PHUKET, THAILAND – Police and health authorities in Phuket carried out a targeted raid on a cannabis shop operating without a valid license, as part of a broader crackdown on unlicensed sales of controlled herbs.
Raid on cannabis shop in Chalong
Investigators from Chalong Police Station inspected a shop called “Gun-Eng” in Soi Suki on Chao Fa East Road in Chalong subdistrict, Muang district. According to police, a Thai woman at the scene identified herself as the owner of the store.
Expired license and provincial ban
Officers asked to see the business permit and found that the license had expired. They also referred to a notice from the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office, which explicitly prohibited the export, sale or processing of controlled herbs such as cannabis for commercial purposes when licenses had lapsed and were not renewed.
Legal basis and seized cannabis
Authorities informed the operator that she was accused of selling controlled herbal products, specifically cannabis flowers, without a valid permit under the Protection and Promotion of Traditional Thai Medicine Wisdom Act 1999. Police seized cannabis flowers and related equipment as evidence.
Province-wide checks ordered
The raid followed an order from the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office instructing agencies to stop the distribution of controlled herbal products without valid licenses across the province, after numerous cannabis shops had apparently failed to renew their permits. Chalong Police Station urged cannabis business operators to strictly comply with legal requirements and called on the public to report suspected illegal cannabis sales at any time via the station’s Facebook page or by phone at 076-381247.
Debate over stricter cannabis controls
Thailand had long been regarded as a pioneer in easing cannabis regulations, but authorities have increasingly intervened when shops operated without authorization. The development raised questions in the public debate over whether tougher enforcement was necessary for greater order or represented a setback for the cannabis sector.
Public asked to weigh in
Members of the public were invited to share their views on whether the state should act more forcefully against illegal sellers or instead make the rules clearer and easier to follow.
“What do you think: should the state crack down harder on illegal sellers, or make the rules clearer and simpler? Write your opinion in the comments.”
said KhaoSod English, source outlet.