PUBLISHED : 21 Oct 2026 at 13:58
UPDATED : 21 Oct 2026 at 14:33
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has submitted legal amendments that would intensify drug suppression through longer detention, greater data access for authorities and a redefinition of all drug possessors as traffickers.
Mr Anutin, in his capacity as leader of the ruling Bhumjaithai Party, led party MPs to file two bills to amend the Narcotics Code and the Narcotics Cases Procedure Act with house speaker Sophon Zaram at parliament on Wednesday.
“The government is using all resources to prevent and suppress narcotic problems,” he said.
According to the prime minister, the bills will extend the duration of police detention for drug suspects from three days to seven days to facilitate investigation. Police and narcotics control officials will also be empowered to access data deemed relevant to support drug suppression and to remove any information that encourages drug abuse.
All individuals found with drugs would be considered traffickers if the amendments are passed. At present, those with a limited amount of drugs are categorised as users rather than traffickers. The distinction allows them to opt for rehabilitation to avoid imprisonment.
Traffickers are subject to stringent punishment. Harsher punishment will also be imposed on those who using minors to carry out drug offences on their behalf.
Mr Anutin has been pushing for a stricter definition of trafficking ever since he was the public health minister in the government of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. In early 2023 he put forward a proposal that came to be known as the “one-pill rule”.
At the time, the accepted maximum for possession was 15 pills. A ministerial regulation subsequently approved in February 2024 by the Pheu Thai government stipulated that possession of five pills or more constituted intent to sell.
Mr Anutin said his government has been seriously combatting drug traffickers, noting this has resulted in gun fights against with runners in border areas and in Phetchaburi province Tuesday night.