"What is the 'tea' drunk at a Thai cafe that caused 'breathing difficulty'... Tourist dies"

Muslim Tourists Regulars at the Cafe
Children Hospitalized After Eating Marijuana Cookies Last March
Korean Tourists Advised to Be Cautious with Food in Thailand

A foreign tourist died after drinking tea containing cannabis ingredients at a cafe in Pattaya, Thailand.

Drank Cannabis Tea and Said "I Can't Breathe"... Eventually Passed Away

A hemp cafe located on Khaosan Road in Bangkok, Thailand. This photo is not directly related to the content of the article.
[Photo by Reuters·Yonhap News]

According to local media Nation on the 31st, a foreign tourist lost consciousness and collapsed after drinking cannabis tea at a cannabis cafe on Walking Street, the central area of the famous Thai resort Pattaya, the day before.

Rescue teams rushed to the scene and transported the tourist to a hospital, but the person ultimately lost their life.

The police did not disclose the nationality of the deceased but reported that the person was Muslim.

Before collapsing, the deceased reportedly said, "I suddenly can't breathe," and the exact cause of death has not yet been determined.

The cafe staff stated that the deceased was a frequent customer who always ordered cannabis tea and water but did not smoke marijuana.

Was the 'Cannabis Lock Release' Premature? Children Hospitalized After Eating Cannabis Cookies

Snacks suspected to have been smuggled into Thailand. There is a label indicating the presence of cannabis ingredients.
[Photo by Facebook capture]

Thailand was the first country in Asia to legalize medical cannabis in 2018, and since June last year, cannabis has been removed from the list of narcotics and home cultivation has been permitted.

As a result, cannabis has permeated everyday life in Thailand, from cannabis dispensaries to cafes selling cannabis-infused tea and snacks, restaurants offering cannabis-containing dishes such as cannabis noodles, and convenience stores stocking items like water and toothpaste with cannabis ingredients.

Researchers at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) forecast that Thailand's cannabis market will grow approximately 15% annually from this year through 2025. The market size is expected to increase from 28 billion baht (about 1 trillion 400 billion KRW) last year to 43 billion baht (about 1 trillion 6,000 billion KRW) in 2025.

However, major foreign media outlets have criticized the government for lifting restrictions without properly establishing related regulations.

Thai authorities prohibit sales to minors and pregnant women and require that foods containing cannabis display ingredients and warning messages on their packaging. Nevertheless, minors continue to be exposed to cannabis ingredients in snacks and beverages without protection.

In March, multiple children were hospitalized after consuming snacks with excessive cannabis content.

In the May general election, the Move Forward Party (MFP), which became the largest party, along with seven other opposition parties, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to form a coalition government, adopting the reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic as one of their key policies. However, political confusion has prolonged as the prime minister has yet to be elected.

Koreans Need to Be Cautious of Cannabis-Containing Foods When Traveling in Thailand

Meanwhile, Koreans who possess or inhale cannabis abroad and test positive for cannabis ingredients upon re-entry to Korea will be punished according to the law. Cannabis ingredients can be detected in hair even after one year.

In Thailand, signs or menus indicate the presence of cannabis, so even if someone unknowingly consumes it, they may be subject to punishment.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Korea advises that possession or use of cannabis can result in up to five years imprisonment, and smuggling cannabis can lead to a maximum life sentence.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.