Crime Man Caught Smuggling Nearly 18 Million Baht in Cash from Myanmar

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A Thai man has been arrested at a border checkpoint in Sangkhla Buri district, Kanchanaburi province, after authorities discovered nearly 18 million baht in undeclared cash inside his vehicle. The man claimed he intended to deposit the money into a bank to settle outstanding payments with a supplier.

 

The arrest took place at the Nam Koek checkpoint in Moo 8, Nong Lu subdistrict, as part of a coordinated effort by police, Border Patrol Police Company 134, district officials and military forces from the Surasi Task Force. The operation was carried out under directives from national police chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanpet and Region 7 Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Naiwat Phadamchit.

 

Officers flagged down a black Toyota Fortuner with Ratchaburi license plates that had just entered Thailand from the Three Pagodas Pass checkpoint. The vehicle was stopped for a routine inspection.

 

The driver, identified as Mr. Thanawat from Ratchaburi province, was found to be carrying two green fabric bags placed on the front passenger seat. Inside, officials discovered bundles of Thai banknotes in various denominations.

Upon further examination at Sangkhla Buri Police Station, the contents of the bags were confirmed as follows:

 

• Bag 1:

• 1,990 banknotes of 500 baht = 995,000 baht

• 8,000 banknotes of 1,000 baht = 8,000,000 baht

• Total: 8,995,000 baht

 

• Bag 2:

• 2,000 banknotes of 500 baht = 1,000,000 baht

• 7,999 banknotes of 1,000 baht = 7,999,000 baht

• Total: 8,999,000 baht

 

Combined Total: 17,994,000 baht

 

Mr. Thanawat told officers he operates a cross-border import-export business and that the money was his own. He claimed to have collected it from a warehouse in Payathonzu, Myanmar and transported it by car across the border into Thailand. He intended to deposit the funds at a local bank in Sangkhla Buri to pay off an outstanding debt to a company.

 

He admitted to transporting the money without declaring it to customs authorities, violating customs regulations regarding the import of currency into the Kingdom. As a result, he was charged with illegally bringing Thai currency into the country without going through the required customs procedures.

 

The case is being handled by the Sangkhla Buri Police Station, with legal proceedings now underway. The arrest was carried out under the supervision of senior Kanchanaburi police officials including Pol. Maj. Gen. Apichart Srithongkul and Pol. Col. Santi Pitaksakul, chief of Sangkhla Buri Police.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-28.

 

 

 

[HappyExpat57]

Dumb criminals? I'll never understand - just declare it, pay whatever tax you need to "clean" the money, then move on. Now this idiot lost all the cash and his liberty. And if he's only a mule, then double stupid.

[ikke1959]

He must have some kind business as he had to pay so much money..... I would rather believe it is drugrelated, and  I think they should recount it,,,1990 an 7999 are strange numbers

[JoePai]

It was 25m before 'expenses'   😎

[Briggsy]

6 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

He must have some kind business as he had to pay so much money..... I would rather believe it is drugrelated, and  I think they should recount it,,,1990 an 7999 are strange numbers

I have previously had knowledge of Beer Laos smuggled into Thailand before the ASEAN free trade agreement. Each box only ever had 23 or 22 bottles as it was "taxed" en route.

[connda]

Maybe he just wanted a Long Stay Visa?  Poor man.

[Blueman1]

Combined Total: 17,994,000 baht.....So Somebody had taken 6,000 Out of one of his Bags ??.....Well That'll buy Tonights Dinner & A Few bottles of Lao Khow Yeah ?/ " Happy Days "

[No Forwarding Address]

6 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

He must have some kind business as he had to pay so much money..... I would rather believe it is drugrelated, and  I think they should recount it,,,1990 an 7999 are strange numbers

The weapons trade is quite lucrative, thats a possibility 

[ikke1959]

1 hour ago, Briggsy said:

I have previously had knowledge of Beer Laos smuggled into Thailand before the ASEAN free trade agreement. Each box only ever had 23 or 22 bottles as it was "taxed" en route.

I have idea that 6k is lost in a pocket somewhere.... They probably were thinking nobody will notice