Phuket police raid unlicensed cannabis shop

2026-02-16 - 10:46

PHUKET — Police in southern Thailand have raided a cannabis shop operating without a valid licence, as part of a provincial crackdown on unauthorised sellers. The operation followed an order from the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office directing officials to suppress the sale of controlled herbal products, specifically cannabis buds, without proper authorisation. The office sought cooperation from the Phuket Provincial Police amid concerns that many cannabis outlets in Phuket had failed to renew their licences. Investigators from Chalong Police Station inspected a shop named “Gun-Eng” located in Soi Suki on Chao Fa East Road in tambon Chalong, Muang district. Police said a Thai woman identified herself as the shop owner. Officers requested to see the business licence and found it had expired. They also cited a notice issued by the provincial public health office prohibiting the export, sale or processing of controlled herbs for commercial purposes, including cannabis, in cases where licences have expired and not been renewed. The owner was informed she was being charged with selling controlled herbal products (cannabis buds) without permission under the Protection and Promotion of Traditional Thai Medicine Wisdom Act 1999. Officers seized cannabis buds and related equipment as evidence. Chalong police urged cannabis shop operators to comply strictly with the law. They also called on members of the public to report suspected illegal cannabis sales via the Chalong Police Station Facebook page or by calling 076-381247 at any time.