Last updated on September 26th, 2023 at 08:17 am
In a recent live interview with THE STANDARD on September 15th, Thailand’s 30th Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, addressed various pressing issues. The interview was conducted by Ken-Nakorn Wanichthaipibul.
Srettha highlighted that some policies, which were initially promised, had to be altered or dropped due to disagreements among the 11 coalition parties. He emphasized that even though they had a significant vote count, they had to listen to all voices once in power. Especially when coalition parties proposed good policies, they had to adjust the budget accordingly before any ministry announcements.
When questioned about the cannabis policy, which is a significant policy of the Bhum Jai Thai Party, Srettha clarified that he firmly believes in cannabis for medical purposes. He gave credit to Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, noting that Anutin never discussed this matter with him, nor did the Bhum Jai Thai Party. Mutual respect was maintained throughout their interactions.
Addressing concerns about the impact on individuals under 18 and a section of society that disapproves, Srettha expressed concerns about widespread drug addiction, which he believes is a national issue. He mentioned that drug issues, especially in various provinces, are as significant as poverty issues. As for introducing cannabis for recreational purposes, he firmly stated his disagreement, and this stance is consistent with the current government’s position.
