Thailand Targets Repeat Smugglers, Blacklists 86 Foreigners

Thailand Targets Repeat Smugglers, Blacklists 86 Foreigners

BANGKOK, April 26, 2026 — Thai police and customs authorities have blacklisted 86 foreign nationals as part of a crackdown on cross-border smuggling involving undeclared cash, gold and cannabis buds, officials said on Saturday.

The move follows closer coordination between the Royal Thai Police, Customs Department and Immigration Bureau aimed at preventing repeat offences that authorities say threaten state revenue and national security.

Deputy national police chief Pol. Gen. Nirandorn Lueamsri said agencies had integrated their databases and adopted more proactive enforcement measures.

Authorities said foreign nationals identified in smuggling cases would be placed on an immigration blacklist, preventing re-entry into Thailand, while Thai nationals would be placed on a watchlist and face stricter screening.

So far, records have been compiled on 114 individuals, including 86 foreigners and 28 Thai nationals, with all of the foreign suspects meeting criteria for blacklisting.

Officials said repeated attempts had been detected to move large amounts of Thai currency and gold out of the country without declaration, in some cases worth millions of baht.

Cash smuggling cases were often found at border checkpoints near casino zones, commonly involving nationals from neighbouring Southeast Asian countries, while gold smuggling was more frequently intercepted at airports, often involving South Asian travellers, authorities said.

Recent investigations also uncovered attempts by foreign nationals to export cannabis buds without authorisation, often bound for Europe, where the product remains illegal in many countries.

Officials said some offenders had previously paid fines, re-entered Thailand and committed similar offences again, prompting tougher measures.

Police urged travellers to familiarise themselves with customs rules on prohibited and declarable items to avoid penalties.