3 Thais detained and fined in Malaysia following drug tests

The Wang Prachan checkpoint near Malaysia, where the 3 had been crossing.

Three Thais planning to travel to Malaysia during the long weekend were in for a surprise. The travellers had been crossing a checkpoint into Malaysia from South Thailand’s Satun province this week. When Malaysian authorities took urine samples from the three, they were found to have traces of marijuana in their bodies.

The tourists were fined 50,000 baht, and jailed for three days. Malaysian border police have been on guard with Thai tourists driving across the border, thoroughly checking all cars, according to one van driver. The van driver is ethnically Thai, however, he holds Malaysian nationality. He told Amarin TV that even though he regularly meets with border officers, they still thoroughly check his van.

Cannabis in Malaysia is legal for medical purposes. Recreational use of cannabis under Malaysian legislation provides for a mandatory death penalty for convicted drug traffickers. Individuals arrested for possessing 200 grams (seven ounces) of marijuana are presumed by law to be trafficking drugs.

Following Thailand’s decriminalisation of cannabis, several countries have warned Thai travelers not to bring Thai weed into their countries. Last month, South Korea and Singapore embassies joined the list to warn travellers from Thailand not to carry marijuana, other cannabis-based products, or cannabis extracts through their borders.

Related news

SOURCE: Amarin TV

World News

Thaiger Talk

Join the conversation and have your say on Thailand news published on The Thaiger.

Thaiger Talk is our new Thaiger Community where you can join the discussion on everything happening in Thailand right now.

Please note that articles are not posted to the forum instantly and can take up to 20 min before being visible. Click for more information and the Thaiger Talk Guidelines.

Tara Abhasakun

A Thai-American dual citizen, Tara has reported news and spoken on a number of human rights and cultural news issues in Thailand. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in history from The College of Wooster. She interned at Southeast Asia Globe, and has written for a number of outlets. Tara reports on a range of Thailand news issues.

Related Articles