KANCHANABURI — Police in Sangkhlaburi district have arrested a 25-year-old Thai man for illegally transporting nearly 18 million baht ($552,000) in cash across the border from Myanmar into Thailand. The suspect confessed to repeatedly using what locals call a “Doraemon Door” – a house with its front entrance in Thailand and back door opening directly into Myanmar.
The arrest took place on May 26 with assistance from the Lad Ya Special Forces unit, which had intensified checkpoint operations in the area. Authorities stopped a vehicle driven by the suspect, identified as Thanawat, as he traveled from Ban Phra Chedi Sam Ong toward Sangkhlaburi town center.
During the search, officers discovered two cloth bags containing 17,994,000 baht in cash hidden inside the vehicle.
Unique Cross-Border Route
Thanawat told investigators he operates an import-export business between Thailand and Myanmar. He explained that after collecting payment from sales in Myanmar, he would store the money in a warehouse before smuggling it across the border to deposit in Thai banks for business investment purposes.
The suspect regularly used an unusual route through a house located on Kaset Phanit Soi 9, where the front entrance sits on the Thai side of the border while the back door opens directly onto a Myanmar road. Locals have dubbed this passage the “Doraemon Door,” referencing the popular Japanese cartoon character known for his magical gadgets.
Thanawat admitted to using this route multiple times, paying 500 baht per trip to workers who guard the property. His luck ran out during this latest attempt when authorities intercepted him.
Legal Consequences
Officials have charged Thanawat under the Customs Act for bringing money into the kingdom without going through proper customs procedures. The offense carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment or a fine equivalent to four times the value of the goods plus import duties.
Authorities plan to question the homeowner to determine whether they were complicit in the smuggling operation.
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