Cannabis — Thailand

Do not bring cannabis into Thailand, whatever the law says where you bought it. Thailand's Food and Drug Administration states plainly that cannabis-based or hemp-based foods may not be imported, that cosmetics containing cannabis extract or hemp may not be imported, and that herbal products containing cannabis or hemp must not be brought in. Cannabis flower is a controlled herb: the Thai government tells visitors they are strictly prohibited from carrying or transporting it unless they hold a prescription issued in Thailand by a licensed practitioner, capped at a 30-day supply. Prohibited goods carry customs penalties, and the Thai government warns that in some cases even transiting through Thailand with them is an offence. Enforcement has hardened: the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok reports that since 17 June 2026 Thai customs formally treats cannabis buds as a fineable customs offence instead of simply confiscating them without charge.

Section 244 of the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017) has now been read in the Thai original in the Royal Gazette. A person who brings goods through a customs formality into or out of Thailand, or brings them in for transit or transshipment, while evading the restrictions or prohibitions on those goods, faces imprisonment of up to ten years, a fine of up to 500,000 baht, or both, and the court may order the goods forfeited whether or not anyone is convicted. An attempt carries the same penalty. Section 252 makes this a strict-liability offence: the offender is liable even where there was no intent, so not knowing cannabis was in your bag is not a defence. Section 244 belongs to the 2017 Act, so it is not a new penalty; what changed on 17 June 2026 is enforcement policy, with the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok reporting that Thai customs began formally charging cannabis buds as a fineable offence under section 244 instead of confiscating them without charge. Goods that bypass customs altogether fall under section 242 instead, where the fine is four times the value of the goods including duty and forfeiture is mandatory. Separately, cannabis flower may only be dispensed on a prescription issued in Thailand and only up to a 30-day supply, so a visitor without one has no lawful way to hold it.

Verified Aug 29, 2026

Since 26 June 2025 cannabis in Thailand is lawful only as a medicine: it takes a prescription from a licensed Thai medical professional, capped at a 30-day supply, and only doctors and licensed practitioners may dispense it. Shop, vending-machine and online sales are banned, so a visitor without a Thai prescription has no lawful way to buy cannabis here.

Buying, selling or holding cannabis outside the medical-prescription route is an offence. A specific penalty figure for personal possession could not be confirmed from a Thai government source on this check, so none is published here.

Verified Aug 20, 2026