Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Thailand law
Cannabis laws in Ko Tao follow Thailand’s national law. Local cities generally do not set separate marijuana rules, so penalties are determined at the jurisdiction level.
Recreational use of cannabis is illegal. Medical cannabis is permitted for specific conditions with a prescription. Unauthorized possession or use can result in legal penalties.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Available with prescription for limited conditions
- Possession: Illegal without medical authorization
- Buying/Selling: Restricted to licensed medical channels
- Tourists: Subject to the same laws with no exemptions
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Legislative History
Thailand briefly decriminalized recreational cannabis in 2022, removing it from the narcotics list and allowing unregulated sales and personal cultivation. However, following public health concerns and a change in government policy, recreational use was re-criminalized in 2024–2025, restoring prohibitions on non-medical possession, sales, and public consumption while maintaining a regulated medical framework for prescription access.
Law Enforcement
Ko Tao had more cops than its reputation suggested. Two friends reportedly paid fines of ฿100,000 and spent a few days in a thoroughly unpleasant jail.
Where to Buy Marijuana
Ko Tao felt like a smoker’s paradise to some visitors. In a few bars, owners smoked openly and customers rolled at the table. Banana Rock came up repeatedly for decent smoke. That easygoing bar scene came with real risks, as the arrests above make clear.
Marijuana Prices
- ฿500 for 4–5 g, a price that drew complaints
- ฿500 for a 50 g bag in a separate account, which quoted about $10 at the time
- ฿1,500 for a good brick, weight unspecified
- ฿1,500 for 20 pre-rolled joints, quoted as about $30 at the time
Types of Marijuana
Ganja was the mainstay. Nepalese hashish also turned up through contacts.