Lao man nabbed with fake US banknotes

BANGKOK, November 24 (TNA) - Thai police have arrested a Lao national in Bangkok, together with fake US banknotes, worth 150,000 US dollars. The 48- year-old Lao man, identified as Somvang Puangmalai, was caught at a hotel in the capital on November 23 with 1,500 fake US banknotes in his possession, worth 100 US dollars each on their face value. The 191 police acted on a tip-off that fake banknotes would be delivered to a customer in tourist areas in the city, like China Town and Silom. The arrested Lao man confessed to have been hired 50,000 baht per trip by another Lao national in Lao PDR to deliver the US banknotes to an agent at the hotel in Bangkok. Metropolitan Police Chief Police Lieutenant General Sanit Mahathavorn warned people to observe bogus banknotes, as they look like ordinary paper without watermarks. "If anyone finds fake banknotes, they should immediately report to the police", said the metropolitan police chief. (TNA)