Thailand Drug Laws: Up to 15 Years for Category 1

Using a category 1, 2 or 5 drug carries up to 1 year in prison, a fine of up to THB 20,000, or both. Possessing one for use carries up to 2 years. Possession or sale of a category 1 drug carries up to 15 years and a fine of up to THB 1,500,000.

The safe answer: nothing here is worth the risk. Even using a category 1, 2 or 5 drug carries up to 1 year in prison, and category 1 possession or sale carries up to 15 years. All of it comes from one text, the Narcotics Code, which repealed the Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979).

Three maximums matter most to a visitor:

• Using a category 1, 2 or 5 drug: up to 1 year in prison, a fine of up to THB 20,000, or both.
• Possessing one for use: up to 2 years in prison, a fine of up to THB 40,000, or both.
• Producing, importing, exporting, selling or possessing a category 1 drug: up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to THB 1,500,000.

How the five categories work

The Code divides narcotics into five categories in section 29. Category 1 is serious narcotics such as heroin, and category 2 is general narcotics such as morphine, cocaine and codeine. Category 5 covers narcotics outside categories 1 to 4, such as the opium plant, and cannabis extracts sit there too.

What each offence costs

Sections 145 to 148 set the penalties for producing, importing, exporting, selling and possessing, and sections 162 and 164 cover use and possession for use.

มาตรา ๑๔๕ ผู้ใดผลิต นาเข้า ส่งออก จาหน่าย หรือมีไว้ในครอบครองซึ่งยาเสพติดให้โทษ ในประเภท ๑ อันเป็นการฝ่าฝืนมาตรา ๙๐ ต้องระวางโทษจาคุกไม่เกินสิบห้าปี และปรับไม่เกิน หนึ่งล้านห้าแสนบาท

Whoever produces, imports, exports, sells or possesses a category 1 narcotic, breaking section 90, faces imprisonment of up to fifteen years and a fine of up to one million five hundred thousand baht.

Narcotics Code B.E. 2564, section 145 paragraph 1, Royal Gazette 8 November 2021 (editor’s translation)

When category 1 gets worse

Higher tiers sit on top of that basic maximum. The range becomes 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine of THB 200,000 to 2,000,000 when the act is for trade or spreads among the public. The same range applies when the drug is sold to someone aged 18 or under, or at a school, a place of worship or a government office, or when force or a weapon is used.

The top tier is 5 years to life in prison and a fine of THB 500,000 to 5,000,000, or death. It covers a head, commander or manager in a criminal network, and acts that affect state security or public safety.

Using a drug or holding a small amount

Section 104 bans use of category 1, 2 and 5 drugs, and section 107 bans possession for use. A small quantity up to the amount the Health Minister sets in a ministerial regulation is presumed to be held for use. That is why this page gives no gram count.

มาตรา ๑๖๔ ผู้ใดมีไว้ในครอบครองซึ่งยาเสพติดให้โทษในประเภท ๑ ประเภท ๒ หรือ ประเภท ๕ หรือวัตถุออกฤทธิ์ในประเภท ๑ หรือประเภท ๒ เพื่อเสพ อันเป็นการฝ่าฝืนมาตรา ๑๐๗ ต้องระวางโทษจาคุกไม่เกินสองปี หรือปรับไม่เกินสี่หมื่นบาท หรือทั้งจาทั้งปรับ

Whoever possesses a category 1, 2 or 5 narcotic, or a category 1 or 2 psychotropic substance, for use, breaking section 107, faces imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to forty thousand baht, or both.

Narcotics Code B.E. 2564, section 164, Royal Gazette 8 November 2021 (editor’s translation)

Treatment can end the case

If you volunteer before officers find you, section 113 applies, and completing the programme with the written certificate leaves you not guilty. If officers find you first, section 114 applies when you are not a suspect in another offence with a prison penalty and you volunteer for treatment. Completing the programme and getting the certificate leaves you not guilty here too. The court may also weigh helping the defendant stop using through treatment above punishment.

Cannabis flower and extracts

Under the Health Ministry notice that took effect on 26 June 2025, only the flower of the cannabis plant is a controlled herb. A licensed shop may sell it to a person holding a prescription from a listed practitioner, for use of not more than 30 days.

Extracts from all parts of the plant are category 5 narcotics, except a licensed extract with THC of not more than 0.2 percent from cannabis or hemp grown in the country. Exporting controlled herb needs a licence, and breaking that rule carries up to 1 year in prison, a fine of up to THB 20,000, or both. The Thailand cannabis law for tourists page has the rest.

Prescription medicines that contain narcotics

If your medicine contains a Schedule II or III narcotic, apply for a Thai FDA permit at least 15 days before you travel. The permitted amount is up to a 90-day supply as prescribed. Codeine is the common surprise, because it is a category 2 narcotic.

For psychotropic medicines in Schedules II, III and IV, a 30-day supply as prescribed may be carried with a certificate or prescription from your physician. A 31 to 90-day supply needs a Thai FDA permit. Category 1 psychotropic substances may not be brought in. Apply with Form IC-1, expect the permit in about 3 working days after a complete application, and show the medicines, documents and permit to Customs at the Red Channel on arrival. See bringing medication into Thailand for the full rules.

Deportation and entry bans

Officials may deport a foreigner who stays without permission or whose permission has ended or been revoked, and the Director General or the Immigration Commission may revoke a temporary stay permission. Section 12 of the Immigration Act also bars entry to someone who has served a prison sentence under a Thai or foreign court. The same section bars someone there is reason to believe is entering for the drug trade.

Who to call

The Tourist Police hotline 1155 takes calls about crimes involving tourists. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office can help you find an English-speaking lawyer or an interpreter, but it cannot give you legal advice.

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Not confirmed: Small amounts: the quantity is left to a ministerial regulation, so no gram or pill count is given here. Entry-ban length: the Immigration Act sections quoted give none; ask the Thai embassy. Later Code amendments: not checked beyond the original text.

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