national health system, prevent recreational use, and reduce impacts on children and youth.
Ms. Ploytale stated, Currently, Thailand has 12,279 licensed controlled herbal (cannabis) shops nationwide. The top five provinces with the most cannabis shops are Bangkok with 1,726 shops, Phuket with 1,046, Chonburi with 900, Surat Thani with 717, and Chiang Mai with 482. In 2026, there were 66 appeals filed against license suspension or revocation orders nationwide: 31 in Bangkok, 15 in Phuket, 7 in Sisaket, 6 in Surat Thani, 2 in Chonburi, and 5 in other provinces.
Through proactive monitoring and strict action against violators, some operators have breached license conditions by failing to submit required reports, selling cannabis without prescriptions, promoting sales or advertising commercially, allowing on-site cannabis smoking, and selling via online or computer networks. The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has set penalties ranging from 30 to 90-day license suspensions to revocations for serious offenses. Moreover, if an operator previously had a license suspended and commits the same offense a second time, immediate license revocation may be considered under legal procedures.
“The government emphasizes controlling cannabis use strictly for medical purposes, aiming to ensure safety for the public and youth. It confirms it does not support recreational cannabis use. It stresses that the Subcommittee on Appeals thoroughly reviews facts and legal issues before submitting matters to the Committee on Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medical Wisdom for further consideration, adhering to transparency, fairness, and accountability throughout the process.”