Thai customs arrests 2 foreign passengers with US cash worth over 56m baht
Thailand’s Customs Department is tightening airport checks on cross-border cash movements and urging travellers to comply with currency rules.
- Two foreign passengers were arrested at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport on September 30.
- Customs officers discovered US dollar banknotes, valued at over 56 million baht, concealed in their luggage.
- The passengers, who had arrived from Jakarta, Indonesia, were charged with violating Thailand's customs and exchange control laws.
- The arrests reflect a broader policy by Thai authorities to tighten controls against cross-border currency smuggling and potential money laundering.
Thailand’s Customs Department said officers arrested two foreign passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport on September 30, 2026, after finding US dollar banknotes worth more than 56 million baht concealed in their luggage.
Santanee Phairattanakorn, director of the Suvarnabhumi Airport Passenger Control Customs Office, said the two passengers had arrived from Jakarta, Indonesia. Officers from the passenger customs office searched their luggage and discovered the banknotes, according to the department.
Customs alleges exchange-control and customs violations
The Customs Department alleged that the passengers failed to comply with the Finance Ministry’s Notification on Exchange Control (No. 6) and the 2016 ministerial regulation governing the movement of Thai currency, foreign currency and negotiable instruments into or out of Thailand.
The Customs Department also cited the Exchange Control Act 1942, as amended by the Exchange Control Act (No. 2) 2016, the Customs Act 2017 and other relevant laws in connection with the Suvarnabhumi arrests.
Customs strengthens airport checks on cross-border cash
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas has instructed the Customs Department to tighten controls on Thai and foreign currency and negotiable instruments entering or leaving Thailand. The policy aims to prevent cross-border currency smuggling and activities potentially linked to international money laundering, according to the department.
Customs director-general Phantong Loykulnanta and Nunthita Sirikup, the department’s principal adviser on customs control development, instructed officers to intensify searches and interception efforts, particularly for currency concealed by passengers travelling through airports.
Santanee said the Suvarnabhumi passenger customs office had strengthened surveillance and inspections of passengers identified as higher risk as part of continuing efforts to combat cross-border currency smuggling. The measures form part of the department’s airport checks on cross-border cash.
Santanee urged travellers bringing Thai baht, foreign currency or negotiable instruments into or out of Thailand to comply fully with the relevant rules and laws. Information is available from the Customs Department, customs offices and checkpoints nationwide, the 1164 hotline, and the department’s official social media channels.
