Thai Police Warn Travelers Against Cannabis Smuggling

BANGKOK — 6 July 2026, Thai police have warned both Thai and foreign travellers against smuggling cannabis overseas, saying offenders could face severe penalties, including imprisonment in Thailand and even harsher punishment abroad.

Police issued the warning on Monday following a series of recent international drug trafficking cases involving cannabis allegedly smuggled from Thailand.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Chaturaphat Phiromkaew, Commander of the Foreign Affairs Division and Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police, cited three recent cases:

• Hong Kong customs officers seized about 23 kilograms of dried cannabis and arrested two suspects — a Chinese national and a Hong Kong resident — who had arrived from Thailand.

• Indonesia's National Narcotics Board (BNN) dismantled a cannabis trafficking network and seized 3.37 tonnes of high-grade cannabis allegedly originating from Thailand while pursuing Malaysian and Chinese suspects.

• Authorities in Poland seized 1.2 tonnes of cannabis concealed inside construction bricks in a shipping container exported from Thailand and arrested eight suspects.

Police warned both Thai and foreign nationals against carrying, smuggling, or accepting payment to transport cannabis, cannabis flower buds, or cannabis-containing products out of Thailand. Although cannabis has been partially decriminalised for certain medical purposes within Thailand, its export remains strictly regulated, and it remains illegal in many destination countries.

The Royal Thai Police outlined the relevant legal penalties:

• Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017): Up to 10 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to four times the value of the goods (including duty), or both.

• Protection and Promotion of Traditional Thai Medicine Knowledge Act B.E. 2542 (1999): Up to one year's imprisonment, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.

• Ministry of Public Health Notification on Controlled Herbs (Cannabis) B.E. 2568 (2025): Up to one year's imprisonment, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.

• Laws of destination countries: Cannabis remains classified as a narcotic in many jurisdictions, where smuggling offences may carry penalties ranging from lengthy prison terms to life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

Police urged travellers to remain vigilant and avoid becoming unwittingly involved in transnational cannabis trafficking networks.

Authorities advised travellers never to accept luggage, parcels or other items from strangers, or even acquaintances, for transport abroad. If prohibited substances are found, the carrier may be held legally responsible for possession and smuggling offences. Travellers were also urged to thoroughly inspect their own luggage before departure to ensure it does not contain cannabis or cannabis-infused products, including herbal inhalers, tea, confectionery or cosmetics.

Police further advised against working as couriers transporting goods or luggage overseas on behalf of others, warning that travellers have no reliable way of knowing what they may be carrying.