Substances now banned in Thailand — and why old stock in the shed is a problem

The list of agricultural chemicals that may be used in Thailand is not fixed. The Hazardous Substance Committee reviews it and issues changes from time to time. Some substances have been reclassified as hazardous substances that may not be produced, imported, exported or possessed, which means that even just keeping them is against the law.

The clearest example

Paraquat and chlorpyrifos were banned in Thailand with effect from 1 June 2020 (B.E. 2563). Glyphosate was not banned, but its use was placed under conditions more restrictive than before.

Real problems after the ban

Leftover stock in the shed. On many farms, old bottles are still sitting forgotten in a corner of the shed. Possessing them after the notification takes effect is an offence, and pouring them onto the ground or into water to "get rid of them" creates a bigger problem than before. The right way is to contact the district agricultural office and ask how to return or dispose of them properly.

Unlabelled products. Some farmers buy chemicals repacked for resale in water bottles or bags with no label. There is no way to check what such a product is or whether it is on the banned list, and it is doubly dangerous because the containers used are often food containers.

Substances still on sale in shops are not always legal. Smuggled products and old stock do exist. The simplest check is to look for the hazardous substance registration number on the label. If there is no registration number, do not buy it.

How to find out what the current list is

The notifications in force are public information published by the Department of Agriculture, and the district agricultural office can answer your questions. Do not rely on chat groups or word of mouth, because this can change and getting it wrong carries legal penalties.

Why this article does not list every substance

Because the list can change, and an out-of-date list on a web page is more dangerous than no list at all. A farmer reading it next year might assume that anything not on this list is allowed, when it may already have been added.
Important note
This article explains general safety principles. It is not a recommendation to use any particular chemical. Mixing rates, the crops a product may be used on and the waiting periods required differ by product and change with government notifications. Always treat the product label as the authority, and consult an agricultural specialist or our staff before deciding to use it.