CHIANG RAI – Police and local authorities raided a Cannabis shop selling kratom drinks located just 200 metres from a hospital and a school. The action followed complaints from parents who said the shop was selling these products to students.
On Wednesday, at 3 pm, Chiang Rai Provincial Office, Public Health officials, local administrators, and city police worked together to investigate the cannabis shop near the intersection behind Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital.
The raid came after several schools and parents reported the shop for selling cannabis flowers and flavoured kratom leaf drinks to students and young people in the area. The business sits less than 200 metres from both a hospital and an educational institution.
Even though the shop had a legal licence to sell and process controlled herbs like cannabis, inspectors discovered regular sales of kratom drinks. Staff did not ask for a doctor’s note or proof of age from customers buying cannabis flowers or kratom drinks, making it easy for students and teenagers to access them.
Young people from Chiang Rai city and nearby areas reportedly bought these products and gathered to use them both day and night.
During the inspection, police found Mr. Wijitsak, a 27-year-old Thai national, who identified himself as the manager and seller. He admitted that the shop sold various types of cannabis flowers and flavoured kratom drinks. He also confirmed they did not check for medical prescriptions or customer age during sales.
The shop earned an average daily income of 10,000 to 15,000 baht from these products. Officials charged Mr. Wijitsak with two offences: selling food banned under Ministry of Public Health regulations (specifically kratom drinks), and operating a food or beverage venue under 200 square metres without the proper notification, according to Sections 38 and 72.
Authorities took Mr. Wijitsak and the seized items to Muang Chiang Rai Police Station for legal action. Chiang Rai’s public health office will also move to suspend the shop’s licence as required by law.
Kratom use among students in Thailand has become a notable issue, particularly following its decriminalization in 2021 under the Narcotics Act and regulation under the Kratom Plant Act of 2022.
Students typically consume kratom as a drink, such as “nam kratom” (kratom tea or juice), often mixed with other substances like cough syrup, Coca-Cola, or flavourings to create a cocktail known as “4×100.”
This mixture is popular among younger users but is associated with higher risks due to its unregulated nature and potential for adulteration
A 2022 behavioural surveillance survey in Bangkok found that 9.3% of students (aged approximately 12–18) reported using kratom in the past year, with higher prevalence among males (12.4%) compared to females (6.1%). This suggests that kratom use is relatively common among adolescents in Chiang Rai and other cities.
