A 21-year-old Belgian woman has been arrested at Phuket International Airport after authorities allegedly found more than 31 kilograms of cannabis concealed in her luggage as she prepared to leave Thailand.

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The arrest was made on 7 July at the international departures terminal of Phuket International Airport in Mai Khao, Thalang district, Phuket. Airport officials identified the suspect as Ms Salma El Khnati, a 21-year-old Belgian national.

Officers became suspicious of two suitcases, one green and white and the other black, both branded BLUE PLANET. A search uncovered 12 vacuum-sealed packages containing cannabis flower weighing a total of 28.3 kilograms, together with eight packages of processed cannabis weighing 3.4 kilograms. The total seized amounted to approximately 31.7 kilograms.

According to officials, the suspect admitted that both suitcases and all of the cannabis belonged to her. She also confessed to attempting to take the cannabis out of Thailand.

Authorities charged her with attempting to export goods without completing customs procedures under the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017). She also faces offences under the Narcotics Code, the Protection and Promotion of Traditional Thai Medicine Wisdom Act B.E. 2542 (1999), the Ministry of Public Health Notification on Controlled Herbs (Cannabis) B.E. 2568 (2025), and other relevant laws.

Following her arrest, the suspect and the seized cannabis were handed over to investigators at Sakhu Police Station for further legal proceedings. Police Colonel Salan Santisatsanakul, superintendent of Sakhu Police Station, said the arrest resulted from close cooperation between security agencies and customs officials. He said authorities have intensified inspections of passengers and baggage at Phuket International Airport to prevent illegal items from being smuggled out of the country.

He also confirmed that officials would continue to strictly enforce the law against anyone found attempting to export prohibited or controlled goods illegally.

Daily News reported that the case comes as Thai authorities continue to increase scrutiny of outbound passengers following a series of attempts to smuggle cannabis overseas. Airports across the country have stepped up baggage screening and cooperation between law enforcement agencies in response to the growing number of international trafficking cases.

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 8 July 2026

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Are these commercial outlets in Thailand offering some 'take it home' prepacked deals or what?

I am wondering if there will a deep investigation as they do with the air hostess.. where comes the cannabis from who imported it in Thailand, is there another recipient?? etc etc

57 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

21-year-old Belgian woman has been arrested at Phuket International Airport after authorities allegedly found more than 31 kilograms

Stupid woman, Enjoy your prison time 😂

Are these people completely unaware of the risks of getting caught? Thai prisons are no joke.

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

Are these commercial outlets in Thailand offering some 'take it home' prepacked deals or what?

Market conditions are causing this. Kilo price wholesale in thailand is quite low. Buying those kilos prepacked is standard. Its quite easy to buy from farms for wholesale. I am in a line group with many farms and wholesalers who sell to anyone and everyone.

The mark ups would be pretty big. Thailand quickly became a mecca for top growers from all over.

You can get a kilo of very high quality for around 500 eur. A couple of ounces would cover the purchase cost leaving a 10x return.

31 kilos......well concealed in her suitcase I might add.

22 minutes ago, temuFarang said:

Are these people completely unaware of the risks of getting caught? Thai prisons are no joke.

You have to wonder why someone would take such a stupid risk.

Maybe this isn't simply greed or stupidity....... coercion and threats could be the driving force.

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Stupid woman, Enjoy your prison time 😂

What prison time? She had a 100% legal product...And she was still in Thailand....Only the export licence had slipped her mind...

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A 21-year-old Belgian woman has been arrested at Phuket International Airport after authorities allegedly found more than 31 kilograms of cannabis concealed in her luggage as she prepared to leave Thailand.

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The arrest was made on 7 July at the international departures terminal of Phuket International Airport in Mai Khao, Thalang district, Phuket. Airport officials identified the suspect as Ms Salma El Khnati, a 21-year-old Belgian national.

Officers became suspicious of two suitcases, one green and white and the other black, both branded BLUE PLANET. A search uncovered 12 vacuum-sealed packages containing cannabis flower weighing a total of 28.3 kilograms, together with eight packages of processed cannabis weighing 3.4 kilograms. The total seized amounted to approximately 31.7 kilograms.

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According to officials, the suspect admitted that both suitcases and all of the cannabis belonged to her. She also confessed to attempting to take the cannabis out of Thailand.

Authorities charged her with attempting to export goods without completing customs procedures under the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017). She also faces offences under the Narcotics Code, the Protection and Promotion of Traditional Thai Medicine Wisdom Act B.E. 2542 (1999), the Ministry of Public Health Notification on Controlled Herbs (Cannabis) B.E. 2568 (2025), and other relevant laws.

Following her arrest, the suspect and the seized cannabis were handed over to investigators at Sakhu Police Station for further legal proceedings. Police Colonel Salan Santisatsanakul, superintendent of Sakhu Police Station, said the arrest resulted from close cooperation between security agencies and customs officials. He said authorities have intensified inspections of passengers and baggage at Phuket International Airport to prevent illegal items from being smuggled out of the country.

He also confirmed that officials would continue to strictly enforce the law against anyone found attempting to export prohibited or controlled goods illegally.

Daily News reported that the case comes as Thai authorities continue to increase scrutiny of outbound passengers following a series of attempts to smuggle cannabis overseas. Airports across the country have stepped up baggage screening and cooperation between law enforcement agencies in response to the growing number of international trafficking cases.

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 8 July 2026

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Arab Belgian ! How stupid can you be to leave Thailand with two heavy suitcases and not get the attention of customs and police ?

3 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

I am wondering if there will a deep investigation as they do with the air hostess.. where comes the cannabis from who imported it in Thailand, is there another recipient?? etc etc

Perhaps it came from legal cannabis farms in Thailand.

2 hours ago, redwood1 said:

What prison time? She had a 100% legal product...And she was still in Thailand....Only the export licence had slipped her mind...

Cannabis is only legal for medical use in Thailand and legal possession of cannabis is limited to a maximum of a 30-day supply. The amount that she was in possession of is considered intent to distribute.

17 hours ago, redwood1 said:

hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Stupid woman, Enjoy your prison time 😂

What prison time? She had a 100% legal product...And she was still in Thailand....Only the export licence had slipped her mind..

She's in prison as we speak.

20 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

He said authorities have intensified inspections of passengers and baggage at Phuket International Airport to prevent illegal items from being smuggled out of the country.

She was trying to smuggle illegal items out of Thailand.

20 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

officials would continue to strictly enforce the law against anyone found attempting to export prohibited or controlled goods illegally.

@redwood1 If I was you, I'd message the mods, apologising and ask to have your nonsense comment removed

Edited 13 hours ago13 hr by SAFETY FIRST

A rather exotic interpretation of "COD + Free Shipping ?"