A British and Dutch tourist were arrested for allegedly importing ecstasy and exporting cannabis from Thailand.

The drug trafficking suspects, identified by police as Brit Thomas P., 23, and Dutchman Lance J., 24, reportedly ordered a parcel containing 7.4 ounces (210g) of MDMA hidden inside a bottle of dietary supplements.

Police Lieutenant General Phanurat Lakbun, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) of Thailand, said in a press conference today that the package was intercepted by the Airport Interdiction Task Force on November 4.

Authorities traced the address of the recipients and found that they lived in a condominium in the Sathu Pradit area of Bangkok.

The ONCB, the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, and the Royal Thai Armed Forces raided the condo and detained the pair on November 5.

They expanded their search to another residence in the Khlong Toei district, where they found 79lbs of cannabis and some hashish allegedly being packed for export to the United Kingdom. They also found vacuum sealing equipment and export documents showing that the drugs were declared as pillows.

Officials said Thomas and Lance were charged with 'attempting to bring category I narcotics into Thailand without permission', 'possessing category I narcotics without permission', 'unauthorised possession of Category V drugs for commercial purposes' and 'attempting to export goods that had not passed through customs procedures'.

ONCB secretary-general Phanurat said the arrests came after British authorities noted a significant influx of cannabis entering the UK from Thailand this year.

He said: 'The ONCB is working with the Customs Department, the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, Airports of Thailand, and relevant organisations to tighten monitoring measures on illegal drugs, including controlled herbs (cannabis), and prevent their export out of Thailand.'

Last week, three Malaysians were arrested for allegedly smuggling cannabis through the Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The ONCB said the drugs were destined for Italy and the UK.

Thailand saw a surge of neon-lit cannabis dispensaries after the substance was decriminalised in June 2022 during former army general Prayut Chan-o-cha's leadership, with impoverished farmers hoping it would become a new cash crop.

However, government officials are now furiously backpedalling amid an explosion in mental health complaints and gaudy shops that have attracted an even lower class of holidaymakers than the country's infamous sex tourists.

Officials will now outlaw recreational cannabis, blaming poorly regulated use for allegedly fuelling drug abuse and a rise in the the number of cases of tourists over-indulging in the drug.