Sihasak revealed that the Thai Consul is ready to assist the air hostess arrested in Australia on drug smuggling charges, believing it will not affect the country's image.
On 1 July 2026 at 08:45 at the Parliament Building, Mr. Sihasak Puangketkaew, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke about the progress of the case involving a Thai airline air hostess arrested in Australia for drug smuggling. He stated that the Thai Consulate in Australia has provided support and assistance; she has legal counsel handling the case. Currently, Australian authorities have not allowed her to leave the country and she remains in custody.
When asked about the progress of the Australian investigation linked to Thailand, Mr. Sihasak said it is proceeding according to legal procedures, and Thailand is cooperating fully.
Asked whether this incident would affect Thailand's reputation, Mr. Sihasak said that when such incidents occur, airlines must strictly enforce measures to prevent recurrence. However, such events can happen.
When asked if Thai airlines are still allowed to travel to Australia as usual, Mr. Sihasak said that authorities will likely increase thorough inspections for a period. Besides routine checks, they probably have their own intelligence sources. He emphasized that all measures will follow legal protocols.