PATTAYA — Thai police have arrested a foreign tourist for exchanging counterfeit US dollars for Thai baht and actively spending in Pattaya.
The arrest came after authorities received a tip from a currency exchange business that had processed approximately 80,000 baht worth of suspicious US dollar notes.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Arut Sapanon, Deputy Superintendent of Pattaya City Police, led the investigation using CCTV footage which identified the suspect as Mr. Iskandarkhuja, a 31-year-old Uzbekistan national. Officers subsequently arrested him at a hotel in central Pattaya, Nongprue Subdistrict, Banglamung District, Chonburi Province.
During the search of his hotel room, authorities discovered two currency exchange receipts on the bedside table and additional US dollar notes hidden in his shoulder bag. The suspect was taken to Pattaya City Police Station for questioning along with the evidence: 30 counterfeit $100 bills totaling $3,000.
Iskandarkhuja confessed to bringing the counterfeit US currency from Turkey to fund his vacation expenses in Thailand. His plan was to exchange the fake bills for Thai baht or other foreign currencies and use the proceeds for daily expenses.
The suspect has been charged with possession and use of counterfeit US currency while knowing it was fake.
Police Colonel Anek Srathongyoo, Superintendent of Pattaya City Police, has asked any businesses that may have fallen victim to this suspect to file additional complaints at the Pattaya City Police Station. He also urged currency exchange operators to immediately alert nearby officers if they encounter suspicious individuals attempting similar crimes. Police assistance is available 24 hours a day.
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