Thailand's flourishing cannabis culture to end as government seeks ban

People smoke out of bongs during a speed contest to finish 3 grams, at the Green Party in Bangkok, Thailand, October 7, 2023. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thodsapol Hongtong is enjoying a smoke with his friends at the "Green Party", a venue where recreational cannabis enthusiasts meet in the Thai capital Bangkok to chat and have a good time. But it's a pastime that may be coming to an end.

The 31-year-old influencer who runs his own cannabis shop regularly touts recreational marijuana as good for the country's economy on his online platform "Channel Weed Thailand".