
What are the drug laws in Thailand?
Published: 07/03/2026 · Occurred: 18/07/2022
Phuket
About Narcotics in Thailand NARCOTICS AND RESPONSIBILITY. Thailand is the first country in Southeast Asia to update its narcotics control law with the support of the Ministry of Public Health (Ministry of public health) and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) in 2021, in collaboration with the UN, to reduce penalties in the criminal justice system. As part of the legal reform, amendments were made to the Narcotics Act, 1967, and the Penalty Drugs Act, B.E. 2522 (1979), and the Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979). According to Article 4, Narcotics Act, 1979, "narcotics" means any form of chemical or other substances which, when taken internally, inhaled, smoked, injected, or otherwise, exert a significant, physiological or psychological effect, require continuous dosage increase, cause strong craving, and impair overall health. Article 7, Narcotics Act, divides substances into five categories, according to type and severity of action. 1) Dangerous narcotics, such as, methamphetamine, heroin, ecstasy and LSD. 2) Narcotics in pure form, such as, morphine, cocaine, codeine and opium. 3) Narcotic substances in which substances from category 2 are contained. 4) Category IV contains chemicals for the production of Category I and II narcotics, such as acetic anhydride (@acetic anhydride) and acetyl chloride (@acetyl chloride). 5) Category V includes narcotics not included in Categories I-IV, such as hallucinogenic mushrooms and others. Marijuana and kratom were regulated by the Marijuana Act, B.E. 2486 (1943), Kratom Plant Act, B.E. 2486 (1943), and were removed from Category V narcotics in 2022. Regarding marijuana, possession, cultivation, distribution, consumption, and sale of plant parts for personal use are allowed. Recreational use of cannabis products is not recommended, but not prosecuted by law if the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content is 0.2% or less. Public cannabis smoking is prohibited. The law classifies possession of Category 1 and 2 narcotics of 100 grams or more as commercial. Punishment can reach life imprisonment. Possession of Category 1 narcotics less than 20 grams and Category 2 narcotics less than 100 grams of pure substance also implies severe penalties of 1-20 years imprisonment. Consumption of Category 1 and 2 narcotics for 6 months to 10 years imprisonment. Consumption of Category 5 narcotics up to 1 year imprisonment and a fine of up to 10,000 baht. All drug-related cases have a criminal form, end with a court sentence and deportation with information recorded in the immigration database, a long-term ban on entry to the Kingdom, also known as the immigration blacklist (@Locart International Co.,Ltd). For readers: Clarify the current cannabis rules as they may change. Remember, smoking cannabis in public places is prohibited.
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