Start with the rules, not the custom#
Etiquette sits on top of the law. In Thailand cannabis is controlled by Ministry of Public Health rules, and the general smoking rules apply in public places too. Good manners will not fix a legal problem, so start with what is allowed and then think about how to behave.
Sharing, selling or taking product out of a shop is not allowed. Keep your purchase for yourself, and do not offer it to anyone you meet.
Where you can smoke#
Smoking in public places is restricted, and many venues ban it outright. Hotels, shopping centres, condominiums, public transport and most restaurants have their own rules. Assume the answer is no unless the venue tells you otherwise.
Private spaces are different, but they are not automatically safe. Check with the host or building manager first, and never smoke in shared areas, lifts or corridors.
Ask before you light up#
If you are unsure, ask. A simple question to staff or your host is always better than a fine or a complaint. Watch what others do, and follow the venue's lead rather than the habits of the place you came from.
Be aware of the people around you. Some people will not want smoke near them, and children and older people may find it unpleasant. Move away or stop when someone asks you to.
Respect in shops and at home#
Shop staff work within the rules, and they are often asked the same questions all day. Be polite, ask clearly and accept a no. Do not photograph staff or other customers without asking, and do not film inside a shop unless staff agree.
In someone's home, keep your own product in your bag, respect any rule they set and leave the place as you found it.
Public conduct and dress#
Thai culture values calm, respectful behaviour in public. Keep your voice down, avoid loud displays and do not treat cannabis as a joke in front of locals. Dress for the place you visit, and show respect around temples and other religious sites, where cannabis has no place at all.
The safest approach is simple: buy legally, keep it private, smoke only where it is clearly allowed and ask when you are not certain.
Travel with the rules in your bag#
Carry the receipt and any prescription or consultation paperwork when you move between shops and your hotel. Officers and hotel staff are more likely to ask questions when a visitor has something they cannot explain, and paperwork keeps a short conversation short.
Do not carry cannabis across borders, and do not bring it onto flights. The rules for leaving Thailand are separate from the rules for buying inside it, and a product that is fine at a licensed shop can still cause a serious problem at an airport.
Working out the local norms#
Thai social life is built on politeness and on not making other people uncomfortable. Cannabis is still a sensitive subject for many Thai families and older residents, so keep the topic private, keep your voice down and avoid any display in shared spaces.
Respect the staff. Shop assistants are working under rules, and they cannot help you properly if you press them to break those rules. Be patient when a shop asks for paperwork, and accept a no without argument. A polite visitor gets a better, faster service.
Clean up after yourself. Dispose of packaging in a bin, do not leave receipts or empty packs on tables, and take anything you brought back with you. Small habits like these make visitors easier to welcome and keep the shops in good standing with their neighbours.
Ask before you photograph. Staff, other customers and passers-by have not agreed to appear in your pictures, so ask first, keep the camera away from the counter and never post images that show a shop's back room or its paperwork.