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Foreign Office issues Thailand warning after increase of Brits arrested

Millions of people visit Thailand every year

The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for tourists entering Thailand
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for tourists entering Thailand(Image: Martin Deja/Getty Images)

For anyone travelling to Thailand over the next few weeks and months, there is a key piece of advice from the British government that you must follow. Thailand is a popular tourist destination for a number of reasons, including its beautiful beaches, affordable prices and stunning weather.

Whether you’re heading there on holiday, or are backpacking around the area, you will need to stay up-to-date on the latest guidelines. The government has issued a warning about illegal drugs and the risks of carrying cannabis out of Thailand.


According to the Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), a number of British nationals have been caught carrying cannabis out of Thailand. There have been arrests of British nationals caught transiting through airports in other countries.


Many international airports have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items, which may be used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.

The FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to parts of south Thailand, and encourages travellers to avoid travelling near to the Thailand-Malaysia border.

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These places include:

  • Pattani Province
  • Yala Province
  • Narathiwat Province
  • southern Songkhla Province – south of the A43 road between Hat Yai and Sakom, and south of the train line which runs between Hat Yai and Padang Besar

FCDO also advises against all but essential travel on the Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line that runs through these provinces. This is due to regular attacks in the provinces by the border with Malaysia.

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