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French tourists allege Thailand cannabis luggage scam

At least 11 French nationals have been arrested in Thailand after cannabis was found in their luggage, with several claiming they were duped into carrying locked bags in return for free holidays.

France's National Police told broadcaster RTL that the suspects were charged with attempting to smuggle drugs out of Thailand. Some remain in police custody as tougher procedures are reportedly being applied to those unable to settle customs fines.

French media said that, previously, people arrested with cannabis in their luggage could return to France after the drugs were seized as evidence. Under the newer rules, suspects who do not pay a fine at the customs office can be detained in Thailand while awaiting trial.

Claims of a "Thailand plan" scam

Families of several arrested travellers have told French media their relatives may have fallen victim to what has been described as the "Thailand plan".

They said criminal groups offered free trips to Thailand on the condition that travellers took luggage back to France. The travellers were allegedly told the bags contained mobile phones, but they instead held large quantities of cannabis.

RTL reported that a 20-year-old French national was arrested while returning from Thailand in June. Airport officials allegedly found 16.8 kilogrammes of cannabis in locked luggage, and the man said he did not have the combination needed to open it.

He told investigators that somebody who contacted him through Snapchat had paid for his Thailand trip. The report did not establish whether he knew what was inside the luggage.

French media also reported that two other French nationals were arrested in Hong Kong after cannabis was found in luggage they had unknowingly carried from Thailand.

Fines, custody and possible prison terms

RTL reported a customs fine of 30,000 baht, for one kilogramme of cannabis. Attempting to smuggle cannabis can lead to prison terms of between two and 10 years.

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has urged French citizens to follow changes to Thailand's cannabis laws and comply with local rules. It is following the cases involving French nationals held in Thailand and providing consular assistance.

The ministry said it would investigate the alleged scheme to identify those behind it and determine whether a wider network is involved.

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14 August 2026

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jippytum Platinum Member

jippytum

Advanced Member

Being guilable and greedy is no excuse for drug smuggling.

Enjoy you free accomodation at the Bangkok Hilton.

Captain Flack Star Member

Captain Flack

Global Moderator

Post breaking forum rules removed @jcates29 rule 17.News articles are collected from recognised sources and may be consolidated or rewritten with AI assistance. Respectful discussion of the article content is welcome. Disrespectful comments about the articles, the use of AI, or the news team (e.g. “clickbait,” “slow news day,” mocking grammar, or AI taunts) are not permitted. Posts breaching this rule will be removed, and posting suspension or account closure may result.

Sir Dude Gold Member

Sir Dude

Advanced Member

Stupidity and ignorance doesn't exempt you from the law.

Frankie baby Silver Member

Frankie baby

Advanced Member

Well, no need to plead ignorance on this one. Just act normal?

riverhigh Silver Member

riverhigh

Advanced Member

Has any of these French tourists heard of the saying "there is no such thing as a free meal". Then again one can argue that these French nationals grew up in a nanny-state and weren't fit for travel.

L- Lifeline Silver Member

L- Lifeline

Advanced Member
4 hours ago, jacko45k said:

They were duped alright, hit well and truly with the stupid stick!

Indeed- clearly not particularly bright when all the facts are considered

shackleton Platinum Member

shackleton

Advanced Member

Free holidays to Thailand should have set alarm bells ringing

But stupid is what stupid does 🤡🤑

Greed comes first then the Consequences come to bite you on the backside

Yet people still do it

They never learn

wombat Platinum Member

wombat

Advanced Member

Curious asks... were they all generation Z who believes that there is such a thing as free stuff?

jcmj Gold Member

jcmj

Advanced Member

Well it certainly wasn’t the Gen X group, but you can always find a dimwit in any year I suppose. Nothing is free in life though some people just don’t get it.

Watawattana Platinum Member

Watawattana

Advanced Member

I've searched and searched and can't find a 'GoFundMe' for this yet! Oh wait, they're not British...

orchidfan Gold Member

orchidfan

Advanced Member

I have had to stop my wife on a number of occasions agreeing to take some "dear old" Thai lady's (obviously locked) bag, whose total baggage at check-in, was overweight ....and ours well below with the allowance for 2 of us.

I think it's both a face saving thing and Buddhist teaching which promts it.

Usually on an inbound flight to Thailand, but it's also happened on an outbound flight.

Like so many, she does NOT CONSIDER the possible consequences.....not only in this scenario but several others.

(no helmet, no seatbelt, Baby/ toddler on their knee in the car's front seat.)

Caldera Ruby Member

Caldera

Advanced Member
8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

At least 11 French nationals have been arrested in Thailand after cannabis was found in their luggage, with several claiming they were duped into carrying locked bags in return for free holidays.

That old chestnut. It boggles the mind that people still fall for that kind of setup.

VBF Ruby Member

VBF

Advanced Member
4 hours ago, hanbla said:

Agree, but I suppose those people never read or follow the news!

Quite!

Now, how do you nominate someone for the Darwin Awards?

chuang Platinum Member

chuang

Advanced Member

Half idiot half moron..

Reddavy Gold Member

Reddavy

Advanced Member
6 hours ago, wombat said:

Curious asks... were they all generation Z who believes that there is such a thing as free stuff?

University/College educated more likely 🤷🏼

suspectdevice Senior Member

suspectdevice

Member

Oh, if i don't know the contents then i have plausible deniability. If you don't know the contents on a dodgy holiday deal you still know it's something illegal!

Jonathan Swift Platinum Member

Jonathan Swift

Advanced Member

Is weed not legal in France? Or is it just expensive, creating the black market?

Airalee Platinum Member

Airalee

Advanced Member

“Families of several arrested travellers have told French media their relatives may have fallen victim to what has been described as the "Thailand plan".

They said criminal groups offered free trips to Thailand on the condition that travellers took luggage back to France. The travellers were allegedly told the bags contained mobile phones, but they instead held large quantities of cannabis.”

Were they planning on paying the customs and VAT on the suitcase full of “mobile phones”?

Depending on how many phones (iPhones for example), if it was 50 phones it appears that they would be evading perhaps €10,000 or more. Yet somehow they assumed that was ok?

https://mobile-france.com/en/blog/customs-and-vat-in-france-what-does-an-imported-iphone-really-cost/

TRAMBOUZE Rookie Member

TRAMBOUZE

Member

is not only about drug could be a bomb to destroy a plane no mercy

wombat Platinum Member

wombat

Advanced Member
On 8/14/2026 at 11:53 PM, Jonathan Swift said:

Is weed not legal in France? Or is it just expensive, creating the black market?

Siri says.......No, recreational weed is illegal in France. Possession, sale, and cultivation of THC-rich cannabis are strictly prohibited under the country's penal and public health codes. Minor offenses for personal use generally result in a €200 on-the-spot fine, but larger amounts can lead to criminal prosecution and jail time.

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