Failed "No plastic bag" policy

[ThaiBrian]

They have very affordable alternatives at check out. I was at the Big C a couple of days ago and forgot to bring my bag. I looked at the alternative and they were charging 6 baht. If you can afford to shop at the Big C, then you can afford to buy the alternative. If that is a lot to that person, maybe it will make him/her think twice before leaving the house. The alternative they provide is HUGE, equivalent to 3-4 regular plastic bags. 

 

I do understand where you're coming from. The whole foods I shopped at would charge me for a plastic bag... and I would accept as the cost of a cotton bag with their logo on it was egregiously overpriced. 

 

Edit: If you are making a trip to Rim Ping, word of caution, I had to pay 220 baht for their bag. I've been kicking myself ever since... This happened a month before the War on Plastic Bags went into effect. 

Edited January 11, 2020 by ThaiBrian

[Bill97]

12 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Is growing or possessing hemp even legal in Thailand?  I know the rules are changing.  But in 2019, it took a special permit to even grow hemp for research purposes.  There's a BKK Post article (9/2/19) about it, which I'm not allowed to link to...

 

Growing has nothing to do with it.

 

you really think hemp fabrics might be illegal here?  Please do look about more even if it is just with your search engine.

[HHTel]

Most hemp material/products are imported as it's technically illegal to grow the plant in Thailand (except for medical use).

The government hasn't recognised the difference between hemp and marijuana.

 

Quote

"The difference is that hemp plants contain no more than 0.3 percent (by dry weight) of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive substance found in marijuana. By comparison, marijuana typically contains 5 to 20 percent THC. You can't get high on hemp.

 

[impulse]

4 hours ago, Bill97 said:

Growing has nothing to do with it.

 

you really think hemp fabrics might be illegal here?  Please do look about more even if it is just with your search engine.

 

You go ahead and do what you want.  You can be the test case.  But I'm not going to risk it, given Thailand's justice system...

 

But ONCB secretary-general Niyom Termsrisuk warned Thais they are still not allowed to grow or possess cannabis and hemp plants.  He said: “Marijuana and hemp are still Class 5 narcotics, and their cultivation, import, export, sale, possession and/or consumption without permits are illegal.”

 

https://theleafdesk.com/hemp-no-longer-a-controlled-substance-in-thailand/

 

Same as the BKK Post article, but there's no TVF rules against linking to The Leaf Desk.  I'll let you explain to the judge how hemp fabric isn't the same as hemp plants.

 

Edited January 12, 2020 by impulse

[HHTel]

1 hour ago, impulse said:

 

You go ahead and do what you want.  You can be the test case.  But I'm not going to risk it, given Thailand's justice system...

 

But ONCB secretary-general Niyom Termsrisuk warned Thais they are still not allowed to grow or possess cannabis and hemp plants.  He said: “Marijuana and hemp are still Class 5 narcotics, and their cultivation, import, export, sale, possession and/or consumption without permits are illegal.”

 

https://theleafdesk.com/hemp-no-longer-a-controlled-substance-in-thailand/

 

Same as the BKK Post article, but there's no TVF rules against linking to The Leaf Desk.  I'll let you explain to the judge how hemp fabric isn't the same as hemp plants.

 

 

The government regulation of Sep 2019 finally acknowledges the difference between hemp and marijuana.  Hemp products are legal in Thailand, but growing the plants isn't.

You can buy hemp products on Lazada and many other Thai sites.  The regulation states that hemp must not contain more than 0.5% by weight in flowers and 0.3% weight in it's seeds of THC.

 

Hemp material has been available in Thailand for a long time but has had to be imported from Laos, Vietnam etc.

The government now has given permissions for hemp to be grown in various provinces for use in the textile industry.

 

As stated before.  You cannot get high on hemp!  

Edited January 12, 2020 by HHTel
correction

[Bill97]

1 hour ago, impulse said:

 

You go ahead and do what you want.  You can be the test case.  But I'm not going to risk it, given Thailand's justice system...

 

But ONCB secretary-general Niyom Termsrisuk warned Thais they are still not allowed to grow or possess cannabis and hemp plants.  He said: “Marijuana and hemp are still Class 5 narcotics, and their cultivation, import, export, sale, possession and/or consumption without permits are illegal.”

 

https://theleafdesk.com/hemp-no-longer-a-controlled-substance-in-thailand/

 

Same as the BKK Post article, but there's no TVF rules against linking to The Leaf Desk.  I'll let you explain to the judge how hemp fabric isn't the same as hemp plants.

 

As stated in previous post, you are wrong.  Try a search for hemp products Thailand and see a lot of sellers.

[daveAustin]

What, plastic bags banned and supermarkets don't provide 'green' alternatives. The place seems to be progressing well then. Derrrr

[Samuel Smith]

Need to ban all those one use plastic glasses use for iced coffee, smoothies & bubble tea,  They even use them for sit in customers!

[billd766]

12 minutes ago, Samuel Smith said:

Need to ban all those one use plastic glasses use for iced coffee, smoothies & bubble tea,  They even use them for sit in customers!

We use them a lot at home after they have been washed. Great for the kids and it doesn't matter if it breaks. If you get 10 or 20 re uses out of it it is a bonus.

[Samuel Smith]

1 hour ago, billd766 said:

We use them a lot at home after they have been washed. Great for the kids and it doesn't matter if it breaks. If you get 10 or 20 re uses out of it it is a bonus.

I bet you're in the minority

[impulse]

3 hours ago, Bill97 said:

As stated in previous post, you are wrong.  Try a search for hemp products Thailand and see a lot of sellers.

 

In 7+ years working in BKK, I also bought pellet guns, vaping equipment, switchblades, drones, pepper spray and a lot of other items, possession of which landed other folks in jail. 

 

One thing I found about Thailand is that, just because I could buy it out in the open, doesn't mean it won't land me in jail.

 

But ONCB secretary-general Niyom Termsrisuk warned Thais they are still not allowed to grow or possess cannabis and hemp plants.  He said: “Marijuana and hemp are still Class 5 narcotics, and their cultivation, import, export, sale, possession and/or consumption without permits are illegal.”

 

Sounds pretty definitive...  Can you point to any laws stating that it's wrong?  Seeing them for sale doesn't count.  I can show you fake Viagra for sale on Sukhumvit, but that doesn't make it legal.

 

[billd766]

1 hour ago, Samuel Smith said:

I bet you're in the minority

I may well be, but it doesn't mean that I am wrong.

 

My Mum always told me, waste not, want not.

[HHTel]

15 hours ago, impulse said:

 

In 7+ years working in BKK, I also bought pellet guns, vaping equipment, switchblades, drones, pepper spray and a lot of other items, possession of which landed other folks in jail. 

 

One thing I found about Thailand is that, just because I could buy it out in the open, doesn't mean it won't land me in jail.

 

But ONCB secretary-general Niyom Termsrisuk warned Thais they are still not allowed to grow or possess cannabis and hemp plants.  He said: “Marijuana and hemp are still Class 5 narcotics, and their cultivation, import, export, sale, possession and/or consumption without permits are illegal.”

 

Sounds pretty definitive...  Can you point to any laws stating that it's wrong?  Seeing them for sale doesn't count.  I can show you fake Viagra for sale on Sukhumvit, but that doesn't make it legal.

 

Quote

According to the regulation, only hemp extracts that contain a ratio of cannabidiol (CBD) to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) not exceeding 0.01% to 0.2% by weight can be used in drugs and herbal products. The regulation also sanctions the use of dried hemp bark, stems, fibres, and seeds in traditional medicine, food and cosmetics preparations.

 

Recently, the ministry granted permission to the Highland Research and Development Institute to grow local hemp strains in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Tak and Phetchabun provinces. Hemp strains found in these provinces are known for their high-quality fibres, which make them suitable for use in the textile industry.

 

Meanwhile, Tares Krassanairawiwong, secretary-general of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said the FDA is amending its regulations to allow companies to grow hemp as a cash crop, before adding that the agency is also working towards issuing new rules on foods and cosmetics that contain CBD.

 

Edited January 13, 2020 by HHTel

[impulse]

4 hours ago, HHTel said:

Quote

According to the regulation, only hemp extracts that contain a ratio of cannabidiol (CBD) to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) not exceeding 0.01% to 0.2% by weight can be used in drugs and herbal products. The regulation also sanctions the use of dried hemp bark, stems, fibres, and seeds in traditional medicine, food and cosmetics preparations.

 

Recently, the ministry granted permission to the Highland Research and Development Institute to grow local hemp strains in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Tak and Phetchabun provinces. Hemp strains found in these provinces are known for their high-quality fibres, which make them suitable for use in the textile industry.

 

Meanwhile, Tares Krassanairawiwong, secretary-general of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said the FDA is amending its regulations to allow companies to grow hemp as a cash crop, before adding that the agency is also working towards issuing new rules on foods and cosmetics that contain CBD.

 

  

Nowhere does it say those regulations have been adopted yet, there's been one (count 'em, one) research institute given special permission to grow hemp, and in the same linked article, there's the warning that they are still not allowed to grow or possess cannabis and hemp plants.  He said: “Marijuana and hemp are still Class 5 narcotics, and their cultivation, import, export, sale, possession and/or consumption without permits are illegal.”

 

 

 

Edited January 13, 2020 by impulse

[Dante99]

56 minutes ago, impulse said:

cultivation, import, export, sale, possession and/or consumption without permits are illegal.”

So legal if there is a permit.  Like driving is legal if you have a license. And building a house is legal if you have a permit.

[HaleySabai]

Apparently the 'Mom & Pop' shops are experiencing a soft boom because they still give bags....Thai-people,defiant as all-ways.????

[ChipButty]

Stop putting dead bodies in plastic bags and leaving them on the beach

[impulse]

4 hours ago, Dante99 said:

So legal if there is a permit.  Like driving is legal if you have a license. And building a house is legal if you have a permit.

 

Yes.  And the article states that one research institute has been granted a permit.  Count 'em.  One. 

 

You can also sell morphine or pistols if you have a permit.

 

To be clear, I'm not claiming one way or the other.  I asked if hemp was legal in Thailand, and pointed to a fairly recent article which basically says it's not.  I was rather hoping someone could point to an update that indicated Thailand's stance on legalizing hemp was moving forward.  So far, I'm not seeing any definitive updates.

 

Edited January 13, 2020 by impulse

[Dante99]

31 minutes ago, impulse said:

And the article states that one research institute has been granted a permit.

One permit to grow.  At that time. What time was that? A lot of changes in the past year.

 

How many permits to sell, fabricate, import, process...?

 

You really are not aware that "Thailand's stance on legalizing hemp is moving forward".  That can only be because of limited selective reading on your part.

 

 

[impulse]

6 minutes ago, Dante99 said:

One permit to grow.  At that time. What time was that? A lot of changes in the past year.

 

How many permits to sell, fabricate, import, process...?

 

You really are not aware that "Thailand's stance on legalizing hemp is moving forward".  That can only be because of limited selective reading on your part.

 

So show me a link...  Just one.   The latest I found was that September, 2019 article that warns Thais that it's not legal yet.  They're planning on making it legal.  But that's not the same.

 

[HHTel]

53 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

So show me a link...  Just one.   The latest I found was that September, 2019 article that warns Thais that it's not legal yet.  They're planning on making it legal.  But that's not the same.

 

Quote

In 2018, Thailand defined hemp as legally distinct from cannabis (for containing less than 0.2% THC), and enacted its first regulations to allow government agencies or entities collaborating with the government to apply for hemp cultivation permits. 

Quote

This regulation, which came into effect on January 5, 2018, permits the growing of hemp once an appropriate license has been obtained.

https://www.tilleke.com/resources/growing-hemp-thailand-now-permissible

 

That is a very large law firm.

OMG! You're a hard person to convince!

[impulse]

8 minutes ago, HHTel said:

https://www.tilleke.com/resources/growing-hemp-thailand-now-permissible

 

That is a very large law firm.

OMG! You're a hard person to convince!

 

The later (linked) article, from September, 2019 indicates that exactly one research institute has been granted a license to grow hemp. Along with a very definitive warning...

 

If you're not attached to that one research institute? 

 

Can ya give a class 5 narcotic out as a substitute for plastic bags?  (See how I cleverly tied it back to the OP?)

 

Edited January 13, 2020 by impulse

[HHTel]

Three government ministers with different viewpoints.  Contradicting and false statements are made from governments here all the time.

In this case, it has been published in the Royal Gazette almost 3 years ago.  That makes it LAW regardless of what individuals might say.

 

Quote

A ministerial regulation to enforce the plan was then promulgated in the Royal Gazette on January 6 this year. The plan will become effective at the start of 2018. 

At present, the Public Health Ministry has already approved hemp farms in Chiang Mai’s Mae Wang, Mae Rim, Samoeng and Mae Chaem districts; Chiang Rai’s Thoeng, Wiang Pa Pao and Mae Sai districts; Nan’s Na Mun, Santisuk and Song Kwai districts; Tak’s Phop Phra district; Phetchabun’s Muang, Lom Kao and Khao Kho districts; and Mae Hong Son’s Muang district. 

Look at the facts, not what self opinionated so called ministry spokepersons say.  Often they're talking out of the back of their heads.

[impulse]

21 minutes ago, HHTel said:

Three government ministers with different viewpoints.  Contradicting and false statements are made from governments here all the time.

In this case, it has been published in the Royal Gazette almost 3 years ago.  That makes it LAW regardless of what individuals might say.

 

Quote

A ministerial regulation to enforce the plan was then promulgated in the Royal Gazette on January 6 this year. The plan will become effective at the start of 2018. 

At present, the Public Health Ministry has already approved hemp farms in Chiang Mai’s Mae Wang, Mae Rim, Samoeng and Mae Chaem districts; Chiang Rai’s Thoeng, Wiang Pa Pao and Mae Sai districts; Nan’s Na Mun, Santisuk and Song Kwai districts; Tak’s Phop Phra district; Phetchabun’s Muang, Lom Kao and Khao Kho districts; and Mae Hong Son’s Muang district. 

Look at the facts, not what self opinionated so called ministry spokepersons say.  Often they're talking out of the back of their heads.

 

Nothing there to contradict the linked September, 2019 article.  They have approved GROWING hemp, under a special license issued to one research institute.  Nothing about SELLING hemp to the public, or POSSESSING hemp by the public. 

 

Edit:  I'm not really that hard to convince.  But I lived in Thailand long enough to know and read about a lot of people who ended up in some trouble because they did something they didn't realize was illegal.  They didn't realize that, just because you can buy vaping equipment, that doesn't mean you're allowed to possess vaping equipment, much less use it.  Sadly, a lot of them also got their incorrect information from TVF, and from reading media stories about upcoming changes in the law that never quite came to fruition, or had strings attached like special permitting... 

 

Edited January 13, 2020 by impulse

[HHTel]

Quote

ONCB secretary-general Sirinya Sittichai yesterday said hemp could be used for manufacturing various products such as clothes and bags. 

 

“At this point, we will first focus on the use of hemp fibre,” Sirinya said. “In the future, we will consider using its other benefits.” 

He added that hemp could, for example, be useful for the production of food, medicine and cosmetics. 

Sirinya said if the controlled farms delivered intended benefits over the next three years, authorities would consider allowing people to grow hemp privately.

At present, hemp is considered an illicit drug under Thai law. Any private person found producing, importing, exporting, selling or having the plant with intent to sell faces drug possession charges.

I'm pretty sure that these 'clothes and bags' will be for sale.

 

You like articles?  Read this one:

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/national/30333877

 

It's been the law now for 2 years!

 

I give up!

[impulse]

6 minutes ago, HHTel said:

Quote

ONCB secretary-general Sirinya Sittichai yesterday said hemp could be used for manufacturing various products such as clothes and bags. 

 

“At this point, we will first focus on the use of hemp fibre,” Sirinya said. “In the future, we will consider using its other benefits.” 

He added that hemp could, for example, be useful for the production of food, medicine and cosmetics. 

Sirinya said if the controlled farms delivered intended benefits over the next three years, authorities would consider allowing people to grow hemp privately.

At present, hemp is considered an illicit drug under Thai law. Any private person found producing, importing, exporting, selling or having the plant with intent to sell faces drug possession charges.

I'm pretty sure that these 'clothes and bags' will be for sale.

 

You like articles?  Read this one:

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/national/30333877

 

It's been the law now for 2 years!

 

I give up!

  

Your own link confirms my point.  One research institute is allowed to grow hemp for research purposes.  It's still illegal for the public to grow or possess it, so obviously 7/11 and BigC aren't going to be passing out hemp bags as a substitute for the banned plastic this month.

 

Maybe in a year or 2, given their 3 year timeframe and 2 years since they started.  Or maybe never.  I'd agree that it's likely, but I won't be wandering around in my hemp shirt any time soon.

 

[HHTel]

7 minutes ago, impulse said:

  

Your own link confirms my point.  One research institute is allowed to grow hemp for research purposes.  It's still illegal for the public to grow or possess it, so obviously 7/11 and BigC aren't going to be passing out hemp bags as a substitute for the banned plastic this month.

 

Maybe in a year or 2, given their 3 year timeframe and 2 years since they started.  Or maybe never.  I'd agree that it's likely, but I won't be wandering around in my hemp shirt any time soon.

 

Which link is that then?  Show me where it says that. Is your reading comprehension a little suspect?

 

[david555]

6 hours ago, HaleySabai said:

Apparently the 'Mom & Pop' shops are experiencing a soft boom because they still give bags....Thai-people,defiant as all-ways.????

But today at Tesco Lotus south , the plastic bags and hooks where gone , and lady cashier put all my things down on that place so I could load it in my own bag , so it seems the Thais go anyway be trained to do also ...????

[impulse]

1 minute ago, HHTel said:

Which link is that then?  Show me where it says that. Is your reading comprehension a little suspect?

 

You caught me.  You'd have to read your linked article saying the government has allowed growing hemp in a bunch of locations, plus my linked article to find out that it's just one research institute with the permit for those locations.

 

And from your own link...  

 

At present, hemp is considered an illicit drug under Thai law. Any private person found producing, importing, exporting, selling or having the plant with intent to sell faces drug possession charges.

 

Does that sound like hemp grocery bags are legal?

 

[HHTel]

9 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

You caught me.  You'd have to read your linked article saying the government has allowed growing hemp in a bunch of locations, plus my linked article to find out that it's just one research institute with the permit for those locations.

 

And from your own link...  

 

At present, hemp is considered an illicit drug under Thai law. Any private person found producing, importing, exporting, selling or having the plant with intent to sell faces drug possession charges.

 

Does that sound like hemp grocery bags are legal?

 

I was right.  Your reading comprehension is suspect.  You will notice that that statement refers to PLANTS not products.  That was never disputed.