The Royal Thai Police warn travelers that "smuggling cannabis is illegal under both Thai and international laws," despite partial legalization for medical use within Thailand.
On 6 July 2026, Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaturaphat Piromkaew, Commander of the Foreign Affairs Division and Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police, revealed three cases involving the smuggling of cannabis from Thailand abroad. These include a Hong Kong Customs seizure of approximately 23 kilograms of dried cannabis and the arrest of two suspects, a Chinese national and a Hong Kong resident arriving from Thailand; an Indonesian National Narcotics Board (BNN) crackdown on a smuggling network with suspects from Malaysia and China, seizing a total of 3.37 tons of high-quality cannabis from Thailand; and a Polish seizure of 1.2 tons of cannabis hidden in laterite bricks within a shipping container exported from Thailand, resulting in eight arrests.
In light of these cases, the Royal Thai Police wish to warn and inform the public and tourists, both Thai and foreign, that carrying, smuggling, or transporting cannabis, cannabis flowers, or products containing cannabis out of the Kingdom of Thailand is illegal. The police emphasize that although cannabis has been partially legalized for medical use within Thailand, strict controls remain in place for export, and smuggling cannabis abroad remains a serious offense in many destination countries. To ensure proper understanding, the Royal Thai Police clarify the relevant laws as follows.
1. Offenses under the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017), punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment, or a fine of up to four times the value of the goods (including duties), or both.
2. Offenses under the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Act B.E. 2542 (1999), punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment, or a fine not exceeding 20,000 baht, or both.
3. Offenses under the Ministry of Public Health's Controlled Herbs Announcement (Cannabis) B.E. 2568 (2025), punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment, or a fine not exceeding 20,000 baht, or both.
4. Laws of destination countries (international): Cannabis remains classified as a Category 1 narcotic in many countries worldwide and neighboring states. Smuggling into these countries carries penalties ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty.
The Royal Thai Police are concerned for public safety and thus issue reminders and preventive advice to avoid involvement in transnational cannabis smuggling operations:
1. Do not accept items from others: Do not accept luggage or items from strangers or acquaintances to carry abroad. If illegal goods are found, you will face penalties as a possessor and smuggler.
2. Thoroughly check your belongings: Inspect your luggage carefully to ensure it contains no cannabis products (such as inhalers, teas, snacks, or certain cosmetics) before traveling abroad.
3. Do not transport items across borders for others: The public must not act as couriers for any goods or luggage to foreign countries for safety reasons, as it is impossible to know if contraband is hidden inside or who is behind the shipments. Transnational criminal networks may deceive, threaten, or harm individuals to protect their illegal operations.
Public cooperation is crucial for preventing and suppressing crime. If suspicious behavior, irregularities, or individuals suspected of smuggling cannabis abroad or soliciting such activities online are observed, reports can be made via hotlines 191 and 1599, available 24 hours a day.
The Royal Thai Police are committed to thoroughly investigating all leads and will keep informants' identities strictly confidential to dismantle smuggling networks exporting illegal goods from the country.