Suvarnabhumi officials catch accused iPhone smuggler
Customs officials at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Sunday arrested an Australian man who allegedly tried to smuggle 26 iPhone 8 mobiles, worth about Bt1 million, into the country without permission.
The suspect was identified as Ho Wun Howard Lee, 38, a music producer from Australia.
Ho said he bought the phones in Australia and intended to sell them to friends in Singapore. He was on his way to Singapore and transiting through Bangkok when he was arrested.
He claimed he did not know that he had to notify customs officials for bringing in the iPhone 8 mobiles.
Ho, carrying two suitcases, was about to leave to the arrival lounge at the Suvarnabhumi Airport through the “nothing to declare” aisle when officials noticed his suspicious behaviour.
They asked to X-ray Ho’s suitcases and saw the 26 mobile phones inside, finding the phones when they opened the suitcases.
The officials said the iPhone series 8 had not yet received permission to be sold or used in Thailand, so possession of the device was against the law.
Ho was detained under customs and telecommunication laws.
