Chon Buri police seize 512kg cannabis at Bali Hai Pier

Chon Buri police have arrested four suspects and seized more than 512 kilograms of dried cannabis flower at Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya, alleging it was about to be sent out of Thailand illegally.

Three Vietnamese men and one Thai man were detained during the operation at the pier's car park. Police also seized a Toyota Revo pickup and four mobile phones believed to have been used to arrange the alleged offence.

The cannabis was packed into 32 sacks lined with black plastic bags, according to Chon Buri Provincial Police. Officers described it as dried cannabis flower compressed into blocks, with a combined weight of 512kg.

Arrests at Bali Hai Pier

The operation was ordered by Pol Maj Gen Phongphan Wongmanithet, commander of Chon Buri Provincial Police, together with senior officers.

The provincial police drug suppression team, operating through the Chon Buri Provincial Police Drug Prevention and Suppression Centre, had been instructed to target networks suspected of illegally exporting cannabis.

Police said the four men were arrested near a boat at the Bali Hai Pier car park in Moo 10, Nong Prue, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri. The pier is a departure point for boats serving Pattaya's nearby islands and is also heavily used by tourists and foreign residents.

Charges centre on export rules

The suspects have initially been charged with jointly attempting to export cannabis flower from Thailand without completing customs procedures, under the Customs Act 2017.

They also face an allegation of jointly exporting a controlled herb, namely cannabis flower, without permission, under the Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Protection and Promotion Act 1999.

Following the arrests, officers informed the suspects of their legal rights before taking them, along with the seized items, to Pattaya City Police Station for further legal action. Investigators will also seek to identify other people who may have been involved in the alleged network.

For foreigners living in or visiting Thailand, the case is a reminder that cannabis rules within Thailand do not provide a right to take cannabis products across the border. Exporting cannabis flower is subject to customs procedures and permission requirements, while travellers can also face separate restrictions in their destination country.

Anyone travelling from Thailand should therefore avoid carrying cannabis in luggage or arranging overseas shipments unless they have confirmed that all Thai export and destination-country requirements have been met.

Picture courtesy of ฉลาม นิวส์

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1 August 2026