Foreign Ministry Warns Against Carrying Luggage Abroad for Others
Thailand's Foreign Ministry warns citizens against carrying luggage or packages for others abroad, as such arrangements often conceal illegal items like drugs or smuggled goods and expose travelers to serious criminal liability.
The Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has issued a warning against accepting or being hired to transport luggage abroad under any circumstances. The department strictly prohibits citizens from accepting parcels or packages from others to carry overseas, whether for payment or at the urging of acquaintances claiming to know the recipient. Such arrangements risk concealing illegal items including prohibited goods, smuggled merchandise, or drugs. Anyone caught transporting such items faces legal responsibility in their own name. Drug possession or trafficking carries severe penalties both in Thailand and internationally, and cannabis—including extracted oils with THC content exceeding 0.2 percent—remains classified as a controlled substance in many countries. The department advises all travelers to manage only their own luggage, firmly refuse requests to carry items for others, and prioritize their safety while traveling.
