Thailand Introduces Cannabis Tourism Packages to Boost Post-Pandemic Recovery
Thailand has become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize the production, import, and export of cannabis for medical purposes, a move made in 2018. The law also allows for the use of cannabis in tourism. This has created a unique market opportunity for Thailand to attract tourists seeking wellness experiences involving cannabis.
According to Jackie Ong, President of the Cannabis Investment Summit World, as global awareness of the medicinal uses of cannabis grows, Thailand has significant potential to leverage this in its tourism sector. Ong believes that cannabis tourism can help the industry recover from the record downturn caused by the pandemic. “Cannabis tourism will elevate Thailand’s status as a leading destination for medical and wellness tourism,” Ong stated. This strategy could attract high-income tourists, seniors, and travelers diagnosed with cancer or epilepsy.
Ong also noted that tourists from mainland and Southeast Asia represent a promising post-pandemic market, as no other country in Asia currently allows the use of cannabis for wellness tourism. Ong is less optimistic about attracting tourists from North America, where a wide variety of cannabis options are already available locally.
To capitalize on this potential, Thailand needs to develop and promote cannabis-related clinics, certify doctors, and, most importantly, offer specialized tourism packages for international visitors.
Tour Operators Embrace Cannabis Tourism
Than Global Travel, a tour company led by director Kattikamas Tanyajaroen, has expressed interest in developing the medical tourism market in Thailand. Several years ago, Than Global partnered with Rajamangala University of Technology in Isan to create educational cannabis tours after the university received permission to cultivate cannabis for academic research into its medical benefits.
During the pilot phase, 5,000 volunteer medical professionals and officials from district hospitals visited plantations in Sakon Nakhon and Buri Ram. The three-day, two-night package cost between 8,900 and 9,900 baht (approximately $270–$300 USD).
Future Prospects and Regional Competition
Over the next five years, Thailand’s cannabis industry is expected to see more opportunities in tourism, given the country’s strong reputation for hospitality. However, if Thailand hesitates to promote cannabis tourism, potential visitors may turn to other countries like Laos and Malaysia, which are also planning to enter the lucrative cannabis market.