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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Rebecca Ratcliffe in Bangkok

Haze of confusion in Thailand as government flips on cannabis law

Thailand Bangkok
People walk past a cannabis shop on Sukhumvit Road, one of the most popular tourist spots in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 June, 2025.
People walk past a cannabis shop on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok, set up after a ban on the drug was lifted in Thailand three years ago. Photograph: Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters

Along Bangkok’s famous backpacker strip, Khao San Rd, storefronts offer a smorgasbord of highs – cannabis strains promising relaxation, mood enhancement, and energetic or giggly vibes.

Since Thailand legalised cannabis three years ago thousands of such stores have opened across the country, their doorways often topped with bright neon marijuana-leaf signs.

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