Thailand’s cannabis industry is setting its sights on international markets—starting with Europe and Australia—but only a handful of farms are ready to meet global standards.
As Thailand’s domestic cannabis legislation remains in limbo, some of the country’s most advanced operators are looking outward—toward international export markets.
With its strategic climate, low production costs, and an early start in Asia’s cannabis race, Thailand is uniquely positioned to become a medical cannabis export hub. But there’s a catch: the bar for entry is high, and only a few farms have the certifications to compete.
“We’re in talks with buyers in Germany and Australia,” says Saruda W., co-founder of a GACP- and GMP-certified cultivation facility in northern Thailand. “They love the quality of our flower, but the paperwork and compliance are brutal.”
Europe, in particular, is emerging as a key target. Countries like Germany, the UK, and the Czech Republic are expanding medical access, creating high demand for imported cannabis—provided it meets EU-GMP and GACP standards.
Australia is another attractive market, thanks to its growing patient base and its preference for imported cannabis.
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently confirmed that over 15 local farms have achieved GACP certification, with several in the process of pursuing GMP for processing facilities. Still, the vast majority of Thai growers remain focused on the domestic market, which is largely unregulated and doesn’t require international compliance.
“Exporting isn’t just about quality. It’s about documentation, traceability, and consistency,” says Noppawan Trakulchai, a regulatory consultant helping Thai farms navigate the export process. “Most growers aren’t ready for that.”
Despite the hurdles, industry experts believe exports could be Thailand’s golden ticket—especially if the domestic regulatory environment becomes more restrictive.
“There’s a window here,” says Trakulchai. “If Thailand moves fast and smart, it can dominate the Asian medical cannabis supply chain.”
As the government inches closer to finalising its cannabis legislation, the eyes of the industry remain fixed on two things: what’s happening in Parliament and what’s happening across the border.