Picture courtesy of SiamChon.

 

Police in Pattaya have apprehended a 31-year-old man from Uzbekistan after he attempted to exchange counterfeit US dollars at a local currency exchange outlet in central Pattaya.

 

Pol. Col. Anek Srathongyu, Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, along with Pol. Lt. Col. Arut Saphanon, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation, confirmed that the suspect, identified as Mr. Iskandarkhuja, was arrested at a hotel in city.

 

The arrest followed a tip-off from a currency exchange shop in the city which reported that a foreign tourist, described as a fair-skinned male, had exchanged US dollars for Thai baht amounting to approximately 80,000 baht. Upon inspection, the dollar bills were found to be counterfeit.

 

CCTV footage and documentation identifying the foreign suspect were handed over to Pattaya police investigators. Officers quickly traced Mr. Iskandarkhuja to room 2202 on the second floor of the hotel where he was staying. A search of the room uncovered two money exchange slips placed on a bedside table, as well as $3,000 in counterfeit US currency concealed inside a shoulder bag.

 

During interrogation, the suspect admitted to bringing the counterfeit banknotes from Turkey with the intention of using them for daily expenses. He claimed he had planned to exchange the dollars for Thai baht or other foreign currencies to fund his stay in Thailand.

 

Mr. Iskandarkhuja was taken into custody along with the counterfeit currency and the CCTV footage, which captured evidence of the crime. He faces charges of possession and intent to circulate counterfeit US currency, fully aware of its falsified nature.

 

Pol. Col. Anek Srathongyu urged local business operators, particularly those in the currency exchange sector, to remain vigilant. He invited any additional victims or witnesses to come forward and file complaints with Pattaya City Police Station.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from SiamChon 2025-04-25.

 

 

 

 

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

During interrogation, the suspect admitted to bringing the counterfeit banknotes from Turkey with the intention of using them for daily expenses. He claimed he had planned to exchange the dollars for Thai baht or other foreign currencies to fund his stay in Thailand.

I wonder what his Plan B is ?

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I wonder what his Plan B is ?

 

Free board and lodging courtesy of the Thai prison authorities?

Next step - they return money to exchange shop, collect counterfeit dollars and kick Uzbeki dude away from TH. 
3.000+2000=5.000.

Nice, Borat!