The journey of traditional herb kratom – from banned narcotic to legal cash crop

13 Sept 14:19 Key points summarised by AI

Kratom, a traditional Southeast Asian herb, was used for centuries for medicinal purposes and as an energy booster, despite concerns about overconsumption.
Thailand banned kratom in 1943, primarily for economic reasons to protect the government's opium monopoly, and later classified it as a Category 5 narcotic.
After decades of prohibition, Thailand fully legalized kratom on August 24, removing it from the controlled substances list and nullifying related legal penalties.
This legalization led to the release of thousands of inmates and positions kratom to become a regulated cash crop, with an upcoming bill to govern its industrial use and restrict sales to vulnerable groups.

Lamphun in a New Light

Today 15:02 Key points summarised by AI

Lamphun illuminates its ancient city with two concurrent light festivals: the high-tech VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN and the traditional Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival.
VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN transforms historic landmarks into an outdoor gallery, using projections and multimedia to animate Lamphun's history, including Queen Chamadevi's story.
The Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival, part of Yi Peng, fills temples and streets with countless traditional lanterns, symbolizing Buddhist devotion and personal wishes.
These festivals offer a unique after-dark experience, blending contemporary light art with centuries-old Lanna traditions, connecting visitors to Lamphun's past and faith.