Thailand spent a few years known for open cannabis shops, and plenty of visitors assume drugs are now tolerated. They are not: cannabis has been pulled back into medicine, and the law sets long sentences for everything else. The rules below were checked on 17 October 2026 against the law, the health ministry notification and the UK Foreign Office advice updated on 12 October 2026.
What the law says
Since 2021 drugs in Thailand have been governed by the Narcotics Code (B.E. 2564). It separates ordinary possession from possession for personal use. The figures below follow the translation of the relevant sections in the journal Thai Legal Studies (2024).
| Offence | Section | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Possessing Category 1 drugs (such as heroin) | s. 90, penalty in s. 145 | up to 15 years, a fine up to THB 1,500,000, or both |
| Possession for trade, selling to minors | s. 145, paras 2-3 | harsher than simple possession |
| Possession for personal use | s. 107, penalty in s. 164 | up to 2 years, a fine up to THB 40,000, or both |
The same analysis notes that a court can offer drug treatment, which may mean no punishment. A foreigner should not count on it: the decision rests with the court.
The UK Foreign Office puts the practice plainly: even small quantities can bring heavy fines or prison, and possessing Class A drugs can lead to the death penalty. It also describes Thai prison conditions as harsh, with limited access to healthcare.
Cannabis as of October 2026
For a few years cannabis was sold in shops with few controls. Since 26 June 2025 a health ministry notification on cannabis as a controlled herb, published in the Royal Gazette on 25 June, has put the flower back under control:
- Sales only on prescription from a doctor, dentist, pharmacist, or Thai or Chinese traditional medicine practitioner treating their own patient
- No more than 30 days’ supply per prescription
- No sales online or from vending machines, no advertising, and no selling for smoking on shop premises
- No sales near temples, in dormitories, parks, zoos or amusement parks
The UK Foreign Office’s October 2026 advice sums it up: cannabis is for medical purposes only, you may buy, possess or use it only with a Thai-issued prescription, and recreational use remains illegal.
What comes next. On 22 September 2026 the cabinet approved a draft cannabis control bill: medical use only, prescriptions signed by a doctor, registered cultivation and tougher penalties. It has gone to the House of Representatives and is not law yet. Current shop licences were issued for three years and expire in 2026, 2027 and 2028; under the draft, shops that are not medical facilities would have to meet the new requirements to renew (according to Nation Thailand).
Taking it out. Exporting cannabis without official permission is illegal. The UK Foreign Office says fines start at THB 30,000 per kilogram and offenders are placed on an immigration watchlist. Bringing it into your next destination may be a serious offence there too.
Deportation and re-entry bans
For foreigners the consequences go beyond a sentence or a fine.
- Deportation without conviction. The UK Foreign Office says the authorities can deport foreigners whose conduct they consider contrary to public order or morals, and may restrict their return
- Refused entry. Section 12 of the 1979 Immigration Act allows Thailand to refuse entry to people who have served a prison sentence under a court judgment (except petty offences and negligence) and to those reasonably suspected of drug trafficking
- Immigration watchlist for people caught taking cannabis out of the country, as the UK Foreign Office notes
How to avoid trouble by accident
- Do not accept anything from strangers, and do not carry other people’s bags or parcels
- Watch your drink. The UK Foreign Office warns that drink spiking happens in tourist areas to both men and women, so never leave a drink unattended or accept one from a stranger
- Vapes are illegal too, including IQOS; see can you bring a vape to Thailand
- Prescription medicines with strong ingredients are best carried in original packaging with your prescription, and pharmacies in Thailand explains how to buy medicine locally
- If police stop you, stay calm and polite; our guide to police and ID checks explains what to expect. People posing as police and asking for cash without paperwork can be scammers, see common scams
FAQ
Can I still buy weed in Thailand without a prescription?
Not legally. Since 26 June 2025 cannabis flower has been a controlled herb: it can only be sold on a prescription from a doctor or other licensed practitioner treating their own patient, for no more than 30 days. The UK Foreign Office's October 2026 advice says recreational use is illegal. Shops with cannabis signs still trade on their existing licences, but selling without a prescription is still a breach.
Can I smoke cannabis at my hotel or on the beach if I have a prescription?
A prescription is for treatment, and the UK Foreign Office describes only medical use as legal. The 2025 health ministry notification bans selling cannabis for smoking on shop premises. Do not smoke in public: the UK Foreign Office notes that smoking in public places is illegal in Thailand, with fines of up to THB 5,000.
Can I take cannabis home from Thailand?
No. Exporting cannabis without official permission is illegal: the UK Foreign Office mentions fines starting at THB 30,000 per kilogram and a place on an immigration watchlist that affects future trips. Bringing it into your next country may also be a serious crime there.
Will I be deported for drugs, and can I come back?
The UK Foreign Office warns that foreigners can be deported without a conviction if the authorities consider their conduct a threat to public order, and may face restrictions on returning. Section 12 of the 1979 Immigration Act also allows Thailand to refuse entry to anyone who has served a prison sentence, except for petty offences, or who is suspected of drug trafficking.
Is the cannabis law about to change?
It is in progress. On 22 September 2026 the cabinet approved a draft cannabis control bill: medical use only, prescriptions signed by a doctor and tougher penalties. As of October 2026 it is still a draft awaiting the House of Representatives. Existing shop licences are valid for three years and expire in 2026-2028.
Sources
- UK FCDO. Thailand travel advice: Safety and security (illegal drugs, cannabis, deportation)
- Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979), section 12, unofficial translation by the Office of the Council of State
- Thai Legal Studies, vol. 4, no. 2 (2024). Article on possession and possession for consumption under the 2021 Narcotics Code, with translations of s. 90, 107, 145, 164
- Thai PBS. Royal Gazette publishes 2025 health ministry notification on cannabis as a controlled herb, in force from 2025-06-26 (Thai), media
- Nation Thailand. Thai cabinet endorses draft cannabis control bill for medical use (2026-09-23), media
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