Police Warn Travelers: Cannabis Smuggling Violates Thai and International Law
Thai police warn that cannabis smuggling from Thailand carries severe penalties both domestically and internationally, with recent cases in Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Poland resulting in major seizures and arrests.
On July 6, 2025, Pol. Maj. Gen. Chaturphat Phiromkaew, commander of the International Affairs Division and deputy spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, disclosed three cannabis smuggling cases being sent from Thailand to foreign countries. These included Hong Kong customs seizing approximately 23 kilograms of dried cannabis with two suspects—a Chinese national and Hong Kong resident who traveled from Thailand; Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency dismantling a smuggling network with Malaysian and Chinese suspects, recovering 3.37 tons of high-quality cannabis from Thailand; and Poland intercepting 1.2 tons of cannabis hidden in bricks within shipping containers exported from Thailand, with eight arrests made.
The Royal Thai Police emphasized that carrying, smuggling, or transporting cannabis, cannabis flowers, or cannabis-infused products out of Thailand is illegal under multiple laws, carrying penalties including up to 10 years imprisonment under customs law, up to one year imprisonment under Traditional Thai Medicine laws, and equivalent sentences under the 2568 Public Health Ministry announcement. Many destination countries classify cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug with severe penalties ranging from life imprisonment to capital punishment.
The police advised travelers to refuse parcels from strangers, thoroughly inspect their own luggage for any cannabis-containing products before departure, and absolutely decline work as couriers transporting items abroad. The Royal Thai Police warned that international criminal networks may exploit, threaten, or harm citizens to protect their smuggling operations, and urged public cooperation in reporting suspicious behavior to prevent transnational drug trafficking.
