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Two Phuket Cannabis Shops Raided After Ignoring Licence Suspensions
Two cannabis shops in Phuket were raided by authorities on July 11, 2026, after continuing to operate and sell products despite having their licences suspended. The operation involved multiple government agencies and resulted in the seizure of evidence worth over 500,000 baht, with suspects handed over for legal proceedings.
What Happened
Authorities targeted one shop in Thalang district and another in Mueang Phuket. Both had already had their licences suspended before the raid, yet were still open and actively selling. The operation was a joint effort between the Department of Provincial Administration, Phuket Provincial Administration, the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office, and Thalang district authorities.
Charges the Operators Face
Shop operators face charges under two pieces of legislation:
- Thai Traditional Medicine Protection and Promotion Act B.E. 2542 (1999): selling controlled herbs commercially without a valid licence. Maximum penalty: one year in prison, a 20,000 baht fine, or both.
- Food Act B.E. 2522 (1979), Section 6(10): food labelling violations. Maximum fine: 30,000 baht.
What Officials Said
Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwannachawi described the operation as a demonstration of the government's commitment to enforcing the law against businesses that ignore official orders or disregard public safety. He stated that authorities will not allow tourist destinations to become bases for illegal activity.
The Bigger Picture
These raids are part of ongoing nationwide inspections of cannabis shops, with a particular focus on tourist areas and public spaces. Thailand's Ministry of Public Health has been moving toward tighter cannabis regulations, restricting use to medical purposes only. The direction of policy suggests further restrictions are likely ahead.
What This Means for Tourists
If you are visiting Phuket or anywhere in Thailand, do not assume a cannabis shop is legally operating just because it is open. A shop can have its licence suspended and still be trading, as these two cases show. Verifying whether a shop holds a current, valid licence is not straightforward. The government is actively enforcing closures, and the policy trend is clearly toward medical-only use. It is worth being cautious before making any purchase.
Information sourced from The Thaiger.