Cannabis Could Become an Integral Part of Luxury Wellness Tourism in Thailand

While the laws surrounding marijuana and cannabis vary greatly from country to country, the global consensus seems to be that hemp has definite healing powers. In Thailand, progressive new legislation allows modern methods to turn a once traditional medicine into a wellness wonder.

Cultivation of top quality cannabis plants in the indoor growing facilities of the Golden Triangle Group in Chiang Rai

When Pañpuri Wellness, one of the most luxurious spa establishments in downtown Bangkok, unveiled its new “Special Onsen” package, it attracted more attention than usual as it turned out that the “special” ingredient was marijuana.

Described as a “holistic cannabis wellness experience,” it begins with a relaxing herbal cannabis bath that promises soothing benefits delivered via herbal sachets in the water containing cannabis leaves as well as Thai herbs like lemongrass and zeodary. Followed by a trip to Pañpuri’s cannabis steam bath and detoxifying cannabis Himalayan salt sauna, the overall package aims to reduce muscle fatigue and promote restful sleep.

The cannabis Himalayan salt sauna at Pañpuri Wellness in Bangkok

But the “journey” doesn’t stop there, as Pañpuri also offers guests a taste of cannabis at the bar, with delicious dishes such as classic nachos with cannabis dips, cannabis-infused salads with grilled salmon and clean and green cannabis detox drinks. It all sounds tempting, but only one thing confuses me … isn’t marijuana illegal in Thailand?

Pañpuris “Clean and Green Cannabis Detoxifier” drink

The short answer is yes; However, the longer answer takes into account the fact that Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize cannabis for medicinal purposes in December 2018. And while recreational use is still banned, growing and possessing cannabis is now legal for those who meet strict licensing requirements. It was a very progressive move by Thailand to pass these new laws, and it is definitely in line with changing global attitudes towards the once bad weed.

Herbal cannabis bath at Pañpuri Wellness in Bangkok

To date, only two countries in the world have legalized commercial cannabis production and sale nationwide – Uruguay in 2013 and Canada in 2018 – but many other nations have eased restrictions on medical marijuana administered through capsules, lozenges, tinctures, and skin preparations plasters, mouth and skin sprays and good old-fashioned smoking. In America, several dozen states have legalized cannabis for medicinal purposes, although confusingly, its use remains banned at the federal level.

Bizarre legal contradictions like the current situation in the US make cannabis use such a global gray area where many governments like to promote wellness through weed but refuse to tolerate the “getting high” part. Therefore, cannabidiol or CBD is the current buzzword in wellness circles precisely because it is generally accepted that CBD delivers the benefits without the “buzz”.

In short, CBD is one of at least 113 identified cannabinoids found in cannabis plants, and it’s pretty much independent of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which gets users high (which is found in the plant’s flower buds). Nowadays, as people try to make money on the current cannabis craze, the letters CBD appear on everything from soap to soda. Are These Acclaimed Health Benefits Credible?

“For the skin, there are studies that show that CBD has many benefits,” says John Bailey, consultant and partner at the Bangkok-based Chanabis Group, which makes a range of CBD teas. “It’s an antioxidant and helps reduce inflammation, so it can help with antiaging. And there are studies that show it works in people with eczema, acne, and psoriasis. “

A selection of three unique tea blends from Chanabis

John, a native New Zealander who has lived in Thailand for 12 years, admits that he has always liked recreational cannabis but started taking CBD more seriously because of Covid-19, as he heard it was both medicinal and mental Stress reliever could help. And his interest has only grown stronger since then.

“In March last year, my wife and I had the opportunity to invest in a cannabis farm,” he says, although he admits it was indeed a scam and a lawsuit is pending. “But that introduced us as a sort of gateway to people in the health ministry offices, and the idea for cannabis tea came from a professor – she’s in her 70s or 80s – interested in medicinal cannabis.”

Blue Dream, one of the delicious teas from Chanabis

Currently, Chanabis teas are only sold through select cafes because of the different levels of red tape involved in commercial packaging and distribution. “You can sell it in a coffee shop if it’s freshly made. You just provide them with the ingredients to make the teas. If we went to a factory and made cannabis tea in a sealed bottle or tea bag, it’s not legal without Thai FDA certification. But if you’re selling through a cafe, it’s just an herb, like basil. In Thailand, CBD is legal as long as it comes from the leaves, stems, seeds or roots. “

John Bailey and his wife Minsida, the team behind the Chanabis Group

Of course, John points out that he is not a scientist or a doctor, but in his own experience and observations, CBD works wonders when it comes to pain relief, anxiety reduction, and sleep aid. “I also use cannabis shampoo,” he laughs. “It’s very good. I think what I love about cannabis is that this whole new industry is forming around an amazing plant and we’re just beginning to understand it.”

Since John and his wife are not breeders, they source their raw materials from the Golden Triangle Group (GTG), a leading name in Thailand’s emerging hemp industry. Based in Chiang Rai Province, GTG is famous for its ultra-scientific approach to creating extremely high quality, potent extracts for use in medical, cosmetic, and food and beverage products.

Spanish-born Jaime Carrión Garcia, who provides the Golden Triangle Group (GTG) with his considerable expertise in cannabis

“In late 2018, when the Thai government announced the first law to promote medical cannabis and cannabis research, GTG was founded,” said Kris Thirakaosal, the company’s exuberant executive director. Kris, a former investment banker, is a smart businessman who admits he’s always on the lookout for the next big thing. Through doing business in Europe, he saw interest in CBD herald an impending “green” gold rush, and he knew Thailand was ideally suited to be part of this botanical boom.

Kris Thirakaosal, the managing director of the Golden Triangle Group

“From the beginning we wanted to make CBD,” he continues, explaining that GTG acquired the genetic intellectual property rights for Cannatonic, a proprietary variety produced from the award-winning Spanish-born strain, as there is no real CBD in Thailand Marijuana maestro Jaime Carrión Garcia – an absolute legend in his field.

“We then brought it to Thailand legally by signing a letter of intent exclusively with Chiang Rai Rajabhat University (CRRU),” he says, pointing out that the indoor growing project works much like a selective breeding research laboratory. Jaime came to Thailand just before the pandemic to get things started and has since chosen to stay here. “He’s our senior cultivation director, he’s a shareholder, he’s our family,” says Kris with a big smile.

Marijuana maestro Jaime Carrión Garcia, multiple winner of the Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam, inspecting the harvest at GTG

The chairman of GTG, meanwhile, is none other than Chatchaval Jiaravanon, a member of the very powerful Chearavanont family in Thailand. With such tough thugs on his team, it seems only fitting that Kris should act as a knowledgeable advisor to the Thai Parliament in drafting new laws regarding the use of CBD in food, supplements and cosmetics. During our interview, he reveals that the brand new legislation now allows up to 1 percent total CBD for use in cosmetic products.

Scientific assessment of the cannabis harvest in GTG’s facilities

“Pañpuri has been working with us for the past six months,” Kris tells me, “as have several other beauty brands, both Thai and international, because we’re the only ones here that make full-spectrum CBDA, and that’s perfect for the skin . “

In layman’s terms, cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is like CBD in its raw form – before the plant is exposed to heat (decarboxylation) – and is therefore best suited for external use. Meanwhile, the term “full spectrum” indicates that the final product contains several cannabis plant extracts, including essential oils, terpenes (special aromatic compounds) and other cannabinoids. It gets a bit of an impromptu chemistry class, but science is really the driving force here.

Optimal growth conditions in GTG’s high-tech halls

While all of this is good news for Thailand’s indigenous cannabis industry, the laws of other countries, particularly in Southeast Asia, remain staunch and refuse to redeem reefers. Malaysia has indicated it is taking steps to legalize medical marijuana, but the debate does not seem to be resolved.

“Thailand’s hemp law allows producers like us to export subject to the laws of the destination country,” Kris informs me, adding that Korea and Japan are among the importers in Asia. “I heard some movement in Hong Kong too. We can even sell it in Europe for beauty or recreational purposes. But in Singapore … I don’t think that’s going to happen in the next four lives! ”He laughs.

The experienced GTG grow team looks very happy and satisfied with their crop yield

So if laws remain restrictive elsewhere, could cannabis tourism eventually become a growth sector in Thailand aimed at those interested in experiencing the healing properties of hemp?

“I think it will be one of the main drivers,” says Kris without hesitation. “I hope to see a high-end supplier like Chiva-Som that contains cannabis and CBD soon. After all, we in Thailand have a history of cannabis as traditional medicine that goes back over 200 years. “

This article first appeared in the July 2021 issue of Prestige Thailand.