Lawyer Claims Ownership of ฿12 Million Cash Found in Condo Garbage Dump
Nonthaburi, Thailand – A lawyer appeared at a police station in Nonthaburi yesterday to claim ownership of 12 million baht in cash that was discovered earlier this month in a discarded plastic box near a condominium garbage dump.
The lawyer, Thaweewat Sengkaew, declined to speak to the media, stating that all questions should be directed to the police.
Mistaken Disposal of Millions
According to Pol Maj Gen Kitthanet Thananantaweesiln, commander of Pakkret Police Station, Thaweewat told investigators that the money had been stored in a plastic box inside his condominium. He said his room had recently suffered flooding, which damaged many of his belongings. While clearing out the room, he mistakenly threw the box away—forgetting it contained the cash.
Thaweewat has pledged to present evidence to support his claim, including bank records from financial institutions he says issued the money, allegedly withdrawn two years ago.
Investigators have since confirmed that flooding did occur in Thaweewat’s condominium unit. They are now working with the banks to verify the withdrawal records.
Discovery Sparks Public Attention
The case attracted significant public interest after photos of the money surfaced on social media. The box, reportedly in good condition, was discovered around 7:40 p.m. on May 5 by a woman identified only as “Usa.” She spotted the container while walking near the garbage area at the Muang Thong Thani condominium.
Upon opening it, she found neatly stacked ฿1,000 banknotes and notified authorities. Police later counted the total amount—12 million baht in cash.
Evidence Found With the Cash
Inside the box, police also found an envelope bearing Thaweewat’s name and the emblem of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), along with documentation related to a tax refund.
While initial reports speculated a possible connection to the NBTC, police clarified that Thaweewat is not an NBTC official but serves as an aide to one of the commissioners.
Ongoing Investigation
Police are continuing their investigation to verify the legitimacy of Thaweewat’s claim. They are expected to cross-reference his statement with banking documentation and confirm whether the funds were indeed withdrawn and owned by him.
For now, the money remains in police custody pending further verification.
