Russian Held With 17kg of Cannabis at Phuket Airport

Phuket
Crime

A 30-year-old Russian man was arrested at Phuket International Airport after customs officers found more than 17 kilograms of cannabis flowers and cannabis resin concealed inside two suitcases before he was due to leave Thailand.

SoutheastAsians & Pacific Islanders

Get today's headlines by email

The arrest took place at about 10.00am on 8 July 2026 in the international departures terminal at Phuket International Airport in Mai Khao, Thalang district, Phuket. Customs officer Rawin Kanokakorn and an arrest team inspected two blue BP WORLD wheeled suitcases belonging to Mr Sergei, a 30-year-old Russian national.

During the search, officers found 35 vacuum-sealed packages containing cannabis flowers with a total weight, including packaging, of 11.4 kilograms. They also discovered 12 packages of cannabis resin weighing a total of 6.2 kilograms, including packaging. Both suitcases and their contents were seized as evidence.

According to investigators, the suspect admitted that the luggage and all of the seized items belonged to him. He was charged with attempting to take goods out of the Kingdom without completing customs procedures.

Officers then transferred him, together with the seized evidence, to investigators at Sakhu Police Station for further legal action. Pol. Capt. Ying Chapinya Surithammakul, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) at Sakhu Police Station, received custody of the suspect for legal proceedings.

The operation was carried out under the direction of Pol. Col. Salan Sankitsasanakul, Superintendent of Sakhu Police Station, and Pol. Lt. Col. Rattanawut Nukaew, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation. Customs officials involved included Nucha Jeeradit, Chief of Phuket Airport Customs Office, Thanomjit Burirak, Director of the Customs Control Division, and Charoenporn Jaengwansuk, Head of the Investigation and Suppression Section.

Amarin reported thot the arrest follows other recent cannabis smuggling cases involving passengers attempting to depart from Phuket International Airport. Authorities have continued inspections of outbound baggage as part of efforts to detect attempts to export cannabis products illegally from Thailand.

SoutheastAsians & Pacific Islanders

Picture courtesy of Amarin

Join the discussion?

9 July 2026

Followers

User Feedback

19 Comments

Recommended Comments

Nemises

Advanced Member

20 hours ago20 hr

At least he vacuum-sealed it. Ten out of ten for presentation, zero for planning.

redwood1

Advanced Member

18 hours ago18 hr

Just a minor offence of not declaring a legal product for export....

Could happen to anyone who has taken Thai food home as gifts...

I bet plenty of posters here have committed the exact same crime...

ChipButty

Advanced Member

17 hours ago17 hr

I wonder how much is getting through? too warrant people keep trying, it's daily someone is getting arrested,

blaze master

Advanced Member

17 hours ago17 hr

Although the attempt failed finally someone trying to smuggle the right product.

Not the flower.

However....

It does look like snow bud and not just regular flower.....at least he was trying to max profit potential.

blaze master

Advanced Member

17 hours ago17 hr (edited)

8 minutes ago, ChipButty said:
I wonder how much is getting through? too warrant people keep trying, it's daily someone is getting arrested,

I would say a staggering amount is getting through...

Edited 17 hours ago17 hr by blaze master

TimBKK

Advanced Member

14 hours ago14 hr

Popular Comment

3 hours ago, redwood1 said:
Just a minor offence of not declaring a legal product for export....
Could happen to anyone who has taken Thai food home as gifts...
I bet plenty of posters here have committed the exact same crime...

This came in email from the American embassy, last night - hopefully Thai authorities utilize the law to its fullest:

“Effective June 17, 2026, individuals importing, exporting, or attempting to evade restrictions on cannabis may face penalties of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to 500,000 baht, or both.

Although Thailand decriminalized possession of cannabis in 2022, it remains illegal to import or export without correct permissions.

For more information, please visit the Royal Thai Government’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board for more information.”

Ralf001

Advanced Member

13 hours ago13 hr

4 hours ago, redwood1 said:
Just a minor offence of not declaring a legal product for export....

Legal for medicinal use.... did his prescription allow a purchase of that amount ?

Liverpool Lou

Advanced Member

13 hours ago13 hr (edited)

5 hours ago, redwood1 said:
Just a minor offence of not declaring a legal product for export

But cannabis isn't a legal product in Thailand unless it's for a prescribed medical use and then only in very small quantities.

Edited 13 hours ago13 hr by Liverpool Lou

NanLaew

Advanced Member

13 hours ago13 hr

6 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:
Butt cannabis isn't a legal product in Thailand unless it's for medical use.

A minor technicality. If you need further clarification, you can contact the Prime Minister's (and former Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister's) office.

Liverpool Lou

Advanced Member

12 hours ago12 hr

20 minutes ago, NanLaew said:
A minor technicality. If you need further clarification, you can contact the Prime Minister's (and former Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister's) office.

I don't need any clarification at all.

I don't know why you addressed that to me when you could have addressed it to any of those posters on this forum who actually think that, in general, cannabis use and possession is legal in Thailand.

If you need further clarification, you can contact the Prime Minister's (and former Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister's) office.

IsmeUno

Advanced Member

12 hours ago12 hr

4 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:
I don't need any clarification at all.
I don't know why you addressed that to me when you could have addressed it to any of those posters on this forum who actually think that, in general, cannabis use and possession is legal in Thailand.
If you need further clarification, you can contact the Prime Minister's (and former Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister's) office.

Cannabis use and possession is legal in Thailand.

If you can point to even a single prosecution that proves otherwise, I'll be happy to concede to your superior knowledge.

Otherwise I might reach the conclusion that you are nit-picking, as per usual.

NanLaew

Advanced Member

11 hours ago11 hr

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:
I don't need any clarification at all.
I don't know why you addressed that to me when you could have addressed it to any of those posters on this forum who actually think that, in general, cannabis use and possession is legal in Thailand.
If you need further clarification, you can contact the Prime Minister's (and former Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister's) office.

I addressed it to you because I can. Same as you can address your predictably pedantic responses to me and every other forum member.

Lingba

Advanced Member

11 hours ago11 hr

SMH!...Was this dude serious?...I mean really

Ralf001

Advanced Member

10 hours ago10 hr

1 hour ago, IsmeUno said:
Cannabis use and possession is legal in Thailand.

If prescribed by a doctor.

metisdead

Global Moderator

10 hours ago10 hr

A troll post with a trolling meme has been removed.

IsmeUno

Advanced Member

10 hours ago10 hr

24 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:
If prescribed by a doctor.

Cannabis use and possession is legal in Thailand.

fredwiggy

Advanced Member

10 hours ago10 hr (edited)

This for clarification, as laws here are definitely wishy-washy at times..............https://spacetreesthailand.com/blog/legal-regulation/cannabis-laws-thailand/.

Recreational cannabis use and possession without a valid medical prescription are illegal in Thailand. The country heavily transitioned back to a strictly medical-only framework.

You can only legally use, carry, or purchase cannabis if you possess a valid medical prescription issued by a licensed Thai medical practitioner for conditions like chronic pain or insomnia. Key regulations include:

Medical Use Only: Cannabis flower is classified as a controlled herb. Possession or use without official medical documentation is prohibited.
Dispensary Rules: Dispensaries are transitioning into strictly regulated medical clinics, and you may only purchase products through legally licensed facilities.
Import and Export: Bringing cannabis into or out of Thailand is illegal. Customs strictly penalize this offense at international ports of entry
Public Consumption: Smoking or vaping cannabis in public places is entirely banned, and sales are prohibited in locations such as temples and public parks
It might change before I post this so it's best to check with the actual authorities or your embassies....................................https://th.usembassy.gov/alert-u-s-embassy-july-8-2026-thailand-customs-policy-update/

Edited 10 hours ago10 hr by fredwiggy

Ralf001

Advanced Member

9 hours ago9 hr

1 hour ago, IsmeUno said:
Cannabis use and possession is legal in Thailand.

Correct, If prescribed by a doctor.

phil2407

Advanced Member

3 hours ago3 hr

So if he got the right certificate he can leave Thailand with that depends on what country he's landed on

Create an account or sign in to comment

Word Association - 2026
ASEAN NOW Community Pub

Word Association - 2026

CharlieH · January 2Jan 2

Link to previous year... https://aseannow.com/topic/1347737-word-association-2025/page/464/ Start word: Half-Century
- 7,414 replies
- 95,144 views
CharlieH

January 2Jan 2

Jeff the Chef

9 minutes ago9 min

Student pilot lands plane after instructor jumps to his death
What the Papers are Saying

Aviation
Student pilot lands plane after instructor jumps to his death

bannork · 4 hours ago4 hr

A routine training flight ended in unimaginable tragedy when a young student pilot was forced to land an aircraft on her own after her instructor allegedly jumped from the plane mid-flight. According to the Daily Mail, the 22-year-old student had been flying with her instructor, 42-year-old Leandro Bertazzo, in a Cessna C-150 during a training exercise in Argentina when the incident unfolded. The student, who is believed to hold a pilot's licence but has limited flying experience, later told
- 2 replies
- 53 views
bannork

4 hours ago4 hr

Packer

22 minutes ago22 min

'LEAVING MAGA': Former Trump supporters REVEAL why they left
Political Soapbox

'LEAVING MAGA': Former Trump supporters REVEAL why they left

gargamon · yesterday at 05:37 AM1 day

https://leavingmaga.org/ Dear MAGA Americans, I was a devoted member of MAGA nation for seven years; it made me feel I was part of something important: a movement that was trying to save American democracy. But starting in 2021, I realized I had been mistaken. It took me a full year to finally break away. During that time, I came to understand that MAGA is sustained by a series of myths that are intended to create perpetual feelings of desperation and panic. Succumbing to these predatory myths
- 72 replies
- 933 views
gargamon

Yesterday at 05:37 AM1 day

Kung69

58 minutes ago58 min

Thainess
ASEAN NOW Community Pub

Thainess

Rockyroad · 11 hours ago11 hr

What life lessons can we learn from the Thais? There is the respect of elders. There is being humble.
- 36 replies
- 571 views
Rockyroad

11 hours ago11 hr

papa al

1 hour ago1 hr

kharg island back on trumps menu
What the Papers are Saying

kharg island back on trumps menu

3NUMBAS · 10 hours ago10 hr

Trump says US ‘may take over Kharg Island’: Here’s what you need to know Al Jazeera 13 hours ago Kharg Island, pivotal to Iran’s oil exports, becomes focal point as Trump renews threats amid rising Gulf tensions. Al Jazeera Trump says US ‘may take over Kharg Island’: Here’s what y... Kharg Island, pivotal to Iran's oil exports, becomes focal point as Trump renews threats amid rising Gulf tensions.
- 4 replies
- 106 views
3NUMBAS

10 hours ago10 hr

Patong2021

1 hour ago1 hr

Love Thailand News and Discussion Forum | ASEANNOW? Tell a friend!

Post Vaccine Syndrome me/cfs from COVID vaccine
Health and Medicine

Post Vaccine Syndrome me/cfs from COVID vaccine

Medimedia · Tuesday at 08:39 PM1 day

Has anyone heard of or experienced Post Vaccine Syndrome me/cfs from COVID vaccine . I am desperately trying to get help for this debilitating condition here in Bangkok . Any help would me much appreciated thank you .
- 15 replies
- 1,106 views
Medimedia

Tuesday at 08:39 PM1 day

papa al

16 minutes ago16 min

in view of US 250 how do you look at history?
General Topics

in view of US 250 how do you look at history?

kwilco · Saturday at 01:01 PM5 days

Some thoughts prompted by the US 250 State fair…. If your study of history only ever makes you feel proud of your country, you've probably been taught nationalism rather than history. History is not there to make us feel good. It is there to make us wiser. Most people don't actually know their country's history. - They know the version they were taught. National histories are often less about understanding the past than about building national identity. Every country has its founding myths
- 79 replies
- 1,643 views
kwilco

Saturday at 01:01 PM5 days

temuFarang

36 minutes ago36 min

Two-Tier Pricing at Private Hospitals
Health and Medicine

Two-Tier Pricing at Private Hospitals

Lahmak · 8 hours ago8 hr

Just returned home from visiting Bkk Hospital in one of the major city's in Thailand and must say I was rather surprised to learn from a nurse I know from previous visits, that they actually charge foreigners more than Thais for identical procedures. I knew and fully understand that public hospitals charges non-Thai citizens the actual cost of the health-care they receive, I agree that the government should not subsidize foreign citizens health-care. (Leave that to the western country's). But
- 18 replies
- 309 views
Lahmak

8 hours ago8 hr

KhunLA

1 hour ago1 hr

Is this signs of a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) ?
Health and Medicine

Is this signs of a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) ?

bbi1 · 8 hours ago8 hr

Just had a STD test done. Is the below a sign of a possible UTI & if so, is the usual only cure with oral antibiotics? Remarks: Found mild inflammation in urinary system Chlamydia Ag, Syphillis Antibody, HBsAg & Anti-HIV were all negative. Gram negative rod in single = Rare Epithelial cells = Rare **Wbc/Pus = Moderate (5-10/ HPF) Spermatozoa = Not Found Budding Yeast (Candida spp.) = Not Found Gonorrhoea/GC = Not Found Below is what Google AI has said would be the cure for a UTI: Fo
- 8 replies
- 232 views
bbi1

8 hours ago8 hr

Sheryl

4 hours ago4 hr

Valsartan
Health and Medicine

Valsartan

georgegeorgia · Monday at 03:38 PM3 days

The doctor has put me on Valsartan for my high blood pressure currently 140/90 I have been taking it but getting dizzy at times I told him he said all blood pressure medication makes people dizzy I will have to wait until I get back to Pattaya to see a REAL doctor unfortunately Is anyone else taking valsartan? Shouldn't I be on a better one ? What if I don't take it ?
- 18 replies
- 1,070 views
georgegeorgia

Monday at 03:38 PM3 days

greeneking

6 hours ago6 hr

Vacuum cleaners that last?
General Topics

Vacuum cleaners that last?

visalady · 8 hours ago8 hr

At home had an upright hoover that was about 30 years old when I left the country, it still worked. Here in 20 years have had 5, last one just died after 2 years of light use. That was a Samsung, one before that Hitachi, before that another Samsung, all lasted about the same time, not long. Are they all designed to fail or have you got to spend a lot to get something better? What's best for about 5k baht? Was thinking of giving Electrolux a go.
- 3 replies
- 111 views
visalady

8 hours ago8 hr

scubascuba3

8 hours ago8 hr

User Feedback

Create an account or sign in to comment

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)

Chrome (Desktop)

Safari (iOS 16.4+)

Safari (macOS)

Edge (Android)

Edge (Desktop)

Firefox (Android)

Firefox (Desktop)