Bangkok - British Embassy in Bangkok on Thursday, 9 July 2026 stated that the United Kingdom (UK) and Thai Kingdom has been intensified cooperation to tackle cannabis smuggling by introducing tougher pinalties in sharing co-intelligence works to tackle surge of trafficking the source of psychoactive drugs.
Charge d' Affairs of British Embassy Bangkok David Thomas stated on Thursday 9 July 2026 about the bilateral cooperation, saying this measure reflects a commitment to the punishment prevention steps by deterring some people to be exploited by international criminal syndicates.
Furthermore, this bilateral effort is part of two years of Thai-UK joint operations on border security, intelligence sharing and law enforcement.
Thai government, according to Thomas, issues cannabis export permit only for medical use for foreign countries.
Director-General of Thai Customs Department Phantong Loykulnanta emphasized a strengthened Thailand–UK Partnership on Cannabis Border Controls and Enforcement, including intelligence sharing, passenger and cargo screening, and specialist detection equipment.
Citing Thai local media, Thailand is introducing tougher customs penalties, started from 17 June 2026 onwards, for cannabis smugglers whom will be fined 30.000 baht or about US$ 9 cent per kilogram as well as toface further legal proceedings if not able to pay the fine.
Under the new regulation, Thai Customs Department has arrested 71 people who were involved in illegally exporting 1.3 tonnes of cannabis through international airports.
Phantong also said that his country has strengthened controls on cannabis exports to protect the country's reputation and build confidence among international partners.
The measure taken by Customs Division is a fllow up from Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's statement on Sunday, 5 July 2026 regarding a cannabis seizure attempt as a step to prevent Thailand to take other countries' blames if the kingdom fail to tackle smuggling activities to others.
