Kratom Use in Thailand: History, Effects & Benefits (2026)
Kratom in Thailand has a history stretching back hundreds of years. The tree is native to Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, and its broad leaves have long been chewed by field workers seeking energy during labor under the hot sun. The leaves are also brewed into tea.
These practices have particularly deep roots in the southern provinces, including Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, where many Thai Muslims live. In those communities, kratom has been used as a traditional remedy, a drink shared with others, and an alternative to alcohol, which is prohibited in Islam.
Traditional Kratom Use in Southern Thailand
Chewing a fresh leaf and sharing a pot of kratom tea are related traditions, but they serve different purposes. Chewing allowed field workers to use kratom as they went about their day. Tea took preparation and could be served to friends and neighbors, making it part of a gathering as well as an individual habit.
Southern Thai folk healers also used kratom for particular ailments. A record of traditional healing practices in southern Thailand describes some of these uses. It offers a picture of how people used the plant; it does not, by itself, establish that kratom treats each condition.
In another study, southern villagers discussed why they preferred chewing leaves or drinking kratom tea to drinking alcohol, smoking cannabis, or smoking cigarettes. They described kratom as something that made them feel energetic, happy, and more sociable. The researchers also recorded a tradition of offering kratom leaves to God when seeking help.
Those accounts describe fresh leaves and tea within community life. They should not automatically be applied to every kratom product sold today. A commercially bottled drink, for example, may contain other ingredients, while a powder or extract can be quite different from chewing a leaf.
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Thai Kratom Benefits, Effects, and Risks
Kratom has traditionally been used for various medicinal purposes in Thailand. There are three strains of Thai kratom: white, green, and red (which correspond to the age of the leaf, red being the most mature). White kratom is said to be more energizing (like a coffee buzz but with less jitteriness); green kratom more uplifting (like a cup of coffee mixed with a shot of Baileys); and red kratom more sedating: thus it is used most often as a sleep aid, pain reliever, and as an alcohol substitute by heavy drinkers who would like to stop drinking. These color strains are seen in the center vein of the kratom leaf.
Most kratom users in Thailand are not that picky about the different strains of kratom (i.e. age of leaf), or are even aware of the differences. All three strains can have similar effects, depending on dosage. Kratom in small doses has a more stimulating effect, and in larger doses a more sedating effect.
The potential therapeutic benefits of kratom, according to traditional Thai medicine, include:
1. Pain relief: Kratom contains alkaloids that can interact with the body’s opioid receptors, which may help to relieve pain and discomfort.
2. Mood enhancement: Kratom can also have mood-enhancing effects, which may help to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
3. Energy and focus: Kratom has stimulating effects and can help to increase energy and focus, making it popular among manual laborers and those who need to work for long hours.
4. Relaxation and stress relief: Kratom can also have sedative effects, which may help to promote relaxation and reduce stress and tension.
5. Addiction recovery: Kratom has been used as an alternative to opioids for individuals seeking to overcome addiction to prescription painkillers or heroin.
6. Digestive aid: Kratom has been used traditionally to help with digestive issues such as diarrhea, constipation, and stomach cramps.
7. Blood sugar regulator: Kratom has been used to manage blood sugar levels in people with Diabetes II.
These benefits are based largely on traditional use and reports from kratom users. Researchers in Thailand are also studying the plant. For example, one study examined kratom use and lipid profiles in relation to cardiovascular health.
Kratom should not be mixed with alcohol, and it can be abused. Heavy usage can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms. The effects of long-term use are still being studied.
How to Make Kratom Tea in Thailand
While kratom users in the United States often talk about “toss and wash,” which means tossing a spoonful of kratom powder into your mouth and washing it down with something like orange juice, this is a rather disgusting practice. The traditional way of making kratom tea in Thailand is to place 10–15 leaves in a large pot of water on the stove, bring it to a boil, reduce heat, and let steep for an hour.
Then remove the leaves and squeeze in the juice of several limes. Sugar or honey is sometimes added, but it is not necessary, as the added lime reduces the bitterness of the kratom and makes for an excellent hot tea or iced tea.
You can also make kratom iced tea in Thailand by filling a blender or juicer with water, adding 4–6 kratom leaves, and blending on high to pulverize the leaves. Then strain out the plant matter, add lime juice, and chill in the refrigerator. This makes for an excellent tasting tea, but some people do add a cup of regular green or black tea, which enhances the flavor.
If you want to make tea using kratom powder, you will find that the powder never really dissolves well. Therefore, one popular way to make kratom tea with powder is to mix a tablespoon of powder into a mug of kettle-hot water. Let the powder steep for 30 minutes.
Stir the concoction and pour into the filter of a coffeemaker. If desired, add some raw green or black tea. Then run a full pot of water through the coffeemaker. You’ll now have a full pot of kratom tea. Add lots of lime juice to the pot and drink hot or chill in the refrigerator for iced tea.
How to Pronounce Kratom: Thai Etymology
You will often hear Westerners pronounce kratom as “kray-tuhm”. For example, comedian Joe Rogan has pronounced it this way when talking about kratom on his popular podcast. However, the English word comes from the Thai name of the tree, กระท่อม. An approximation of the Thai pronunciation for English speakers is “gruh-tâwm”.
Kratom Leaves, Drinks, and Powder in Thailand
Fresh leaves are the form most closely associated with traditional chewing and home-brewed tea. Boiled-leaf drinks are another familiar form, though a commercially bottled drink may contain additional ingredients. Powder is made from dried, ground leaves. Processed foods and extracts are further categories, and the rules for making or selling a processed product may differ from those governing fresh leaves.
After kratom was removed from Thailand’s narcotics list in 2021, roadside sellers of leaves and bottled tea appeared in many places, but largely have disappeared due to new regulations. A batch of around a dozen leaves used to cost approximately 30–40 baht, while roughly one-third of a kilogram cost around 70 baht. Bottles of iced tea were around 40–80 baht, depending on their size.
Kratom leaves sold by Thai vendors are usually green, occasionally white, and rarely red. If you are looking for red kratom leaves online, the Thai search phrase is ใบกระท่อมก้านแดง. Leaves have been listed on marketplaces such as Lazada.co.th and Shopee.co.th, although availability changes. A kilogram bag of mixed leaves is usually listed for around 150–250 baht in 2026.
Powder has also been sold online and in some shops, though it has become harder to find from some marketplace vendors. Selling processed kratom products can involve requirements beyond those for selling fresh leaves.
Kratom Laws in Thailand: A Short Timeline
Kratom may be legal in Thailand today, but its legal status has changed considerably over the past century:
- 1943: Thailand restricted kratom under the Kratom Plant Act. Legal history of kratom in Thailand
- Later narcotics controls: Kratom was subsequently classified as a Category 5 narcotic. Legal history of kratom in Thailand
- 2021: Thailand removed kratom from its list of narcotics, allowing its open return to everyday life and commerce. The 2021 legal change
- 2022: The Kratom Plant Act established rules governing its sale, advertising, and use, including protections for people under 18 and for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Thai government explanation of the act
- 2025: Additional restrictions on selling kratom leaves and boiled-leaf drinks took effect on October 12. These included a ban on itinerant and stall sales and restrictions on sales near schools. Thai government enforcement notice
Some people have interpreted kratom’s prohibition in connection with politics in southern Thailand or the displacement of traditional medicine by modern drugs. These are interpretations rather than established reasons for the 1943 law. What is clear is that prohibition did not erase kratom’s traditional use. A study of attitudes toward kratom and decriminalization in southern Thailand describes the difference between its former legal classification and the way people in local communities viewed it.
Legalization also does not mean every kratom product can be sold in every setting. The Kratom Plant Act governs the plant and products containing it, while processed foods and other commercial products may be subject to additional requirements. The 2025 restrictions specifically address where and how leaves and boiled-leaf drinks may be sold. Thai government explanation of the sales restrictions
Frequently Asked Questions About Kratom in Thailand
Is kratom legal in Thailand?
Yes. Thailand removed kratom from its narcotics list in 2021, but laws still regulate its sale and use.
Can tourists buy kratom in Thailand?
The sales restrictions discussed above do not establish a separate ban on purchases by tourists. A visitor still needs to buy it from a seller operating within the applicable rules. Laws in other countries may differ, so its legal status in Thailand should not be taken as permission to carry it across a border.
Can kratom tea be sold by roadside vendors?
The answer depends on how and where it is sold. Restrictions that took effect in October 2025 prohibit itinerant and stall sales of boiled-leaf drinks, as well as certain sales near schools. Thai government enforcement notice
Is kratom the same as cannabis?
No. Kratom comes from Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia. Cannabis is a different plant, governed by different rules in Thailand.
What is กระท่อม in English?
In this context, กระท่อม is the Thai name for the plant called kratom in English.
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