Shop Overview
Four Twenty Thailand is located on Sukhumvit Soi 22 amidst the hustle and bustle of Indian restaurants, dubious massage shops and bars belonging to a not too distant era. It is not unusual, even on a Monday afternoon, to find the odd toker in front of the dispensary gently wafting smoke about, hinting at what lies ahead for the curious cannabis connoisseur. The dispensary is located on the second story of a hotel, and with each step upward from the entrance the familiar and beautiful smell of cannabis grows stronger and stronger. The door opens to an environment which feels just like returning home.
The style, feel and essence of Four Twenty Thailand is one of comfort, friendliness and approachability. There is no pushiness and absolutely no hint of pretention. The shop is laid out like an elegant, comfortable and functionable loft apartment. On one side of the shop is a well stocked shelf filled with pipes, bongs and other cannabis paraphernalia. At the opposite side customers relax on couches, stools and tables. A rolling area is available for customers (or one of the friendly staff) to prepare their joints and smoke their newly purchased cannabis. Meatball sandwiches, french fries and other munchable delicacies are available to satisfy that inevitable hunger which chases a quality smoke. In the middle of it all is the cannabis bar: An elegant and simple display of 18 strains of high quality cannabis: priced from 600 – 900bht. The staff behind the bar are attentive, quiet and patient; observing as customers peruse the many strains, ready to provide insight and recommendations, while respecting each individual customer’s process.
The cannabis is sourced from several of the well known and top growers in Thailand. About 20% of the shop’s flowers are grown directly by Tai Taveepanichpan, the proprietor of the dispensary and numerous other cannabis related ventures. Tai was kind enough to recommend and roll a White Runtz joint with flower straight from his farm. The strain, a delicious hybrid, had immediate calming and relaxing effects which lasted and grew more intense over the next 7 hours when I finally went to sleep. I purchased a second strain, Colt 45, an indica leaning hybrid, which I will review in a shorter subsequent follow up.
The concept of cannabis culture
Tai is very much a part of the shop and captures Four Twenty Thailand’s spirit. The dispensary was born out of Tai’s pre-legalization dreams and preparation. The Sukhumvit 22 shop (and its sister lifestyle venue opening August 12, 2022 off of Asoke) are the beginnings of his vision which include having a cannabis lifestyle venue in every major population and tourism center in Thailand.
His passion about everything cannabis is evident, particularly his desire to improve people’s lives through cannabis. Tai is a strong proponent of Cannabis as a focal point of development: creating jobs, stimulating the tourism industry, boosting the agricultural sector and elevating all those involved. Cannabis education, once addressed properly, will act as a catalyst for the industry and the culture, allowing both to grow in leaps and bounds. As a pioneer in the rebirth—or at least in the resuscitation of cannabis culture in Thailand, Tai hopes that he and Four Twenty Thailand are part of a strong, positive, sustainable and collaborative movement which is an example to cannabis patients and connoisseurs throughout the world.
In Tais words: “the culture had been locked away for so many decades, but just after two months—look how much it has spread and how positive it is. Look how happy people are-how positive it is-all I see are smiles all day long. People are traveling to Thailand to be part of this culture and movement. Imagine where we will be in just one year if we continue to let the market mature and let the culture develop. The key will be working together and letting quality develop without chasing greed. If we can continue doing this—we, Thailand, will be the cannabis leaders in the world.”
The Verdict
As mentioned at the outset of this article, we feel at home at Four Twenty Thailand. We also feel at home within their philosophy and goals. We highly recommend Four Twenty Thailand and look forward to observing and participating in its continued development.
