Thai police and customs authorities have blacklisted 86 foreign nationals as part of a crackdown on cross-border smuggling, officials said on 25 April 2026. The move aims to prevent repeat offences involving undeclared cash, gold and cannabis buds, which authorities say threaten state revenue and national security. The action follows closer coordination between the Royal Thai Police, Customs Department and Immigration Bureau.
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Deputy national police chief Pol. Gen. Nirandorn Lueamsri said agencies have integrated their databases and adopted more proactive enforcement measures. Under Thai customs law, smuggling prohibited goods can lead to imprisonment and fines, although offenders may settle cases by paying penalties set by customs authorities. For seized goods valued above 400,000 baht, settlements require approval from a comparison committee.
The committee, comprising Customs Director-General Phanthong Loykulnanta, a senior Finance Ministry inspector and Nirandorn, meets regularly and has handled numerous cases involving both Thai and foreign offenders. Authorities have identified repeated attempts to move large sums of Thai currency and gold out of the country without declaration, sometimes worth millions of baht. These cases have raised concerns about capital flight and potential links to overseas money laundering.
Cash smuggling is often detected at border checkpoints near casino areas, typically involving nationals from neighbouring ASEAN countries. Gold smuggling is more frequently intercepted at airports, often involving South Asian nationals. Officials said some offenders have extensive travel histories, with repeated entries and exits from Thailand.
Recent cases also include attempts by foreign nationals to export cannabis buds without authorisation, often destined for European countries. While cannabis remains a controlled herb under Thai regulations, it is illegal in many destination countries. Authorities said some offenders previously avoided stricter penalties by paying fines and later re-entering Thailand to reoffend.
To address this, police and customs have begun sharing offender data with the Immigration Bureau. Foreign nationals identified in the database are being placed on an immigration blacklist, preventing re-entry, while Thai nationals are placed on a watchlist and subject to stricter screening. So far, records have been compiled on 114 individuals, including 86 foreigners and 28 Thais, with all foreign nationals meeting the criteria for blacklisting.
Khaosod reported that Nirandorn urged travellers to familiarise themselves with customs regulations on prohibited and declarable items to avoid legal penalties. Officials said the data integration marks a significant step in strengthening enforcement amid broader global economic pressures and regional instability.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 26 Apr 2026
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