An Australian tourist was arrested at an airport in Thailand - allegedly with four kilos of meth hidden in soap bars.

The 68-year-old suspect, not named by police, was preparing to board a flight to Perth, western Australia, when he was detained at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, on Sunday.

Customs officials said they received a tip-off about suspected smuggling. They then intercepted the tourist and seized his luggage, which reportedly contained 12 herbal soap bars packed with suspicious white flakes.

Police said that further inspections revealed a secret compartment in his black suitcase containing more drugs.

The substance tested positive for methamphetamine, with the total illegal haul weighing 4.26 kilos (nine pounds) worth around 1.2 million baht (27,335 GBP).

Phantong Loykulnanta, Customs Department spokesman, said: 'The Customs Department is committed to protecting society and ensuring safety by strictly preventing and suppressing the smuggling of drugs and illegal goods in line with government policy.

'From October 1, 2024, to August 14, 2025, we seized ice, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine in 197 cases, with a total value exceeding 1.265 billion baht.'

The Australian, who was boarding a flight to Perth International Airport, was detained to face legal charges.

Meth is classified as a category 1 substance in Thailand.

Under Thai law, using category 1 substances may be punished with up to three years in jail and a fine of up to 60,000 baht, while possession carries a fine of up to 200,000 baht and up to 10 years imprisonment.

Those convicted of dealing may face life imprisonment and a five million baht fine, depending on the amount involved. Producers, importers, and exporters of Category 1 substances face the same charges and may face the death penalty if it is proven their intent was to sell or distribute on a large scale.

(1 GBP = 43.90 THB)