Thailand to smoking tourists: you are not welcome here!

A senior Thai official has a clear message to potential tourists considering a cannabis-filled visit to the Southeast Asian country: don’t worry.

“We do not welcome this type of tourist,” Thailand’s Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters on Wednesday, as quoted by CNN.

The country is grappling with the fallout of a new law passed in June that removed marijuana from its list of banned substances and made Thailand the first country in Asia to decriminalize weed. In 2018, Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to legalize medicinal cannabis.

The new policy, unveiled in June, made growing marijuana and hemp legal and also opened the door for restaurants to offer foods and beverages laced with a small amount of THC.

But the law is also in a gray area. Anutin and other Thai government officials said at the time that the policy should not be construed as outright legalizing weed.

“It’s a no,” Anutin said in June. “We still have laws that control the consumption, smoking, or use of cannabis products in non-productive ways.”

According to CNN, “Those who smoke in public face a three-month prison sentence or a fine of up to 25,000 baht ($705.82).”

“We [have always] emphasized the use of cannabis extracts and raw materials for medicinal purposes and for health,” continued Anutin. “There has never been a moment when we have thought about getting people to use cannabis recreationally – or to use it in a way that might irritate others.”

Anutin warned potential tourists back in June.

“Thailand will promote cannabis policy for medical purposes,” Anutin said. “If [tourists] If you are coming for medical treatment or health related products then that is not a problem but if you think you want to come to Thailand just because you have heard that cannabis or marijuana is legal… [or] Coming to Thailand to smoke free joints is wrong. Do not come. We will not welcome you if you come to this country just for that purpose.”

But much to the chagrin of Anutin and the Thai government, marijuana use has thrived in the two months since the law was changed, with cannabis cafes springing up in the capital Bangkok this summer.

A Reuters report earlier this month detailed how the newly enacted cannabis law “has led to an explosion in his recreational use,” although “government officials — concerned about negative health and productivity effects often associated with uncontrolled use of the drug — are retro to have[s]trying to discourage.”

The news agency highlighted one such cannabis cafe in Bangkok, whose owner touted “hundreds” of visitors to his shop every day.

“Europeans, Japanese, Americans – they’re looking for Thai sativa,” said the cafe owner, as quoted by Reuters. “Cannabis and tourism go together.”

The new cannabis law has raised objections from other groups in Thailand.

Last month, more than 850 doctors across the country signed a petition calling for more restrictions and protections related to the law.

“Cannabis was removed from the Department of Health’s narcotics list on June 9, but no guidelines were put in place to control the use of cannabis for personal pleasure,” a spokesman for the group of doctors said at the time. “This lack of [legal] Direction makes cannabis more accessible for children and young people.”

The group said the “government and related departments should stop threatening people’s health as soon as possible.”

“Medical use of cannabis should be under control for best benefit and safety, as the government has claimed from the start,” the group said.