Thailand Rejects Tourists Visiting Only To Smoke Marijuana

Cannabis illustration. (Unsplash/@budding)

JAKARTA - Thailand's health minister confirmed that the country is banning tourists who come only to smoke marijuana, two months after a new law that largely decriminalizes marijuana was passed.

"We don't welcome tourists like that," Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters, when asked about recreational marijuana use among foreign tourists.

In 2018, Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to legalize marijuana for medical use. In June, the plant was decriminalized, leading to widespread recreational use.

Despite government requests to stay sober, the cannabis business with dedicated smoking rooms has become a hit with locals and tourists alike.

However, those who smoke in public run the risk of facing up to three months in prison or a fine of up to 25.000 baht.

Anutin's comments come as foreign tourists are starting to increase in the tourism-dependent country. Southeast Asia's second-largest economy expects 8 million to 10 million arrivals this year, above the previous estimate of 7 million.

Last year, the pandemic slashed foreign tourists to just 428.000, compared to a record nearly 40 million in 2019.

Thailand has focused its cannabis policy on a 28 billion baht industry, which builds on its medical and health benefits.

Anutin said, however, recreational use could be explored once there is a better understanding of the drug.

"Maybe in the near future," he said.

Thailand's cannabis policy has also attracted interest from regional neighbors such as Malaysia, which is studying the use of marijuana for medical purposes.