Malaysians lament end to ‘safe and cheap’ holiday highs in Thailand as ‘Asia’s Amsterdam’ considers cannabis pivot

A U-turn in Thailand’s cannabis policy would undo the liberalisation of views in Asia in the past year on the recreational and medicinal use of cannabis

Malaysian cannabis smokers have flocked across the border in droves, entering by car through the south or flying to tourist hotspots

4-MIN READ4-MIN

Tourists shop in a cannabis store in Bangkok. Malaysian cannabis smokers have flocked across the border, entering by car through the south or flying to tourist hotspots. Photo: Reuters

Published: 11:30am, 8 Oct 2023Updated: 8:34pm, 8 Oct 2023

Malaysians looking for a safe high in neighbouring Thailand are afraid the kingdom’s flip-flopping approach to cannabis use could lead to the closure of the “Amsterdam of Asia”, just as they have begun to enjoy its smoky delights.

The first nation in Asia to decriminalise cannabis a year ago, Thailand’s new government is now back-pedalling on the decision over fears the free-for-all approach is out of control.

Last month, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin vowed to restrict the use of cannabis to medical purposes only, casting doubt on the future of thousands of weed shops operating across the country and threatening to roll back the cannabis-smoking culture.

This year alone, more than 2.4 million Malaysian tourists entered Thailand, surpassing arrivals from all other countries, including China. While shopping and food-hunting are the main priorities of Malaysian visitors, the kingdom’s sudden progressive attitude towards cannabis has added to the allure of a trip up north for some.

Malaysian cannabis smokers have flocked across the border, entering by car through the south or flying to tourist hotspots from Bangkok to Phuket, where high-grade weed is openly available for sale. In stark contrast, they could face a jail term of between 30 and 40 years for cannabis possession back home, or even the death penalty for drug trafficking, though this is no longer mandatory.

A worker assists a customer inside a cannabis dispensary in Bangkok. Last month, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin vowed to restrict the use of cannabis to medical purposes only. Photo: Bloomberg

“I’ve been there three times so far,” 25-year-old Malaysian and cannabis user Anna, whose name has been changed due to Malaysia’s tough drug laws, told This Week in Asia. “I am going again next week and in December, so that will be five times this year alone.”