For the Sake of “People’s Health”: “Health Ideologies Amidst the Contemporary Cannabis Movement in Thai Society"
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
บทคัดย่อ
This study delves into the debates and movements surrounding the evolution of cannabis's status in Thai society, transitioning from a legally prohibited narcotic plant, as commonly perceived within contemporary public health frameworks, to being acknowledged as an alternative herb with potential for lawful application in alternative medicine, nutrition, and recreation. Despite being propelled by diverse ideologies and interests, participants in these discussions and actions, notably intensified during the period from 2019 to 2023, were unified by their shared claim of advancing the 'well-being' of the populace. While initiatives advocating for legal cannabis had been ongoing before 2019, primarily championed by alternative medicine advocates, it wasn't until a prominent political party made it a focal point of their 2019 election campaign that it gained significant societal traction. Subsequently, following the election, the Ministry of Public Health (MPH), under the governance of that political party from 2019 to 2023, consistently endeavored to legalize cannabis as a flagship policy.
This study suggests that the MPH’s stance on cannabis legalization, as the principal body of modern public health in Thailand, diverged from other public health organizations and institutions, which consistently rejected cannabis. This divergence led to the formation of alliances amidst different actors—political parties, the MPH, traditional health insitution and recreational cannabis users—each with different health-related objectives, yet working together toward the same goal of legalization. Ultimately, the push for cannabis legalization was achieved but it remained contingent upon the conditions set by modern medical practices.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
All contents and information in the manuscripts published by Journal of Political Science Critique are the authors’ opinions; thus, the authors take sole responsibility for any contents. The editorial board does not agree with or accept responsibility for the manuscripts.
All published articles, information, contents, pictures, or other things in Journal of Political Science Critique are Copyright by the Journal. All Rights Reserved. All contents may not be copied or duplicated in whole or part by any means without the prior written permission of Journal of Political Science Critique.
References
Abel, E. (1980). Marihuana: The First Twelve Thousand Years. New York: Plenum Press.
Aieorattanawadee, A. (2019). The “Ganja” discourses in Thai society : criminalization or medicalization. (Doctoral dissertation) Chulalongkorn University, Faculty of Political Science.
BBC. (April 17, 2019). Kancha: Decha Siripat kab kan cheuy leau peaun manut duay kancha tang kanpat. [Cannabis: Decha Siripat and his mission to save lives with medical cannabis] Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/thai/thailand-47944088
Bhumjaithai. (April 2, 2019b). Saksayam Chitchop gurantee seree kancha faun pratet. [Saksayam Chitchop guarantee ‘Free Cannabis’ revives the country] Retrieved from https://bhumjaithai.com/news/6098
Bhumjaithai. (February 9, 2019a). Bhumjaithai puk(pai)kancha tua Bangkok. [Bhumjaithai Party plants (signs of) cannabis across Bangkok] Retrieved from https://bhumjaithai.com/news/4850
Bhumjaithai. (January 15, 2020). Anutin reng sakad kancha mae jo kad dai nummun kancha medical grade 1 sad kuad raksa rok mareng parkinson Alzheimer. ["Anutin" accelerates cannabis extraction at Maejo University, expecting 100,000 bottles of "medical-grade" oil to treat cancer, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's] Retrieved from https://bhumjaithai.com/news/17073
Boontham, A., Nootim, P. & Dilokthornsakul, P. (2022). “Prescription patterns, safety, and effects on quality of life of the Sook-Sai-Yat herbal formula.” Journal of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, 20(2): 295-310.
Buamahakul, R. & Buamahakul, T. (2024). “Treatment Effects and Adverse Drug Reaction of Metta-Osot Cannabis Oil From Medical Records in End Stage Cancer Patients Received Treatment at a Cannabis Clinic, Thai Traditional and Integrated Medicine Hospital, Bangkok.” Journal of Public Health Nursing, 38(1): 1-11.
Butrica, J. (2002). “The Medical Use of Cannabis among the Greeks and Romans.” Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, ii: 51–70.
Cannabis. (1925). Royal Gazette, Volumn 42. (21 February).
Chao Pharaya Abhaibhubejhr. (2021.). Tamra tum arhan kancha tam rub yim. [Cannabis Cook Book : Tum rab yim] Thai traditional and Alternative division, Pharmacy division. Chao Pharaya Abhaibhubejhr.
Chatikwanit. V. (1974). “Kancha. [Cannabis]” Journal of Health for the Public, Medical Association of Thailand and the Medical Council, 2(8): 45-48.
Chokevivat, V. (2019). “Kanchan nai vitee chewit chao thai samaikorn: kormule chak wannakarm bang lem. [Marijuana in the Thai Way of life: Information from some Literature]” Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative medicine, 17(3): 542-557.
Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine. (2021). Kancha kab tumrub arhan thai. [Cannabis in Food Recipe] Section of Corporate Communication, Technical and Planning Division. Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine.
Foucault, M. (1978). The history of sexuality 1st Vintage Books ed. New York, Vintage Books.
Foucault, M., Burchell, G., Gordon, C., & Miller, P. (1991). The Foucault effect: studies in governmentality: with two lectures by and an interview with Michel Foucault. University of Chicago Press.
Hall, W. (2019). “ The Indian Hemp Drugs Commission 1893–1894.” Addiction, 114: 1679– 1682.
Hfocus. (2019a). Pat yam mai mee lak tan chajen por tee ja sanup sanoon karn chai karn cha raksa mareng dai. [Doctor repeats no significant prove to use cannabis for curing cancer] Retrieved April 3, 2024 from https://www.hfocus.org/content/2019/12/18175.
Hfocus. (2019b). Krom sukkapabjut huang pol kang keang tor samong jak karn chai nammun kancha doy prasajak karm khao jai. [Department of Mental Health concerns the side effect
Inda, J. X. (2014). Racial prescriptions: Pharmaceuticals, difference and the politics of life. London, UK: Routledge.
Issued under the Cannabis Act B.E. 1934. (1937). Royal Gazette, Volume 55. (24 May).
Jamparngernthaweesri, K., Lumlerdkij, N., Booranasubkajorn, S. & Akarasereenont, P. (2023). “Karnsuksa bab yonkrab khong karn chai tumrabya suk sai yad nai puu puay tee mee arkarn non mai rub. [A Retrospective Study of Suk Sai Yad Recipe Uses in Patients with Insomnia]” Siriraj Medical Bulletin, 16(2): 119-130.
Jelsma, M., Bewley-Taylor, D. & Blickman, T. (2014). The Rise and Decline of Cannabis Prohibition - The History of Cannabis in the UN Drug Control System and Options For Reform. Transnational Institute
Jirawatnaphaisan, T. (2023). “Pol khong sansakad THC jak kancha tor karm jareon arhan pum kumkan chanid cd4 lae pariman virus hiv nai puu tid cheu hiv/aids. [Effects of THC on appetite, CD4 and HIV Viral Load in People Living with HIV/AIDS]” Thai AIDS Journal, 35(1): 52-59.
Kendell, R. (2003), “Cannabis condemned: the proscription of Indian hemp.” Addiction, 98: 143-151.
Klaewkla. P (1991). Pol kong karn suksa cheong jittawittaya bab group tam neaw pijarana kwam pen jing tor karn lod karn sep kancha lae karn perm karn hen kunka tor ton eng kong poo kum kwam praput. [The Effects of Group Psychological Counseling Based on Reality Therapy on Reducing Cannabis Use and Enhancing Self-Esteem Among Probationers] Department of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University.
Kwankhao, P. (2019). Prasobkarn palitya nam man kancha. [Experience in producing cannabis oil]. Chao Pharaya Abhaibhubejhr, Thai traditional Medicine and Herbal Medicine Research Center. Retrieved April 3, 2024 from http://www.thaihealthconsumer.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%93%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%8D%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B2.pdf.
Lakkhanaphichonchat, L. (N.D.) Kam nae num sam rub karn bambad raksa poo mee panha ya septid kancha. [Guideline for treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with marijuana addiction.]. Retrieved month date, 202x from http://www.pmnidat.go.th/thai/downloads/handbook/65/cannabis.pdf.
Mgronline. (April 17, 2019b). Ajarn Decha kunnasombat pass mor peun baan ror kor mai keon 2 subda promt dan pen nakvijai dai 11 ongkorn ruem nun vijai kancha tor har rue prung ny. ["Ajarn Decha" qualifies as a "traditional healer," awaiting final approval within two weeks; also set to become a "researcher" with support from 11 organizations for further cannabis research, with major discussions tomorrow] Retrieved from https://mgronline.com /qol/detail/9620000037370
Mgronline. (August 9, 2019c). Ajarn Decha cheuy krom pat parit namman kancha 100,000 kuad mob rai cheu kon kai 4 san hai satharanasuk doo lae. ["Ajarn Decha" assists the Department of Medical Services in producing 100,000 bottles of cannabis oil and submits a list of 400,000 patients to the Ministry of Public Health for care] Retrieved from https://mgronline.com/onlinesection/ detail/9620000076085
Mgronline. (January 22, 2019a). Biothai luy kod dan rattaban chae kam kor sittibutkancha tuk la tink nai England tae hai kod sana nai Thai. [Biothai Pressures Government, Exposes Abandoned Cannabis Patent Application in England but Advertised in Thailand as the Same Entity] Retrieved from https://mgronline.com/qol/detail/9620000007358
Muksong, C. (2021). Karnpat lae larn sataranasuk samai pra bat som det Prajadhipok 1925-1934. [ Medical and public heath in the reign of King Prajadhipok 1925-1934] Completed research. King Prajadhipok Museum King Prajadhipok’s institution.
Notification of the Ministry of Public Health. (1979). Subject: Specification of Names and Types of Controlled Drugs under the Narcotic Drug Act, Amendment No. 2 (16 October).
Notification of the Ministry of Public Health. (2019). Announcement on the designation of narcotic drug formulations of Category 5 containing cannabis for medical treatment or research purposes, No. 2. (August 8).
Notification of the Ministry of Public Health. (2019). Bann chee rai choo tam rub ya thai. [List of Thai Traditional Medicine Formulas].
Notification of the Ministry of Public Health. (2022). Announcement on controlled herbs (Cannabis). (November 23).
Office of Permanent Secretary. (2019). Kumnaenum samrub karn share kor mule khong karn pat pan thai lae kancha tongtin. [Guideline for sharing information of Thai traditional and local cannabis medicine] Ministry of Public Health.
Office of The Narcotics Control Board North Region. (2001). Kancha-Kanchong. [Cannabis-Hemp] Survey and report section, Office of The Narcotics Control Board: Ministry of Justice.
Puapongpan, P. (November 23, 2018). Kancha tang karn pat kobkyychat peu pon prayoth prachachon rue kai chat pheu polprayoth group tun. [Medical cannabis: Saving the nation for the benefit of the people or selling out the nation for the benefit of corporations!?] Retrieved from https://mgronline.com /daily/detail/9610000116943
Silarak, K. (2022). “Prasittipab khong numman kancha sut arjarn decha tor kunnapab karn non lab lae kunnaparb chewit poo puey nok na clinic hang ga rock rongpayabarn Phra Arjarn Phan Arhajaro. [Efficacy of Cannabis oil (Decha's Formula) on Out-Patients’ Sleep Quality and Quality of Life at Hang Ga Rock Clinic: Phra Arjarn Phan Arhajaro Hospital, Sakhon Nakhon Province]” Regional Health Promotion Center 9 Journal, 16(3): 1097-1108.
Somjai. S. (1974). “Yasaman lae yaseptid. [Common Medicines and Narcotics]” Journal of Health for the Public, Medical Association of Thailand and Medical Council, 2(8): 37-43.
Srisubut, A. & Thanasittichai, S. (2019). “Kancha kab karnpat pan patchuban [Cannabis and Modern Medicine]” Journal of The Department of Medical Services, 44 (6): 5–8.
Sukpum, S. (2004). Yaseptid stanakarn yaseptid nai pratet thai. [Narcotics: The Situation of Drugs in Thailand] Secretariat of the House of Representatives. Academic Service Division.
Tengtermwong, N. (2021). “Karnsuksa prasittipol karn chai tumrabya suk sai-yad nai pu peuy tee mee arkarn non mai lab. [Effectiveness and safety of Suk Sai-Yad Herbal Remedy for Chronic Insomnia: A Preliminary Retrospective Study in Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital]” Journal of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, 19(2): 331-343.
Thairath. (January 6, 2020). Peodlaew clini kancha hai brikarnya 4 tabrub ror kor mor dun pen puech setthakij. [Cannabis clinic opens, offering 4 cannabis-based treatments, awaiting law to promote it as a new economic crop] Retrieved from https://www.thairath.co.th/news/local/bangkok/1740920
The Medical Council of Thailand. (2019). Kamnaenam samrub pat karn chai kancha tang karn pat. [Guideline for doctor: The use of medical cannabis] Vol. 1. October. Retrieved April 2, 2024 from https://tmc.or.th/pdf/fact/guideline_cannabis_101062.pdf.
The Medical Council of Thailand. (N.D.) Kor saner kiaw kab nayabai kancha kong prathet Thai. [Proposals regarding Thailand Cannabis Policy] Retrieved month date, 202x from https://tmc.or.th/pdf/tmc-cannabis-1-160965.pdf
the Narcotics Control Act (1976). Special Edition of the Royal Gazette, Volume 93. (17 November).
the Narcotics Control Act (1979). Special Edition of the Royal Gazette, Volume 63. (27 April).
Tipratchadaporn, S., Srita, J., Pomchaiya, P., Boonyawan, S. & Silarak, K. (2021). “Prayoth lae karm pod pai khong tumrabya suk sai-yad nai pu peuy tee mee pawa non mai lab. [Benefits and safety of Suk-Sai-Yat Traditional Medicine Recipe in Patients with Insomnia]” Journal of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, 19(2): 317-330.
Tnew. (April 2, 2019). Anutin too ror mor wor sataranasuk kancha mee kunkha tang karn pat lang took bok wa pen yasebtid. [Anutin argues Ministry of Public Health Cabinet that Cannabis can be valued for medical after it is allegedly claimed as narcotic]. Retrieved from https://tnews.teenee.com/politic/153026.html.
Touw, M. (1981). “The Religious and Medicinal Uses of Cannabis in China, India and Tibet” Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 13(1): 23-34.
Uprikthatipong, W. (2023). “Prasittipab kong numman kancha tee rongpayaban dontum. [Effectiveness of cannabis oil at Dontum Hospital]” Journal of Health and Evironmental Education, 8(4): 11-19.
Wisutthimak. T. (2005). Tamra vetchasath karn septhid. [Textbook of Addiction Medicine] Thanyarak Institute, Department of Medicine, Ministry of Public Health.