Marijuana and Guns: Thailand Faces Dual Controversies, Government Takes Action

① Issues Arising from Marijuana Legalization

Thailand is one of the most popular overseas travel destinations. With its affordable flight times, low cost of living, diverse food, and abundant attractions, it was once considered a major tourist country.

Last year, Thailand was the first country in Asia to legalize the use of marijuana. Walking down the streets, you can easily find marijuana shops, and they even sell food containing marijuana. Snacks and beverages, among various foods, include marijuana ingredients, leading to cases where tourists unknowingly consume them.

Since the legalization of marijuana, Thailand has faced various problems due to marijuana abuse.

In Pattaya, a famous Thai resort, a foreign tourist lost his life after drinking marijuana tea at a marijuana café. In addition to this, problems caused by excessive marijuana use have continued to occur.

On September 20, Thai Prime Minister Seta Tawisin announced that he would limit the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

The Thai government added that it would strive to prevent the increase of pharmacies freely selling marijuana. Since the legalization of marijuana in Thailand, the number of pharmacies selling marijuana has increased to 6,000. Pharmacies sell everything from marijuana to oil extracts containing less than 0.2% of the psychoactive compound THC, which causes hallucinations in users.

On the 16th, the Thai government announced its plans to pass a law amendment to limit the use of marijuana for pleasure.

However, in Thai tourist spots, various forms of marijuana are still being sold. Despite regulations against marijuana products containing more than 0.2% of the hallucinogenic substance THC, vendors are selling them illegally without any shame.

② Gun Controversy Following Marijuana

On October 3, a shooting occurred at the famous Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand.
The suspect, a 14-year-old boy, was arrested on the scene about an hour after the incident.

The shooter modified a “blank gun” into a real gun after watching a YouTube video and committed the crime. Blank guns, used for leisure, are a hot topic among Thai students.

Local media in Bangkok reported, “Recently, this blank gun has become popular among Thai students and is causing problems.” Blank guns imported from the U.S. and Europe are commonly sold in Thai internet shopping malls. The price of a blank gun ranges from approximately US$85 to US$170. To purchase, you must verify your ID information if you are over 20.

However, as the purchase process is non-face-to-face, minors can also buy them using their parents’ ID.

You can find videos on YouTube on how to modify a blank gun into a live ammunition gun. Information about guns is easily exposed to minors. A Thai police spokesperson revealed that over 10,000 blank guns are exposed nationwide. The illegal use of blank guns has been a problem in several countries.

Thailand has allowed the possession of guns by individuals since 1947. Thailand is one of the countries with a high civilian gun ownership rate. Anyone over 20 years old with no criminal record, a residence permit, or a household register for more than six months can possess one.

However, Thailand’s gun ownership management is lax. Despite the high rate of gun ownership, gun reports do not even reach 60%. In Thailand, illegal gun possession is punishable by imprisonment for one to ten years and a fine of about US$610.

③ Continuous Incidents

Shootings are happening one after another in Thailand. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced that he would implement strong regulations after the shooting incident in Bangkok. He conveyed that he would review and amend the laws related to the use of guns and other weapons as needed. Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced that only public officials can possess guns and completely prohibited civilians from owning guns.

In recent years, a series of shootings in Thailand has sparked a major social controversy. Recently, two motorcycle-riding criminals injured two people in a shooting on the streets of Bangkok. Last October, a Thai police officer opened fire on a kindergarten and the street, killing 36 people, 24 of whom were toddlers. In 2020, a Thai army soldier killed 29 people and injured 58 others in a shooting.

Thailand is currently suffering from crimes related to marijuana and guns. While dreaming of a revival as a tourist country, these problems are becoming obstacles. On the 13th, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced that he was considering a plan to prohibit civilians from carrying guns in public places.

By. Seo Sung Min