PATONG, PHUKET – Cops hit 11 cannabis shops on Bangla Road, suspending licenses, revoking permits, and filing criminal charges in a massive night raid.
District officials, provincial health representatives, and volunteer defense corps members carried out the coordinated sweep. They inspected every licensed cannabis outlet on the notorious party strip, checking stock and paperwork. No shop escaped scrutiny.
Two shops lose their licenses completely
The results hit dealers hard. Officers suspended licenses for eight shops and revoked two entirely. Those two stores are now shut down.
Only a minority of the inspected outlets escaped immediate action. The authorities made it clear they will no longer tolerate violations of cannabis policy.
Three charges and a hashish haul
Beyond license sanctions, the operation uncovered more violations. Three operators now face charges for selling food without proper labels – a clear breach of the Food Act of 1979.
Even more serious: officers seized hashish from one shop. The cannabis extract has a THC content above 0.2 percent, making it a Category 5 narcotic in Thailand. Possession and sale are treated at the same level as hard drugs.
Government tightens the screws
Current policy restricts cannabis strictly to medical use, officials stressed. But the noose is tightening further. A planned law would classify cannabis flowers as a controlled plant.
That would ban online sales, freebies to hook customers, and all recreational consumption. The days of lax enforcement in tourist areas appear numbered.
Smoking ban enforced
Officials also reminded everyone of the strict ban on smoking in public places, which applies to cannabis products too. Anyone caught puffing on the street or in public spots faces consequences.
For visitors and locals in Patong, the rules have hardened significantly. Authorities vowed to keep up the checks to stamp out uncontrolled use and ensure everyone’s safety.