Cannabis to red light area: evolution of drug abuse in Thailand

Vasudha Zora | NT

Bengaluru: The serene and culturally rich nation of Thailand is one of the best tourist-friendly destinations. Tourism has emerged as the top industry, boosting the country’s economy.

Being the epicentre of adventure and water sports, adding to it the raw and fresh flavours of Thai cuisine, Thailand's obsession with tourism is responsible for its current amusement. Known for its gang wars, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, prostitution and sex trafficking, the cities of Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket remain under constant constraints of organized crimes.

The legalization of the herb has given rise to many local farmers and dealers, previously imprisoned for the possession of the recreational herb. Bhanumathi party’s leader, Anutin Chaarnvirakul promoted the legalization of Cannabis due to its long history of medicinal use. It was popularised after he became the health minister of the country in 2019. The legalisation saw the laying off of marijuana offenders.

The government went on to give millions of weed plants to Thai households to encourage the cultivation of hemp. However, the legalization comes with unclear plans. The country has become a centre of wild and free use of cannabis, attracting crowds from parts of the world to reap its medicinal and recreational benefits. Many dispensaries are attached to cafes, where many courses such as rolling a joint, brewing weed tea, and farming workshops have been popularised by most tourists and local sectors.

Thailand’s crime centres are in the urban spaces where the concentra - tion of tourists is highest, making tourists the easy targets for rampant human trafficking and prostitution. Being placed in the Golden Triangle, Thailand is surrounded by Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Russia and India. This has made the country a favourite hunting ground for drug mules and transitional gangs involved in drug and human trafficking.

When polyamory (the practice of, or desire for, romantic relationships with more than one partner at the same time) was banned in 1930, prostitution took centre stage. In current scenarios, more than 120,000 individuals earn through prostitution. Sex workers say that they engage in prostitution to eke out a living. communities. The lifestyle of sex workers is dee ply linked to alcohol and drug abuse alongside friendships with gang lords.

Crimes against flora and fauna are also rampant. Crimes like illegal logging, training, and sedation of wild animals for tourism purposes, supply of elephant ivory, and frauds are committed through foreign gangs. All these and foreign fugitive gangs now present in Thailand make Bangkok the new Gotham City