Thailand's 2565 cannabis decriminalization policy was promoted as an opportunity to generate farm income and advance medical cannabis and the national economy. However, after more than four years, Thai society faces not just opportunity but critical questions about why cannabis was deregulated before proper control laws were in place.

Opposition lawmakers cite large numbers of arrests for illegal cannabis smuggling to Hong Kong, Poland, Germany, and Indonesia, pointing out that Thailand is being viewed internationally as a source of illegal cannabis. Customs officials report thousands of smuggling cases worth billions of baht in damages, reflecting that this problem extends beyond domestic concerns and has begun damaging Thailand's international image and credibility.

Equally troubling are impacts on public health. Psychiatric patient numbers related to cannabis use have surged since decriminalization. While the figures involve multiple factors and cannot conclusively attribute all cases to cannabis, they signal a warning the state cannot ignore. Easier access to cannabis must come with stronger public protection and prevention measures.

To this day, Thailand has regulatory gaps across age restrictions, sales controls, advertising oversight, production tracking, and supply chain verification. The state cannot accurately determine how much cannabis is produced domestically, how much is used medically, or how much leaks outside the system, creating opportunities for exploitation that impacts society, the economy, and foreign relations.

The government must not treat this as political gamesmanship between opposition and administration, but as a national priority requiring urgent action. In the short term, strengthen enforcement against cannabis and drug smuggling, coordinate all relevant agencies, and prosecute offenders decisively. Long-term, expedite comprehensive cannabis control legislation covering production, possession, sales, advertising, age restrictions, and verifiable supply chain tracking at every step.

After four years since decriminalization, the government's duty extends beyond enforcing existing laws to urgently completing new cannabis control legislation, ensuring Thailand has complete regulatory systems that balance medical benefits, economic gains, and public safety.

July 11 – Large crowds from Chachoengsao and surrounding provinces have traveled to Wat Khao Chong Lom in Si Racha district to pay respects to the Phra Wessuwanhorn Raahu statue—both the smaller figure and the impressive 9.9-meter tall miraculous posture version, unique in Thailand. Devotees brought offerings to worship and seek blessings and fortune, lighting incense in pots to draw lucky lottery numbers for the July 16 drawing.

Everyone hopes to become the 21st first-prize winner. Since the statue was installed over three years ago, twenty people have already won the first-prize jackpot. The 20th lucky winner (who won 30 million baht) recently appeared at the temple on July 9, saying he had sought fortune from the 9.9-meter tall Phra Wessuwanhorn when it was first placed in front of a building before being relocated to its current spot.

Ms. Oi, a factory worker, revealed she came to worship and seek blessings from Phra Wessuwanhorn Raahu because her coworkers had always received good fortune after paying respects here. Today she lit incense and drew the number 014.

Striker Golf Seksakorn Rottee of Port FC has acknowledged the significant pressure of competing in the 2026 ASEAN Championship without several senior teammates. The Thai Football Association announced a 25-player squad for the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026, taking place from July 24 to August 26, 2025, under the management of English coach Anthony Hudson. Golf expressed that while the tournament's timing outside the FIFA international window has prevented key senior players like Naathip Sorngkrasinchai and Teerathorn Bunyamatan from joining the team, those who have been selected are determined to perform at their best. "Previously when playing for the national team, we had seniors like Nathip and Um, but this time we don't," Golf stated. "I won't deny the pressure, but this trophy is important. We want to become ASEAN champions and be number one in the region."

Police have questioned Supapon Pimpongse, whose name appeared in stock filings showing a 7.0992% stake in TRUE Corporation valued at over 30 billion baht, causing turmoil in the stock market. Supapon denies holding the massive TRUE stake, claiming the situation resulted from misunderstanding and insufficient knowledge. He acknowledged purchasing a mutual fund approximately 10 years prior. The appearance of Supapon's name sparked investor suspicion since he had never been known in investment circles before. TRUE Corporation subsequently clarified that the transaction "did not actually occur" and that report data may be inaccurate. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigated and confirmed that information Supapon submitted "did not align with facts" and found several irregularities. In the latest development on July 11, 2026, police from the Economic Crime Division revealed they questioned Supapon and an SEC representative to verify facts about the case, concluding it likely resulted from misunderstanding or incomplete knowledge when filling out Form 246-2. Supapon admitted he lacks knowledge about stock market investing. Approximately 10 years ago, he purchased a mutual fund through a bank without knowing what it involved. Recently wanting to know his fund holdings and what they were for dividend tracking purposes, he submitted a Form 246-2 to the SEC. However, lacking understanding of the submission process and due to insufficient knowledge, he entered all data found on the Thai NVDR website into the Form 246-2, inadvertently creating the reported information. Supapon confirmed he never purchased or held substantial TRUE shares as reported.

Commerce Ministry officials led by Poonpong Nainapakaranom, Director-General of the Business Development Department, announced that on Friday, July 10, 2025, the ministry conducted raids in Koh Samui and Koh Phangan districts of Surat Thani Province in cooperation with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and local agencies. The operation targeted 34 companies suspected of using Thai nationals as nominee shareholders to avoid restrictions under the Foreign Business Act of 1999. Five locations were initially searched.

The first target, Company J (Special Case 93/2569), allegedly used Thai nominees to hold shares on behalf of foreign nationals while owning land and conducting real estate business, which is prohibited under the Foreign Business Act. The company is developing a luxury villa project on over 14,000 square meters in Bo Phut Subdistrict, Koh Samui, for sale to foreigners. Investigation found Chinese nationals serving as board members and executives making policy and business decisions. The project address is registered to at least five interconnected companies operating as a complete network handling project management, construction contracting, land development, marketing, and property sales.

Further checks revealed the company holds 15 land parcels totaling 97 acres, 3 ngan, and 88.4 square wah, valued at approximately 1,567.54 million baht, with the overall project estimated at 1,600 million baht or potentially several billion more. The company's financial statements show total assets exceeding 1,692 million baht, with over 1,987 million baht circulating through bank accounts, mostly from foreign transfers. Six affiliated companies have combined assets exceeding 2,024 million baht. The search yielded documents on shareholding, land ownership, real estate contracts, construction agreements, project designs, and financial transactions. DSI is expanding the investigation to related individuals and entities, examining the complex ownership structures.

The second target, Law Office P (Special Case 94/2569), involves a Koh Samui entity with Thai shareholders and a Chinese national serving as board member and shareholder, operating as a real estate agent and broker with property holdings on the hillside in Bo Phut Subdistrict.

Thailand's women's volleyball team defeated Brazil 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-17) in Week 3 of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) held in Osaka, Japan, effectively securing their qualification for next season's competition. After the match, star player Pimpichaya Kokram said she was pleased with the team's victory and emphasized the importance of taking each match one at a time, focusing solely on playing at full strength regardless of which squad Brazil fielded. Teammate Ajcharaporn Kongyos thanked all supporters for their encouragement, stating that the team gave their maximum effort and expressed confidence that Thailand would definitely return to the VNL next year.