Bangkok: The Customs Department has intensified its efforts to combat the smuggling of cannabis flowers to England, with the seized contraband being redirected to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine for the production of herbal medicine.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Thirach Attanavanich, Director-General of the Customs Department, together with executives from Airports of Thailand Plc., successfully intercepted over 2.1 tons of cannabis flower buds intended for smuggling out of the country. The apprehended cannabis was then handed over to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, highlighting the dual purpose of controlling illegal export while promoting traditional medicinal use. Despite cannabis being removed from Thailand’s list of narcotics, cannabis buds remain a controlled herb requiring a license for study, research, export, sale, or processing.
The Ministry of Public Health’s 2022 announcement classifies cannabis flowers as a controlled herb, necessitating licenses for any commercial activities under the Act on the Protection and Promotion of Traditional Thai Medical Wisdom. In the fiscal year 2025, the Customs Department reported 994 cases of cannabis smuggling and export, amounting to over 10,036 kilograms. This spurred the department to issue warnings to the public to remain vigilant against being deceived into storing or transporting parcels potentially linked to illegal activities.