Foreign Office updates Thailand travel advice for UK tourists after rule change

The British Foreign Office has issued a warning to people travelling to Thailand after the country announced a major rule change that could land tourists with a hefty fine or in prison.

After months of uncertainty, the Thai government released a proposal to crack down on the use of cannabis, despite the country decriminalising the drug for medicinal purposes only two years ago. It was the first in Asia to do so, however the market has become largely unregulated, with dispensaries cropping up across busy tourist areas in Bangkok and bars advertising cannabis-infused menus.

Now, the government plans to restrict the drug mainly to health and medical purposes. The draft legislation does not explicitly ban the recreational use of weed, however it does lay out fines and punishments for those selling or consuming cannabis for purposes not laid out in the bill.

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In an update issued to UK tourists on November 18, the Foreign Office warned of strict punishments for holidaymakers caught carrying cannabis. It said: "Using cannabis in public places is illegal.

"Private recreational use of cannabis is legal if the Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content is below 0.2% by weight. There are still restrictions around growing and selling cannabis products. See more information on the Thai government’s website.

"While low-strength cannabis is legal in Thailand, it is likely to be illegal in other countries you travel on to. This includes residual amounts, for example in bags or clothing or in your bloodstream.

"It is illegal to take cannabis out of Thailand without the appropriate export permissions issued by the authorities. Illegally carrying cannabis, particularly large quantities, can lead to heavy fines or imprisonment in Thailand, the UK and other countries you may travel too."