Thailand is moving ahead quickly with new restrictions on cannabis use, with health officials announcing a plan to transform all cannabis dispensaries into medical clinics with resident doctors and standardised prescriptions.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index could fall below 1,000 points and the country’s GDP growth to less than 1% if the Thai negotiating team led by Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira cannot convince the US to lower its reciprocal tariff from 36%, analysts said on Tuesday.

The Bhumjaithai Party has accused the governing Pheu Thai Party of lacking sincerity following its decision to remove a bill to promote casinos from parliament.

US President Donald Trump unveiled the first in a wave of promised letters that threaten to impose higher tariffs rates on key trading partners, including levies of 25% on goods from Japan and South Korea beginning Aug 1.

Deputy Minister of Public Health Chaichana Dechdecho on Monday acknowledged rising HIV infection rates among young people and announced plans to sign memorandums of understanding with educational institutions to distribute condoms and provide sexual health education.

Cannabis advocates settled in for a long rally outside the Public Health Ministry in Nonthaburi province on Monday, protesting against perceived moves to recriminalise it.