A British man was apprehended at Krabi International Airport after authorities discovered over 34 kilograms of cannabis concealed in his luggage. The late-night seizure has sparked fresh debate over drug trafficking in Thailand.
Krabi Provincial Police reported that the incident unfolded at approximately 11:50 p.m. on Saturday, March 8. Alert airport staff noticed an abandoned bag in the men’s restroom on the upper floor of the International Departures Terminal. Upon inspection, officers uncovered a blue wheeled suitcase filled with vacuum-sealed packages suspected to contain cannabis.
Further investigations led customs officers to conduct X-ray screenings in the International Arrivals Terminal, revealing a total of 35 packages of cannabis flower buds. The drugs, consisting of various strains, were meticulously packed in double-layer vacuum-sealed bags, likely to prevent odor detection. Authorities confirmed the total weight, including packaging, to be 37.84 kilograms, stored in two oversized suitcases.
The suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed, has been charged with attempting to export undeclared goods, violating the Protection and Promotion of Traditional Thai Medicine Wisdom Act, and breaching strict regulations on controlled herbs under the Ministry of Public Health. The confiscated cannabis and related evidence have been handed over to investigators at Nuea Khlong Police Station for further legal proceedings.
Despite Thailand’s recent shifts in cannabis legislation, particularly regarding domestic use, law enforcement continues to uphold stringent policies against drug smuggling. The penalties for attempting to traffic illicit substances across Thai borders remain severe.
In a separate incident on the same day, two Indian nationals, identified as Kamarudheen and Shibin, were arrested at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok while attempting to smuggle cannabis out of the country.
Win Sinhaseni, owner of the Hafaniceday cannabis shop in Bangkok, expressed disappointment over yet another foreigner caught attempting to smuggle cannabis.
“This tarnishes the reputation of the Thai cannabis industry. Punishment is necessary to some extent, but at the end of the day, it’s just weed,” he remarked.
As investigations continue, authorities reaffirm that Thailand’s airports are not the place for high-risk drug trafficking endeavors.
