Northern Thailand
Two Laotian Nationals Arrested Smuggling 26 Million Baht in Cash
Customs Officials found bulk cash in Thai baht of 1,000 baht banknotes packed inside,totaling 26 million baht.
MUKDAHARN – Thai Custom officials have arrested two Laotian nationals Wednesday morning when they tried to smuggle 26 million baht in bulk cash out of the country to Laos.
The two Laotian nationals were identified as Thao Banluesak Sipakdi, 31, and Thao Santichai Chanto, 25.
Custom Chief Soraj Sangkawan said the two Laotians were intercepted as they were driving in a pickup truck passing the Cites Mukdaharn border checkpoint to Sawannakhet of Laos.
The authorities at the checkpoint comprising custom officials, soldiers and rangers searched the truck and discovered three paper boxes.
Upon opening up all three boxes, they found bulk cash in Thai baht of 1,000 baht banknotes packed inside,totaling 26 million baht.
Thai authorities then informed both men that smuggling bulk cash in Thai currency is a crime.
They then offered the bulk cash to Thai authorities.
However authorities booked the two Laotians for further questioning by custom and security officials, and also confiscated the bulk cash.
Last Week a a 35-year-old Lao woman has been detained for bringing US$400,000 (13.3 million baht) into the country without declaring it.
Jaturong Khachornfung, chief of the Chiang Khong branch of the Marine Office, said marine officers spotted the woman at the Buk pier in Chiang Khong district of Chiang Rai
