The Thai government is set to introduce stricter regulations on cannabis sales after a string of alleged smuggling cases involving tourists.
The move, announced by the country’s Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin at a press conference on Wednesday, follows the arrest of an 18-year-old woman from Teesside last week, who was detained on drug trafficking charges in Georgia. She had recently travelled to Thailand.
Reports on Tuesday suggest a second British woman has been detained on smuggling charges in Sri Lanka after leaving Thailand.
More than 50 British nationals have been arrested in the country for attempting to smuggle cannabis since July 2024, according to a joint operation between the UK government and Thai authorities.
The amount of cannabis sent to the country by post has also increased dramatically since Thailand decriminalised the drug in 2022.
The country’s ruling party has now pledged to roll out new regulations to tighten sales of the drug, proposing only selling it to those with a prescription – an announcement which has been opposed by its coalition partner.
During the announcement, Thepsutin emphasised that taking cannabis out of the country without permission is against Thai law.
Thai airport officials have said efforts to inspect travellers’ luggage have been ramped up to try and thwart smuggling attempts.
British and Indian nationals are among the most common culprits, authorities said.
Bella May Culley is currently in prison in Georgia. She was reported missing in Thailand by family and friends on Tuesday, May 13.
Authorities in Georgia confirmed later on the same day the teenager from Billingham was in custody, after up to 12 kilograms of marijuana and two kilograms of hashish were allegedly found in her luggage.
She could face up to 20 years behind bars, or life imprisonment, if convicted.
The Foreign Office has said it is supporting her family.
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