Footage shows increased levels of security at the Koh Samui International Airport in southern Thailand amid a spate of arrests for attempted cannabis smuggling.

Police and security guards were stationed at the airport to thwart marijuana traffickers travelling in and out of Koh Samui on May 4.

Large posters and banners were scattered around the area, reminding travellers that cannabis smuggling is illegal.

Koh Samui has seen a boost in tourism after the hit series The White Lotus was recently filmed showcasing the Bohemian tropical island.

But the tropical climate and unregulated nature of island life have made it a prime spot for cultivating cannabis.

With marijuana legal and widely available, many users have attempted to stock up on the product before returning to their home countries.

Dozens of British tourists have been arrested, with some allegedly part of large-scale cannabis smuggling networks.

The crackdown has seen police tighten security at Thai airports amid a spate of cannabis smuggling attempts in recent weeks.

Authorities said they were discussing tighter security measures to intercept cannabis smugglers, who can achieve large profits from the arbitrage with their homelands.

Cannabis with under 0.2 per cent of THC was decriminalised in Thailand in June 2022, as a potential cash crop for impoverished farmers and ministers connected to the pharmaceutical industry. Cannabis smoking is allowed for personal use in private areas but remains prohibited in public spaces.

However, bungling officials are now seeking to outlaw recreational cannabis, blaming poorly regulated use for allegedly fuelling drug abuse and a rise in the number of cases of tourists over-indulging in the drug.

Tourist destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya have seen the negative consequences of legalising the drug, with tourists regularly arrested for misbehaving while under the influence of cannabis.