The Department of Medical Services is intensifying inspections of cannabis shops in the Sukhumvit area, having revoked licenses of 418 outlets nationwide and suspended 2,149 licenses for violations of three strict medical-use rules.
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has joined forces with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the police to conduct inspections in the Sukhumvit area, a key tourism and economic zone, aiming to raise awareness of the new ministerial regulations and elevate cannabis to medical standards.
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine and Alternative Medicine is advancing efforts to promote understanding of the new 2026 ministerial regulations to upgrade cannabis shops to medical standards. Collaborating with the Wattana district office, Thonglor and Lumphini police stations, they have organized inspections of cannabis shops in Sukhumvit and launched a "3-color sticker" system to verify legal shops, thereby boosting public health confidence and Thailand's tourism image.
On 27 May 2026, Dr. Thewan Thanirat, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, assigned Dr. Peeracha Kukasemkij, Director of the Medical Cannabis Division, to lead officials in cooperation with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and officers from Thonglor and Lumphini police stations to inspect six cannabis shops located in Soi Sukhumvit 11 to 13. The purpose was to monitor and strictly enforce compliance with laws.
The government emphasizes the importance of preventing health problems and misuse of cannabis, alongside controlling product quality and service standards according to legal requirements.
Dr. Peeracha Kukasemkij, Director of the Medical Cannabis Division, revealed that following strict enforcement, the Ministry of Public Health has inspected over 9,158 cannabis establishments nationwide, including 2,175 in Bangkok. The firm actions include suspending 2,149 licenses, revoking 418 licenses, prosecuting 394 offenders, and seizing over 600 kilograms of evidence valued at more than 55 million baht.
The Cannabis Commerce Control Ministerial Regulation (No. 2) B.E. 2569 (2026), now officially effective, marks a significant step to seriously restore cannabis for medical use through three main measures: upgrading to medical standards, requiring new applicants to be healthcare facilities, pharmacies, herbal product shops, or certified traditional healers authorized by the Ministry of Public Health.
Existing licenses remain valid until expiration, but renewals must meet new criteria. Establishments must control odor and smoke to avoid community disturbance and have trained staff present during business hours. Administrative officials, including provincial governors, district chiefs, Bangkok authorities, and Pattaya city officials, are empowered to inspect, seize, and prosecute violators more swiftly. Citizens can assist by reporting illegal shops.
Reports on illegal shops can be sent via Line @traffyfondue. License and location checks are available through the MC-GIS system on the website cannabis-gis.dtam.moph.go.th or the "Mor Prom" Super App. Users can verify shops, cultivation sites, and license expiry dates. For consultation, contact the Medical Cannabis Coordination Center hotline at 0 2257 7042 during office hours.
Dr. Peeracha added that the Department of Thai Traditional Medicine has developed a sticker system for cannabis-selling establishments so the public and tourists can immediately verify legitimacy. The stickers use three colors based on license expiration year: red for 31 December 2026, yellow for 31 December 2027, and green for 31 December 2028. Each sticker displays the shop name, expiry date, and an 8-digit establishment code comprising a 2-digit health district code, 2-digit province code, and a 4-digit license serial number. The department has coordinated with provincial public health offices nationwide to distribute these stickers to authorized shops.
The Department of Thai Traditional Medicine emphasized that all operators must strictly comply with the law. This inspection is not just law enforcement but a clear government signal to "cut off cannabis law violations" to protect public health and the welfare of Thai society in the long term.
