Four Tourists Arrested at Phuket Airport with Over 30kg of Cannabis Buds Destined for Paris

Four foreign tourists have been arrested at Phuket International Airport in southern Thailand for allegedly attempting to smuggle cannabis. According to authorities, they were found in possession of approximately 30 kilograms of cannabis buds that they intended to ship to Paris, France, via international mail. The market value of the seized cannabis is estimated to be around 2.6 million baht (over 10 million yen). Phuket Airport authorities are expanding their investigation, viewing this bust as a glimpse into the activities of international drug smuggling syndicates. Efforts are underway to identify the nationalities of the arrested tourists and the full extent of the organizations behind them. Although cannabis was decriminalized in Thailand in 2022, strict regulations still apply to its use as a recreational drug and its import/export. This incident suggests that while legalization progresses, international smuggling routes remain active.