UPDATE: Phuket cannabis operation suspends eight licences and revokes two in Patong
A 31 July enforcement inspection of 11 licensed cannabis shops in Patong led to eight licence suspensions and two revocations, with food-labelling breaches also reported.
Phuket authorities suspended eight cannabis-shop licences and revoked two in Patong’s Bangla Road area after an enforcement operation on 31 July 2026, according to The Phuket Express and The Phuket News.
Phuket Governor Chotinrin Kerdsum directed the operation and assigned Vice Governor Pol Lt Col Khetarat Chansilp to lead it, The Phuket News reported. The inspection team included officers from Kathu District Office, the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office and members of the Kathu District unit of the Volunteer Defence Corps (OrSor). Officials inspected 11 licensed cannabis shops.
The reports give different counts for food-labelling violations. The Phuket Express said three establishments were cited for selling food without proper labelling under the Food Act of 1979. The Phuket News reported that nine shops were found in violation of the Food Act B.E. 2522 for selling food products without the required labels.
Officers also seized cannabis extract described as hashish or hash from one shop. Under current Thai law, cannabis extracts containing more than 0.2 per cent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) remain classified as a Category 5 narcotic.
Vice Governor Khetarat said the government’s current cannabis policy limits use to medical purposes. Measures being pursued under the proposed Cannabis Control Act include classifying cannabis flowers as a controlled herb and banning online sales, promotions, discounts and giveaways. Recreational use and smoking cannabis in public places remain prohibited.
Phuket officials said inspections of cannabis businesses would continue as part of a wider law-enforcement campaign focused on narcotics and tourist safety, with the stated aims of improving compliance, maintaining public order and protecting the province’s reputation as a tourist destination.
