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Thailand

A collection of resources discussing addiction, mental health, and social justice and civil rights in Thailand.

Crystal Meth: A Global Pandemic (Addicted: The Synthetic Curse)

CNA traverses the front lines of various countries to investigate the world of illicit substances in Addicted. This three-part documentary series offers a rare, unfiltered look at the global production, trafficking and consumption of traditional and synthetic drugs. In this first episode, Curse Of Crystal Meth: Addiction, Trafficking & Dangerous Production Exposed, they explore the far-reaching impact of this synthetic curse. From Pakistan, to Thailand, to Canada, to Australia: methamphetamine, or ice, is ruining communities.

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Thailand’s Systematic Killing of Drug Addicts (2003)

In 2003, the Prime Minister of Thailand announced a war on drugs, which led to the murder of thousands of drug addicts. The government put pressure on local police to reach a 'quota', where names on blacklists were targets. The government and police claimed that it was the drug dealers killing local addicts, but others were skeptical, believing that it was, in fact, the authorities conducting a massive sweep of a local drug called Yaba (a type of methamphetamine) by killing drug addicts.

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Thailand’s Cannabis Revolution

Thailand, once known for its tough war on drugs and strict laws, is making a dramatic shift. After years of leading Asia in incarceration rates and being linked to the drug trade from the infamous Golden Triangle, the country is now taking a bold step: legalizing medical marijuana. Supporters believe this move could transform lives—helping farmers earn more, boosting the economy, and even offering treatment for serious illnesses like cancer. It's a major change that's drawing global attention. As the new law rolls out, 101 East explores whether these big promises are real solutions or just political talk.

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Is Thailand the New Weed Capital of the World?

Thailand has made a dramatic shift in its cannabis policy, moving from strict prohibition to partial decriminalization—igniting a billion-dollar industry. The legal ambiguity has sparked celebration among cannabis enthusiasts. Cannabis has long played a role in traditional Thai medicine, but in the 1970s, Thailand aligned with the U.S.-led 'war on drugs,' classifying cannabis as a narcotic and imposing harsh penalties. That changed in June 2022, when the government removed cannabis from the narcotics list, effectively decriminalizing its sale and personal use. As Australia revisits its own cannabis laws, Southeast Asia correspondent Mazoe Ford travels across Thailand to meet a new wave of ‘ganja-preneurs’ seizing the opportunities of this booming green economy.

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On the Frontline of Thailand’s War on Drugs

Thailand has had some of the strictest drug laws in the world, but they began changing this approach in 2022 by legalizing cannabis in an attempt to lessen the prison population and bring tourists back. SBS Dateline investigates Thailand's war on drugs by speaking with various frontline workers, from an elite task force that fights drug trafficking to social workers and people with lived experience. They discuss the legalization / decriminalization of cannabis, the widespread use of yaba, a type of methamphetamine, and how their harsh drug policy overwhelmed the prison system.

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