Thailand became the first country in Asia to move cannabis off its narcotics list in 2022, and thousands of dispensaries opened across Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and the southern islands. That era ended on 26 June 2025, when a Public Health Ministry order re-classified recreational use as a criminal offence and made cannabis medical-only.
Every flower purchase now requires a valid PT33 prescription issued by a Thai-licensed practitioner and valid for no more than 30 days. Tourists are effectively excluded: foreign medical cannabis cards and overseas prescriptions are not recognised. Recreational use carries up to one year's imprisonment and a 20,000 baht fine.
CBD products and THC items approved by the Thai FDA remain available at registered retailers. Thousands of shops have closed since the order, and further licence expiries are scheduled through 2026 and 2027 — so confirm a shop is currently licensed and open before travelling to it.