Paradise with a bitter aftertaste
“Wherever you walk along the beach – the smell of cannabis is everywhere,” warns Chalermpong Saengdee, MP of the People’s Party. He says the island’s image as a top holiday spot is now under threat, just as the vital high season is about to begin.
Although the government led by the Bhumjaithai Party has only four months left in office, Saengdee insists it must act immediately – since it was this party that pushed through the cannabis legalisation. Critics say the policy has damaged tourism far more than it has helped.
Two-tier tourism emerging
While Saengdee supports the medical use of cannabis and the economic benefits it can bring, he warns of the dangers posed by unregulated trade. “Alcohol sales are restricted by zones and hours, but cannabis – removed from the narcotics list two years ago – is spreading without control,” he said.
The result, he argues, is that Phuket is losing high-quality tourists to rival destinations. Families and visitors from countries critical of cannabis are turning away from the island. “Not everyone, not every family, not every country sees cannabis positively. We have to take that into account,” Saengdee stressed.
An urgent appeal to government
The MP has called on the incoming government to use the remaining four months to act decisively. “Send a clear signal on cannabis control so that high-value tourists regain confidence in Thailand.” Restoring Phuket’s standing as a world-class destination, he argues, is essential.
The fear is simple: if Phuket’s reputation as a “stoner’s paradise” sticks, the luxury holidaymakers and families who bring in the most money may stay away. With the November-to-February season traditionally the most profitable, the stakes could hardly be higher.
A nationwide cannabis debate
Phuket’s struggle mirrors a wider conflict across Thailand. Since legalisation two years ago, thousands of cannabis shops have sprung up, often with little regulation. Beach vendors now sell joints alongside cocktails, and the smell of marijuana is part of the coastal air.
Backpackers and younger travellers may welcome it, but it is scaring off the groups that matter most to Thailand’s economy: wealthy tourists, families, and business visitors. The national tourism authority is caught in the middle – torn between new revenue and protecting Thailand’s global image.
Editor’s note: Despite these warnings, Phuket is simultaneously celebrating record-breaking tourist arrivals.
What comes next?
The clock is ticking. In just four months the high season begins. The government must decide between total liberalisation and stricter controls. One thing is clear: Phuket does not want to become Asia’s new Amsterdam – it wants to reclaim its status as a luxury island paradise.