At least 11 French nationals were arrested at an airport with several kilograms of cannabis while preparing to depart Thailand. The suspects have been held since mid-June awaiting Thailand's judicial process.
The French news agency RTL reported, citing information from the French National Police, that 11 French citizens were detained in Thailand after drugs were found in their luggage at the airport. They are accused of attempting to smuggle drugs out of Thailand.
The report stated that previously, individuals caught with cannabis would have their contraband confiscated but could still return home. However, following Thailand’s stricter enforcement against cannabis smuggling, suspects who fail to pay customs fines within the specified period are handed over to Thai police and detained while awaiting trial.
According to RTL, since 18 June 2026, Thailand has imposed a customs fine of 30,000 baht (approximately 790 euros) per kilogram of confiscated cannabis. If the fine is not paid, suspects are detained and undergo judicial proceedings. Offenders may face prison sentences ranging from 2 to 10 years.
Claims of deception via social media offering free travel in exchange for carrying luggage.
Families of several suspects said they might be victims of a so-called "Thailand plan" spread on social media, which offered free trips to Thailand—including airfare, accommodation, and expenses—in exchange for carrying suitcases back to Europe.
An AFP report published by HuffPost stated that those who accepted the offer were told only that the luggage contained mobile phones, while several suspects claim they were unaware the bags contained cannabis.
One case detailed involves a 20-year-old French man who traveled to Thailand in mid-June and was arrested while preparing to leave. Locked luggage he could not open was found to contain 16.8 kilograms of cannabis, according to family interviews reported by AFP.
The family said the young man was contacted via Snapchat with the "Thailand plan" offer, claiming it was legal transport of mobile phones, including airfare, accommodation, and compensation.
However, there is no confirmed information yet on whether all 11 French nationals were unaware that the luggage they were carrying contained illegal substances.
Additionally, two other French tourists were detained in Hong Kong on charges of transporting luggage containing cannabis. The two men had traveled from Thailand and were arrested during a stopover in Hong Kong, police sources told franceinfo.
France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, known as France Diplomatie, stated in its travel advice for visitors to Thailand that exporting cannabis from Thailand is strictly prohibited.
The Ministry also noted that since 18 June 2026, a customs fine of 30,000 baht (about 790 euros) per kilogram of seized cannabis has been enforced, with increased scrutiny. Failure to pay results in detention and imprisonment pending trial, with potential jail terms of 2 to 10 years.
France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that cannabis regulations in Thailand are changing and urged tourists to closely follow the latest rules.
Meanwhile, a French diplomatic source said relevant agencies in Paris are closely monitoring the situation of detained French nationals, and the French consulate in Thailand is coordinating with local authorities to provide consular assistance within the rights of the accused.
French authorities are currently investigating the "Thailand plan" phenomenon to identify those behind it and any related networks, as well as to examine how individuals are recruited to transport drugs back to Europe.
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