The amendments establish a new category of offence as a 'serious drug offence' which includes production, import, export, distribution, and possession of drugs, except possession for personal use, as well as conspiring, supporting, assisting, or attempting to commit such offences. But the industry remains under a cloud of uncertainty about its future -- a future that has grown even hazier in the wake of last month's election. One of the biggest challenges that dispensary owners like Chokwan face is a flood of illegally imported American weed undercutting local varieties, not least because of the difficulty proving the origin of flowers on sale. The progressive Move Forward Party, which won a stunning victory on May 14, already has proposed reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic in a move that has alienated some supporters and alarmed industry insiders. Whereas cannabis flowers can have unlimited quantities of THC, derivatives like gummies can have only a token 0.2%. Those convicted of illegal cultivation even had their seized equipmentultraviolet lights, grow tunnels, irrigation apparatusreturned to them. Business in Thailand can be rankly exploitative. "If [Move Forward] can form the government, I think it's a given that they will relist cannabis," Henning Glaser, a law professor at Thammasat University in Bangkok, told UPI. Heres what we know at this point. Speaking ahead of theInternational Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, marked annually 26 June, Karen Peters, UNODCs Bangkok-based regional drugs and health focal point, said: Now people are allowed alternatives. However, there are two kinds of defamation in Thailand: 1) Simple defamation (Section 326) "Whoever imputes anything, to the other person before a third person, in a manner likely to impair the reputation of such other person or to expose such other person to be hated or scorned.". Background: [1] Drug use and corruption make up the majority of the crime in Thailand[2] and due to this, many Thai administrations attempted to curtail the drug trade, most notably Thaksin Shinawatra with the 2003 War on Drugs. [63][64] In Rayong Central Prison, which was designed to house 3,000 inmates but holds 6,000, improvised rocket canisters were used to relay goods from the outside world over the top of walls into the prison. In June, Thailands Food and Drug Administration removed marijuana and hemp from the Category 5 narcotics list, meaning that these substances are essentially decriminalized. "Unfortunately, as soon as they felt like they could gain older voters or the conservatives, it all changed. Then, on July 27, a Thai official issued a directive to arrest and prosecute those selling cannabis without permission, saying dispensaries like Chokwans should never have existed. The order sent panic across the nascent cannabis industry. Three years ago, prices of CBD isolate in the U.S. retailed at $10,000 to $12,000 per kilogram. Obstacles remain, however. The rate of hepatitis C, at 42 per cent, is very frightening, according to Dr. Patchara Benjarattanaporn, the country director of UNAIDS, the UN agency leading the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The fear is that any Thai cannabis boom will follow this familiar pattern, diluting the benefits for low-income farmers while swelling the profits of the corporate giants. By 2003, the Thai government under Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had declared its own war on drugs that demonized addicts. Kratom is no longer considered a narcotic in Thailand. The United Nations stated that the operation was the Asia's largest single drug bust in history. Her angst is understandable given the extremely punitive measures that Southeast Asian governments have used to rein in narcotics for four decades. (Critics also point out that Anutins brother is on the board of a company that produces hemp, although Anutin denies any impropriety.). Few Asian nations are expected to follow Thailand toward blanket cannabis decriminalization. However, instead of controlling the area centrally, it invites local farmers onto its land and teaches them how to successfully grow cannabis. 2013 Crime and Safety report on Thailand from the US Bureau of Diplomatic Security. In truth, it was simply the most popular of several policy gimmicks his upstart party flirted with before Thailands 2019 general election. A former policeman killed at least 36 people, most of them children, in a shooting rampage at a daycare centre in Thailand before killing his own wife and ch. The Ozone Foundation is based in a suburb of the Thai capital, Bangkok. [62], Thailand has woefully inadequate prison infrastructure, as well as a lack of political will to deal with the exploding crime problem. [11] Murder by clergy has been reported increasingly. Meanwhile, the real possibility that the law can lurch back to draconian prohibition hangs heavy over the budding industry. [50] "Thailand has traditionally been one of the top source countries for extradition of criminals to the U.S.," said a March 2009 cable from the American Embassy in Bangkok obtained by WikiLeaks. Read More: Revenge Travel May Be a Big Problem for Places Like Thailands Famous Maya Bay. We are client-centred and offer peer support treating everyone equally, no matter their background.. [90] This was in part due to difficulty in apprehending a suspect, that had fled to a different country (and thus out of the jurisdiction of a single country). Thats a whole different question altogether.. Netherlands imposes new trade restrictions to block export of semiconductors to China. Ready-rolled joints cost 100 baht ($2.80), or two for 180 baht ($5). Looking to benefit are some 4,200 inmates in prison for cannabis-related offenses who became eligible for release the same day decriminalization came into force. Bribery is frequently used to cement friendly relations with local officials, particularly the police. According to Polish Interior Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, the ice hockey player was competing with a Ligue 1 club in Poland. [65] Mail sent to prisoners contained items such as mobile phones used to coordinate and organize crime outside of the prison. "Their coalition partners support it, and Pheu Thai is very conservative on this issue.". Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital Sale and use of marijuana, generally called cannabis in Thailand, were effectively decriminalized when the Public Health Ministry dropped it from its list of what it deems "narcotic" drugs. I cant plan the next three months; I cant even plan the next week. More people will understand it over time., Anutins pitch was that cannabis could become a valuable cash crop to help alleviate poverty among rural farmers. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI, Southwest Mexico prepares for heavy wind, rain as Beatriz nears coast. BANGKOK, June 9 (UPI) -- Dispensaries can be found on seemingly every corner of this bustling capital city, their neon-lit marijuana leaves beckoning customers as Thailand marks the one-year anniversary of becoming the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis. [53], In 2016 Thailand's rate of violent gun-related deaths stood at 4.45 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. According to Thai law, extracted cannabis content must contain less than 0.2% THC generally considered a very small amount of the stuff that gets you high. Its activities are supported by UNODC, although a funding shortfall has meant that the centre has had to close many of its outreach services in other parts of Thailand. After becoming the first Southeast Asian country to legalize medical cannabis in 2018, Thailand is to become the first Asian country to decriminalize recreational cannabis for personal use. Whatever the law, the reality of cannabis in Thailand may drift like haze over Khao San Road. People who use drugs in Thailand are receiving more help to reduce the harm caused by their habit thanks to a change in formerly punitive drug laws and support from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Chokwan decided to shut her shop and rushed to the FDA to figure out how to get a license. [90], This is the case where foreigners commit crimes against other foreigners in Thailand, in Albano's case the chief suspect was an Indian man who fled Thailand but was eventually captured in India with the help of the Indian law enforcement.[93]. This fourth edition of The Travel Book features incredible photography that illustrates each country, accompanied by a profile that includes details of when to visit, what to see and do and how to learn more about the countrys culture. [37] They were used to cross the Thai border illegally. [21], Animal abuse in Thailand is widespread, including elephants tortured for tourism,[22] killing elephants for their tusks,[23] smuggling them from Myanmar,[24] exploiting elephants in cities,[25] and trading in animal parts. Vendors in Bangkok sell cannabis products at night in July. We caught up with an expert to talk about the dos and donts now that the plant is essentially legal in the country. June 30 (UPI) -- Consumer inflation in the euro area fell to 5.5% in June from 6.1% in May, helped by a sharp fall in energy prices and slowdowns in price rises of food, non-energy industrial goods and services, the European Union said. He says that the reaction from people who use drugs has been good as there is a recognition that ultimately, they should receive better care in hospitals and health centres under Thailands universal health coverage system, while continuing to have the option to access services in community-led centres like Ozone. June 7, 2022. Credit: Art Proximo. It also became prone to abuse, as police conducted arbitrary arrests and intimidated human-rights defenders. Thailand has moved one step closer toward being the first Asian nation to decriminalize marijuana BANGKOK - Thailand on Tuesday moved one step closer article ul li { list-style: disc; padding: 5px 0; } Historically, Thailand has severely punished people who have broken strict drug laws. Studying the American cannabis industry, Thanisorn observed how drastic price volatility meant firms that invested large overheads on expensive greenhouses were the most likely to fail. Thailand's Courts of Justice announced that suspects and prisoners on charges related to cannabis use and possession would be freed after cannabis and hemp are removed from the Public Health Ministry's Category 5 drug list . BANGKOK, June 9 (UPI) -- Dispensaries can be found on seemingly every corner of this bustling capital city, their neon-lit marijuana leaves beckoning customers as Thailand marks the one-year anniversary of becoming the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis. [90], Wendy Albano was an American businesswoman murdered in 2012 in a hotel room in Thailand. Advocates like Chokwan can only watch and wait. Since Thailand essentially legalized cannabis in 2022, the number of people considered addicted to the drug by health authorities has nearly quadrupled, sparking a wave of political finger-pointing. New category of a 'serious drug offence'. Macron tells parents to keep children away from French riots. Those arrested for prostitution can be fined 40,000 baht ($1,280) and jailed for up to two years. Despite local communities in Southern Thailand viewing Kratom as a traditional remedy and not as an illicit drug, Thailand criminalized Kratom in 1943 which has led to tensions between government authorities and local communities. [91] Authorities in the U.S. got in touch with the U.S. State department eventually leading to the arrest of a suspect hiding in India years later. [3] [4] In an effort to curb this, authorities recently unearthed the 1992 Public Health Act, which prohibits any act of public disturbance resulting from smoke and/or smell. More than six months into the Kingdom's decriminalisation of weed in Thailand, unclear regulation and fluctuating market trends are clouding the landscape for local business owners. In comparison, that of the Philippines was 7.42; the US, 3.85; Cambodia, 0.96; Myanmar, 0.56; Malaysia, 0.46; Indonesia, 0.10; and Singapore, 0.03. The eternal travel debate, This greenery-filled cafe in Chiang Mai has its own private forest, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. However, since a change in the law in 2021, the legal system has shifted towards rehabilitation for people who use drugs. On June 9, Thailand became the first country in Asiaand only the third in the world, after Canada and Uruguay to decriminalize cannabis nationwide. Thirty-five Iranians, one Cameroonian, 20 Nigerians, four Pakistanis, four Indians, and others from Asia made the crossing. [18], A United Nations report on the situation in Thailand states, "Many of those now incarcerated in Thailand's prisons are likely to be low-level traders and drug users, as they are more easy targets for police, rather than large scale traffickers and organised criminals". In December 2015 the suspected killers were found guilty. [16] They had reported the drugs to be imports of electronics and automobile parts. The stigmatization of people who take drugs nevertheless continues, but according to Dr. Phattarapol Jungsomjatepaisal, the director of the National Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Committee in the Ministry of Public Health, the new legislation means that more health service providers are being trained to act in a non-stigmatizing manner. Saccharine marijuana smoke was never far away, nor were tales of hapless foreigners hauled off to the citys infamously fetid jail, dubbed the Bangkok Hilton, for smoking a mere joint. Thailand becomes the first country in Southeast Asia to decriminalize marijuana. Violence against women and children has been rising in Thailand. Hemp is the embodiment of disruptive innovation, all packaged into one plant, he says. Being able to blaze up on a Thai beach is another level., Read More: What Thailands Legalization of Marijuana Means for Southeast Asias War on Drugs. Get ready for a journey through every country in the world. Smoking cannabis at home may be legal, but lighting up in the street is discouraged by existing laws governing behavior deemed a public nuisance and could mean a $700 fine or three months imprisonment. Experience the best of Thailand with these 13 epic things to do. Cannabis was traditionally popular across Indochina in cooking or as a medicinal herb to treat myriad ailments, including headaches, cholera, dysentery, malaria, asthma, digestion, parasites, and postpartum pain. You can have all the money in the world, but if you just dont get it, you dont understand it, youre going to fail miserably.. Technically speaking, all of these scenarios are illegal. Bangkoks Khao San Road has been the heady gateway to Southeast Asia for generations of backpackers. Thailand responded by close monitoring of the sale and distribution of pseudoephedrine. Use your legally-obtained marijuana product in private, and youre good to go. BANGKOK, June 17 (Reuters) - Thailand hastily issued a raft of new regulations for cannabis use this week after a long-planned decriminalisation raised alarm at the potential for unchecked use. [83][failed verification], In 2013 an American expat was chopped to death by a Bangkok cabbie with a sword. [19][20], In October 2021, the police from Laos seized more than 55 million amphetamine tablets and over 1.5 tons of crystal methamphetamine. [27], The number of rape cases in Thailand in 2015 has been reported as 3,240, with 2,109 reported in 2016. Last December, Thailand unveiled progressive new narcotics legislation after consultation with international bodies like the U.N. in a bid to lower the prison population by getting addicts out of cells and into treatment. Thailand: Decriminalized Cannabis to Begin Thursday. Only 38% percent of rape victims are raped by strangers. "[52], About one in ten people in Thailand legally own a gun. I felt like I was floating, and it meant that I could forget about all the problems that I faced as a teenager. Their palms greased, police and immigration officials ignore wrongdoing. As you read this, on Bangkoks Khao San Road, streetside tables are groaning under the weight of piles of buds that far exceed the legal THC cap; in Chiang Mai, a tourist is probably sipping on a high-octane marijuana-laced cocktail; and somewhere on a Thai island, bongs are being ripped in public. Who can import it? says Thanisorn. A 2014 study by the Thailand Institute of Justice identified 22 separate gangs of foreigners involved in identity fraud, petty theft, and burglary. But the industry remains under a cloud of uncertainty about its future -- a future that has grown even hazier in the wake of last month's election. Thanisorn Boonsoong, CEO at Eastern Spectrum Group, speaks to staff at the farm in Ratchaburi. The Thai government removed medical marijuana from a list of narcotics prohibited from use or distribution in June 2022, making it legal for . It's also the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis and the first in Southeast Asia to move toward legalizing same-sex unions. Her tiny premises is an Aladdins cave of cannabis delights, selling flowers, gummies, and huge bamboo pipes. It also partners with Dreamlopments, a hepatitis C service provider which offers integrated healthcare free of charge. [75][76] Another case involved a senior monk who claimed he needed money to "refurbish his temple", yet used the money for drugs and sex. [29], On 27 May 2019, Thai sexual assault laws were toughened. [12], A previous attempt to control the drug trade by declaring the 2003 War on Drugs, was met with allegations of Thaksin-allied, politically-inspired targeted killings, quotas of dead drug traffickers, and the targeting of innocent victims. 49-year-old Prapat Sukkeaw has used drugs since the age of 15. Thank you in advance for agreeing to participate in our survey so we can improve and tailor our products to your needs. IMF, Pakistan secure $3B staff-level deal. The new narcotic law and the community-led aspect of treatment for drug users gives hope that Thailand can control cases, and this is a development that other countries are watching, he said. According to the guidelines set out by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, products containing cannabis and hemp extracts, and hemp-derived products, as well as any parts of cannabis and hemp with more than 0.2% THC still fall under the Category 5 Narcotics list. One way or another, policy clarity is needed, says Jeremy Douglas, regional representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific at the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime. Much of Thailand's crime is in urban areas where tourists congregate as they are easy targets, as well as where rampant prostitution and human trafficking feeds their vices. Since decriminalization, Anutin has given away 1 million cannabis plants to households in well-rehearsed publicity stunts. After nearly 80 years of kratom being hailed as an illegal substance, it was taken off this list and made available for everyone. [72], Crime has infiltrated all components of Thai society, including Buddhist institutions. New Developments Thailand Decriminalizes Kratom. The government operated specialized anti-trafficking divisions within the Bangkok Criminal Court, office of the attorney general (OAG), and the Royal Thai Police (RTP). "We don't want to see people going to jail for having one gram of cannabis," Rattapon said. Among other changes, sexual attacks on children younger than 13 will carry a sentence of life in prison, while penalties will double for rapists who record and share media of their crime. Some 259 stolen visa labels had disappeared from a Thai consulate in Malaysia in August 2013. Thailand has decriminalized marijuana for medical and lawful purposes, a sign it's slowly abandoning its War on Drugs. [68] In a sting operation some 28 prison wardens were found to be smuggling drugs. (In the U.S., cannabis is federally prohibited but can be consumed recreationally in 19 states and the District of Columbia.) Chokwan is working with advocates to draft a "people's version" of the Cannabis Act, which she said they will present to lawmakers when a new government is seated. "That way, it can be said that it's not being used as a political weapon," she said. Although popular, the campaign was brutal, with more than 2,200 dead in the first three months, according to Human Rights Watch. Former Brazilian president Bolsonaro barred from office for 8 years. [86] The cabbies are typically poor farmers trying to earn money for their rural families. The new law also adds penalties for sexual crimes against men and necrophilia.[29]. Thailand on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, became the first country in Asia to approve the de facto decriminalization of marijuana, as its anti-narcotics agency agreed to have the Health Ministry drop cannabis from its list of controlled drugs. When she arrived, the offices were thronged by dispensary owners. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [3] Since 2003 crime has been decreasing with the crime rate decreasing from 9.97 to 2.58. A Thai man has been talking about how he is able to reduce the harm caused by using the drug crystal meth thanks to a programme supported by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in. Theres no way of knowing how the authorities will act., With reporting by Cedric Arnold/Bangkok, Chad de Guzman/Hong Kong, and Simmone Shah and Julia Zorthian/New York. [46], Thailand has been described as a haven for criminals on the run from the law in their homelands. Health Minister Anutin, who leads the election's third-largest vote-getter, the Bhumjaithai Party, remains the industry's biggest political cheerleader and has vowed that his party will not back down on pushing ahead with his signature policy. Despite ongoing concerns about the health outcomes for people who use drugs, Dr. Benjarattanaporn believes that Thailand could become a model for the regions countries facing similar challenges. Hours later, a top health official announced that the arrest order had been rescinded since the license that dispensary owners were ordered to obtain didnt actually exist yet. Thailands cannabis market is estimated to reach $1.2 billion by 2025. Thailand's international ports, like Laem Chabang near Pattaya, and Suvarnabhumi International Airport, have seen a number of African[10] and former Commonwealth of Independent States gangs, as well as other transnational gangs and drug mules involved in the trade. I'm actually more scared since the election.". We are a community which values all people. However for example, recent efforts to curtail exploitation include: In 2018, the anti-money laundering office (AMLO) issued restraint and seizure orders for assets worth more than 509 million baht ($15.73 million) in trafficking cases, compared to 14 million baht ($432,770) in 2017. Chokwan Kitty Chopaka poses inside her cannabis dispensary on Bangkoks Sukhumvit Road. [82] They face execution by lethal injection. Violators of this law can face a 25,000 baht (around $690) fine and three months of imprisonment. Both Thai and Philippine police have received U.S. equipment and training. On June 9, the six-month deadline for agreeing on cannabis regulations expired essentially because Anutin kept stalling and, according to sources, threatened to bring down the government if committee members went around him. [26], In 2013, some 87 women came forward daily to report sexual abuse or to seek counseling as a result of sexual abuse in Thailand, with most offenders known to the victim. The monastic life offers a veil of legitimacy to criminal organizations. There have been a number of monks in a string of cases in recent years caught with methamphetamines, selling drugs,[73] prostitutes, pornography, and guns, including senior monks. It is not an ideal choice, but they are given the choice to attend a treatment facility or go to prison.. Among the most famous and lucrative are the gem scam, Thai tailor scam, and fake travel agents[30][31] and Thai zig zag scam. It is also helping to shift the narrative around people who use drugs in Thailand from being socially marginalized, she said. A Royalist protester waves a Thai national flag in front of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 24 , 2023. Why Russians Still Back the War in Ukraine, 2023 TIME USA, LLC. The prime transit corridor for drugs entering northern Thailand is from the Golden Triangle, as well as from ethnically divided rebel-controlled areas within the fragmented state of Myanmar, especially Shan State. But before you begin growing or smoking pot for recreational purposes, you should know that the Thai authorities have left a gray area around this. So weve asked a pair of writers to make the case for each. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. To an extent, they're right. Since the election, however, the party has had to make concessions to draw support from more conservative factions as it attempts to form a government with Pita as prime minister. Today its lucky to fetch $400. [56], Ownership of firearms is particularly high in the south Thailand provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat that have witnessed significant insurgency and rebellion since 2004. Scores of farmers in sun visors and camouflage pants prune cannabis flowers and hang them on long drying racks. "[Cannabis] is being used as a weapon in politics," said Chokwan "Kitty" Chopaka, a longtime legalization advocate and entrepreneur. If you remain in Thailand beyond the date permitted on your visa you'll be fined 500 baht (USD $15) for each day you have overstayed up to a maximum of 20,000 baht ($600). Thailand still has a long way to go before were able to compete with the West on quality, says Thanisorn. [50] Further, foreign criminal gangs have adopted Thailand as a base of operations. Thailands Public Health Minister recently said that further liberalization of cannabis for recreational use is possible in the future, but for now, its wisest for visitors to Thailand to keep their recreational marijuana use on the down low, meaning, quite simply, dont do it in public. Tourists on the resort island of Koh Samui can buy cocktails with cannabis syrup alongside vintage champagne in tony beach clubs. One major concern remains the high prevalence of HIV and hepatitis C amongst people who inject drugs in a country where HIV rates are otherwise decreasing. Violent crime was up 8.6 percent during the same period. : The Nation", "Tourism, infrastructure to support Thailand's economy this year: BOT Governor", "Fugitives, and Others, in Pursuit of Vice Find Thailand's Liberties to Be a Virtue", "A look at Thailand's fervent gun culture", "Thailand Gun Facts, Figures and the Law", "Gun Violence: How The U.S. Thailand was the exporter of the illegal weed into the U.S.; now the U.S. is the illegal exporter of weed into Thailand. "[41] The Thai government on 15 June 2014 caved to international pressure and explained its intention to rescind its previous ILO vote. "Maybe I was bamboozled into thinking that [Move Forward] actually cared," Chokwan told UPI at her dispensary, Chopaka, near Bangkok's busy Asok intersection. Today, society is for the most part knowledgeable, understanding and ready to consume cannabis the right way, Anutin said Aug. 10. June 30 (UPI) -- Hurricane warnings and watches have been issued for portions of Mexico's coast on Friday as Hurricane Beatriz reached Category 1 strength and is expected to reach land later in the day and early Saturday. However, the interministerial body that oversees drug policy couldnt decide on the specific limits to be placed on cannabis. (The spur was, somewhat bizarrely, that the Bangkok governor complained of smelling cannabis while jogging nearby.) news for Buddhist monks and novices: Thailands Sangha Supreme Council has banned Buddhist monks and novices from smoking or growing cannabis but is allowing them to use it to treat illnesses. Advertisement. The Royal Thai Police reported 2,535 cases in 2017. The 2019 U.S. State Department report ranks Thailand as a Tier 2 nation. June 30 (UPI) -- French President Emmanuel Macron called on parents Friday to keep their children at home in the lights of consecutive nights of rioting and demonstrations over the police shooting of a 17-year-old in a Paris suburb. In the walled northern city of Chiang Mai, joints can be bought at guest house reception desks. Alongside high-end cannabis lounges and carefully curated shops such as Chopaka, a huge number of street stalls and underground businesses have sprung up, creating a Wild West atmosphere that is helping to fuel opposition. June 30 (UPI) -- In opening statements Friday, London prosecutors said Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey abused his fame to sexually assault four alleged victims while his defense questioned the allegations and motives. It would be a shame if Thais or foreign tourists got caught on the wrong side of the law because of mixed messages or perceptions., Few appreciate the stakes better than Chokwan Kitty Chopaka, a longtime cannabis-legalization advocate who opened a hole-in-the-wall weed dispensary by Bangkoks bustling Asok intersection just two days after decriminalization. But even then, the gap between regulation and enforcement is often huge in Thailand. British environment minister resigns, accuses Sunak government of 'apathy'. [45] Between 2007 and 2015 the total number of violence victims seeking assistance at the One-Stop Crisis Centre of the Public Health Ministry totalled 207,891. A Royalist protester waves a Thai national flag in front of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 24 , 2023.