Tourism Associations say the recent reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic could have more upsides than downsides—especially when it comes to attracting family travellers who value safe, wholesome destinations.
According to nationthailand.com, Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), told Thansettakij that although the reclassification is a government policy, feedback from the tourism sector indicates it will have a positive impact.
He noted that tourists who do not use cannabis often feel unsafe in environments where its smell is pervasive, discouraging families with children from visiting urban areas. While cannabis tourism may appeal to a small niche, he said, it should be confined to designated areas. In the past, cannabis shops had spread widely along streets, affecting the overall image of Thailand as a family-friendly destination. Since family travellers are a key market segment, prioritising their needs outweighs catering to the smaller cannabis tourism market, he argued. He added that data from online travel agencies such as Booking.com shows family travel is growing faster than other segments, making it a market Thailand cannot afford to neglect.
ATTA says most tourists unaffected
Adith Chairattananon, secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), said the move benefits both society and tourism. He expressed concern over the normalisation of cannabis among young people, which could lead to imitation and misuse. He pointed out that in Asia–Pacific markets, which account for 70% of Thailand’s arrivals, cannabis remains illegal. This can affect tourism cooperation, with some governments discouraging travel to countries where cannabis is permitted. For example, South Korea conducts random drug tests on returning travellers.
ATTA president Sittiwat Chewaratanaporn agreed, adding that major source markets such as China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia do not favour cannabis use. Some countries, including South Korea and China, have conducted random urine tests on tourists upon their return. In contrast, cannabis-related tourism mainly appeals to a small European segment, he explained. Social media comments from foreign tourists have also criticised Thailand’s previous liberal cannabis policy, while some governments issued warnings due to legal risks in their own countries. Restricting cannabis to medical purposes will therefore improve Thailand’s appeal to these markets, he said.
