CHIANG MAI — Law enforcement in Chiang Mai Province announced on Wednesday the seizure of over 100 kilograms of cannabis flowers but were unable to press charges against the foreign nationals attempting to smuggle them out of the country due to legal loopholes in Thailand’s cannabis regulations.
Police Lieutenant General Krittapol Yeesakorn, Commander of Provincial Police Region 5, held a press conference on March 5 to report multiple cases involving foreign nationals attempting to smuggle cannabis flowers abroad. He noted that many foreigners are well aware of the gaps in Thailand’s cannabis control laws, allowing several suspects to avoid prosecution beyond the confiscation of the cannabis.
The first case occurred on March 2 when officials apprehended a 23-year-old Malaysian man attempting to smuggle 22.5 kilograms of cannabis flowers out of the country. He had planned to travel from Chiang Mai to Dubai and then continue to London, United Kingdom.
In the second case on March 4 at 9:40 a.m., authorities detained a 19-year-old British female student trying to smuggle 34.8 kilograms of cannabis flowers. She had intended to fly from Chiang Mai to Hong Kong before connecting to London.
Later that same day, officials arrested a Malaysian couple, both 35 years old, attempting to smuggle 45.4 kilograms of cannabis flowers. Their planned route was to Singapore and then onward to London.
The most recent case occurred on March 5, when Chiang Mai customs officers intercepted another 20 kilograms of cannabis flowers being smuggled by a German national.
Among all those apprehended, only one Malaysian suspect faced a fine after initially denying ownership of the cannabis and claiming to be merely a courier. After investigation and presentation of evidence confirming his ownership, he eventually admitted the cannabis belonged to him and consented to its confiscation, after which he was released.
Lt. Gen. Krittapol explained that since possessing and transporting cannabis within Thailand is not illegal, and cannabis flowers don’t classify as illegal narcotics in the United Kingdom, smugglers have been increasingly targeting Thai airports.
The commander revealed that after consistent seizures at Phuket Airport, smugglers shifted their operations to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. When authorities began intercepting shipments there, smugglers moved their activities to Chiang Mai. This marks the first major cannabis seizure at Chiang Mai Airport.
Thai authorities and relevant agencies are currently discussing measures to impose stricter penalties for smuggling cannabis flowers out of the country.
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