CHIANG RAI – Thai customs officers recently intercepted a major cash smuggling attempt at the Mae Sai border. They found over 23 million baht hidden inside boxes meant for fish snacks and potato chips. The cash was inside a car with Myanmar license plates heading out of Thailand.
The incident took place on June 23, 2026, at the first Mae Sai border checkpoint. Officers arrested the driver, a 31-year-old man from Myanmar, for breaking strict customs and currency laws. He was trying to cross the border into Myanmar with undeclared money.
Key Takeaways:
- Customs seized over 23 million baht at the Mae Sai border checkpoint.
- Smugglers hid the cash inside snack boxes in a Myanmar-registered car.
- Authorities arrested a 31-year-old Myanmar man who was driving the vehicle.
- The suspect faces serious charges for violating Thai currency and customs laws.
The operation began around 6:10 PM on a seemingly normal Tuesday evening. Officers were checking vehicles at the outbound passenger lane. The checkpoint is only about 10 meters from the customs clearance area.
It is also just 20 meters away from the actual Thai-Myanmar border line. A standard passenger car carrying fewer than seven people approached the security stop. The driver had already passed his passport exit checks without any obvious issues.
However, customs officials noticed something unusual and decided to inspect the vehicle more closely. The customs team regularly monitors this crossing point due to high traffic and past smuggling incidents. You can read more about border security efforts at the Thai Customs Department.
Uncovering the Hidden Millions
During the search, officers found two ordinary-looking cardboard boxes. These boxes were clearly labeled as food products, specifically fish snacks and potato chips. But they felt much heavier than normal snack boxes should feel.
When officers opened the first box, they discovered a massive amount of cash instead of food. They pulled out 17 thick bundles of 1,000-baht notes. Each bundle contained exactly one million baht, making 17 million baht just in the first box.
The search continued into the second cardboard box. Here, the team found another six bundles of one million baht each. They also found an extra 23 separate 1,000-baht notes, adding another 6,023,000 baht to the total.
Altogether, the officers seized exactly 23,023,000 baht from the two disguised snack boxes. Smugglers often use everyday items like food packaging to hide illegal goods or money. But the trained customs team knew exactly what to look for during their inspection.
Strict Enforcement by Thai Customs
This successful seizure highlights the ongoing efforts of the Thai Customs Department. Director-General Phanthong Loykulnunt has pushed a strong policy to stop illegal border activities. He wants to ensure strict enforcement of all customs regulations across the country.
Deputy Director-General Direk Kacharaks also supported these increased security measures. Furthermore, Pra-onrat Rattanapornsompong, the Director of Customs Region 3, ordered tighter controls in the northern areas. The regional office oversees the busy Mae Sai district and other critical border zones.
Locally, the Mae Sai Customs Chief, Waris Wisantanon, led the direct action on the ground. He ordered his investigation and suppression teams to step up their daily vehicle searches. They aim to catch anyone trying to smuggle illegal items in or out of Thailand. Stay updated on local news through major outlets like the Bangkok Post.
Legal Consequences for the Smuggler
Taking large amounts of cash out of Thailand requires special permission from currency control officials. Travelers must always declare large sums of money to customs before leaving the country. In this case, the suspect did neither of these required legal steps.
As a result, officers immediately confiscated the 23 million baht as criminal evidence. They detained the driver and handed him over for further legal action. The suspect now faces severe penalties for his attempt to sneak the money across the border.
Authorities charged him with attempting to smuggle Thai currency out of the kingdom. This act violates Section 242 and Section 252 of the Customs Act of 2017. He also broke Section 80 of the Thai Criminal Code during his failed smuggling attempt.
Additionally, the driver faces charges under the Exchange Control Act of 1942. Specifically, he violated Sections 8 and 8 bis of this important financial law. The suspect will remain in custody while the legal process moves forward in the Thai courts.
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