Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) Havil.) is a plant native to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, traditionally used throughout Southeast Asia since the early 19th century to alleviate anxiety, chronic pain, and opioid withdrawal symptoms. In Thailand, Kratom thrives in the central and southern regions, favoring wet, humus-rich soils commonly found in swamps or marshlands. Historically, Kratom leaves were even served to welcome guests into homes.
Thailand first restricted Kratom in 1943 as a response to its rising popularity as a substitute for opium when the government imposed strict regulations on the illicit opium market. It was later classified as a Schedule 5 drug under the Narcotics Act of 1979, which made planting new Kratom trees illegal and mandated the destruction of existing ones.
Thailand’s stance began to shift in 2019 when the government legalized Kratom for medical purposes. However, its use remains highly regulated under strict government control, with the production, possession, and distribution of Kratom, including its leaves or extracts, requiring official licenses, as well as prescriptions for end-users to legally access Kratom-based medications. Recreational use is still strictly prohibited and punishable by fines and imprisonment.
General Guidelines Around Kratom
Kratom was officially removed from Thailand’s list of narcotic substances in 2021 and is now regulated under the Kratom Plant Act B.E. 2565 (2022), allowing the plant to be traded, used, imported, and exported. The Ministry of Public Health has also approved its use in food, drinks, food supplements, and herbal products. However, those wishing to use kratom leaves as an ingredient for drinks such as tea must first obtain a product license from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Under the FDA’s guidelines, kratom products—especially powdered leaves and kratom leaf extracts—must meet strict raw material standards, along with precise manufacturing, labeling, and approval practices. A key requirement is that powdered kratom leaves and extracts adhere to specific mitragynine content standards, as this compound is a primary marker of quality. For powdered leaves, mitragynine must constitute at least 1% of the total mass.
When incorporated into food supplements, kratom must follow strict dosage limits to ensure consumer safety. For powdered leaves, the maximum allowable dosage is 0.2 mg of mitragynine per day, while water-based kratom extracts are limited to a maximum dosage of 1 mg per day. Notably, the addition of 7-hydroxymitragynine to food supplements is strictly prohibited.
Furthermore, food supplements containing kratom must be prepared in ready-to-eat forms, such as liquids, gels, tablets, or capsules. If kratom is intended for use in non-supplement food categories, a comprehensive safety assessment is required to confirm adherence to health and safety standards.
Kratom can also be approved as an herbal product under the Thai FDA’s Herbal Product Division, which enforces its own rigorous standards and approval processes. Products classified as herbal remedies must undergo thorough testing to confirm their quality, purity, and accurate concentrations of active ingredients. The allowable daily intake of mitragynine for herbal products is capped at one milligram, reflecting the careful approach Thailand continues to take in regulating Kratom’s usage.
Manufacturing, Importing, and Exporting Kratom
Manufacturing facilities producing dietary supplements and herbal products containing kratom must conform with the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards defined under the Ministry of Public Health Announcement No. 420 (2020). These standards govern all aspects of food production, processing equipment, utensils, and storage practices to maintain product integrity and safety.
To legally import or export kratom, companies and manufacturers must obtain a license from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (NCB). Eligibility for obtaining such licenses includes Thai nationals over 20 years of age residing in Thailand, juristic persons registered under Thai law, community enterprises, and government agencies. The import and export license is valid for five years, with the requirement to notify the NCB each time kratom leaves are imported or exported. Exceptions to licensing apply to individuals traveling internationally for personal consumption, as long as the quantity remains within approved limits.
License Fees
The licensing process involves various fees, which are as follows:
- Import License: THB 5,000 per license.
- Export License: THB 5,000 per license.
- License Replacement Certificate: THB 1,000 per copy.
- License Renewal: The same amount as the original license fee.
All applications and renewals must be submitted to the Secretary-General of the NCB or an authorized representative. While electronic submissions are preferred, in-person submissions are also accepted if online submission is not feasible. Required documents include identification numbers for individuals and registration details for juristic persons.
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