Foreigners arrested at Bangkok airport with $1.6M in cash hidden in luggage

Two unnamed foreigners were arrested at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport on October 4, according to the Suvarnabhumi Airport Passenger Control Customs Office director, Santanee Phairattanakorn. The pair had arrived from Jakarta, Indonesia, on September 30.

The Customs Department has accused the individuals of violating a Finance Ministry notification on exchange control and a regulation regarding the movement of currency and negotiable instruments into or out of Thailand. They have been charged under the Exchange Control Act and the Customs Act.

Thai law allows travelers to bring any amount of currency into the country, but any amount exceeding $15,000 must be declared. The arrests are the result of a directive from Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, who ordered customs officers to intensify checks on Thai and foreign currency and negotiable instruments entering or leaving the country. The aim is to curb cross-border cash smuggling and potential international money laundering.

Customs Department Director General Phantong Loykulnanta instructed officers to conduct more thorough searches, particularly for cash concealed by air passengers. The department is also continuing surveillance and screening of high-risk passengers to prevent further currency smuggling. Anyone carrying Thai baht, foreign currency, or negotiable instruments into or out of Thailand is urged to comply fully with the rules.