BangkokPost-Mar 5

The drug problem among youth in Thailand has reached the crisis stage because narcotics — cannabis, kratom and methamphetamine — have become so easily accessible, according to an analysis by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth). The crisis requires urgent action amid concerns about insufficient public health resources, said Rungarun Limlahaphan, director of the office of major risk factor control at ThaiHealth.  Data from the Juvenile Observation and Protection Department shows that out of 13,631 youths prosecuted in 2024 for criminal offences, 8,971 had a history of drug use.  The figures show narcotics have become a threat that now reaches young people at lower stages of the education system. The major concern is the younger age of drug users, with some found to be as young as 11.

ThaiHealth and Rocket Media Lab recently collaborated on an analysis of ongoing drugrelated behaviors and risk factors among young people. Among its findings, methamphetamine remains the most widely used substance, but use of cannabis and kratom has risen sharply since decriminalization. More youths were also mixing harmful chemicals due to misguided beliefs about enhancing intoxication. Online markets have become the main distribution channel, especially X, which accounted for 68% of drugrelated posts. Emojis are used to disguise drug names and evade monitoring systems. The number of people seeking treatment in 2025 was estimated at 260,000, far exceeding the capacity of the public health system. Thailand faces a shortage of addiction psychiatrists, which is a major challenge that requires action from all sectors to ensure youths can return to society as healthy, productive individuals, said Satichai Arpornsiri, managing editor of Rocket Media Lab. Read more at: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3210399/?tbref=hp.