Pro-cannabis activist Prasitchai Nunuan is given a medical check outside Government House, while on day six of his hunger strike in protest of the current Thai government's proposals to reinstate cannabis on the list of narcotics, in Bangkok on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. - AFP
BANGKOK (AFP): Although smoking marijuana is usually associated with "the munchies", a pair of Thai activists vowed Tuesday to stay on hunger strike until the government rethinks plans to recriminalise the narcotic.
Marijuana was decriminalised in 2022 after being touted as a potentially lucrative industry for the tourism-heavy economy, but the government backtracked earlier this year and a new ban is looming.
Akradej Chakjinda and Prasitchai Nunuan have been fasting for six days so far, camped outside the prime minister's residence while urging the government to rethink the plans.
Not even the the mouth-watering aroma of fresh phad thai and grilled chicken wafting from a nearby street food market could deter the pair, who vowed to subsist on just water or coconut water until "our bodies can't take it anymore".
Pro-cannabis activists Akradej Chakjinda (left) and Prasitchai Nunuan (right) sit outside Government House on day six of their hunger strike in protest of the current Thai government's proposals to reinstate cannabis on the list of narcotics, in Bangkok on Monday, July 16, 2024. - AFP
"Why does the government allow alcohol and cigarettes to exist in society, but not cannabis," 45-year-old Prasitchai said.
Fellow user Akaradej, 48, said the government had not used science when making policy surrounding cannabis use.
Thailand was once notorious for its tough anti-marijuana laws and those found with cannabis could face up to 10 years in prison.
But after liberalising the drug, the government backtracked earlier this year, however, when "dispensaries" capitalising on confusion about the precise legal status of the weed sprouted up around the country.
Pro-cannabis activists have held nationwide protests against the impending ban, but their campaign has only received muted interest so far, with many events attended by just dozens of demonstrators. - AFP
