Latest news with #SomsakThepsutin
Bangkok Post
5 days ago
- Health
- Bangkok Post
Strikes on civilians a 'war crime'
The Ministry of Public Health yesterday strongly condemned Cambodia following deadly rocket attacks yesterday that killed civilians, among them two schoolchildren, and struck areas in border provinces, including a hospital in Surin's Phanom Dongrak district. Describing the attacks as inhumane, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin said he was angered and saddened by the assaults on the hospital and other civilian targets in Surin and other provinces. These attacks, which killed at least 11 people and injured several others, not only violated Thai sovereignty but also trampled on human values, he said. Mr Somsak said the attack on the hospital was a gross violation of human rights and of the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949), which protects civilian hospitals during armed conflict. The loss of innocent lives, including children, is unacceptable and cannot be forgiven, he said. "The Public Health Ministry condemns in the strongest terms the attack on the hospital and on Thai citizens," he said. "Hospitals must always be safe areas. A deliberate attack is crossing the line. Article 18 of the Fourth Geneva Convention says that civilian hospitals may in no circumstances be the object of attack and parties to the conflict are obligated to respect and protect [them]." Mr Somsak said Cambodia's aggression is a serious violation of international law and a war crime, noting that those issuing an order to attack and those who carry it out must be held accountable. The ministry demands that the Cambodian government cease any further attacks and take full responsibility, he said. In a media interview, Mr Somsak said patients at Phanom Dong Rak Hospital and Kap Choeng Hospital, which are located in high-risk areas, have been evacuated or sent home with Surin's public health office raising the emergency to Level 2. Somkhuan Singkham, chief of Kantharalak district in Surin, said seven people, including two schoolchildren, were killed in the attack on a 7-11 convenience store inside a petrol station in Ban Phue. The petrol station is reportedly located 20 kilometres from the border. In Kap Choeng district, about 40,000 people in 86 villages were also evacuated to emergency shelters in schools in the neighbouring district of Prasart, said district chief Sutthiroj Charoenthanasak. He said shelter capacity was adequate, and most evacuees had arrived safely. Two rockets struck a village at 9.40am while residents were awaiting evacuation, he added. Attacking hospitals is potentially a war crime, he noted.
Bangkok Post
14-07-2025
- Health
- Bangkok Post
NHSO gives approval for hiring of 18,000 carers
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) board has approved the hiring of 18,000 carers to assist over 100,000 dependent patients nationwide under a programme financed by the economic stimulus fund. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, speaking as chairman of the NHSO board, announced that the board meeting on July 7 had acknowledged the cabinet's resolution supporting a healthcare services programme for dependent individuals as part of the government's 2025 economic stimulus policy. The board also approved in principle the payment of public health services for dependent individuals. Mr Somsak explained that employing caregivers is a key measure to support the elderly population with dependency needs, which continues to grow. The initiative aims to reduce the burden on families and the state while also creating local employment and generating community income. The programme has been endorsed by the government's economic stimulus policy committee and included in the national economic recovery strategy. Following cabinet approval on June 24, 2025, the economic stimulus package--totalling 157 billion baht--allocated 1.115 billion baht to the NHSO for community-based economic development. The NHSO then developed a framework for managing payments for health services for dependent individuals, specifically for caregiver employment. This funding is separate from the Long-Term Care (LTC) budget under the 30-baht universal healthcare scheme and will follow the Interior Ministry's 2019 regulations regarding community care volunteers and related expense claims. "From the budget, we expect to hire approximately 18,000 caregivers to serve 106,806 dependent individuals nationwide. "The NHSO has already prepared the caregiver employment budget for the following fiscal year. A national-level plan for caregiver hiring is also being drafted and will soon be presented to the cabinet. The ratio of caregivers to dependents will be determined by local administrative organisations based on the number of dependents in each area," Mr Somsak stated.
Bangkok Post
08-07-2025
- Health
- Bangkok Post
Thailand's cannabis ‘clinic' transformation explained
Thailand is moving ahead quickly with new restrictions on cannabis use, with health officials announcing a plan to transform all cannabis dispensaries into medical clinics with resident doctors and standardised prescriptions. Dr Thanakrit Jitareerat, an assistant to Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, on Tuesday addressed concerns expressed by cannabis advocacy networks, saying cannabis usage has increased tenfold to 1.5 million users since it was decriminalised in June 2022, prompting new control measures. Decriminalisation took place in the absence of a law to regulate cannabis, leading to an explosion in recreational use, with an estimated 18,000 weed shops nationwide. Advocates have questioned how authorities expect to restructure the $1-billion business in practical terms. The Controlled Herbs Announcement (Cannabis) BE 2568, issued on June 26, requires anyone wanting cannabis for medical use to obtain a prescription from a licensed member of one of seven authorised medical professions. Shops must use the standard Phor Thor 33 prescription form, the same one approved for all health providers nationwide, and submit monthly sales and prescription records, starting in July. Production and Quality Standards Cannabis must meet strict standards with minimal heavy metals, pesticides, microorganisms and fungi in order to protect consumers. Currently, 69 GACP-certified (Good Agricultural and Collection Practices) cultivation plots nationwide can produce 71,850 kilogrammes of dried cannabis flowers annually, with 24,000kg exported and more than 40,000kg for domestic use. Growers with 51 additional plots are awaiting certification to boost production to 125,000kg yearly. Medical Training and Staffing Doctor training begins on July 16, with 2,000 physicians expected to complete courses, creating a ratio of one doctor per 10 cannabis shops among an estimated 18,000 to 20,000 licensed establishments. Cannabis shop staff training starts on July 17, expecting 100,000 participants. Authorities have inspected 1,565 shops since the announcement, resulting in 82 licence suspensions, five revocations, 322 closures and seven prosecutions. A public online consultation on comprehensive regulations is open until July 12. By year-end, according to Dr Thanakrit, all cannabis shops must employ licensed doctors and function as clinics rather than retail establishments. The Ministry of Public Health is also exploring ways to integrate telemedicine in order to improve access to doctors for people seeking cannabis prescriptions, he said.
Bangkok Post
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Health ministry gears up to revise Thai booze rules
The Ministry of Public Health expects scrutiny of a new bill containing a series of amendments to the Alcohol Control Act 2008 to be completed later this month, says minister Somsak Thepsutin. The legislation will get rid of outdated military-era sales restrictions and ease curbs on advertising, but will also introduce some stricter regulations, including increased fines for those selling alcohol to minors. The House of Representatives in March overwhelmingly approved the bill, stepping up a push to liberalise a market seen as likely to spur tourism and support smaller breweries. The Senate is now reviewing the draft legislation, and it will be forwarded to the Constitutional Court for a legal review afterward. If and when it is proclaimed law, the Ministry of Public Health will play a key role in regulation. Speaking ahead of the National No Alcohol Day campaign on July 11, which coincides with Buddhist Lent Day, Mr Somsak said the government aims to raise awareness through its 'Zero Drink, Zero Death' campaign, which encourages abstinence to reduce alcohol-related fatalities. Until the new legislation is ready, several announcements, including those on alcohol sales onboard trains and in other designated areas, have been sent to the ministry for further action. The bill includes several updates based on public feedback, said Dr Niphon Chinanonwet, director of the Office of Alcohol Control. A key change is the increase in the fine for selling alcohol to minors, with the maximum rising to 50,000 baht from 20,000 baht. The law will also formally repeal National Peace Keeping Council Order No 253, dating back to 1972, which sets the legal hours for alcohol sales, currently 11am to 2pm and 5pm to midnight. These restrictions will be revisited, with updated selling hours to be decided by the National Alcohol Control Committee and approved by the minister, said Dr Niphon. The bill also aims to avoid conflict with other laws and to ensure that the rights of both drinkers and non-drinkers are respected, said Dr Niphon, noting that while 20–30% of Thais aged 15 and over consume alcohol, about 70% do not. Meanwhile, an order signed by the prime minister to allow alcohol sales at Hua Lamphong railway station will be announced in the Royal Gazette, said Dr Niphon. The historic Bangkok station is considered suitable for alcohol sales due to safety measures in place there, he said. However, alcohol sales at other stations and onboard trains will remain prohibited, he said. As for whether to allow alcohol sales during major Buddhist holidays, Dr Niphon said two ministerial directives concerning entertainment venues and tourism activities are still pending.
CNN
29-06-2025
- Health
- CNN
Thailand was the first country in Asia to legalize marijuana. Things didn't go as planned
CNN — Three years since Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis, the government this week imposed new rules designed to rein in the country's ' green rush.' As of Thursday, customers need a doctor's prescription to buy cannabis — effectively restricting consumption of the plant to medical and health purposes only. Thailand's public health minister told CNN on Wednesday he hopes to eventually recriminalize cannabis as a narcotic, in what would be a major reversal from Thailand's liberal approach since declassification, which saw a boom of dispensaries and weed cafes opening across the country, particularly in tourist areas. 'This must be clearly understood: cannabis is permitted for medical use only,' Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin told CNN. Medical certificates and a ban on advertising The new rules from Thailand's Health Ministry aim to enforce the regulation of cannabis as a controlled herb. That means licensed cannabis shops can now only sell to customers with a medical prescription. They are also required to keep detailed sales records and face regular inspections by authorities, Somsak said. New rules also put stricter controls on growers and farmers, ban commercial advertising and prohibit cannabis from being sold in vending machines or online. More than 18,000 licensed cannabis shops across the country will have to adapt or risk closing. Penalties for sellers caught violating the new rules include up to one year in prison or a fine of 20,000 baht ($620), though the health ministry is proposing new legislation that would significantly increase this. The ban on advertising may also dramatically change the landscape of tourist hotspots such as Khao San Road in the capital Bangkok, or beach towns like Pattaya, where hundreds of cannabis shops and cafes line the streets with their green neon signs, cannabis-shaped inflatables and catchy slogans enticing tourists to get high. Now, tourists and locals will need a doctor's certificate from Thailand or their home country to purchase cannabis buds to treat certain conditions such as nausea from chemotherapy, drug-resistant epilepsy or nerve pain. 'We want to tell tourists they are welcome to enjoy Thailand's culture and nature — but Thailand should not be seen as a destination for recreational cannabis use,' Somsak said. Why have the new rules been introduced? Medical marijuana has been legal in Thailand since 2018, but decriminalization in 2022 meant it was no longer a crime to grow and trade marijuana or hemp products, or to use any parts of the plant to treat illnesses — a major move in a region notorious for harsh penalties towards illegal drugs. Following legalization, the government intended to regulate the industry. But a legal vacuum emerged when this failed to materialize, and recreational use exploded across the kingdom, particularly in areas popular with foreigners. Thousands of cannabis dispensaries sprang up, as well as other cannabis-themed businesses like weed cafes, hemp spas and places offering beauty treatments. Cities like Chiang Mai and Bangkok have even held weed festivals, and decriminalization has been a major draw for tourists. One such festival in Bangkok earlier this month boasted an appearance by Mike Tyson, who has launched his own brand of boxing glove- and ear-shaped cannabis gummies. A 2022 report released by Thailand's Ministry of Commerce estimated the industry could be worth $1.2 billion by 2025, though Somsak said there is currently 'no clear estimate' of the industry's value 'due to unregulated transactions.' Somsak said the new rules help plug that legal vacuum and prevent misuse. 'We are not shutting down cannabis shops, but we are prioritizing medical regulation,' he said. 'Revenue may dip at first, but considering the social harm caused by unregulated use, the change is necessary … responsible, law-abiding businesses will remain stable and continue operating.' Social impacts and smuggling Those in support of greater regulation say the industry has grown out of control, and cited health concerns, cannabis use among children, and addiction, while complaints of tourists smoking in the street are reportedly growing on the Thai islands. On the holiday island of Phuket, a plan has been proposed that would establish zones restricting where cannabis could be bought and sold. 'Right now, cannabis addiction is rising and has become a social issue. It affects children, causes nuisance from unwanted odors,' said Somsak. 'Public safety must come first… the current cannabis industry is made up of scattered, unregulated shops.' Adding to the issue, cannabis smuggling has soared since legalization. Several high-profile cases involving young, British women have made headlines this year, all originating in Thailand. The issue got so bad that British and Thai authorities formed a joint task force to halt the increase in drugs being smuggled out by tourists and by mail from Thailand to the UK, with Thailand enforcing stricter screening measures at its borders. Between October 2024 and March 2025, more than 800 cannabis smugglers were arrested and over nine metric tons of cannabis were seized, according to the British government. Disrupting the industry Cannabis advocates have argued that the boom across Thailand has helped many Thais, from farmers to small business owners and workers behind the counter. Some sellers are now scrambling to understand what the new regulations will mean for their business. 'The lack of clarity in the law has already caused worry,' said Ake Khattiyadamrong, a cannabis shop owner in eastern Thailand's Chonburi province. 'It's a real shame — Thailand was actually one of the first countries in the world to recognize the benefits of cannabis and legalize it. But once it was legalized, state officials failed to follow through. 'There was no real effort to educate the public. The ministerial regulations that were issued weren't seriously enforced either.' Cannabis advocates say the new regulations won't stop smuggling or unlicensed growers, and risk driving up corruption. 'This is a knee-jerk reaction to supposedly addressing the smuggling issue,' said Kitty Chopaka, a longtime cannabis activist with the Writing Thailand's Cannabis Future Network advocacy group, which pushes for fair access. Chopaka argues that many shops are operating without licenses and sell products such as gummies and edibles that are technically illegal though readily available. 'The police don't shut them down,' she said. If the government enforced the 'rules and laws that currently exist, the issue that they are now saying needs to be fixed wouldn't have existed,' she added. Ake, the shop owner, said requiring a doctor's note to purchase cannabis will not stop people from buying for recreational purposes. 'Everyone knows medical certificates can be bought, so this just creates a new revenue stream for certain doctors … It burdens consumers with extra costs for accessing cannabis, especially during Thailand's current economic struggles and global economic issues,' he said. Ake welcomes regulations that create stability in the industry but wants to see clear, well-rounded laws that are fair to everyone. 'Everything must be traceable and truly safe. I believe that's the core principle. It's not about selling cheap, illegal products. Those can't guarantee user safety,' he said. Since legalization, overproduction of cannabis has saturated the market and driven down prices so cannabis sellers were already taking a hit to their earnings. 'There's not enough sales, the cost of weed is very cheap, and people who live here buy directly from the farms,' said Chopaka, who recently had to close her shop due to low prices and undercutting from bigger sellers. There have been several attempts to pass legislation regulating the cannabis industry. The ruling Pheu Thai Party proposed criminalizing the drug again last year but faced opposition from its coalition partner the Bhumjaithai Party, which spearheaded the original legalization. The latest push from Somsak comes after Bhumjaithai pulled out of the coalition government last week. He said the new regulations are just a first step — but acknowledged getting a bill through parliament will take time. 'This isn't a fixed policy that can't be changed,' he said. 'Without legal control, investment or business operations — no matter the country — must be cautious. If the investment is related to narcotics or controlled substances, there must be clear laws.' But Chopaka fears the new regulations will only make it harder for the smaller farmers to survive. 'I want to see fair access. I want to see rules that make sense,' she said.
