Lao woman with Bt30 million held at border

– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: A 42-year-old Laotian was detained in the border province of Mukdahan yesterday for allegedly trying to smuggle Bt30 million in cash out of the country.

The woman who was identified only as Matapon was stopped and her car searched at a checkpoint at Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge II in the province. Police were acting on a tip-off.

At first, she refused to be searched, saying she wanted to wait for her lawyer.

However, when her lawyer did not show up, the military officers called on Mukdahan police to join the search. Eventually the suspect, who remained seated in the car, agreed to the search and opened the door.

A total of Bt30 million in cash was discovered hidden under the front and back seats. The notes still had bank tags attached to them.

The suspect later admitted that the money was hers, but refused to say where she got it.

She was charged of trying to take more than US$20,000 out of the country without permission.

— Phuket Gazette Editors