Deputy National Police Chief and Customs Director Escalate Crackdown on Gold, Currency, and Cannabis Smuggling Operations Along Borders
Thai police and customs officials are intensifying efforts to combat smuggling of gold, currency, and cannabis flowers along the country's borders, with Deputy National Police Chief General Nirandon Leumsri announcing stronger database syst
Deputy National Police Chief General Nirandon Leumsri announced on April 25, 2025, that the Royal Thai Police are collaborating with the Customs Department to strengthen their database and preventive measures against the smuggling of gold, currency, and cannabis flowers. Beyond the economic concerns of protecting import-export revenues and preventing tax evasion, the effort aims to safeguard public security by restricting prohibited items such as narcotics and materials threatening financial stability like precious metals and foreign currency. Customs law classifies these offenses as criminal violations carrying imprisonment and fines as deterrents.
Unlike typical criminal cases, customs violations can be settled without police investigation when violators agree to pay fines assessed by the Customs Director. However, cases involving contraband valued above 400,000 baht require approval from a Comparison Committee before settlement. General Nirandon noted that the current Comparison Committee includes Puntthong Loykoolnun (Customs Director), Panit Theerabhaphawong (Finance Ministry Inspector), and himself handling legal matters, meeting nearly monthly to review cases.
The Deputy Chief reported that both Thai and foreign nationals frequently violate customs laws by smuggling prohibited items with security implications. Particularly common are cases of Thais illegally exporting Thai currency beyond permitted limits without notifying customs authorities, or smuggling gold out of the country—offenses carrying 10-year prison sentences. Individual smugglers transport valuables worth millions of baht, potentially facilitating overseas money laundering. Currency smuggling is typically detected at border checkpoints near casinos, often involving ASEAN nationals, while gold smuggling is usually discovered at airports by South Asian smugglers. Records show many offenders have entered and exited Thailand dozens of times, with some having repeat offenses.
Recently, foreign nationals have begun illegally exporting cannabis flowers to European markets. Cannabis flowers are controlled herbal substances under health ministry regulations and classified as prohibited drugs in many countries. Although the Customs Department is investigating these violations seriously, the law permits case settlement through the Director or Comparison Committee without police investigation, leading many accused smugglers to choose settlement. However, many repeatedly enter and exit Thailand, potentially committing the same offenses again. General Nirandon stated discussions are ongoing with Customs Director Puntthong to address this pattern.
