Marijuana Thailand is part of the Reunion Tour Trip Report.
While I was stuck in Singapore on account of not receiving my Vietnam visa (see Vietnam E-Visa Not Processed: Another TPOL Duck Up?), I called my friend whom I was supposed to meet in Hanoi and told him to meet me in Bangkok, Thailand. Because of my error, I booked him a room at the Hyatt Regency Bangkok on points and told him to try and behave himself before I arrived. Later that night, I received a message from my friend stating that he had purchased marijuana off the street in Thailand. I sternly warned him that weed is illegal in Thailand and that there are stern penalties for those who possess it. He rebutted my claim by saying that he had purchased it from a legal dispensary. Initially, I did not believe him.
When I arrived in Thailand, I took my friend to Koh San Road, an obligatory stop for any tourist (see What Are You Doing on Khaosan Road?). Next to every pad thai station was a weed dispensary. If you’ve been to Khaosan then you will know that that’s a lot of dispensaries. I asked the proprietor when weed became legal. He said in June of 2022.
I was dumbstruck by this development.
Like all merchants on Khaosan, the proprietor asked if I wanted to buy any weed. He asked me to smell the bud, as if that would convince me. I politely declined as I am not one for the sticky icky whether it be in blunt, gummy, or brownie form.
Back on the infamous Sukhumvit 11 (see One Night in Bangkok: A Marathon Party Guide), there was one stall next to another.
TPOL’s Tip: A ‘J’ as the kids call it costs 100 baht. The good kush costs 300 baht.
Overall
After years of travel restrictions, I assumed that post Covid the government was looking to rev up the tourism industry. This seems to be a quick and easy way of doing it. I never believed that marijuana would be legal in Thailand. That is a sign of the [economic] times.
“I am not one for the sticky icky whether it be in blunt, gummy, or brownie form.” Slight of words that you only mentioned those 3 forms? There are now 2 legal dispensaries in NYC (and 1000ish fully running illegal weed shops). I know you like waiting in lines so if you come back to NYC you can visit the legal ones.
Haha yes after the coffee shop
WHAT? Who knew. Especially as close as they are to Malaysia etc. Didn’t see that one coming. Pity the poor guy that forgets a gummy in his bag leaving Thailand hopping over into Malaysia. He’s screwed.
Right! I recall landing in KL or Indonesia where they said the penalty for drugs was dead. With that, enjoy your trip.
My wife is there now and said that in odd contrast to the pot legalization you can’t get beer in most convenience stores anymore.
There’s beer but there’s a midnight cut off. Been that way for awhile.