Thai’s cannabis drinks sales spike during weekends
GOLOK, THAILAND – With Thailand legalising cannabis, many people from bordering countries takes advantage of going to the kingdom to enjoy the cannabis-laced products including its drinks especially during the weekend.
This was revealed by a convenience store worker here when Sinar Harian reporter surveyed the area to find out more about the sales of the drinks.
The convenience store worker said the purchase of the drinks would spike each weekend.
"The customers usually would buy five bottles with each purchase and the majority of them were men.
"There are women who purchase it but it is rare. Other than locals (Thai citizens), there are many customers from Malaysia, especially on the weekends," she said.
When asked about the taste of the drink, the worker said she had never tried it however, customers said the drink tasted great and would cause them to be dizzy or a temporary high.
While laughing, the worker who had not realised that she was interviewed by a reporter had advised "there is no need to try it, there's more bad side effects than good ones.”
Sinar Harian survey in Golok found the drinks were being sold openly with multiple brands as low as 17 to 25 Thai baht (RM2 to RM3) a bottle without any restrictions to foreigners in all convenience stores.
The design of the bottles could attract youths in the bordering area to try the drinks that were legal in Thailand but illegal in Malaysia.
Since the legalisation of cannabis usage since June 9 in Thailand, many in Kelantan were worried as the state was just separated by Sungai Golok.
The situation had raised worries among parents because it had been easier to obtain.
Meanwhile, Malaysians who were met at the same convenience stores expressed their worries about the drinks being sold openly.
A man who declined to be named said the drinks looked similar to other soft drinks and that could influence children or anyone to try it.
"I worry that if the drinks are easily brought into Malaysia, parents could be lied to because it is like any other soft drinks and is unexpected to be cannabis drinks.
"What is feared the most is that it could cause addiction, especially with its cheap pricing at RM2 a bottle," he said.
Police had said that they would randomly perform urine tests in areas bordering the state to reduce the activities involving the misuse of drugs including cannabis.
Kelantan Police Chief Datuk Muhamad Zaki Harun said he would not compromise with any parties that violate the rules and laws of this country.
"We will tighten patrols in 128 illegal bases throughout Golok River that borders Malaysia-Thailand done by the General Operations Team.
"Our focus is on three layers of control which are the country's border, road blocks and state borders," he said.
He explained that the patrols would be done by Mobile Patrol Vehicles and Motorcycle Patrol Unit would be mobilised to eradicate any illegal activities in a legal standpoint along the border.
