Last year Thailand decriminalised the possession and sale of Kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia whose leaves are used as a mild stimulant and painkiller. While working in the Thai south I photographed the process of making the Kratom based drink, 4x100, which remains illegal in the country. I also met many families who had relatives and friend’s in prison for possession and use of Kratom. Thousands of legal cases for the possession or sale of Kratom were being dropped, and 121 inmates convicted in such cases would be released immediately. The decriminalisation of Kratom, which involved removing the drug from the official list of controlled narcotics, is the country’s latest move to liberalise its drug laws. In the past two years, Thailand has allowed regulated medical marijuana use as well as the licensed buying and growing of marijuana, and permitted households to grow up to six plants. Harsh penalties remain for hard drugs such as heroin and methamphetamine.
In Thailand, especially in the countries impoverished deep south. it is mixed with a caffeinated beverage such as Coca-Cola and cough syrup to create the drink called 4x100. Often consumed by young Muslims men, this drink is said to have effects similar to alcohol intoxication. However in that form it remains illegal.
Nimu Makaje, a Muslim community leader in Thailand’s southern province of Yala, expressed concern about abuse of the plant.
“If we are legalizing it, we need to have proper controlling measures,” he told The Associated Press. “Currently, a lot of people have lost their jobs and they may use it to reduce their stress. This is very dangerous.”
Ramdin Areeabdulsorma, a local politician in nearby Pattani province, said kratom has been part of local people’s daily life since a long ago, helping them feel refreshed.
“To decriminalize kratom is the right thing to do. Local people or patients who need it will be able to access it more easily. However, I am concerned that teenagers will use it in a wrong way, for example, mixing kratom with other narcotics. We have to control this strictly, otherwise, it can cause damage,” he said.