Bangkok
Thai authorities have issued a strong advisory to both domestic and international travelers, urging them not to carry or accept luggage or packages from strangers for transport abroad, as even unwitting involvement in transnational cannabis-smuggling networks could lead to severe legal consequences including up to ten years in Thai prison.
The warning comes as Thai customs and police intensify inspections at major airports following a sharp rise in smuggling attempts. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploytalay Laksameesangchan stated that officials have been directed to ramp up checks in response to reports of cannabis being smuggled out of Thailand. It remains illegal to carry, conceal, or accept payment to transport cannabis, cannabis flower, or cannabis-containing products overseas, regardless of cannabis being decriminalized inside Thailand.
While cannabis is permitted for limited medical use within Thailand, its export is strictly regulated and prohibited without proper authorization. Violations under the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017) can result in up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine equivalent to four times the value of the goods (including duty), or both. Additional penalties under the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Act B.E. 2542 (1999) and the Ministry of Public Health Notification on Controlled Herbs (Cannabis) B.E. 2568 (2025) may include up to one year in prison and fines of up to 20,000 baht per offense.
Recent enforcement actions show the scale of the issue. In just two days at Phuket International Airport this week, authorities arrested a 21-year-old Belgian woman with approximately 31.7 kilograms of cannabis hidden in two suitcases and a 30-year-old Russian man with more than 17 kilograms of cannabis flower and resin. Another recent case involved a Thai woman and a Filipino national caught with over 32 kilograms of cannabis buds. Some claimed they didn’t know the cannabis was there or they were only transporting a bag for a “friend” but this isn’t a legal defense.
These incidents are part of a broader crackdown. Thai Customs reported seizing over 37,000 kg of cannabis between October of last year and June 2026. New penalties introduced in June also impose fines of 30,000 baht per kilogram to deter smugglers on top of the risk of ten years in jail.
International partners have also noted the trend. The UK’s National Crime Agency reported a dramatic increase in cannabis couriers arriving from Thailand, with hundreds arrested in recent years. Japanese authorities have seized significant quantities linked to flights from Thai airports including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, and Chiang Mai, prompting closer scrutiny of Thailand as a source country.
The spokesperson stated that cannabis remains banned in many destination countries, where penalties for illegal importation can range from lengthy prison terms to life imprisonment or even capital punishment in some jurisdictions.
Travelers are advised to thoroughly inspect their own belongings, firmly refuse any packages or extra luggage from others, and never transport unknown items across borders. Suspicious activity or online recruitment attempts related to cannabis smuggling should be reported immediately via police hotlines 191 or 1599.
With Thailand tightening controls after its 2022 decriminalization experiment, officials stress that the risks far outweigh any perceived benefits for those tempted to flout the rules.
