Can tourists buy weed in Thailand?
Last updated
Short answer: Only with a prescription issued in Thailand. Since June 2025, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has said that tourists may not use, buy, carry or transport cannabis flower without one. A prescription covers no more than 30 days. A prescription or medical card from your home country is not valid.
Key facts
- What you need: a Thai prescription on Form PT 33, plus your passport as ID.
- Validity: no more than 30 days, and not renewable. A new assessment is needed for each later purchase.
- Age: sources report a minimum of 20 years.
- Foreign prescriptions and cards: not valid in Thailand.
- Taking it home: not allowed.
- Cost: depends on the provider. Botanic RX charges only 150 baht per session, for a prescription covering up to 30 days.
Is it legal for tourists to buy weed in Thailand?
Only through a prescription. TAT's notice of 26 June 2025 says tourists are strictly prohibited from using, buying, carrying or transporting cannabis flower unless they hold a valid prescription issued in Thailand by a licensed practitioner, and that dispensing must not exceed a 30-day supply. TAT also says shops offering cannabis for smoking, especially to walk-in customers, may be operating outside the law, and that tourists should not assume products on display are legal.
What do tourists need to buy legally?
- A valid passport.
- An assessment by a Thai-licensed practitioner, who decides whether cannabis is appropriate. Approval is not automatic.
- A PT 33 prescription issued in your name.
- A purchase from a licensed outlet within the days the prescription covers.
The full process is in How to get a cannabis prescription in Thailand.
Do foreign prescriptions or medical cards work?
No. Foreign prescriptions have no validity in Thailand. Terms.law says foreign marijuana cards have no legal effect and that you need a new Thai prescription each time. Bringing cannabis into Thailand, even from a country where it is prescribed, is treated as trafficking.
Do you have to be a resident?
The sources we reviewed do not make residency a legal requirement. The PT 33 framework does not distinguish between Thai nationals, expats and tourists. Terms.law notes conflicting information for short-term visitors and says some clinics serve only long-term residents. Ask before you book.
Can tourists get the prescription online?
The 2025 notification does not mention online consultations. A law-firm analysis by Tilleke & Gibbins reports that policymakers considered a casual online chat, with a prescription sent by email or social media, non-compliant, and that doctors should issue paper prescriptions from a clinic or hospital. A licensed telemedicine system such as Botanic RX is another route. Before you pay any online provider, ask:
- Is the practitioner licensed in Thailand? What is their licence number?
- Will a PT 33 be issued in my name, and where is the original kept?
- Will a licensed outlet be able to verify it when I arrive?
Where can tourists use cannabis?
Privately only. Smoking in public can be treated as a public nuisance, and guides report fines of up to 25,000 baht. Many hotels ban smoking in rooms, so check yours. A prescription does not change this.
Can you take cannabis home?
No. Taking cannabis out of Thailand is prohibited, and many countries treat it as a narcotic. Do not pack it, even with a prescription.
FAQ
Can tourists buy weed in Thailand without a prescription?
No. A shop that sells flower to walk-ins without checking a PT 33 may be operating outside the law.
How long does the prescription last?
No more than 30 days.
Can I use my home country's medical cannabis card?
No.
Can I buy weed in Thailand if I am under 20?
Sources report a minimum age of 20. Confirm with the provider.
Sources
Not for emergencies: call 1669. This article is general information, not medical or legal advice.