Thai-UK effort targets cannabis smugglers

David Thomas, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Bangkok, Phanthong Loykulnanan, Director-General of the Customs Department, and Beki Wright, head of the Borders Threat Team at the UK National Crime Agency, inspect seized cannabis samples at the Customs Department on Wednesday. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)

Thailand and the United Kingdom have intensified cooperation to curb illegal cannabis smuggling, introducing tougher penalties and expanding intelligence sharing following a surge in trafficking cases.

David Thomas, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Bangkok, said the measures represented a shift towards preventing offences earlier by deterring people from being exploited by organised criminal networks.