NANTHABURI, THAILAND – Pro-cannabis advocates in Thailand launched a significant demonstration, dubbed “Operation 7-7,” outside the Ministry of Public Health headquarters in Nonthaburi province on Monday, July 7, 2025. The rally is a direct response to what protesters perceive as government efforts to recriminalise cannabis, a move that opponents warn could devastate businesses established since the plant’s decriminalisation approximately three years ago.
Organised by the Writing Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network, the demonstration is planned as a potentially prolonged occupation of the ministry grounds. This intention has reportedly drawn objections from the ministry itself, setting the stage for a standoff over the future of cannabis regulation in the country.
Understanding the Conflict
The current tension stems from recent policy signals following the decriminalisation of cannabis around 2022, which spurred a burgeoning industry across Thailand. According to Prasitthichai Noonuan, secretary-general of the Writing Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network, remarks by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin have created significant alarm.
Mr. Prasitthichai stated that the Minister’s comments implied a return to cannabis recriminalisation, a prospect that poses a severe threat to countless enterprises that have invested and grown under the current legal framework. This fear intensified after Mr. Somsak publicly vowed to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic within 45 days. This announcement notably occurred after the Bhumjaithai Party, which championed decriminalisation, withdrew from the ruling coalition.
The protesters’ concerns were further ignited by a ministerial regulation signed on June 23, 2025. This new rule mandates that individuals must obtain a doctor’s prescription to purchase cannabis. Critics argue that this regulation dismantles previous safeguards, such as the ban on sales to individuals under 20 and students, replacing them with a system potentially open to abuse and monopolisation.
Advocates’ Stance and Demands
The core objective of “Operation 7-7” is clear: protesters aim to “demand answers from the public health minister and push for the right approach to regulate cannabis.” A key focus of their protest is explicitly stated as “exposing the monopolisation of cannabis by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin.”
Leading cannabis advocate Chokwan “Kitty” Chopaka is among those actively participating in the rally. Ms. Chokwan outlined plans to camp out at the ministry site and collaborate on developing a strategic action plan. This presence is intended to be maintained until a comprehensive Cannabis Act is successfully passed by Parliament, underscoring the advocates’ commitment to seeing legislative clarity and protection for the industry.
The Writing Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network has formally presented its demands to the ministry. These include the urgent amendment of the ministerial announcement signed on June 23, 2025, and a halt to any attempts to relist cannabis as a narcotic substance. Instead, the network is pressing the government to prioritise and advance the draft Cannabis-Hemp Act, viewing it as the appropriate legislative vehicle for sensible regulation.
Ministry’s Response
The ministry has acknowledged the protesters’ petition. Thanakrit Jit-areerat, secretary to the health minister, received the document from the demonstrators. However, Mr. Thanakrit stated during the interaction that there was currently no government plan to recriminalise cannabis. He also conveyed the ministry’s position that it would not permit a prolonged rally or encampment on its premises.
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin has also maintained his stance on the matter. He has stated that his intentions are not aimed at outright recriminalisation but rather at implementing necessary controls on cannabis use. According to Mr. Somsak, the goal is solely to prevent public health and social problems that could arise from the potential abuse of the substance.
The Path Forward
The demonstration on July 7, 2025, highlights the deepening rift between Thailand’s burgeoning cannabis industry and government regulators. While advocates seek clear legal protections and reject moves they see as backtracking or favouring monopolistic control, the ministry emphasizes the need for stricter oversight to mitigate potential negative impacts on public health.
The protesters’ plan for a prolonged stay indicates their determination, but it also sets up a potential confrontation with ministry officials who have stated they will not allow an extended presence. The fate of the draft Cannabis-Hemp Act remains a central issue, as its passage is seen by advocates as the key to resolving the current regulatory uncertainty.
As “Operation 7-7” commences, the standoff outside the Ministry of Public Health underscores the significant economic and social stakes involved in defining the future of cannabis in Thailand. The coming days will likely reveal whether dialogue or continued protest shapes the government’s next steps regarding the controversial plant.
