Analysis
Thailand has found a solution where European countries still see a problem.
On my second trip to Thailand, I was once again pleasantly surprised. After visiting several cannabis cultivation and processing facilities around Bangkok, I returned to the city with my backpack full of samples. Upon entering the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center for the AIHEF (At the Asia International Hemp Expo & Forum), the security guard asked me to open my backpack for a routine search. Inside, several packages containing samples of cannabis flowers from different Thai producers. The aroma was unmistakable. The security guard looked, smiled, and gestured for me to enter. No questions, no problems. It's moments like this that show how unique what's happening in Thailand is, also known as "the land of smiles." In this article, we delve into an in-depth analysis of the current cannabis landscape in Thailand and how the country is preparing to become a powerhouse, not only in Asia but globally.
In a continent where cannabis continues to be heavily criminalized, and in a world where many countries still struggle to regulate and frame the plant within complex legal frameworks, Thailand stands out as an absolutely simple and unique case. The colorful facades of dispensaries are found on almost every street in the capital, and some even say, exaggerating, that there are more cannabis dispensaries than 7-Elevens.
In Bangkok, cannabis is part of everyday life, and according to some producers, the market is "more vibrant than ever." Cannabis flowers are considered a natural (or 'raw') product, so they don't fall into the narcotic category. There are hundreds of companies producing numerous cannabis cultivars, and it's possible to find flowers in dispensaries, cafes, and small clubs scattered throughout the city. Locals and tourists, young and old, come and go from these shops without any fear.
The atmosphere is almost disconcertingly normal. Although you don't see many people smoking in the street and the government insists that a prescription is required to obtain medicinal cannabis, access has become as simple as buying a coffee or a beer. Some dispensaries have integrated clinics and doctors prescribing on the spot for conditions as wide-ranging as anxiety or sleep problems. Most dispensaries display detailed menus explaining the effects of different strains, and many offer comfortable spaces for on-site consumption. There is no tension, no stigma. Just a thriving trade and a peaceful coexistence with the plant.
The Herbalist dispensary is located within The Beach Samui resort in Koh Samui.
Currently, many businesses are flourishing: the agricultural sector, processing, cosmetics and wellness, with a particular emphasis on wellness resorts and health tourism. Hemp production, for example, is seen as a diversification opportunity for farmers. Hemp can be used for fibers, construction, textiles, components for the automotive industry, seeds or massage oils, in addition to its medicinal or wellness applications.
Health tourism is what makes the story truly relevant to the economy and business innovation in Thailand. The government views cannabis and hemp as a strategic component of the national economy, with products and industries capable of generating wealth, jobs, and exports.
CannaReporter® spoke with Bryan Lunt, founder and manager of The Beach Samui, a resort on the island of Koh Samui, where it's possible to relax by the sea with all kinds of cannabis-based therapies imaginable.
The hotel has a medical team and an integrated dispensary, The Herbalist, and is one of the health tourism attractions currently standing out in Thailand. Bryan, a Briton who has lived in Thailand for 25 years, says he is regularly inspected by the authorities and that it is not difficult to comply with the required rules. This interview will be published soon in a separate article.
From Queen Sirikit to Golf: Thailand celebrates cannabis through business and tradition.
AIHEF, which took place from November 5th to 7th, brought together more than 200 companies from various countries around the world, as well as experts and speakers from over 20 nations, who gathered to share their knowledge, experiences, and technologies, aiming to foster genuine commercial cooperation in the sector.
Natcha Klahan (center) was one of the main organizers of GrowZone, the first golf tournament for cannabis professionals in Thailand.
In anticipation of the event, on November 4th, the Growzone — 1st Golf Tournament, organized by Thapana Uparanukraw of Stealth Garden and Natcha Klahan of World Pharma Solutions, took place, aimed at professionals in the cannabis industry. The Thana City Golf Course, about an hour from Bangkok, hosted more than 120 players and dozens of other industry professionals for a true networking event amidst nature.
As a side event to the golf tournament, aimed at non-gamers, a shuttle took around 25 professionals to visit four cultivation companies: Gram Canyon, World Pharma, Cana Australasia, and Pentagon. In just one of the areas visited, in the Bang Sao Thong district of Samut Prakan, there were at least 17 companies cultivating cannabis.
Much of the organization of the Golf Tournament and the visits to the companies was the responsibility of Natcha Klahan, COO of World Pharma Solutions, specialist in operations and business strategy in the cannabis sector and a true force of nature.
Describing herself as a true 'workaholic', Natcha is a pioneer in the Thai industry, committed to doing things right to promote everyone's success. “Growth in this sector depends on integrity and compliance. We are bringing together people who want to build real partnerships, strengthen Thailand's cannabis supply chain, and drive the sector responsibly,” she told CannaReporter®.
The full interview with Natcha Klahan will also be published separately soon. In addition to the companies mentioned above, CannaReporter also had the opportunity to visit Thai Stick, Iridescence, and Actera, which we will discuss in the future.
The crucial role of Queen Sirikit in the hemp sector in Thailand.
November 5th, 10:00 AM, official opening of AIHEF 2025, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok. First, there will be a minute of silence in honor of the Queen Mother, Sirikit, who passed away at the age of 93 on October 24th.
Sirikit, mother of Vajiralongkorn, the current King of Thailand, was the former Queen Consort of Thailand from April 28, 1950, to October 13, 2016, while married to King Bhumibol. Interestingly, Sirikit promoted hemp cultivation in the past.
At the opening ceremony, a video is shown depicting Queen Sirikit in the cannabis fields of Thailand, among the farmers and weavers who produced textiles from hemp fibers, noting that the Queen has always promoted the cultivation of this plant in the country.
This fact was later recalled by Phasakorn Chairat, Assistant Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, who quoted Sirikit's words:
"Hemp should be considered for its advantages, and its harmful aspects should be eliminated. It can be promoted as an economically viable crop, since it produces high-quality fibers."
According to the representative from the Ministry of Industry, “this royal guideline has always been the guiding principle of the Ministry of Industry: to maximize the value of resources through standardized production processes and the creation of value at every stage of the industrial chain, propelling Thailand towards true stability, prosperity, and sustainability.”
Patrick Atagi, president and CEO of National Industrial Hemp Council From the United States of America, he participated in the first session of AIHEF 25 and stated: “Money is flowing [in Thailand]. Real money, actual dollars are being exchanged.”
Strategic economics, sustainability, and medicinal cannabis.
In his opening address at AIHEF 2025, Phasakorn Chairat also highlighted the national strategy to promote hemp and cannabis as drivers of Thailand's economic stability.
“It is a great honor for me to participate in the Asia International Hemp Expo & Forum 2025, an international platform that allows the public and private sectors to exchange perspectives on Thailand’s new economic crops, namely hemp, cannabis and kratom, which have become ‘industries of the future’ and are attracting global attention,” he said.
According to Phasakorn, the Ministry of Industry considers these crops part of New Industry in the S-Curve, integrated into the BCG (Bio-Circular-Green) economic model, a pillar of the national strategy for sustainable industrial development. “Thailand is committed to expanding the potential of these economic crops for modern industries — encompassing materials, biotechnology, textiles, energy, future foods and health products — within the framework of the Action Plan for the Industrial Development of Commercial Hemp (2023-2030),” he added.
The goal is to make Thailand the ASEAN hub for the hemp industry within five years, with bio-industrial zones and logistics systems to support production and export.
According to Phasakorn, the Ministry of Industry promotes three main strategies for the sustainable growth of so-called "economic plants":
- International production standards – Adoption of standards such as GMP, ISO, Green Factory and Carbon Footprint, in addition to the creation of eight industry standards for hemp products, including seed oil, CBD extracts (30–80%), fibers and blocks of hempcrete.
- High value-added industrial applications – Development of hemp-based products, ranging from functional textiles and eco-friendly building materials to biocomposites and CBD and THC products for health and cosmetics.
- Promotion of investment and industrial integration Facilitating investments in factories, R&D and joint ventures in Bioindustrial Zones, with support from the Investment Council and in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health in the National Committee for Medicinal Plants.
Among the projects already underway are prototypes of hemp products for security and defense, such as firefighter helmets, military uniforms, and rescue stretchers, developed by the Textile Institute of Thailand, with the aim of adding value to national hemp and promoting sustainable innovation.
A multi-billion dollar sector that still lacks "education"
Phumchai Kambhato, the new president of the Thai Industrial Hemp Trade Association (TIHTAHe noted that the hemp industry in Thailand is still "a baby," but has "enormous potential." In 2024, the market value of hemp, cannabis, and kratom in Thailand was already estimated at 47 billion Thai Baht, approximately 1,2 billion euros.
“We need to make hemp and cannabis an economically viable alternative,” he said, adding that “it is necessary to build upon the different standards across the entire value chain” so that Thailand can “accelerate this industry for all stakeholders.”
The hemp and cannabis industry in Thailand is booming and is expected to reach a value of $1,7 billion by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33%, according to data presented by Phumchai at AIHEF 2025. The Thai government's objective is clear: "to transform the country into Asia's leading hemp hub by 2030, when the sector could reach $7,1 billion."
The goals include adopting internationally recognized standards, developing high-quality and productive Thai varieties, attracting foreign investment throughout the value chain, and linking the sector to the green economy and public health, while also promoting the education of producers, operators, and consumers.
There is a concern across the entire sector, which Kambhato wanted to highlight: the lack of training for professionals. "There is a lack of training, both at the industrial and medical levels. Investing in education is very important," he stated.
Phumchai further explained that in the next three months the government should present a new draft law to regulate adult cannabis use in Thailand, reinforcing that "recreational use must be controlled."
CannaReporter® interviewed Phumchai Kambhato and will publish this interview separately.
Anthony Traurig, Legal Consultant in Global Cannabis Regulation, presented the platform at AIHEF. XPharms Xchange, a B2B platform for wholesale trading of medicinal cannabis that utilizes blockchain technology. The platform will allow buyers and sellers from around the world to trade medicinal cannabis flowers. “For me, it’s clearer than ever that Thai medicinal cannabis will be a major disruptive force in the international market, offering high-quality products at a price that’s hard to beat,” he stated. “Despite the regulatory rollercoaster of recent years, the future is promising for Thai cannabis,” he predicted.
The Importance of Traditional and Alternative Thai Medicine
Somsak Kreechai, Deputy Director-General of Department of Traditional and Alternative Thai Medicine (DTAM), he added in his speech, that “in recent years, we have witnessed remarkable progress in innovations in Thai herbal medicine. Many new products have successfully combined traditional wisdom with modern technology.” These innovations not only create new economic value, but also reflect the creative evolution of ancient Thai wisdom.
DTAM's main mission is to oversee and regulate the use of cannabis, hemp, and kratom for medicinal and health purposes, ensuring that their use is accurate, safe, and standardized.
“We are working to improve the quality of raw materials and CBD and THC extracts to meet international standards, enabling their reliable use in traditional Thai medicine formulations and health products. We are also building a comprehensive system—from origin to final destination—that encompasses GACP, GMP, and GLP standards, in addition to developing networks of certified medical dispensaries, so that Thailand can truly become the Medical Services Hub for Cannabis and Hemp in ASEAN,” said Kreechai.
But the opportunities in the hemp and cannabis industry are not limited to cultivation or extraction. They lie in creating new value through health-related innovations, whether in food, cosmetics, beverages, or wellness tourism. "This mission aligns with Thailand's strengths in Thai massage, spa services, and wellness tourism, which have gained worldwide recognition," he concluded.
For your side, Rachele InvernizziRepresentatives from Federcanapa (Italian Hemp Federation) and FIHO (Federation of International Hemp Organizations) recalled, during the first AIHEF session, that the future of hemp lies in global collaboration: “Europe can bring regulatory expertise, research and development, while Thailand brings wisdom and ancestral knowledge.”
Rachele created a comical moment during her panel: “CBD flowers are a trend in Europe. In Italy we can't sell them, but we do a little and send them to other countries in Europe,” she said, provoking laughter from the audience and the other speakers.
CannaReporter® spoke with Rachele Invernizzi and will publish the interview soon.
Aya Amni, from Japan, warned that her country is facing a “very challenging” situation because the government wants to restrict CBN, after having banned CBD with more than 0,0001% THC. “The ban on CBN will cause irreversible damage to the industry and to patients in Japan,” she warned, asking everyone to sign a petition against this ban.
Japan is preparing to host “JIHE 2025”, which will take place on November 14th and 15th in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and CannaReporter® will be there to better understand the cannabis situation in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Primarily for medicinal use, but with a relaxed approach.
Formally, the government only promotes the medicinal use of cannabis and attempts to regulate the licensing, cultivation, processing, export, and clinical use, requiring all operators to comply with GACP standards. Data indicates that thousands of licenses have already been registered for cultivation, trade, distribution, import, and export, but not all have yet obtained the necessary certifications to comply with the rules that the Thai government wants to implement soon.
Despite the government's insistence on promoting cannabis "only for medicinal purposes," with a medical prescription, in practice the sale, consumption, and circulation of cannabis in Thailand occur in a fluid and organic way, and are much less restrictive than in other Asian or even European countries. Many dispensaries and cafes operate under fairly open models, and society has adapted naturally, without upheavals, and without the chaos that so many critics predicted. You don't see people consuming cannabis in the street, and everything seems to function in a fairly orderly fashion.
However, the lack of training for dispensary workers and healthcare professionals themselves persists, something in which Tian ShererTian, a Thai businesswoman who grew up in California, USA, wants a change. Tian returned to Thailand during the pandemic and hasn't left since. Author of the book "Cannabis and Nutrition: Consuming Cannabis for a Healthy Life," Tian took advantage of the legalization wave to promote cannabis training courses, and this has been her focus in her native country.
CannaReporter® spoke with Tian Sherer and will publish that interview separately.
Why does Thailand seem to have the solution where other countries still see a problem?
First, because the country transformed a plant with a historical stigma into an agricultural crop, an industry, and a wellness product, instead of viewing it merely as a controlled substance.
In 2021, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, Anutin Charnvirakul, announced the official registration of four cannabis varieties as National Heritage.
Anutin Charnvirakul became known as the Minister who promoted the legalization of cannabis in Thailand. Photo: DR | Bangkok Post
The decision was made with the aim of promoting research and development of the national industry based on the cannabis plant and its medicinal and industrial uses.
At the time, the minister told the Bangkok Post that this recognition would "generate economic benefits for the country, as well as increase the potential of farmers to compete in the global market," which would also help "reduce the trade deficit with other countries."
Most of the plant (including the flowers in their natural, or raw, state) has been removed from the list of controlled narcotics, and local producers have been encouraged to cultivate hemp and cannabis. Self-cultivation up to a limit of six plants has also been authorized, but extracts and resins remain prohibited.
Secondly, because the Thai government's strategy combines agriculture, industrialization, product innovation, and tourism, in a convergence that many countries have not yet been able to operationalize.
Many companies already have all the necessary certifications to sell in Thailand and export to other countries, mainly Australia. Europe is on the radar of many of them.
Third, because the practical framework, although still evolving, has allowed for a normalization of consumption and distribution that is rarely seen in other countries, where the weight of repression still remains.
Fourth, because the government, even while still adjusting policies to strengthen regulation, has opened the door for cannabis to become part of the national economy, unlike many countries that still see the plant only as a "problem to control."
Despite this impressive overview, de facto freedom does not mean that everything happens without any regulation. The efforts of most companies to evolve towards a state of compliance are remarkable, especially since most want to export to other countries, and without GACP certification this will not be possible.
Furthermore, exporting, medicinal use, and innovation still require investment in research, training, quality, and certification, and not everything is simple or immediate.
However, what Thailand has achieved, perhaps without a grand initial plan but with a surprisingly pragmatic approach, is to transform cannabis from a problem into something commonplace. Where other countries still see risk, Thailand sees opportunity.
Where other countries regulate with fear, Thais experiment with freedom, a smile, and a bow.
In a world still debating decriminalization and stumbling over prejudices, bureaucracies, and political blockages, Thailand shows that a simpler and healthier relationship with cannabis is possible: a relationship in which respect, responsible consumption, and social acceptance replace fear and repression.
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[Disclaimer: Please note that this text was originally written in Portuguese and is translated into English and other languages using an automatic translator. Some words may differ from the original and typos or errors may occur in other languages.]____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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With a degree in Journalism from the University of Coimbra, Laura Ramos has a postgraduate degree in Photography and has been a Journalist since 1998. Winner of the Business of Cannabis Awards in the category "Journalist of the Year 2024", Laura was a correspondent for Jornal de Notícias in Rome, Italy, and Press Officer in the Office of the Minister of Education of the 21st Portuguese Government. She has an international certification in Permaculture (PDC) and created the street-art photography archive “Say What? Lisbon” @saywhatlisbon. Co-founder and Editor of CannaReporter® and coordinator of PTMC - Portugal Medical Cannabis, Laura directed the documentary “Pacientes” and was part of the steering group of the first Postgraduate Course in GxP's for Medicinal Cannabis in Portugal, in partnership with the Military Laboratory and the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon.
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