Last updated on September 13th, 2024 at 03:33 am
- Why It Matters: This case highlights the ongoing challenges of integrating legal cannabis farming into residential areas in Thailand.
- Driving The News: A cannabis farm in Bangkok’s Phra Khanong district has sparked significant neighborhood complaints due to strong odors and other disturbances.
- Zoom In: Despite efforts by the farm owner to mitigate the impact, neighbors remain unconvinced and continue to demand the farmโs relocation.
BANGKOK, THAILAND โ A legal cannabis farm in the Phra Khanong district has become the center of a heated dispute between the farm owner and local residents. Neighbors have lodged numerous complaints about strong odors, noise, and moisture issues emanating from the farm, with some residents, including an 84-year-old woman, experiencing physical discomfort such as dry throat, headaches, and nausea.
The farm’s owner, identified only as MS. A, has invited authorities and the media to inspect the premises, confident in her compliance with legal standards. She showed reporters the official permits and explained that her farm, which houses around 80 young cannabis plants, is equipped with dehumidifiers, carbon dioxide tanks, and air purifiers to minimize its impact on the surrounding area.
However, neighbors, including MS. OOM, remain dissatisfied, citing that the smell became unbearable during the plants’ flowering phase in June. They also claim that the moisture from the farm has caused damage to shared walls and furniture, leading to a demand for compensation amounting to 291,698 baht.
Despite MS. A’s assurances and efforts to reduce the nuisance, the neighborhood remains tense. Residents argue that such a farm is inappropriate in a residential area, especially one with vulnerable individuals like the elderly. While MS. A has expressed her intention to relocate after her lease expires in four months, neighbors are pushing for an immediate cessation of the farm’s operations.
Local authorities have intervened, conducting smell tests at the site, which revealed varying levels of odor intensity. The farm was previously found to have odor levels above acceptable limits, prompting officials to mandate improvements. Should the farm fail to comply with these orders, the owner could face legal consequences, including fines and potential imprisonment.
