Thailand’s cannabis industry is on the cusp of a monumental transformation. A landscape once brimming with opportunity and audacious entrepreneurial spirit is about to witness a drastic shift, courtesy of the country’s newly imposed regulations. The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) has unveiled a batch of stringent rules that could see as many as 12,000 cannabis flower shops close their doors by year-end, marking a critical juncture in Thailand’s burgeoning cannabis sector. The announcement was made in no uncertain terms by Dr. Somruek Chungsaman, DTAM Director General, on June 30. The decree heralds an era where the sale of cannabis will fall under the authoritative scrutiny of certified medical professionals, a stipulation that effectively raises the bar for retailers who must now operate within the confines of far stricter prescription mandates—or risk grave consequences, including closure. This regulatory overhaul demands that all cannabis prescriptions be issued exclusively…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In an astonishing turn of events that could rival the plot of a suspenseful crime thriller, a Canadian national found himself in handcuffs at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Caught red-handed by vigilant customs officers, he attempted a brazen, albeit bizarre, smuggling operation using women’s handbags to freight over three kilograms of heroin. The incident, which took place on the eve of June 30, underscores the lengths individuals will go to for a quick fortune — and the sheer unpredictability of what airport security may encounter. The suspect, en route to Taiwan, faced scrutiny when the savvy eyes of customs officials noticed an odd bulkiness. The bags, seemingly innocent and filled with everyday items like clothes and shoes, didn’t sit right. Once these bags passed through the X-ray scanner, their suspicions were all but confirmed. Upon closer examination, within the seemingly ordinary suitcase, lay an extraordinary discovery. Nestled inside the secret…
In a year glittering with accolades and milestones, Walailak University in Bangkok has clinched the top spot globally for its groundbreaking work in promoting gender equality. This esteemed honor comes as part of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, where the university outshone many to emerge as the leader in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Gender Equality. This remarkable achievement has not only put Walailak University on the world map, but it has also set a new benchmark for educational institutions around the globe. The delight surrounding this recognition was vividly shared by Anukool Pruksanusak, the Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, who announced this marvelous feat. As he congratulated the university, he shared how the Thai government viewed this accomplishment as a testament to the dedication and aspiration of the Thai educational community, eager to leave a mark in advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development…
In a candid disclosure on June 30, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand stepped into the spotlight to unravel the mystery behind the collapse of Bangkok’s State Audit Office building. According to the intrepid leader, the disaster stemmed from a medley of flawed design and construction techniques—an unfortunate symphony resulting in structural dissonance. These revelations came hot on the heels of a thorough final investigation report, which was a collaborative masterpiece crafted by the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, in partnership with technological wizards from Chulalongkorn University, Kasetsart University, and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang. Utilizing state-of-the-art seismic modeling, the experts embarked on a meticulous evaluation to measure the ripple effects of vibrations. Their findings were like a chorus, harmoniously in agreement across all participating teams. While the building materials, such as the robust steel and tenacious concrete, cleared their reputational hurdle, the methods employed…
In a twist of gastronomic deception, a self-proclaimed affluent Thai man has stirred up quite the commotion in the seaside city of Pattaya. Its bustling streets, known for vibrant nightlife and warm beaches, now echo tales of a suave diner who vanished into thin air after indulging in culinary delights without footing the bill—amounting to a princely sum of over 23,000 baht across two restaurants. The saga unfolded on June 22 when a restaurant owner, befuddled and flustered, knocked on the doors of Mueang Pattaya Police Station, file in hand and incredulity in heart. However, the bewilderment surged when the call of justice remained unanswered, with the perpetrator graciously released even after owning up to his audacious feast without pay. Feeling the biting sting of inaction, the proprietor turned to the local eyes and ears, Channel 7, hoping to find elusive justice under the glaring media spotlight. The turn of…
The misty mountains of Chiang Mai have witnessed their share of stories, but few as chilling as the events that unfurled just days ago. On June 27th, the quiet whispers of Mae Chaem district were shattered by the shocking discovery of a murder that sent ripples through the community. The lifeless body of Boonchuay, a well-known 57-year-old resident, lay in a mountain orchard in Ban Mae Satop Tai, bruised and battered, the grisly scene made even more haunting by the nearby presence of a blood-stained log. As the morning sun cast long shadows over the site, it was clear this was no accident. Boonchuay’s red-black Honda Wave motorcycle and his phone were nowhere to be seen, adding layers to this perplexing mystery. The search for answers led investigators into the complex world of migrant labor, where two young Karen workers emerged as prime suspects. Both refugees from Myanmar, they had…
As the clock ticked toward evening, serene shopping plans took an unexpected turn at a bustling mall in Chachoengsao, Thailand, when the tranquility was swallowed by plumes of dark smoke and a dance of frantic flames. Picture this: a usual day at the shopping hive turned into a daring escape spectacle as both employees and patrons of the mall found themselves hastily making their way out, guided by the alarms screaming over the hum of scared footsteps—a scene that could easily be mistaken for a blockbuster thriller. The fire alarm cried out at 8:30 pm on June 29, thrusting Deputy Inspector Chalermpol Satharam into action after the report of a fire at the bustling shopping centre nestled in Na Mueang subdistrict of the Mueang district. As if answering a superhero’s call to action, four red-painted fire trucks rushed from the Chachoengsao municipal fire fortress, their sirens blazing as they carved…
In a story that sounds more like a surreal novel than reality, a mother in Thailand from the Isaan province of Sa Kaeo recently took to social media to call out for help in quite a dramatic fashion. Her saga involves the tropical temptation of durians and an illicit affair with Yaba, a notorious methamphetamine that has wreaked havoc in countless lives. The modern tale is not just of desperation but also of resilience, unexpected twists, and retribution. It all began on a sultry day, June 17, as the concerned mother shared her plight on Facebook—an unusual fusion of traditional fears and modern woes. She posted a photo of two tantalizing durians along with a humble packet of food meant to nourish her troubled son. Her caption was a chilling plea: “I was worried that my son was going to be hungry, so I bought these for him. He didn’t…
The Pheu Thai Party’s much-anticipated debate over the casino-entertainment complex bill has hit the brakes, and rumor has it that it’s not because of any political rattling. Initially slated for a grand unveiling on July 3, the bill’s timeline is now stretched by an extra month. Why, you ask? According to Danuporn Punnakanta, an MP and spokesperson for the Pheu Thai Party, the reason isn’t some behind-the-scenes political discord but rather a meticulous need for further review. This delay is wrapped in aspirations to bolster the country’s tourism where the Pheu Thai sees a vibrant tourist infrastructure burgeoning from these discussions. This snooze button on the debate is opening doors for a robust evaluation that will delve into nuanced issues like gambling access specifically for Thais and the potential lurking shadows of money laundering. On this revamp journey, Pheu Thai isn’t sailing solo; they’re partnering with the Anti-Money Laundering Office…
In a bold move echoing the resonant chords of change, Thailand’s Ministry of Interior has unveiled a new set of citizenship regulations that seeks to untangle the complex web of statelessness that has entangled the lives of many children born to long-term migrants. Announced with a flourish by Deputy Interior Minister Teerarat Samretwanich and nestled comfortably within the ceremonial pages of the Royal Gazette on this very day of June 30, this regulatory reshaping springs into effect with immediate gusto, armed with a one-year operational mandate. Unless, of course, the Cabinet decides to lengthen its life. Delving into the heart of the criteria, this decree opens the gates of Thai nationality to children born in Thailand’s vibrant lands to foreign parents, who were meticulously documented before the calendar flipped to 1999 and subsequently enrolled in state-backed programs during those nostalgic years between 2005 and 2011. This policy, beating like a…