In brief
Thailand represents the most richly documented historical context of kratom. In the southern provinces the tree has been part of traditional agricultural life for centuries. After decades of prohibition (1943-2021), Thailand decriminalised the possession and home cultivation of the leaf for ordinary use in 2021.
The traditional role in southern Thailand
In the provinces of Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla, kratom (Thai kratom or thom) was a common part of the everyday life of farmers and workers on rubber plantations. The traditional practice was chewing the fresh leaf - described as a means against fatigue during long shifts in a tropical climate. Ethnographic works (Tanguay 2011, Charoenratana 2022) note that kratom was integrated into rural community gatherings and rites, not into the recreational culture of the cities.
Given the nature of traditional use (fresh leaf, not a concentrated extract), exposure to alkaloids was an order of magnitude lower than with modern concentrates. In more detail in the article Ethnobotany of kratom in Southeast Asia.
The 1943 ban (Kratom Act, B.E. 2486)
In 1943 the Thai government passed the Kratom Act, B.E. 2486, which banned the cultivation of the tree, the possession of the leaf and its sale. Historical analyses (Tanguay 2011) identify economic pressure as the key reason: kratom was a cheaper substitute for opium, the state monopoly on which formed a significant source of government revenue. The political justification for the ban cited public health, but archival material shows a primarily fiscal motivation.
In practice the ban was difficult to enforce - in the southern provinces traditional use continued despite formal illegality, and the trees survived in semi-cultivated stands around villages.
Gradual relaxation (2018 medical use, 2021 decriminalisation)
In 2018 Thailand passed an amendment to the narcotics law that allowed the medical use of kratom under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Health. This was part of a broader reform that also permitted the medical use of cannabis. Under this amendment kratom was classified as a medicinal plant with distribution restricted to registered facilities.
In 2021 a full decriminalisation followed - kratom was removed from the Category V narcotics list, and possession of the leaf for personal use ceased to be a criminal offence. The cultivation of home trees was permitted without a licence (up to a few per household), while commercial sale remained regulated.
Current situation
As of 2025-2026, the following regime applies in Thailand:
- Possession of fresh leaf for personal use is legal.
- Home cultivation of a few trees is permitted.
- Sale and commercial distribution require registration with the Thai FDA.
- Export to third countries is subject to special permits.
- Advertising kratom aimed at minors is prohibited.
Thailand today is, alongside Indonesia, a significant producer of kratom, although its export volume remains an order of magnitude lower. More in the article Indonesia as the world's kratom supplier.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Thailand ban kratom in 1943?
Historical analyses point to economic reasons - kratom was a cheaper substitute for opium, the state monopoly on which formed a significant source of budget revenue. Public health was cited as a secondary justification.
Who pushed for its return?
The reform was supported by the academic community (especially researchers from Thai universities) and community groups from the southern provinces. Politically it was part of a broader drug-policy reform led by the Ministry of Justice.
Is kratom legal in Thailand today?
Yes, since 2021 it has been decriminalised for personal use and home cultivation. Commercial sale remains regulated.
Can kratom be brought from Thailand into the EU?
From the standpoint of Thai law, yes (with an export licence); from the standpoint of the destination EU country it depends on national regulation. In the Czech Republic, from 1 January 2026 the PML regime for imports applies.
References
- Tanguay P. (2011). Kratom in Thailand: Decriminalisation and Community Control? Series on Legislative Reform of Drug Policies, No. 13. Transnational Institute.
- Charoenratana S. et al. (2022). Attitudes towards Kratom Use, Decriminalization and the Sustainable Development Goals in Thailand. International Journal of Drug Policy, 99, 103473.
- Singh D. et al. (2016). Traditional and non-traditional uses of Mitragyna speciosa. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 192, 24-34.
