By Barry Kenyon

[Gaybutton]

What's next ? A different military selection, or full military government ?

I don't think it matters. I've seen several governments while living in Thailand and almost nothing ever changes. A few new regulations here and there that nobody wants, but nothing much more than that.

What I like most is when I see news about the latest "crackdown". You know what that tells me? That if a "crackdown" is necessary, then whatever the issue is, it was never properly enforced in the first place.

[Jun]

whatever the issue is, it was never properly enforced in the first place.

Nothing will be properly enforced until they take proper measures to stop corruption.

Now if some of the people in power were collecting proceeds from corruption, I'd imagine they wouldn't even be discussing the issue, never mind tackling it. They are not tackling corruption.

Despite all that, it's possible to spend months in Thailand without being severely inconvenienced by corruption.
OK, our bar bill might be higher to pay off those on the take.
If we have to set foot in Jomtien immigration, we might be forgiven for thinking they make it as difficult as possible, so we use an agency instead.

[Gaybutton]

250,000 baht per person? Thank you very much, but I'll take the bus . . .
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Thailand welcomes a boutique on wheels

By Barry Kenyon

August 28, 2025

Thailand will have a posh new train from November 2025 to create domestic vacations in unparalleled comfort. The Blue Jasmine is a restored 1960s sleeper train from Japan which, operated by DTH Travel, will create a nine-day wonder tour from and to Bangkok with stops at Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and other cultural hotspots.

Between stops, guests will enjoy chef-prepared meals, sip on craft cocktails and soak up Thailand’s green countryside. Two of the nine nights will be spent onboard, with the others in four star heritage hotels. There are 10 wagons in three classes ranging from very comfortable to really luxurious on the 750 km journey. Not to mention a Panorama lounge and a private butler for the exclusive vacationer.

En route, passengers will venture out to enjoy UNESCO-listed ancient ruins, shimmering temples, riverside barges, guided pottery workshops and the chance to meet the gentle giants of Chiang Mai, better known as elephants. Back in Bangkok on the final night, there’s a Chao Phraya River cruise and a farewell dinner.

However, there are only 37 passengers on each tour with train fans already booking well into 2026. Prices are variable, but typically 250,000 baht (6,000 pounds) per person unless you are travelling solo which carries a surcharge. DTH, which has been creating unforgettable holiday adventures for over 60 years, now operates 14 offices throughout Asia.

Story and photos: https://www.pattayamail.com/travel/thai ... els-516216

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Foreigners wonder what’s in store if Anutin becomes the next premier

By Barry Kenyon

August 30, 2025

If Ladbrokes were allowed in Thailand, the heavy betting would be on burly and natty dresser Anutin Charnvirakul becoming the next prime minister. Leader of the 69-seat Bhumjaithai block in parliament, he claims to have more than half of the 492 sitting MPs altready in the bag: deals the biggest opposition Peoples Party, the remnants of the pro-military groups, several small parties and assorted “cobras” or government MPs who might switch sides. We should know for sure in a couple of weeks.

From the foreigner perspective, 58-year old Anutin has a mixed reputation. Health minister in 2020, he blamed the covid pandemic in Twitter posts on unhygienic foreigners and blasted a bewildered tourist who refused his offer of a face mask. But Anutin later apologized. He was very influential in the legalizing cannabis in 2023, but said the main reasons were to reduce the prison population and to encourage the nascent hemp industry. He is no advocate for leisure cannabis Amsterdam-style, yet a firm believer in the herb’s health-giving qualities.

Anutin speaks English as he gained a science degree in New York before becoming president of his family’s engineering company in Thailand. He speaks Chinese at home and is of Thai-Chinese ancestry, personally welcoming the first official Chinese tourist group – post covid – with garlands at the airport. He has stated as interior minister (2023 until resignation on June 19 2025) that Thailand is a friend of both the US and China and he is on first-name terms with US ambassador Bob Kodek.

As regards subjects of particular interest to Thailand’s expat community, Anutin has said little over the years. It is unlikely there will be major developments on visas, for example, as the next administration will likely be short-term pending a general election early next year. The preoccupation for now will be on domestic issues such as a deflated economy, the high level of household debt, tariffs and a possible referendum for a new constitution to satisfy coalition partners.

The Ministry of Finance will be pushing for the adoption of its long-promised rule change to allow foreign income to be tax-free when transmitted to Thailand, provided it arrives during the year of earning or the following year. This does not require parliamentary approval but merely the nod of assent from the Council of State and the Cabinet. To allow this key issue to languish into the next tax year, from January 2026, would be highly detrimental all round. There is much more involved here than farang retirees worrying about their pensions.

Anutin’s main hobby is aircraft and he is known for delivering human organs for transplant in his private plane. He can be difficult to predict as he has attacked military interventions but campaigned in parliament against a bill designed to prevent future coups. He told Time magazine in 2023, “If the people feel I can deliver what they need, they will choose me to work for them”. Nothing is ever 100 percent in Thai politics, but he is about to have his moment.

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/foreig ... ier-516497

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Government describes the latest rules to rein in green-rush cannabis

By Barry Kenyon

September 1, 2025

The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine hosted a press conference on September 1 to fill in some of the missing detail from an earlier announcement last June. There must be no more casual buying of cannabis at dispensaries and absolutely no lighting up in public. Patients must be suffering from a specific medical condition, chosen from a shortlist of five: insomnia, chronic pain, migraine, Parkinson’s disease and anorexia. These are conveniently vague and subjective categories according to many observers.

A prescription, limited to 30 days but renewable, must be obtained from a licensed doctor or pharmacist and the buds must be bought at a licensed shop which has bought its stock from certified farms. Online selling, promotional advertising and vending machines are all now taboo. Weed cafes, hemp spas and massage parlors with a concluding kick are all out of bounds. Localities which include a hospital, school or a temple must not house businesses selling pot.

The entire system will be monitored by the Cannamed Connect Platform, a telemedicine data base to include every source-farm and licensed shop as well as all prescription forms and users. Government spokesman and Department head Dr Somlern Jeungsmarn did not elaborate on default penalty or punishment, but said that the data base would be a strong deterrent to abuse.

Cannabis was decriminalized in Thailand in 2022, but there was no legislative followup which has resulted in confusion ever since. A long-promised parliamentary act is still awaited. So it is currently not an offence to be in possession of cannabis which remains a controlled herb and absolutely not an illegal narcotic. Whether existing retail cannabis outlets will now implement the new system, or close down, or carry on regardless, will likely depend on local police forces up and down the country.

Since 2022, police spokespersons have often said that they are waiting for parliament to reclassify cannabis as an outlaw narcotic and that monitoring of the controlled herb is the responsibility of the Department of Health’s inspectorate which happens to be very short of officers. In cities such as Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya a few cannabis businesses have closed, but most owners have adopted a wait and see approach as regards enforcement. None the less, they have toned down their publicity and some have changed their name from enticing titles such as The Stoned High to more salubrious alternatives such as Genuine Medical Clinic.

Meanwhile, there has been an upsurge in the number of cannabis mules taking suitcases full of quality cannabis through Thai airports. If stopped, they are usually fined for not having an export licence and their contraband is impounded. If found out in other countries, their fate varies enormously according to national rules. A hoard of 30 kgs of cannabis could risk a death sentence in some jurisdictions or a modest fine in others. The situation is unlikely to change unless and until Thai law recriminalizes the drug.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... bis-516730

[Jun]

So what next ?
Will they be shutting down all these cannabis shops ?
Or will it become another sector that is allowed to survive, just as long as they pay tea money ? Which looks like it was the objective all along.

It's about time they imposed some restrictions, as too many good businesses have already turned into cannabis shops.

[Dodger]

So what next ?

Will they be shutting down all these cannabis shops ?
Or will it become another sector that is allowed to survive, just as long as they pay tea money ?

This being Thailand, I bet the later will prevail.

They'll probably leave (or create) so many loopholes in the laws that just about anyone who wants marijuana can buy it, but, at the same time, anyone they choose can be busted for having it.

I guess that's what puts the "Amazing" in "Amazing Thailand".

[Gaybutton]

so many loopholes in the laws that just about anyone who wants marijuana can buy it

Wasn't it like that when marijuana was still illegal? Anyone who wanted it could buy it then and will still be able to buy it whether it is illegal or not. That is pretty much the same with most illegal drugs. No matter how hard the police try, if people want it and are willing to pay the price and take the risk, there will always be somebody out there selling it. That is pretty much the same in most of the world.

According to the news I read, the vast majority of prisoners in Thailand are drug offenders.

Almost every week there are news items about major drug busts, often millions of baht worth. Probably much more manages to get through.

[Jun]

Wasn't it like that when marijuana was still illegal? Anyone who wanted it could buy it then and will still be able to buy it whether it is illegal or not.

That is often the case. To be honest, I'd prefer it to revert to being illegal than have coffee shops, restaurants and other businesses converting to cannabis outlets.

According to the news I read, the vast majority of prisoners in Thailand are drug offenders.

I'd hope that the prisoners are in prison for consuming or trading in more serious drugs. That seems fair to me.

Putting people in prison for corruption offences would also make sense, but no one polices the police. Or higher authorities.

[Dodger]

The majority of incarcerations in Thailand are for possession and/or distribution of methamphetamines' (yaba)...by far.