BANGKOK, Jan 13 (TNA) – Industry Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has ordered the Thai Industrial Standards Institute to quickly announce an industrial standard for kratom leaf extract to promote related products after the kratom plant was removed from the country’s narcotic list.
The board of TISI resolved on Dec 21, 2021, to introduce an industrial standard for kratom leaf extract to increase its economic value. The extract can be used as a raw material for the production of medicine, food and beverages and the new industrial standard will enhance the competitiveness of such products in local and global markets.
TISI secretary-general Banjong Sukreetha said kratom leaves contain 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine which were narcotic alkaloids and central nervous system depressants with stimulating effects.
The standard that TISI will announce will control the amount of the narcotic substances because excessive consumption will cause dizziness, nausea and vomiting as well as anxiety and hallucination in some cases. Mr Banjong expected the standard for kratom leaf extract would be introduced within this year. (TNA)
