we've arrived in bangkok not too long ago, and i am curious as to the legal status of any potentially psychoactive plants, ie: various seeds (woodrose, elephant creeper, morning glory), acacia roots, etc. i've skimmed through 17 pages of a "thailand" search here at nexus, but not so much what i'm looking for. does anyone know where i could search for the legal statuses?

EDIT: i feel i should add, everyone i've talked to out here have simply said "it's illegal" not knowing what i'm talking about. for instance, i mentioned soaking morning glory seeds (figuring they have such an innocent popular image back in u.s.) in wine and i mostly drew blanks o_O before having them tell me any psychoactives are illegal. either they don't really get the difference we make in the u.s. between unprocessed plants and drugs, or thai law simply doesn't care. i didn't get into this though. some conversations were not meant to be



also, if you can't help with any of the above, it might be good to hear about any experiences you've had here involving psychedelics.

I would check the archives at erowid.org, they have a wealth of info.

from what i've seen they don't have much on thai law, although i'll take another look.

Drug penalties in Thailand are harsh, and you may find the laws suit those enforcing them. I suggest you read "The Damage Done", just to scare yourself a bit before you get carried away.
Thailand is an amazingly hospitable country and Thai's tend to welcome anyone of a kind respectful nature.

IMO an important truth that many are blind to is that LAWS are one thing, ENFORCEMENT is another. If you want to know the actual conditions you will be under in any country, then understanding the laws AND how they're enforced is necessary.

One fact about many "less than first world countries" (and that includes Thailand) is that police work is mostly an entrepreneurial profession: the cops make most of their money on the little "fines" they impose on people committing "victimless crimes" like improper driving, etc. So in many cases, staying calm and allowing the policeman in question to come to understand that you are willing to "pay any necessary fines" right on the spot to him, will end the problem.

Drug DEALING (unless you're a drug dealer PROTECTED by the police) is entirely another matter. I think it's because such countries depend on financial aid from first world countries...but many DO promote law enforcement prosecution (and persecution) of drug TRAFFICKING. As a consequence, even police officers on the beat may pass up a chance for a substantial "fine" and make a drug arrest--because it is a desired outcome, and might result in promotion for them (where they are then in a position to extract BIGGER "fines" on occasion). Start buying/selling large quantities of drugs in Thailand and you may one day VERY MUCH wish you hadn't.

The true bottom line (anywhere) is: If you can get away with it, you can do it. A wise person will put much more worry and effort into consideration of how to AVOID TROUBLE with police in the first place, and less in getting strict definitions of what the written laws are.

hello, i've been to Thailand many times. The best advice i can give is DO NOT do drugs in thailand!!

-If you do HAVE to do drugs, then on the southern island of KO PAN GAN you can order happy shroom shakes, etc- but these are expensive, and sometimes don't work-like for me! Grass is available and good, but if you are caught- and roach ends are eveidence, then a MASSIVE fine is the only way out. also beware of setups. BASICALLY, leave your seeds at home, drink alcohol and have nice food, massages, and lots and lots of hot sex instead!

+1

Besides, there are plenty of people waiting to scam the drunken farang. Be safe & Enjoy the beauty that land has to offer!

That book was shocking, gave it to my friend to read on the plane last year when he flew to south east asia! lol Ive heard theres a good psychedelic scene in parts of cambodia, also heard mushrooms grow a few times a year in cambodia, cheaper than thailand too!

In reference to Cambodia, there has been a recent "crackdown" on drugs where lots of the main players have been routed out to "make an example", etc. (How much of an impact this has made is uncertain as of yet, considering that the amount of drugs getting moved about must still be massive.)

-One such place being " the happy hippi guesthouse " who was an australian that had been freely selling all kinds of drugs ( ice, meth pills, heroin, ecstacy , 2cb, bubblehash, ganja, lsd, ketamine) for almost 10 years untill he recently got done. He was renting a property from an ex highly ranked police officer, and thought he was untouchable!

-To be honest i wasn't realy aware of there being a psychadelic scene there at all. the most popular drug was ganja, and the other one being ice, and then yaba or meth pills-of which the hippy had the best.

-Laos, certainly had some fantastic shrooms when i was in Vang Vieng, though. As WELL AS HAVING A SMURF LIKE FANTASY LANDSCAPE!

-Cambodia used to have an "anything goes" attitude to drugs,as opposed to Thailands view. However , things ARE slowly changing.

It is a good one yes, the guy in question must've gone through a terrible time emotionally and it really shows. The Thai's are very hardline, you only have to admire their national past time, Muay Thai, to appreciate their cultural mindset. Certainly one of the few ways I appreciate exercise as I am more of the lazy kind.

Another excellent travelers story-time book is http://www.marchingpowder.com/, though I have never been there.

Christian, "The happy hippi guesthouse" doesn't help narrow it down ;P. I definitely found ganja absolutely everywhere I went though. I have to say tubing in Laos is easily one of the best experiences I have had in my life.

I had to rush through Cambodia as I got stuck in Stung Treng with no cash and no means to get any! Luckily I befriended some locals who put me up in a hotel, and lent me money for a bus to Phnom Phen, as well as getting me absolutely hammered and feeding me snake (I was a vegetarian at the time.) Amazing people! Crashed through to Angkor Wat, which is where my avatar is from. Absolutely incredible.

Arggghh I want to go back

True, Moz, there's Ganja all over the place in Cambodia, laos, etc. However the Happy hippi (in Sihanoukville) DID deal in some better grass than the usual moto dop stuff. This was a fact well known by the Sihanoukville pot heads. He also had fresh, pure Ice , and better meth pills than usual ( so i have been told ).

- The current drugs crackdown in Cambodia, is really aimed more at the hard stuff, or main dealers with big ganja quantities though.

- I love Cambodia, and Laos, and will surely return pretty soon ...

Yes ive also read marching powder, great book! Any other books you know of like that moz?

My friend had told me there was a good few folks into psychedelics and a few psychedelic rock bands, this was a few months ago. I dont know ive never been but planning to visit some time next year.

My friend asked do you know if the happy hippy is in jail? Cheers

Here's this!

-Is the hippy in Jail?...Check out those photos!!

http://www.farangtalk.co...ead.php?t=836&page=1