Strict controls imposed on kratom leaves; sale prohibited near educational institutions, at stalls, and by street vendors.

On September 11, 2025, Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, Minister of Justice, and Mr. Somsak Thepsutin, Minister of Public Health, jointly signed the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Public Health Announcement Regarding Prohibited Places, Methods, or Characteristics for the Sale of Kratom Leaves, B.E. 2568 (2025), at the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

As the Cottage Plants Act 2022 has been promulgated, one of its essence is to establish measures governing the sale, advertising, and consumption of cottage leaves, which, if consumed in excess, can be harmful to consumers. Therefore, there are provisions to protect the health of persons under the age of eighteen, pregnant women, lactating women, and no person shall sell cottage leaves in educational institutions, dormitories, parks, zoos, and amusement parks, sold using machines, or sold on the premises.by any means or in any other manner as jointly announced by the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Health. 

Given the current situation where kratom leaves and kratom tea are sold by itinerant vendors or from stalls in public places and on public streets, including near educational institutions, children, youth, and other vulnerable groups can easily access and purchase kratom leaves and kratom tea for illicit use. The government has received numerous complaints from the public urging immediate action and solutions to this problem.

Recognizing such risks and hazards, and for the prevention and resolution of the more likely problem, the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Health jointly signed the Notification of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health on the Prescription of Places, Methods or Prohibited Characteristics for the Sale of Cabin Leaves, B.E. 2568 (2025), which is significant as follows: 

1. No person shall sell cottage leaves and cottage leaves boiled water on premises located at a distance of not more than 1,000 metres from the fence line or school boundary under Section 25 (1). 

2. No person shall sell cottage leaves and boiled water of cottage leaves by means or manner of leasing, selling or setting up stalls. This notice shall come into force after 30 days from the date of publication in the Government Gazette. Violators shall be punished by a fine of 50,000 Baht under the Cottage Plants Act, B.E. 2565 (2022).

If the public sees any violation of this notice, they can report information to any regional Narcotics Enforcement Agency, including to the Narcotics Hotline, DEA Office No. 1386, 24 hours a day, free of charge.