Thailand’s New “Cannabis King Prime Minister” – Will He Keeping the Green Promise???

Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, has officially risen to become Thailand’s new Prime Minister — a historic moment for the cannabis industry. Known worldwide for spearheading the country’s landmark “Cannabis Decriminalization” policy, Anutin now faces the challenge of proving whether his party’s famous slogan, “We Say It, We Do It”, can truly stand the test of leadership.

[Campaign Promises That Started the Green Wave]

Back in 2019, during a major campaign rally in Buriram, Bhumjaithai Party pledged: “Cannabis must be free to grow in every household.” The proposal aimed to allow up to six plants per home, promoting both household use for health and relaxation as well as small-scale economic opportunities.

Economically, the party pitched cannabis as part of a 420-billion-baht wellness tourism industry, modeled after California, and envisioned Thailand as a global cannabis hub. The goal: boost farmer income (up to 70,000 baht per kilogram of cannabis) and fuel research, medical use, and new jobs.

[Cannabis as a New Economic Crop]

Anutin emphasized repeatedly that cannabis is not a narcotic, but a new cash crop to lift Thais out of debt. That vision has partly come true:
• Over 1 million households registered to grow cannabis.
• More than 18,000 licensed dispensaries have opened nationwide.
• The industry has created 80,000–100,000 direct jobs (such as budtenders) and tens of thousands more in farming and related services.
• Global brands and celebrities have flocked to Thailand, making it a soft power showcase on the world stage.

[Medical Cannabis Success Story]

Thailand has also become a leader in medical cannabis access.
• Over 258,000 patients received cannabis-based treatment free under Thailand’s universal healthcare.
• Usage grew 125% in 2023, totaling over 18 million units (oils, herbal sachets, extracts).
• The system now includes 1,629 certified health facilities nationwide, from community hospitals to clinics.

By some measures, Thailand has even surpassed Canada in medical cannabis adoption — despite legalizing much later.

[The Challenges Ahead – Harsh Regulations & Investor Concerns]

But the industry hit turbulence in June 2025, when rival political forces reintroduced strict controls: medical certificates, GACP cultivation requirements, and restrictive licensing. These sudden changes caused:
• Billions of baht in business losses within just 3 months.
• Sales drops of 70% or more for dispensaries.
• A resurgence of the black market.

Businesses and patient groups argue these rules were politically motivated and designed to benefit monopolies. Several lawsuits, including corruption charges under Article 157, are already in motion.

[“We Say It, We Do It” – Will Anutin Prove this Party’s Slogan?]

The cannabis community now looks to Prime Minister Anutin to reverse unfair rules, restore confidence, and protect Thailand’s status as a global cannabis hub. The question remains: will he uphold Bhumjaithai’s bold promise, or will politics derail the green dream?