Phuket inspects 10 Weeden cannabis shops over possible nominee arrangements
Officials inspected 10 Weeden cannabis outlets in Phuket for possible nominee shareholding, foreign investment and unauthorised management links.
Phuket authorities inspected 10 Weeden cannabis retail outlets on 10 November 2026 as part of an investigation into possible nominee shareholding arrangements, foreign investment and business management links.
The operation followed a directive from Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee and involved officials from all three Phuket districts, the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office, the Phuket Provincial Commercial Office and a special task force from the Department of Provincial Administration.
Five outlets were inspected in Mueang Phuket District, three in Thalang and two in Kathu. The Kathu inspections covered branches on Soi Bangla and Sai Nam Yen in Patong. In Thalang, officials visited Weeden Branch 6, Cannabis Freedom Weeden and the Weeden Laguna branch in Cherng Talay. The Mueang locations included branches on Kata Road, Kata Taina and Karon-Patak in Karon, as well as Cannabis Freedom Weeden and Weeden Rawai Beachfront 2 in Rawai.
Officials checked licences, sales records, transaction volumes, company shareholding structures, investment sources, financial transactions and management arrangements. Vice Governor Romdon Hayiawae said preliminary findings warranted further investigation into share-option agreements and arrangements governing returns to some shareholders.
He said some shareholders holding about 15% of a company appeared to be entitled to fixed returns and interest regardless of the company’s actual financial performance. Officials will examine whether those arrangements are legitimate investments or indicate circumstances requiring legal action.
The investigation also covers foreign nationals who entered Thailand on tourist visas but may be linked to the operation of Thai businesses. Officials are examining relationships between Thai shareholders and parent companies or affiliated businesses in China, including whether minority shareholders receive benefits from, or work for, overseas affiliates.
Authorities are also checking whether individuals involved hold ownership interests or exercise actual management control over particular branches. Mr Romdon said the outlets were selected under an “established inspection plan” and that no conclusion had been reached on whether any laws had been breached.
Phuket Governor Chotinarin Kerdsom instructed the relevant agencies to conduct comprehensive, transparent and fair investigations, with legal action to follow if wrongdoing is established.
