People’s Party MP proposes cannabis shop zoning in Phuket
Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee has called for cannabis shops to be restricted to designated areas away from schools, religious sites and cultural landmarks.
People’s Party MP Chalermpong Saengdee has proposed restricting cannabis shops in Phuket to designated areas away from schools, religious sites and cultural landmarks, saying poorly regulated locations could damage the island’s tourism image.
Mr Chalermpong said cannabis dispensaries had become increasingly visible in Patong, Kata, Karon and Phuket Old Town. He said many were located near family-friendly restaurants, souvenir shops, schools and shrines.
He said the proposal was not intended to judge cannabis use, particularly for medical purposes, but questioned what image Phuket wanted to project and who should decide where certain businesses could operate.
Mr Chalermpong highlighted Phuket Old Town, including Thalang Road, Dibuk Road, Yaowarat Road and the Sunday Walking Street, as an area where Sino-Portuguese architecture, Chinese shrines and the Peranakan way of life form part of the island’s cultural heritage. He said allowing cannabis shops to operate indiscriminately alongside historic landmarks risked undermining that heritage.
His proposed regulations would set cannabis retail zones, limit the number of shops in each area, establish minimum distances between establishments and impose storefront signage requirements.
He also called for applications for, and renewals of, cannabis flower retail licences to disclose shareholders and ultimate beneficial owners. He said Phuket authorities should share data with the Department of Business Development, the Revenue Department and the Immigration Bureau to examine ownership structures and financial transactions before licences are granted.
Citing government figures, Mr Chalermpong said 533 cannabis shops in Phuket had failed to renew their licences by July, while 12 others had been ordered to suspend operations.
