Parties vow to ban sales of cannabis

Only medical use to be legal in Thailand

- NARUMON KASEMSUK

Three political parties — the People's Party, Democrat and Pheu Thai — have pledged to put cannabis back on the narcotics list and allow its use only for approved medical purposes, while operators urged the future administration to eliminate foreign businesses using nominees and unfair competition from illegal businesses.

In the run-up to next month's general election, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) and Thai Hotels Association (THA) hosted a political forum yesterday titled "Thai Tourism: What to Do Next?", bringing together representatives from three political parties.

"Cannabis would be classified as a narcotic. If it's to be used medically, clear permission must be obtained to avoid affecting the public," said Sittiphol Viboonthanakul, a party-list candidate and economic team member of the People's Party.

Pheu Thai candidate Surakiat Thienthong said his party also does not support the legalisation of cannabis, as the party proposed reclassifying it as a narcotic for medical use only during the previous administration. This would remain its stance if elected, he said.