Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Thailand law
Cannabis laws in Pattaya 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
Imports, exports and possession were described at the time as requiring permission from the Ministry of Public Health and approval by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board.
Where to Buy Marijuana
Motorcycle taxis and other drivers were common contacts around Pattaya. One tuk-tuk ride took a visitor down the back roads to a small settlement and a shady dealer. While waiting, there were a few hits from a bamboo bong and a chat with a Thai musician. Then an older, topless woman with no teeth and bleeding gums started yelling. The whole thing felt like a David Lynch scene, but the brick was a good size and the price was right.
On another visit the jet-ski crowd wanted a lot of money for a little bad weed. A proper brick was the benchmark for value. The best deal on that trip came from a sex worker after the encounter.
Marijuana Prices
- ฿2,000 for 2.5 g, quoted then as about $50
- Bargaining mattered, and larger purchases tended to get a more generous weight
More Information
The right brick could be very good. Quality varied sharply with the source.