French Travellers Claim ‘Free Holiday’ Led to Cannabis Arrests
French Travellers Claim ‘Free Holiday’ Led to Cannabis Arrests
BANGKOK, Aug. 14, 2026 – At least 11 French nationals have been arrested in Thailand after cannabis was allegedly discovered in their luggage, with several claiming they were tricked into carrying locked bags as part of what French media have dubbed a “Thailand plan” scam.
France’s National Police told broadcaster RTL that the suspects were charged with attempting to smuggle drugs out of Thailand. Some remain in custody as Thai authorities reportedly enforce stricter procedures for suspects unable to pay customs fines.
Families of several detainees told French media that their relatives had been offered free trips to Thailand on the condition that they return to France with luggage supplied by others.
The travellers were allegedly told the bags contained items such as mobile phones. Instead, they reportedly contained large quantities of cannabis.
RTL reported the case of a 20-year-old French national who was arrested while returning from Thailand in June after airport officials allegedly found 16.8kg of cannabis inside locked luggage.
The man reportedly told investigators that he did not know the combination needed to open the bags.
He said someone who contacted him through Snapchat had paid for his trip to Thailand. It remains unclear whether he knew what the luggage contained.
French media also reported that two other French nationals were arrested in Hong Kong after cannabis was allegedly discovered in luggage they had carried from Thailand.
The reports have raised concerns over criminal networks potentially exploiting tourists by using them as unwitting couriers.
French authorities said Thailand’s handling of cannabis-smuggling cases has become stricter.
According to RTL, a customs fine can reach 30,000 baht per kilogramme of cannabis, while attempting to smuggle cannabis can result in prison sentences ranging from two to 10 years.
Under procedures reportedly being applied more strictly, suspects who cannot pay the required customs fine may remain in Thailand while awaiting trial.
The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has urged French citizens to remain aware of Thailand’s changing cannabis regulations and comply with local laws.
It is providing consular assistance to French nationals detained in Thailand and said it would examine the alleged scheme to determine who was behind it and whether a wider criminal network was involved.
The allegations that the travellers were deliberately deceived have not been independently established, and the cases remain subject to investigation and legal proceedings.
