Cannabis Use in Thailand

Cannabis, also known as marijuana and ganja in Thailand is arguably the most controversial plant in history. Most government and police organizations, view it is a dangerous substance and its users are criminals. To others, the plant is considered to be anything from a fairly benign recreational substance to a miracle plant with a countless medicinal and industrial uses. 

Eric Blair writing for for thailawforum has published an engaging article on the history of cannabis in Thailand.

A little known fact is that Cannabis has historically been used in Southeast Asia as: an ingredient, a condiment in foods, a medicine, and a source of fiber. The most well known historical example of Cannabis being used as a spice in Thailand is the famous boat noodle soup, although using Cannabis as a coking ingredient has long since been outlawed in Thailand. 

 Despite Cannabis being illegal since 1937, many tourist and counter-culture hotspots of Thailand have a large drug tourism scene. Chaninat & Leeds criminal attorney, Phiriya Weerasawadi warns “just because a destination is well-known for marijuana does not mean you won’t get arrested for using. The majority of drug arrest cases come from tourist areas such as Khao San Road and Koh Phangan”.

Read the full article here

Related Video:

 

Related Documents

Thailand's Narcotics Laws Part 1 
Thailand's Narcotics Laws Part 2 
Thailand's Narcotics Laws Part 3 
Guide for Tourists to Laws in Thailand

Brunei To Introduce Sharia Law From April 2014 Onwards

The Sultan of Brunei announced on Monday 28 October 2013 that he will begin to phase in Shariah laws from April 2014 onwards. This will include the more controversial elements such as death by stoning for adultery, the amputation of limbs for theft, flogging for alcohol consumption and abortion, and other punishments reports Kansas City lifestyle.

Read our commentary here 

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Pamela Gellar on CNN, Shariah Law in Belgium

Thailand Extradition Law

In recent years the ability for criminals to disappear in Thailand has become considerably more difficult, with foreign governments and agencies basing law enforcement agents in country and the increasing number of extradition treaties Thailand now holds with other countries - Thailand currently has extradition treaties with 14 countries. Thailand Extradition Law is presently stronger and tougher than it has ever been. 

This video by Chaninat & Leeds law firm discusses extradition cases including the infamous Vicktor Bout case.  

It is also possible to expedite proceedings through The Immigration Act of Thailand. 

Commonly, individuals who are at risk of extradition proceedings are those who have committed a severe crime for which they are liable to imprisonment of at least one year or a crime punishable by death.  However, depending on the provisions provided in each individual extradition treaty that Thailand has signed with a foreign country, other offenses of a smaller scale may also be applicable to extradition to a certain country. 

Watch the video here:

Relevant Documents: Thailand-US Extradition Agreement 

Relevant Articles: Prominent Extradition Cases in Thailand - Snaring Minor Offenders to Big-Time Crooks

                                    First-ever Brit Extradited to Thailand 

                                    Extradition in the News


 Flickr credit: Jacksoncam

Muay Thai Legends Lodges Defamation Charges

Muay Thai legend Buakao Porpramuk lodged criminal defamation charges on Wednesday against Nopparat Poottharatanamanee, the ThaiFight's deputy managing director for what he describes as a slur on his reputation after Mr Pootharatanamanee referred to him as "an acrobatic act" rather than boxing, says The Bangkok Post.

Thailand defamation law  defines defamation as:  “to impute anything to another person to a third party in a manner likely to impair that person’s reputation or to expose such person to hatred or contempt.”  However in Thailand, defamation may be both a criminal offense and/or a civil offense contrary to many Western jurisdictions.

Buakao is claiming 10 million baht in damages.

Read the full story here  

Relevant Articles: Thai Editor Gets 10 Years in Jail for Defamation

                               Thai Military Launches Defamation Complaint Against Canadian Lawyer

Flickr photo credit: idirectori

FDA To Burn 3.4 Tonnes Of Seized Illegal Drugs

The Nation has reported that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will  burn 3.4 tonnes of seized illegal drugs worth Bt10 billion.

Thailand Criminal Lawyer:

 Chaninat and Leeds specializes in international criminal cases in Thailand

The burning will happen on June 26, forming part of Thailand's 42nd official illicit-drug incineration ceremony in Ayutthaya's Bang Pa-in Industrial Estate.

Read the full story here

Related Video:

Related Documents: Thailand's Narcotics Laws

 Related Articles: History of Cannabis Use and Anti-Marijuana Laws in Thailand