Following the election on May 14, the opposition Pheu Thai party is the front-runner both nationally and in the province of Chonburi. But, the party’s steadfast commitment to reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic is eroding its support locally, where there are 300 retail locations, the majority of which are grouped in the Pattaya region. The owners and operators of the coastal stores, cafes, and clinics fear losing their valuable investments.
Farmers, both commercial business owners and home plant producers, who maintain the good times, mimic this financial turmoil. Although other parties, both large and small, are running for the 10 Chonburi House of Representatives seats, including Pattaya, Pheu Thai’s major rival is the United Thai Nation (UTN) party, whose top strategist is interim prime leader General Prayut Chan-o-cha.
UTN has made significant investments in the pro-cannabis Pattaya movement and is eager to capitalize on the widespread business concerns about making marijuana use for recreational purposes once again illegal.
The Palang Pracharath Party and Bhumjaithai, two rival political parties who helped decriminalize marijuana in Thailand, also support keeping the ganja shops open (headed by deputy prime minister General Prawit Wongsuwan).
Most other political parties concur with Pheu Thai that marijuana use should be prohibited, in contrast to the Move Ahead Party who seeks considerably stronger regulations in exchange for legalization. Marijuana advocates assert that it is less dangerous than cigarettes and a great way to increase foreign tourists to Thailand. Opponents assert that the majority of Thai people oppose liberalization and that young people are being drawn into questionable practices.
A parliamentary bill to control access to and use of marijuana was introduced by the health ministry last year, but it got stalled in committee and was forgotten about in the run-up to the general election. Public smoking is still prohibited, which may be the reason why the majority of pot shops in Pattaya seem peaceful inside. Smoking is done discreetly, and motorcycle taxis will even deliver to your home. Next month, the future of Pattaya’s investments in Puff Haven, High Noon Harvest, Grateful Growers, and Gorgeous Buds will undoubtedly be in jeopardy. They might rot, which is a worry.
