What is the current situation regarding mandatory urine tests for drug use in Thailand, especially in rural areas like Isaan?

Jan 10, 2025
9 days ago
Bob ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anyone here, heard of this mandated urine test...?? I'm an hour away from the closest "city" I'm southern in issan...live stock country... all info I have found is about harassment type behavior by bad cops...at dui inspection...anyone know about small towns???
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TLDR : Answer Summary
In Thailand, especially in rural areas like Isaan, there is an increasing implementation of mandatory urine tests for drug use as part of efforts to combat drug-related problems, particularly among young adults. These tests are legally enforced and not seen as harassment by some expats who have lived there, although concerns exist about possible police misconduct. Locals and expats have shared mixed experiences regarding interactions with local police and the general effectiveness of these measures. Methods to avoid issues include staying sober while driving and understanding local laws. There are also discussions about the drug culture in Thailand, the perceived necessity of these tests for maintaining public safety, and the ongoing issues related to narcotics in the country.
Robert *********
As in most countries they can and do tests for drunk driving .

The threshold is considerably lower for those on a tourist visa ,I think 02.
Wayne *****
You do the crime you do the time.
Neill *************
Good job if done for the right reasons. I have been living in Krabi and the drug problem here with the kids AND the adults is prolific and frightening. Destroying lives everywhere. Needs a country wide crackdown in my opinion.

Of course you will continue to have corruption taking opportunistic advantage of the situation as has always been the case.

No problem for me to give random blood or urine samples.
Wendy ********
A urine test won't detect alcohol consumption, only drugs.
Mike *********
Don't do Drugs
David ******
Drug use by young adults is extremely high in Thailand. Many are smoking methamphetamine for cheap. It's a real problem unfortunately. Too cheap and too easy to get. Other drugs as well amongst the kids. 🙏🏾🙏🏾
Mikkel *******
Just don't drive if under the influence? Case solved.
Mic *****
Only a narcotics officer can ask you to piss test but they still need cause.... that being said be careful
George *******
@Mic ****
Best way to be careful is don't use drugs. I get the impression by a few comments on here that maybe there are some Farangs into that scene. Hope I'm wrong. A bad name for some usually rubs off on others.
Mic *****
George Smithyea, forsure but at the same time knowing your rites can head fake a bad cops harassment, a pee test could end up positive because .
Michael *******
Very good - might not deter the addicts, but may keep them off the road at least.
Bill ********
This is the first I've heard of this 😂
Lucas **********
@Bill *******
Straight Bullshit
Olav *********
We was in a car thath was stopped a night and the driver hade to do a urin test.
Daniel *********
Live in a small town? Start thinking like a small town. Just go to the police station with lunch for everyone 1 or twice a month for little and everyone will forget they had such tests in that town.
Dave **********
@Daniel ********
sounds like a plan if you never leave the small town.
Daniel *********
@Dave *********
why do you have to stay? Can come back anytime just show respect when you do and you won’t have problems. Anecdotal but this seems to work for me.
John ***********
@Daniel ********
my kinda town
John **********
I've been a passenger in a car a number of years ago where every driver on a busy road in Buriram was required to do a test. It was by a police station that had maybe 20 urinals specifically for the purpose. I believe they were checking for yaba
John ***********
@John *********
meth? Why is meth a problem there?
George *******
@John **********
Used to be a problem until the ex. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawat told the police to bring the dealers to justice. A lot of them were killed in ensuing police actions and border army actions. Deal with it in a hard way, don't pussy foot around it like they do in the Western countries.
John **********
@George ******
move on 20 years and the situation persists, probably more so!! Summary “justice” resolves nothing, neither here nor anywhere else in the world
Ellen *************
@John **********
they aren’t only concerned with that. There are no substances other than alcohol and nicotine that are legal in Thailand. Fair play to them, they say they are testing officials first before they allow said officials to create or enact regulations regarding drug use.
Terry ********
@Ellen ************
uhh… I think you’re a little behind the times. Marijuana is legal.
Ellen *************
@Terry *******
to a degree, no? I know two different people that had some trouble in the last couple years. 🤷🏻‍♀️
Terry ********
@Ellen ************
you’re just not supposed to smoke it where it could bother other people.
Ellen *************
@Terry *******
hm. If you say so. 👍🏼 I’m not anti by any means, but you are just sharing different info than what I’ve seen read and been told. 🤷🏻‍♀️ to each their own 💯 💨
Terry ********
@Ellen ************
if you’re in any major city here in Thailand, you can see for yourself by just walking around. There’s a pot shop on practically every corner.
Ellen *************
@Terry *******
thanks -

I wonder what my friends did to get in trouble 👀

I haven’t been there for almost 4 years. Hopefully may be back again, but India is working so well for me right now…
John **********
@John **********
yaba is a huge problem in Thailand and has been for many years
Lee **********
Just like the 100% helmet signs🙄😑 I live in said village n a big fat nothing💨
Willem ****
In chiang Mai province all goverment personel is undergoing a mandatory piss test. In about 2 weeks they already testet 40.000 samples.
Paul ********
@Willem ***
prostitution test coming !
Pygo ********
@Willem ***
government personnel, 🤣, and if they are caught doing something 'illegal' what happens?

All Thailand is corrupt and can be bought!
Dave **********
Live in Thailand and your subject to Thai Law.
Paul ********
@Dave *********
tell us something new ???
Von ******
@Dave *********
TIT!

Some Ex-Pats forget that Golden Rule… their country, their rules.
Darren **********
My village asked anyone from 14-65 to volunteer urine samples this past Christmas time. They were testing for narcotics. It was completely voluntary. I didn’t do it. Sounded really invasive to me.
Terry ********
@Darren *********
not only invasive but a waste of time. Why would anyone taking illegal drugs volunteer for a drug test?
Daniel *****
@Terry *******
easy way for them to reach quotas with minimal convictions.
Darren **********
@Terry *******
I was seriously nervous. I thought they wanted to come into my home and search. I refused and they were fine with it.
Loma ******
Thaksin and Anutin are leading a weekly crackdown on drugs. Some villages reporting mandatory drug tests. Purple rain.
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Giraffe *********
Jimmy Hendrix purple haze
Khun ************
Lived up in Issan for at least a couple years now, in very remote village locations and the local police and people couldn't be friendlier. Never stopped and always greeted and acknowledged politely. If they've come up to me, it's out of interest and liked to chat with me, often turning to football.
John ********
Why you scared of drug test?
Tim *******
@John *******
the op says he far away from the city not afraid of test, just doesnt want to travel
Paul ********
@John *******
lots of people on medication.. why dont they get the crazies off road first..come to Pattaya and check Beach Road..Jail house full on Beach evrryday..
George *******
@Paul *******
That is one of the reasons I would never consider staying in that place. Each to their own. I used to work with some guys, expats offshore who lived in Pattaya, they were into drugs of one sort or another. I stayed up in the North East in a rural community away from all that shite.
John ***********
@Paul *******
why, DWI?
Paul ********
@John **********
U gotta stop em to find out..riding cycles at 100kph in heavy foot traffic..noise violations this is supposed to have some class not a cycle rally or ego contest..whose got the loudest p osit
John *****
@John *******
he does drugs
Paul ***********
There is a big push currently to clamp down on drink driving /drug driving..

Hardly harassment, they are legally entitled to do it...
Daniel *****
@Paul **********
unless you appear obviously impaired, it's harassment.
Paul ***********
@Daniel ****
no it's not... 🤦
Daniel *****
@Paul **********
If you think the Police should have a right to stop anyone at anytime and demand body fluids, you're part of the problem
Karl ***********
@Daniel ****
its not if they should or shouldn't.......they can, this isn't your home country
Mark **********
@Daniel ****
they do have that right...it's a law not an opinion
Daniel *****
@Mark *********
yes they do. Thai Police can enter your property anytime and drug test your mum if they want. Just because they can doesn't make it right though IMO.
Mark **********
@Daniel ****
what are you talking about and if you don't like the laws in someone else's country don't go there.
Daniel *****
@Mark *********
Every country has some laws you might not agree with.
Paul ***********
@Daniel ****
🤭...I think. ❓... . I know they can..🤦

Maybe time to burn your bra somewhere else... your not in Farangistan now Skippy ❓🤣
Daniel *****
@Paul **********
Sounds like you're overdue for your next booster.
Paul ***********
@Daniel ****
oh how 2021, got no new material skippy... 🤦

You a flat Earther as well, Chemtrails ❓..🤣... Bet you are... 🤦
Daniel *****
@Paul **********
no actually. Are you born to be a compliant slave.
Paul ***********
@Daniel ****
oh dear you are one of those ain't ya ...❓ 🤣🤣
David *******
You can refuse it and ask to be taken to hospital and give a blood test instead
Michael **********
Yeah it's the latest thing
Jeff *********
The police can make you do a urine test whenever they want.
Darren *********
@Jeff ********
that's just taking the p!ss..
John *******
When u see a checkpoint, turn around. They are usually checking for drug use.
David ******
@John ******
I must admit, I just did this and was drinking on a motobike. I just stopped and turned around.
James **********
Been drinking again, hic
Joel ********
🤷‍♂️
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