Non-Medical Cannabis Cannot Be Exported, PM Anutin Declares
Thailand's prime minister declared that non-medical cannabis exports are already illegal under current law, responding to Indonesia's bust of a smuggling network originating from Thailand that resulted in 12 arrests. Anutin ordered a review
Prime Minister Anutin Chaiyawongsa has declared that non-medical cannabis cannot be exported from Thailand, addressing Indonesia's national drug agency (BNN) announcement of a major cannabis smuggling network bust. The BNN confirmed the cannabis shipment originated from Thailand, resulting in 12 arrests. Anutin stressed that exporting non-medical cannabis products is already impossible under current law.
Regarding reports of cannabis being smuggled in luggage, Anutin noted that any drugs entering any country must be seized and prosecuted, with offenders facing penalties under that country's laws. Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia impose severe drug trafficking penalties that may include execution, clearly stated in entry documents.
Anuthin emphasized that Thailand has prevention and prosecution measures in place for drug trafficking. He disclosed that today's three-hour national drug prevention and suppression committee meeting produced numerous new measures. Regarding the Public Health Ministry's proposed cannabis legislation, Anutin instructed the committee to base policy decisions on facts and data, not political interests.
Anutin criticized inconsistent policy positions, saying officials should not praise cannabis legality when convenient but condemn it when inconvenient. He asserted that policies must be driven by official data and operate within legal and constitutional frameworks. As the committee's new chairman, Anutin stated he will evaluate all dimensions before deciding whether to continue or halt the cannabis policy.
