Two Women Caught Smuggling Millions of Baht at Nong Khai Border

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Two women were arrested at the Nong Khai border crossing while attempting to bring over 3.6 million baht into the country. They later admitted to being hired to transport the cash but claimed they were unaware of the legal implications.

 

The incident occurred on 2 March at the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge border checkpoint in Nong Khai. Following orders from Theerach Atthanavanich, Director-General of the Customs Department, authorities were conducting strict inspections to prevent customs violations and related offences.

 

Nong Khai Customs Office Director, Wannapa Phu-utsa, instructed officials, including Somsin Chitsamonuk, Director of the First Customs Service Office, and Phatthanaphong Tantiwattanakulchai, Head of Customs Service Division 1, to monitor border crossings closely.

 

At around 15:30, officers noticed two women, later identified as Ms Suphanuch (27) from Chiang Kham, Phayao, and Ms Sasipha (39) from Phaya Mengrai, Chiang Rai, arriving from Laos on an international bus from Vientiane to Nong Khai. Each was carrying a large suitcase.

 

Suspicious of their luggage, customs officers directed their bags through an X-ray scanner, which revealed suspicious objects stacked inside. Upon further inspection, authorities discovered large amounts of cash inside the suitcases:

 

• Ms Suphanuch’s bag contained 2,100,000 baht in 1,000-baht notes.

 

• Ms Sasipha’s bag contained 1,500,000 baht in 1,000-baht notes.

 

The total amount seized was 3.6 million baht. Both women were immediately taken into custody.

 

During questioning, the suspects confessed that they had been hired by a Hmong national to pick up the suitcases from Laos and transport them to northern Thailand. However, they claimed they had not been told which province to deliver the money to and insisted this was their first time carrying out such an operation. They also stated they were unaware that their actions were illegal.

 

Authorities seized the cash as state property and processed the case under customs regulations. Both women agreed to pay the required fines, with penalties set at 150,000 baht and 420,000 baht, respectively.

 

The Customs Department continues to investigate whether the case is linked to a larger smuggling operation.

 

-- 2025-03-03

 

 

[Blueman1]

So WHERE Is The Money Now ??

[Snackbar]

Pay the fine, get ya $ back?

[TheFishman1]

Immigration people at that station have been seen in the Mercedes-Benz dealership shopping for new cars TIT

[Nick Carter icp]

Someone must have informed the I.O for them to be searched .

If they thought tit would be a problem, they could have just taken a boat across the river down stream a bit without anyone noticing