Caretaker Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong and Caretaker Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin signed the joint announcement yesterday (Sept 11) to designate prohibited locations, methods, or characteristics for selling kratom leaves, reports the Bangkok Post.
The announcement said the regulation is grounded in the Kratom Plant Act BE 2565 (2022), which already restricts the sale, advertising, and consumption of kratom.
Also featured among the key provisions is a ban on selling kratom by hawking or from stalls in public spaces. The Act also prohibits sales in educational institutions, dormitories, public parks, zoos, amusement parks, and through vending machines.
The measure will take effect 30 days after its publication in the Royal Gazette, with violators facing fines of up to B50,000.
It further seeks to safeguard minors, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers from the health risks associated with excessive consumption.
Authorities said the new regulation was prompted by widespread concerns over the availability of kratom, which is often sold by hawkers and roadside stalls, including near schools. This easy access has raised fears of misuse among young people.