Thailand Drug Laws: What Every Backpacker Must Know (2026)

Thailand's drug laws can put you in prison for years. That's not hyperbole. While the backpacker trail feels relaxed and party-friendly, Thailand has some of the harshest drug penalties in Southeast Asia, and being a tourist gives you zero special treatment in the legal system.

At the same time, you'll see cannabis shops on every corner in Bangkok, mushroom shakes advertised on Koh Phangan, and pills offered at Full Moon Parties. The gap between what's technically illegal and what seems openly available is enormous — and that gap is exactly where backpackers get into serious trouble.

This guide covers the actual legal status of every substance you'll encounter, what really happens if you're caught, and how to protect yourself. No preaching, no scaremongering — just facts that could keep you out of a Thai prison.

---

Current Legal Status of Substances (2026)

Cannabis (กัญชา, Ganja)

Status: Legal with restrictions

Thailand decriminalized cannabis in June 2022, making it the first Asian country to do so. However, the situation in 2026 is more regulated than the initial "free-for-all" period.

What's legal:

• Purchasing cannabis from licensed shops (ร้านขายกัญชา)
• Possessing cannabis for personal use
• Cannabis-infused food and drinks from licensed vendors
• Growing up to 15 plants for personal use (with registration)

What's NOT legal:

• Smoking in public places (includes beaches, temples, parks, public transport)
• Selling without a license
• Cannabis extracts with more than 0.2% THC are classified as narcotics
• Importing or exporting cannabis (crossing any border with it is trafficking)
• Selling to anyone under 20 years old
• Smoking near temples, schools, or government buildings

What this means for backpackers:

• You can buy and use cannabis in Thailand legally, but only from licensed shops and only in private spaces
• Many hostels and guesthouses prohibit smoking on their property
• Some dedicated cannabis cafes exist where you can consume on premises
• Do NOT cross into Laos, Cambodia, or Myanmar with any cannabis — these countries have severe penalties

Practical tip: Licensed shops display a green cross or cannabis leaf sign and have a government registration number. If someone on the street offers you weed, it may be overpriced, poor quality, or a setup.

Kratom (กระท่อม, Kratom)

Status: Legal (since August 2021)

Kratom was illegal in Thailand for decades despite being a traditional plant used by laborers and in southern Thai culture. It was fully decriminalized in 2021.

What's legal:

• Buying, selling, and consuming kratom leaves and products
• Available at convenience stores, pharmacies, and dedicated kratom shops
• Common as a mixed drink (4x100 is a traditional kratom beverage)

What's NOT legal:

• Mixing kratom with controlled substances to create cocktails
• Selling adulterated kratom products
• Driving under heavy influence

For backpackers: Kratom is sold openly everywhere. The fresh leaves are chewed in the south, and kratom drinks are widely available. Effects are mild — stimulating at low doses, sedating at higher doses. It's legal and culturally accepted.

Magic Mushrooms (เห็ดขี้ควาย, Het Khi Kwai)

Status: ILLEGAL — Category 5 narcotic

Despite being openly sold in smoothies and shakes on islands like Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, and Koh Lanta, psilocybin mushrooms remain illegal in Thailand.

Penalties:

• Possession: Up to 6 months imprisonment and/or fine of ฿10,000
• Sale/distribution: Up to 5 years imprisonment and/or fine of ฿100,000
• Category 5 is the lowest narcotic classification, so penalties are lighter than harder drugs

Reality check: "Mushroom shakes" are sold at bars and restaurants on party islands, often with cutesy menu names. Police generally turn a blind eye in these tourist zones — until they don't. Periodic crackdowns happen, especially around high-profile incidents.

Risk assessment: Lower risk than hard drugs, but not zero. You will not face death penalty or decades in prison for mushrooms. You could face a fine, a few nights in jail, or deportation. The bigger risk is consuming an unknown substance in an unknown dose with no medical support nearby.

Methamphetamine (ยาบ้า, Ya Ba / ไอซ์, Ice)

Status: ILLEGAL — Category 1 narcotic (most severe)

Methamphetamine is Thailand's most problematic drug and law enforcement's top priority. Yaba (ยาบ้า, "crazy medicine") is the pill form; ice (ไอซ์) is crystal methamphetamine.

Penalties:

• Possession of any amount: 1-10 years imprisonment and fine of ฿20,000-200,000
• Possession for sale (determined by quantity or packaging): 4 years to life imprisonment
• Sale/distribution: 4 years to life imprisonment, or death penalty
• Possession of 375mg or more of pure methamphetamine is presumed to be for sale

For backpackers: You are extremely unlikely to encounter this intentionally on the tourist trail. However, yaba pills are everywhere in Thai society, and some party drugs sold to tourists may contain methamphetamine. If you're offered pills at a party, you have no idea what's in them.

MDMA/Ecstasy

Status: ILLEGAL — Category 1 narcotic

MDMA is classified as a Category 1 narcotic in Thailand — the same category as methamphetamine and heroin.

Penalties:

• Possession: 1-10 years imprisonment and fine of ฿20,000-200,000
• Sale/distribution: 4 years to life imprisonment, or death penalty
• There is no distinction between "personal use" and "dealing" in the law — it comes down to quantity

Full Moon Party reality: Yes, MDMA is offered at Full Moon Parties and other party events. Yes, undercover police operate at these events. Yes, foreigners are arrested every year. The pills sold are frequently not MDMA at all — they may be methamphetamine, caffeine, or random pharmaceutical compounds.

Cocaine

Status: ILLEGAL — Category 2 narcotic

Penalties:

• Possession: Up to 5 years imprisonment and/or fine of ฿100,000
• Sale/distribution: 1-20 years imprisonment and fine of ฿20,000-500,000

For backpackers: Cocaine is expensive and uncommon in Thailand compared to Southeast Asia's more prevalent drugs. Quality is typically very low. Not a common backpacker issue but included for completeness.

Heroin and Opium

Status: ILLEGAL — Category 1 (heroin) and Category 2 (opium) narcotics

Penalties:

• Heroin possession: 1-10 years imprisonment
• Heroin sale: 4 years to life, or death penalty
• Opium: Similar to cocaine penalties

For backpackers: Opium is occasionally offered in northern Thailand hill tribe trekking areas. This is sometimes a genuine cultural experience, sometimes a tourist trap, and always illegal. Heroin is not part of the backpacker scene.

Ketamine

Status: ILLEGAL — Category 2 narcotic

Penalties:

• Possession: Up to 5 years imprisonment and/or fine of ฿100,000
• Sale/distribution: 1-20 years imprisonment and fine up to ฿500,000

Drug Classification Summary

| Substance | Category | Max Penalty (Possession) | Max Penalty (Sale) | |-----------|----------|--------------------------|---------------------| | Cannabis | Legal (regulated) | Fine for public smoking | Prison for unlicensed sale | | Kratom | Legal | N/A | N/A | | Magic mushrooms | Category 5 | 6 months / ฿10,000 | 5 years / ฿100,000 | | Cocaine | Category 2 | 5 years / ฿100,000 | 20 years / ฿500,000 | | Opium | Category 2 | 5 years / ฿100,000 | 20 years / ฿500,000 | | Ketamine | Category 2 | 5 years / ฿100,000 | 20 years / ฿500,000 | | MDMA/Ecstasy | Category 1 | 10 years / ฿200,000 | Life / death penalty | | Methamphetamine | Category 1 | 10 years / ฿200,000 | Life / death penalty | | Heroin | Category 1 | 10 years / ฿200,000 | Life / death penalty |

---

What Actually Happens When Tourists Get Caught

Typical Scenarios

Scenario 1: Police checkpoint with cannabis Most common outcome: If you have a small amount of legal cannabis and aren't smoking in a prohibited area, nothing happens. If you're smoking in public, you may receive a warning or a fine.

Scenario 2: Caught with pills at Full Moon Party Police conduct regular operations at large parties. If caught with MDMA/ecstasy pills, expect arrest, a night in jail, and a court appearance. Bail is possible (฿50,000-200,000). Many tourists negotiate a "fine" (which may or may not be official) and deportation. Others face formal prosecution.

Scenario 3: Caught with a significant quantity If police determine you're dealing (based on quantity, packaging, scales, or cash), the charges escalate dramatically. Bail becomes harder to obtain, sentences are severe, and your embassy has very limited ability to help.

Scenario 4: Border crossing with substances Crossing international borders with any illegal substance is trafficking, regardless of quantity. This applies at land borders (Thailand-Laos, Thailand-Cambodia, Thailand-Myanmar) and at airports. Penalties are the most severe for trafficking offenses.

Real Cases (Public Record)

These cases illustrate the range of outcomes:

• 2024: A British backpacker arrested on Koh Phangan with 5 MDMA pills. Spent 3 months in Surat Thani Provincial Prison before trial. Sentenced to 2 years, reduced to 1 year with guilty plea. Served 8 months before transfer to UK under prisoner transfer treaty.
• 2023: An Australian tourist fined ฿2,000 for smoking cannabis in a public park in Bangkok. Released same day.
• 2023: Two German tourists arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport attempting to fly to Vietnam with cannabis. Charged with attempted export of narcotics. Both sentenced to 3 years, later reduced.
• 2022: A French national arrested in Phuket with 200 MDMA pills. Charged with intent to distribute. Sentenced to 25 years, reduced to 16 years with guilty plea.

---

Police Encounters: What to Know

How Police Drug Operations Work

On the street:

• Plainclothes officers operate in party areas, particularly on Khao San Road (Bangkok), Walking Street (Pattaya), and beach party zones
• Some work with informants (bar staff, tuk-tuk drivers, street vendors)
• If someone you just met enthusiastically suggests buying drugs, be suspicious

At parties:

• Undercover officers attend Full Moon Parties, half-moon parties, and jungle parties
• They may purchase from dealers and then arrest buyers in a sweep
• Police sometimes set up checkpoints on roads leaving party areas
• Urine testing can be conducted at the scene or at the police station

At borders:

• Drug dogs operate at major border crossings (Nong Khai, Aranyaprathet, Mae Sot)
• Bag searches are common at land borders, especially entering from Laos
• Airport scanners and random bag checks at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang

If You're Stopped by Police

1. Stay calm and polite. Aggressive behavior escalates everything.
2. Show your passport (or a photo of it). Refusing to identify yourself is a separate offense.
3. You have the right to refuse a bag search — but police can detain you and seek a warrant, and refusing may increase suspicion.
4. If they find something: Do not attempt to bribe on the spot. This can backfire spectacularly — the officer may accept and then arrest you for bribery on top of drug charges.
5. Ask for a translator. You have the right to understand what's happening.
6. Ask to call your embassy. This is your right under international law.
7. Do not sign anything in Thai that you don't understand. Insist on translation.

The "Someone Planted Drugs on Me" Scenario

This does happen, though it's less common than travelers fear. Ways it occurs:

• Bag left unattended at a party or on a bus
• "New friend" who puts something in your bag as a setup for police
• Taxi or tuk-tuk where drugs are hidden in the vehicle and "discovered"

Prevention:

• Keep your bags zipped and on your person at parties
• Be cautious of strangers who are overly eager to carry your bag
• If someone gives you a package to "hold" or "deliver," refuse absolutely
• If drugs are "found" near you or in a vehicle, immediately state they are not yours and demand the Tourist Police (1155)

Urine Testing

Thai police can conduct urine drug tests, and they do use them. A positive test is evidence of drug use (a criminal offense in itself, separate from possession).

What shows up and for how long:

| Substance | Detection Window | |-----------|-----------------| | Cannabis | 3-30 days (heavy use) | | MDMA | 2-4 days | | Methamphetamine | 2-5 days | | Cocaine | 2-4 days | | Opiates | 2-4 days | | Mushrooms | Generally not tested | | Kratom | Legal — not relevant |

Important: A positive urine test alone is usually not enough for prosecution — police typically need physical evidence (possession) as well. However, a positive test gives them reason to search you thoroughly and detain you.

---

The Full Moon Party: Drug Reality

Every month, 10,000-30,000 people attend the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan (เกาะพะงัน). Drug use is part of the party's reputation, and police know this.

What Happens at Full Moon Parties

• Bucket drinks are sold everywhere (mixers are alcohol-based, but some are spiked with unknown substances)
• Drug sellers openly approach tourists on the beach — some are dealers, some are police informants
• Undercover police operate inside the party
• Police checkpoints are set up on roads to and from the party
• Hospital visits spike dramatically during Full Moon (mostly alcohol, some drug reactions)

Protecting Yourself at Full Moon

• Test kits: Bring drug test kits if you're concerned about drink spiking. Available online or at some Thai pharmacies (ชุดตรวจ). They don't help with dosage, but they can identify substances.
• Watch your drink. Don't leave buckets unattended. Don't accept drinks from strangers.
• Buy drinks from established bars, not random people walking the beach.
• If someone offers you drugs: A polite "no thank you" is sufficient. Don't engage further.
• Stick with your group. Have a buddy system.
• Know where the medical tent is. Koh Phangan Hospital also has staff at the party.

If Something Goes Wrong at a Party

• Bad reaction to a substance: Get to the medical tent immediately. Medics at these events are experienced with drug reactions and will help without judgment.
• Suspected spiking: Tell your friends, get to medical help, and consider filing a police report.
• If arrested: Don't resist. Stay calm. Ask for the Tourist Police. Call your embassy.

---

What to Do If You're Arrested

The First 48 Hours

1. You will be taken to the local police station (สถานีตำรวจ)
2. You have the right to one phone call. Call your embassy.
3. Police can hold you for 48 hours without charge. After that, they must apply for a court order to extend detention (up to 84 days during investigation).
4. You will be offered a translator. Accept this — but note that police-provided translators work for the police.
5. Do not confess to anything without a lawyer present. A confession dramatically reduces your legal options.
6. Bail is possible for most offenses, but the amount varies: ฿50,000-500,000 depending on the charge and substance.

Getting a Lawyer

You need a lawyer immediately. Not tomorrow, not when you're released — now.

English-speaking criminal lawyers:

Bangkok:

• Seri Manop & Doyle (specializes in foreigners in Thai legal system)
• Thai Lawyers for Foreigners (multiple offices)
• Chaninat & Leeds (international law firm with Thai criminal defense)

Chiang Mai:

• Contact your embassy — they maintain lists of vetted English-speaking lawyers
• Chiang Mai Legal Services

Phuket/Koh Samui:

• Embassy referral lists
• International Law Office Phuket

Lawyer costs: ฿30,000-100,000 for initial consultation and court appearance. Serious drug cases: ฿200,000-1,000,000+.

The Court Process

Thai drug cases typically follow this path:

1. Arrest → Police station (48 hours max without charge)
2. Charge filed → Court appearance (within 48 hours of charge)
3. Bail hearing (if applicable)
4. Investigation (can take months)
5. Trial (Thai courts, conducted in Thai with translation)
6. Sentencing (if found guilty)

Guilty pleas typically reduce sentences by 30-50%. This is why most foreigners plead guilty — the evidence is usually strong (caught with physical substance), and fighting the case means spending more time in pretrial detention.

Thai Prison

If convicted and sentenced, you'll serve time in a Thai prison. This is not like a Western prison:

• Overcrowded — cells designed for 20 hold 50-80
• Basic conditions — sleeping on the floor, shared toilet, limited food
• No air conditioning — Thailand's heat is brutal inside concrete walls
• Foreign prisoner sections exist in larger prisons (Bangkok, Chiang Mai) but conditions remain harsh
• Healthcare is minimal — bring medications and glasses with you

Prisoner transfer treaties exist between Thailand and many countries (UK, Australia, Canada, many EU nations). After serving one-third of your sentence, you may be eligible for transfer to your home country to serve the remainder.

---

Border Crossing Drug Rules

Thailand-Laos (Nong Khai/Vientiane, Chiang Khong/Huay Xai)

• Cannabis is ILLEGAL in Laos. Do not cross with any cannabis, even if you purchased it legally in Thailand.
• Drug dogs and bag searches on both sides
• Laos has strict drug laws with penalties including execution

Thailand-Cambodia (Aranyaprathet/Poipet, Hat Lek/Koh Kong)

• Cannabis is illegal in Cambodia (despite being openly available in some tourist areas)
• The Poipet border crossing is known for scams and corruption
• Do not carry any substances across this border

Thailand-Myanmar (Mae Sot/Myawaddy, Mae Sai/Tachileik)

• Myanmar has death penalty for drug trafficking
• This is the most heavily policed border for drugs due to the Golden Triangle history
• Do not carry anything across this border

Thailand-Malaysia (Sadao/Bukit Kayu Hitam, Sungai Kolok/Rantau Panjang)

• Malaysia has mandatory death penalty for trafficking
• Extremely strict enforcement
• Any amount of drugs at this border will be treated as trafficking

Airports

• All international departures include security screening
• Drug dogs operate at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang
• Cannabis is legal in Thailand but illegal in nearly every destination — carrying it onto a plane is an export offense in Thailand AND an import offense at your destination

---

Practical Safety Advice

Do's

• Research the current legal status of any substance before using it in Thailand (laws change)
• Use only licensed cannabis shops if you choose to consume
• Know your limits with unfamiliar substances in unfamiliar places
• Stay with trusted friends in party situations
• Keep your embassy's emergency number in your phone
• Trust your instincts — if a situation feels off, leave

Don'ts

• Don't buy from strangers on the street (could be informants, could be selling dangerous substances)
• Don't carry substances across borders — ever, for any reason, any amount
• Don't accept packages from strangers to carry or hold
• Don't assume a relaxed atmosphere means relaxed laws — it doesn't
• Don't try to bribe police if caught — this often makes things worse
• Don't post about illegal drug use on social media while in Thailand — this can be used as evidence
• Don't leave drinks unattended at parties

---

Embassy Assistance for Drug Arrests

Your embassy can:

• Visit you in detention
• Provide a list of local lawyers
• Contact your family
• Monitor your treatment and ensure your human rights are respected
• Provide information about the local legal system

Your embassy cannot:

• Get you out of jail
• Pay your bail or legal fees
• Interfere with Thai legal proceedings
• Get you special treatment
• Guarantee a favorable outcome

Embassy drug arrest contacts:

| Country | Emergency Number | |---------|-----------------| | USA | +66 2 205 4000 | | UK | +66 2 305 8333 | | Australia | +66 2 344 6300 | | Canada | +66 2 646 4300 | | Germany | +66 2 287 9000 | | Israel | +66 2 204 9200 | | New Zealand | +66 2 254 2530 |

---

Cannabis in Thailand: A Practical Guide for 2026

Since cannabis became the most visible change in Thai drug law, it deserves additional detail.

Finding Licensed Cannabis Shops

Licensed shops (ร้านขายกัญชา) are identifiable by:

• A green cross or cannabis leaf logo
• A visible government license number displayed inside
• Staff who can show you product information including THC/CBD content
• Proper packaging with labels

Typical pricing at licensed shops:

• Pre-rolled joint: ฿100-300
• 1 gram of flower: ฿200-600 (depending on quality)
• Cannabis-infused edibles: ฿100-400
• Cannabis-infused drinks: ฿80-200

Where You Can and Cannot Consume

Legal consumption areas:

• Your private accommodation (if the property allows it — check first)
• Licensed cannabis cafes with designated consumption areas
• Private property with owner's permission

Illegal consumption areas (fines of ฿25,000):

• Public parks and beaches
• Temples and religious sites
• Schools and educational institutions (within 100 meters)
• Government buildings
• Public transport (buses, trains, stations, airports)
• Shopping malls and public markets
• Restaurants and bars (unless specifically licensed for consumption)

Cannabis and Your Onward Travel

This is where many travelers make a critical error. Cannabis may be legal in Thailand, but it is illegal in:

• Every other Southeast Asian country (Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia)
• Most countries worldwide (including most of Europe, Australia, and much of the US at federal level)
• International airspace — The moment you board an international flight, you're subject to the laws of your destination

Practical implications:

• Consume all cannabis before leaving Thailand — do not take any with you
• Allow 24-48 hours for effects to clear before border crossings (drug testing at some borders)
• Do not purchase cannabis within a few hours of an international flight
• Airport security in Thailand checks for cannabis being taken out of the country

Cannabis and Health Insurance

Most travel insurance policies do not specifically address legal cannabis use. However:

• Injuries sustained while under the influence of cannabis may not be covered
• Hospitalization where cannabis use is a contributing factor may lead to claim denial
• If you're using cannabis and have a motorbike accident, your insurer may deny the claim on the grounds of impairment
• Read your specific policy's substance use clauses carefully

---

Prescription Medications: What You Need to Know

Many travelers carry prescription medications that are controlled substances in Thailand. This catches people off guard.

Medications That Require Documentation in Thailand

| Medication | Thai Classification | What You Need | |------------|-------------------|---------------| | Codeine-containing painkillers | Narcotic | Doctor's letter + prescription | | Tramadol | Psychotropic | Doctor's letter + prescription | | Diazepam (Valium) | Psychotropic | Doctor's letter + prescription | | Alprazolam (Xanax) | Psychotropic | Doctor's letter + prescription | | Methylphenidate (Ritalin/Concerta) | Psychotropic | Doctor's letter + prescription | | Amphetamine salts (Adderall) | Category 1 narcotic | BANNED — do not bring | | Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) | Controlled precursor | Small amounts OK, large quantities suspicious | | Modafinil | Gray area | Doctor's letter recommended |

Adderall is a Category 1 narcotic in Thailand. This is the most common medication issue for American travelers. Adderall contains amphetamine salts, which Thailand classifies in the same category as methamphetamine. Bringing Adderall into Thailand, even with a US prescription, can result in arrest and prosecution.

If you take ADHD medication:

• Consult your doctor about switching to a non-amphetamine alternative before traveling
• If switching isn't possible, get a detailed letter from your doctor explaining the medical necessity
• Carry medications in original packaging with pharmacy labels
• Declare medications at customs if asked
• Consider consulting the Thai FDA (อย., Or Yor) website for current import rules

Safe Medication Travel Tips

1. Keep medications in original, labeled containers — Never put pills in unlabeled bags or containers
2. Carry a doctor's letter in English explaining each medication, dosage, and medical necessity
3. Bring only what you need for the duration of your trip — excess quantities raise suspicion
4. Declare medications at customs if you have any doubt about their status
5. Research your specific medications against Thailand's Narcotic Act and Psychotropic Substances Act before traveling

---

What Happens in Thai Courts: The Process Explained

If you're unfortunate enough to face drug charges in Thailand, understanding the court system helps manage expectations.

The Timeline

| Stage | Typical Duration | |-------|-----------------| | Arrest to first court appearance | 48 hours | | Bail hearing | 1-7 days after court appearance | | Investigation period | 1-3 months (can extend to 84 days) | | Trial preparation | 2-6 months | | Trial (may be multiple sessions) | 1 day to several months | | Sentencing (if found guilty) | Same day as verdict or within 30 days | | Appeal (if filed) | 6-12 months additional |

Bail

• Bail is available for most drug offenses except the most serious trafficking charges
• Amounts range from ฿50,000 to ฿500,000+ depending on the charge
• Bail can be posted in cash, property bond, or through a bail bond company
• Your passport will be confiscated — you cannot leave Thailand while on bail
• Violating bail conditions (attempting to leave, failing to appear) results in warrant and additional charges

Legal Representation

• Thai courts allow foreign defendants to have a lawyer present
• If you cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint one (quality varies significantly)
• Private lawyers are strongly recommended for drug cases — appointed lawyers handle hundreds of cases and may spend minutes on yours
• Lawyer fees for drug cases: ฿50,000-500,000+ depending on severity
• Some embassies maintain lists of lawyers who offer reduced rates for their nationals

Sentencing Considerations

Thai judges consider:

• Amount of substance
• Classification of substance (Category 1 is most severe)
• Intent (personal use vs. distribution)
• Prior criminal record
• Cooperation with police
• Guilty plea — Reduces sentence by approximately 30-50%
• Royal pardons — Thailand occasionally grants royal pardons that reduce sentences for well-behaved prisoners (typically around royal birthdays and national holidays)

---

Deportation and Immigration Consequences

A drug conviction in Thailand doesn't just mean prison time. It has lasting immigration consequences.

During Your Stay

• Your passport is confiscated during legal proceedings (even on bail)
• Your visa status becomes complicated — Overstaying your visa while in legal proceedings creates additional issues. Your lawyer should file for visa extensions during the case.
• You cannot leave Thailand until the case is resolved (verdict, fine paid, or sentence served)

After Conviction

• Deportation after serving sentence — Thailand deports foreign nationals after they complete their prison sentence. You will be escorted to the airport and put on a plane.
• Thailand blacklist — Drug convictions result in a ban from re-entering Thailand. This can be permanent for serious offenses.
• Immigration records — Your arrest and conviction become part of international immigration databases. This can affect your ability to enter other countries.
• Home country consequences — A foreign drug conviction may affect your ability to work in certain industries, obtain security clearances, or adopt children, depending on your home country's laws.
• Visa applications worldwide — Many countries (USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and others) ask about criminal convictions on visa applications. A Thai drug conviction must be disclosed and may result in visa denial.

The "I'll Just Pay a Fine" Misconception

Some travelers believe that drug offenses in Thailand can always be resolved with a fine. This is partially true for minor cannabis violations but dangerously wrong for Category 1-2 substances:

• Cannabis public smoking violation: Fine only (฿25,000)
• Category 5 possession (mushrooms): May be resolved with a fine for small amounts, but imprisonment is possible
• Category 1-2 possession (MDMA, meth, cocaine, heroin): Cannot be resolved with a fine alone. Imprisonment is the standard outcome.

---

Harm Reduction: Practical Information

This section is not an endorsement of illegal drug use. It's practical information that can prevent deaths.

If Someone Has a Bad Reaction

Signs of drug emergency:

• Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness
• Seizures or convulsions
• Difficulty breathing or no breathing
• Blue lips or fingertips
• Extremely rapid heartbeat
• Body temperature that's extremely hot or extremely cold
• Extreme agitation or paranoia with no calming response

What to do:

1. Call 1669 immediately. Medical staff in Thailand are trained to handle drug emergencies and are focused on saving lives, not making arrests.
2. Turn the person on their side (recovery position) to prevent choking if they vomit
3. Do not leave them alone
4. Do not give them other substances (including alcohol or more drugs) to "balance them out"
5. Tell medical staff what the person took if you know — this information saves lives. Medics will not report you for providing this information.
6. Stay until help arrives

Drug Testing Kits

Reagent testing kits (Marquis, Mecke, Mandelin) can identify the presence of certain substances in pills or powders. They cannot determine dose or purity, but they can identify if a pill sold as "MDMA" is actually methamphetamine.

• Test kits are available online and at some pharmacies
• They're small enough to travel with
• Using a test kit is not illegal in Thailand
• Testing does NOT make drug use safe — it only adds one layer of information

---

Key Takeaways

1. Cannabis is legal (in licensed shops, private consumption). Everything else ranges from technically illegal to severely illegal.
2. Category 1 drugs (meth, MDMA, heroin) carry the harshest penalties including potential death penalty for trafficking.
3. The party atmosphere doesn't reflect the legal reality. Just because everyone seems to be doing it doesn't mean it's safe or legal.
4. Police do arrest tourists. Regularly. At Full Moon Parties, on Khao San Road, at borders.
5. Never cross a border with any substance. Not even cannabis, which is legal in Thailand.
6. If arrested: Stay calm, don't confess, call your embassy, get a lawyer immediately.
7. Thailand's justice system is slow. Pretrial detention can last months. Thai prisons are harsh.

This guide isn't telling you what to do. It's telling you what happens when things go wrong, so you can make informed decisions. Thailand is an incredible country with a lot to offer — don't let a drug charge turn your adventure into a nightmare.