Thailand Drug Laws: Up to 15 Years for Category 1

Under Thailand's Narcotics Code, 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.

By Vincent Nguyen and team

Thailand’s drug penalties come from one text: the Narcotics Code. The Act that brought it in was published in the Royal Gazette on 8 November 2021, and the Code applies 30 days after that Act took effect. The Code repealed the Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979).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.

The five drug categories

The Narcotics Code divides narcotics into five categories in section 29. Each penalty section below names the category it applies to.

Cannabis extracts sit in category 5 and are covered in their own section below.

Penalties by offence and category

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

Section 145 gives one maximum for production, import, export, sale and possession of a category 1 drug. The Thai FDA’s own penalty table repeats the 15 years and THB 1,500,000.

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)

Higher tiers for category 1

Section 145 sets higher tiers on top of the basic maximum.

• 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 when the drug is sold to someone aged 18 or under, or at a school, a place of worship or a government office.
• The same range when force, a threat of force or a weapon is used.
• 5 years to life in prison and a fine of THB 500,000 to 5,000,000, or death.
• That top tier covers a head, commander or manager in a criminal network, and acts that affect state security or public safety.

Higher tiers for categories 2 and 5

For category 2 only, the aggravated range is 1 to 15 years in prison and a fine of THB 100,000 to 1,500,000. Category 5 has the same range for its aggravated acts.

Using a drug and holding a small amount

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. Section 104 bans use of those categories.

Possessing one for use is a separate offence. Section 107 bans it, and section 164 sets up to 2 years in prison, a fine of up to THB 40,000, or both. The same two sections cover psychotropic substances of category 1 or 2.

A small quantity up to the amount the Health Minister sets in a ministerial regulation is presumed to be held for use.

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 route for users

A user who volunteers for treatment before officers find them, and completes the programme, is not guilty under sections 162, 163 or 164. The Code writes this as two routes.

Route 1: you volunteer first

Section 113 covers a person who says they used a drug or held one for use and volunteered for treatment before the officers found them. Completing the programme and getting the written certificate of satisfactory completion leaves the person not guilty.

Route 2: officers find you

Section 114 applies when officers find a person suspected of use or possession for use. The person must not be a suspect in another offence with a prison penalty, and must volunteer for treatment. The officer then sends them to a drug treatment facility or screening centre. Completing the programme and getting the certificate leaves the person not guilty.

What the court does

In use and possession-for-use cases the court may weigh helping the defendant stop using through treatment above punishment.

Cannabis flower and extracts

Only the flower of the cannabis plant is a controlled herb under the Health Ministry notice, which took effect on 26 June 2025. A licensed shop sells flower to a person with a prescription from a listed practitioner, for use of not more than 30 days.

Extracts from all parts of the cannabis plant are category 5 narcotics. The listing excepts 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. Breaking that rule carries up to 1 year in prison, a fine of up to THB 20,000, or both. The full rules are on the Thailand cannabis law for tourists page.

Prescription medicines that contain narcotics

Medicines with Schedule II or III narcotics need a Thai FDA permit, applied for at least 15 days before travel. The permitted amount is up to a 90-day supply as prescribed. The permission rests on a Ministerial Regulation that took effect on 21 September 2024.

Psychotropic medicines

For psychotropic medicines in Schedules II, III and IV, a 30-day supply as prescribed may be carried with a certificate or prescription from the prescribing physician. A 31 to 90-day supply needs a Thai FDA permit. Category 1 psychotropic substances may not be brought in. Ordinary medicines may be carried in the amount needed for personal use, up to 30 days.

Steps for a permit

1. Apply online with the Thai FDA at least 15 days before arrival or departure.
2. Use Form IC-1, the application for carrying medicine into Thailand.
3. Attach the medical prescription or medical document, with the travel date, ports and a passport copy.
4. Expect the permit in about 3 working days after a complete application.
5. On arrival, show the medicines, the medical documents and the permit to Customs at the Red Channel.

Deportation and entry bars

Officials may deport a foreigner who stays without permission or whose permission has ended or been revoked. The Director General or the Immigration Commission may revoke a temporary stay permission.

มาตรา ๕๔ คนต่างด้าวผู้ใดเข้ามาหรืออยู่ในราชอาณาจักรโดยไม่ได้รับอนุญาตหรือการอนุญาตนั้นสิ้นสุดหรือถูกเพิกถอนแล้วพนักงานเจ้าหน้าที่จะส่งตัวคนต่างด้าวผู้น้ันกลับออกไปนอกราชอาณาจักรก็ได้

Any foreigner who enters or stays without permission, or whose permission has ended or been revoked, the official may send back out of the Kingdom.

Immigration Act B.E. 2522, section 54, Thai text (editor’s translation)

Who is barred from entering

Section 12 of the Immigration Act bars entry to these foreigners.

• Someone who has served a prison sentence under a Thai or foreign court, except for petty or negligent offences and the offences a ministerial regulation excepts.
• Someone there is reason to believe is entering for the drug trade, among other listed purposes.
• Someone who was deported or expelled from Thailand or abroad, unless the Minister exempts them case by case.

Where to get help

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

General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.

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