Police raid a Khon Kaen weed shop-turned-teen drug den ignites national uproar, exposing why Thailand will recriminalize cannabis. New laws ban high-THC weed by Nov 11, 2025, as dispensaries shutter and chaos grips a once-booming, now doomed industry.
A police raid in Khon Kaen on Wednesday reveals everything a sceptic needs to know about why the Thai government is recriminalizing cannabis. The raid hit what can only be described as a den of iniquity. It came the same week that Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin—long a fierce opponent of legal weed—blind-sided his rivals with new rules. Only cannabis with THC below 0.2%, sourced through government channels and available by prescription, will stay legal. All other forms will become illegal again, facing strict police enforcement once reclassified as a Category 5 narcotic. By Thursday, weed shops were already closing nationwide as the news finally sank in. The pot free-for-all is over. At least it will be by November 11 2025 when the new regime will be in force.
The Khon Kaen dispensary looked more like a drug den than a weed shop. Inside, teenagers slouched in plastic chairs, puffing joints and sipping thick green kratom cocktails. The air reeked of smoke, stale sweat and cough syrup. Meanwhile, a rice cooker in the corner boiled kratom leaves. Bottles of syrup sat next to it. One boy, no older than 16, could barely hold his head up. He’d taken meth, drunk kratom and smoked cannabis.
Just metres away, a mattress stained with ash and damp spots held meth-smoking equipment: a glass pipe, burnt foil and plastic straws. Cough syrup bottles were scattered around. Weed jars lay open on the counter.
Raid on unlicensed Khon Kaen dispensary uncovers youth drug use and illegal cannabis sales
Labels read “White Widow,” “Zkittlez,” and “Purple Kush.” However, none displayed THC levels, as legally required. Most were high-potency strains.
This wasn’t a one-off. In fact, it had become a regular hangout for youth. However, this time, authorities finally intervened.
On June 25, at around 6:30 p.m., a joint force raided the premises. Officers from the Khon Kaen Provincial Police, city police, local Public Health office, and district administration entered the so-called dispensary, located in Sila Subdistrict.
The shop was unlicensed and had been warned before. In fact, this was the fifth inspection. Still, no real owner had been charged. Each time, a new employee appeared and claimed ignorance. Consequently, the shop reopened days later.
But this time was different.
A 16-year-old girl stood behind the counter. She gave her name only as “Ms. A.” and told police she’d worked there for two weeks and was paid ฿300 per day. However, she had no contract. The teenager didn’t know the owner’s real name—just that he was called “Mr. Name.” She had no phone number for him.
When asked about the teenagers present, she shrugged. “They just come here,” she said. But clearly, they were more than casual customers. At least one teen had used meth on site. Moreover, another had passed out from mixing cannabis with kratom and cough syrup.
Police found numerous violations including meth equipment and minors present inside the dispensary
The evidence told its own story. Police found 33 jars of cannabis buds. No THC levels were displayed. Under Thai law, levels over 0.2% THC are not permitted without medical approval. Yet nothing about the shop suggested medical use. There was no prescription process. Furthermore, no doctor was affiliated.
On a tray next to the counter, police found meth-smoking paraphernalia. A small mirror, cut straws, and scorched foil lay in plain sight. More kratom leaf residue was found near the sink. Next to it, two half-empty syrup bottles dripped onto the floor.
Because minors were involved, officers contacted the Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office. The teens were separated and interviewed. Some were high. One had dilated pupils and slurred speech.
Ms. A was referred to the Provincial Labor Office for protection. Employing minors in such conditions violates multiple labour and child protection laws. Moreover, she may also be a trafficking victim.
Officers confirmed the shop had zero legal authorization. There was no cannabis business license. No medical certification, no storage compliance, and no traceability system. Therefore, the entire operation violated national guidelines.
Shocked police officers seize all cannabis stock and plan further charges against owners and operators
All cannabis stock was seized. Photos were taken. Samples were packed for lab testing. If THC content exceeds legal limits, additional charges will follow.
Authorities will also charge the real owner once identified. Police are tracking leads using witness testimony and forensics. Fingerprints on the meth equipment are being examined. Meanwhile, surveillance footage from nearby businesses is being reviewed.
The raid came just two days after Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin issued a strict order. On June 23, he declared cannabis would be limited to medical use only. Recreational use would no longer be tolerated.
Somsak’s directive is blunt: existing cannabis shops must comply with medical-use rules or shut down by November 11, 2025. Until then, they must operate under temporary guidelines. These include no sales to minors, no advertising and proper labelling. However, many shops ignore them.
That’s why this case matters. It shows what happens when enforcement fails to align with policy.
Cannabis reclassification plans mean it will be treated as an illegal narcotic alongside meth and heroin
Moreover, Somsak’s ministry is pushing for full reclassification. Cannabis will return to the list of Schedule 5 narcotics. That means it’ll be treated like meth, heroin and opium. If the Office of the Narcotics Control Board approves, this will become law within three months of a published regulation in the Royal Gazette.
The timing would fit well with the mid-November dispensations for medical cannabis sale.
Police say they welcome the clarity. For the past two years, grey zones let rogue operators flourish. Dispensaries sold high-THC weed under the guise of “wellness.” Some let customers smoke on site. Others—like this Khon Kaen case—became teen drug hubs.
Somsak’s shift cuts through the chaos. His order limits legal cannabis use to 15 conditions. These include chronic pain, cancer, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, and insomnia. Prescriptions must come from licensed doctors in seven approved fields. Patients must recheck monthly.
Doctors face penalties for improper prescriptions. These range from license suspension to full revocation. Moreover, clinics must track each patient. Doses must follow medical necessity, not customer demand.
Widespread dispensary laxity reveals urgent need for reform as minors exposed to dangerous drug use
That’s a drastic change from today’s environment. Presently, over 18,000 cannabis shops operate with minimal oversight. Most claim to offer “health” benefits. Yet, few require any documentation. Furthermore, fewer still follow proper record-keeping.
Shops like the one in Sila Subdistrict demonstrate why reform is urgent. In fact, the scene wasn’t just chaotic—it was dangerous. Kratom tea simmered openly. Moreover, cough syrup was sold in bulk. Minors handled high-THC products. Meth tools were within reach of anyone.
Despite this, the shop had survived four previous inspections. However, each time, it dodged penalties by cycling through fake owners. Paperwork trails led nowhere. There were fake names and disconnected numbers. Additionally, no business registration was found.
But this time, witnesses talked. Specifically, teens named the regulars. They described who brought meth, who shared kratom and who locked the back room. Police believe the man known as “Mr. Name” is tied to other unlicensed shops. Consequently, a broader network may exist.
For now, the shop is shut. Police sealed the entrance. Inside, shelves sit empty. The mattress is gone. Also, the rice cooker was seized. All jars were logged as evidence.
Social workers aid affected teens as authorities prepare for more raids and stricter enforcement
Social workers are supporting the affected teens. Some will enter rehab. Others may return to school. Authorities are determining whether any were trafficked. Follow-up interviews are scheduled.
Officials say this case sets a precedent. It shows they are no longer tolerating fake dispensaries. It also demonstrates that Somsak’s policy isn’t just paper—it’s being enforced.
The Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Interior and Royal Thai Police now coordinate more closely. Task forces are forming. More raids are expected.
Meanwhile, many dispensaries are worried. Some are applying for medical-use certification. Others are quietly winding down operations. A few are still betting on loopholes. But the clock is ticking.
In Khon Kaen, the message is clear: this isn’t the same game anymore. Weed shops that ignore the new rules will face shutdown—and possibly jail. This isn’t about health anymore. It’s about accountability.
Back at the busted shop, investigators are still sorting evidence. Lab results are due soon. If the THC exceeds 0.2%, trafficking charges may apply. Meth traces may lead to narcotics conspiracy charges.
Police vow to identify all involved as Thailand’s cannabis landscape undergoes rapid transformation
Police say the case won’t fade. They intend to find and prosecute everyone involved. “Mr. Name” won’t remain nameless for long. Neither will those who helped him hide.
Because from now on, Thailand’s cannabis story is taking a very different turn.
Thailand’s cannabis industry, certainly was once booming. It is now reeling from a sharp and sudden policy reversal. On June 23, a decisive ministerial order was signed by Minister of Public Health Somsak Thepsutin. It comes into force on November 11th 2025.
It will instantly transform how cannabis can be sold and consumed. No longer will anyone walk into a dispensary and casually buy weed. Now, a doctor’s prescription will be required for every gram.
These changes come just three years after Thailand became the first Asian country to decriminalise cannabis. Since then, between 10,000 and 18,000 dispensaries have opened. Now, all are scrambling to adapt. The public, too, is confused. Tourists are baffled. Entrepreneurs are furious. Activists are warning of a return to black-market sales.
Sudden rollout of new cannabis rules leaves vendors shocked, fearing political motives and collapse
Many vendors say the government blindsided them. The rules were published late Wednesday night, and are taking effect in November. There was no draft, nor warnings. Doors were already shut across the country on Thursday morning.
Some dispensary owners accuse the government of political vengeance. One vendor in Khaosan said these moves are aimed at hurting political opponents. However, he stressed that it’s the public who will suffer. Farmers without special government certification can’t sell their crops. Dispensaries without doctors on staff will shut down. Meanwhile, non-compliant products will be forced underground.
Although framed as a public health measure, the sudden timing raises questions. Only days before the announcement, the Bhumjaithai Party left the coalition. That party had championed cannabis legalisation. After a dispute over a cabinet seat, they joined the opposition.
The new rules are tight. Dispensaries must, from now on, stock only cannabis from “Good Agricultural and Collection Practices” (GACP)-certified farms. Sales are capped at a 30-day supply per patient. A doctor must assess and prescribe usage based on specific conditions. There are 15 accepted symptoms, including chronic pain, insomnia, epilepsy and depression.
New rules make doctors legally liable for cannabis prescriptions and limit what conditions qualify
Doctors must detail how much cannabis the patient can use per day. They can only prescribe for 30 days at a time. They are also legally responsible for side effects or misuse. If a doctor makes an improper recommendation, they face penalties under their professional laws.
According to the Ministry of Public Health, prescriptions can be issued by a variety of medical professionals. This includes doctors trained in Western medicine, Thai traditional medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and even Chinese medicine. Folk doctors, if certified, are included too.
These requirements are part of the government’s broader plan. Public Health Minister Somsak says cannabis will soon be reclassified as an illegal narcotic again. Although it is currently labelled a “controlled herb,” the shift would make recreational use explicitly illegal.
To recriminalise the drug, a meeting of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) is already scheduled. After that, the minister signs the order. When it is published in the Royal Gazette, it comes into effect within three months.
This will subsequently allow police enforcement. The drug will in effect be illegal without a certified prescription. Certain high-power THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) flower buds will afterwards be illegal and possession may send users to jail.
Mandatory in-house doctors and rising compliance costs may shut small dispensaries across Thailand
Over the next few weeks, more regulations are expected. Every dispensary will be required to have a doctor on-site. This requirement could put smaller shops out of business. Hiring full-time doctors is expensive. Many dispensaries simply cannot afford it.
Dr. Tewan Thanirat from the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine explained the reasoning. The Ministry issued Form Por.Tor.33 to regulate medical use. It will be required for every cannabis prescription. It includes patient data, the prescribing doctor’s license and dosage details.
The crackdown comes amid growing social concerns. Multiple agencies have published alarming figures. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported over 1.5 million cannabis users in Thailand by 2024, second only to methamphetamine. The Office of the Narcotics Control Board said cannabis addiction cases doubled from 2019 to 2024.
Meanwhile, the Center for Drug Problem Studies at Chulalongkorn University found a tenfold increase in cannabis use among youth since legalisation. Hospitals under the Ministry of Public Health reported a 6 to 7 times jump in cannabis poisoning cases. The spike in teen usage, many say, was a wake-up call.
Officials claim policy shift protects public health amid growing social concern and public support
Officials insist that the rollback is not political. Moreover, Somsak and his team claim the motivation is public health. Unfortunately, inconvenience to business owners is collateral damage. As Mr. Wanchat Vanichphan, an advisor to the Minister of Public Health, put it, “When the law has been in effect for some time, and problems arise, someone must step up.”
Wanchat pointed to the results of a recent public hearing. Between May 22 and June 15, more than 59% of respondents reportedly supported stricter regulation. Many were especially concerned about the previous lack of sales restrictions. In fact, anyone over 20 could buy cannabis, even without a real medical need.
Because of that loophole, weed was being smoked everywhere. Tourists and locals lit up in parks, hostels, beaches and restaurants. Complaints piled up. Parents were concerned. Authorities worried about the long-term societal effects. Public opinion slowly began to shift.
Somsak’s changes aim to fix what he calls “lax” enforcement. Now, no one can buy cannabis without a prescription. This includes tourists, even if they have a medical condition. They must consult a Thai-certified doctor. Children, students, pregnant women and breastfeeding women are strictly prohibited from use.
Critics warn medical-only model risks corruption, legal suits, and the collapse of legal weed industry
Critics say the law swings too far in the other direction. “A medical certificate can absolutely be bought,” said Prasitchai Nunual, secretary-general of Writing Thailand’s Cannabis Future. “It will lead to fake prescriptions and corruption.”
This group has called for a mass protest at the Ministry of Public Health on July 7. Activists argue that forcing all use into a medical framework creates new risks. Instead of reducing use, it may drive it underground. Dispensaries may offer off-the-books sales. Tourists may turn to street dealers. Poor farmers may resort to black markets.
Others are considering legal action. Several business owners are weighing a class-action lawsuit. They aim to delay the rules or challenge them entirely. Their case is simple: the sudden implementation destroyed livelihoods without due process.
Economic fallout could be severe. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) valued the cannabis sector at ฿28 billion baht (US$865 million) in 2022. They projected growth to ฿43 billion in 2025. That forecast now looks overly optimistic.
Low certification rates and legal exposure put strain on cannabis farmers, doctors and clinics alike
According to Rattapon Sanrak, owner of Highland Cafe in Bangkok, compliance is just too expensive. Dispensaries were already facing stiff competition and fewer tourists. “This will force more businesses to close. The products won’t vanish. They’ll go underground.”
He isn’t alone. Furthermore, industry groups estimate that only a small fraction of Thailand’s cannabis farms meet the GACP certification standard. Without it, their entire harvest becomes unsellable. Worse, they can’t even export due to international restrictions.
Meanwhile, doctors are being asked to prescribe cannabis under unclear conditions. While 15 symptoms are listed in the new rules, doctors have discretion to treat other conditions. Yet they are also held liable. That legal risk has made many reluctant to prescribe at all.
To address this, the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine will offer online training to doctors. But it may not be enough. Many in the medical field remain sceptical of cannabis. Others simply don’t want the legal exposure.
Reversal of cannabis liberalisation shocks industry and leaves future of Thailand’s weed uncertain
Pro-cannabis groups argue that education and regulation are better than prohibition. Thailand’s approach, they say, should mirror models like Canada or certain U.S. states. There, legal recreational use exists alongside strict product testing, age limits and licensed sellers.
But for now, Thailand is heading the other way. The short honeymoon of cannabis liberalisation appears over. What started as a bold regional experiment is now being clipped by political infighting, health concerns and social backlash.
Cannabis or marijuana again going underground on November 11 2025 after minister’s order on Monday
Bhumjaithai Party lays down the gauntlet on weed. Calls for passage of its original 2022 control law
Cannabis ghost back to life after finishing quest to Chiang Mai. Piya reclaimed his life from the drug
Still, the future remains uncertain. Moreover, whether these new rules will truly reduce youth use or just drive it into the shadows is unclear. What is clear, however, is that the cannabis industry has been thrown into confusion. Consequently, thousands of entrepreneurs, farmers and patients now wait to see what comes next.
As more rules roll out in the coming weeks, and court challenges mount, the debate will grow sharper. For now, only one thing is certain: in Thailand, weed will no longer be a free-for-all after November 11, 2025. Nevertheless, there is one proviso—that the government stays in power until then and the minister is not replaced by someone more amenable to the pot sellers and tokers.
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Further reading:
Cannabis or marijuana again going underground on November 11 2025 after minister’s order on Monday
Bhumjaithai Party lays down the gauntlet on weed. Calls for passage of its original 2022 control law
Health Minister Somsak launches regulatory blitz to outlaw non-medical cannabis use within 40 days
Outbound cannabis smuggling smashed by Chiang Mai police. Europe and London presently targeted
Buriram cannabis factory raided for illegal Vietnamese staff as drugs czar declares a new regime
UK ambassador meets top Thai officials to further plans to rein in cannabis as smuggling surges
UK holiday maker to Thailand lands in Heathrow Airport London with £1 million worth of cannabis
