Bangkok’s Big Bust: The Thai Crackdown on a Myanmar Money‑Launderer
On a brisk September morning, Bangkok’s police made headlines after detaining a 53‑year‑old Myanmar businessman cleared of ties to the country’s military junta. According to Thai deputy police spokesman Knisana Phathanacharoen, the raid came during a sunrise sweep that also nabbed four Thai nationals accused of conspiracy to traffic drug and laundering hard cash.
The Man at the Heart of the Story
Rumor has it that the unlucky Tun Min Latt owns a portfolio that spans hotels, energy, and mining ventures. But his real claim to fame lies in his close friendship with Min Aung Hlaing, the commander‑in‑chief of Myanmar’s army. Photographs from a 2019 arms fair—one even spotted in Bangkok—show Tun Min Latt side‑by‑side with the junta leader.
Some sources say a 2019 UN report revealed that he was the son of a retired lieutenant colonel. The same dossier claimed his business made over US$71,500 (S$101,000) in donations to the Myanmar military back in 2017.
Police Move Fast, Court Let Loose
Knisana told Reuters from his office that police are asking the court to keep Tun Min Latt in custody during the preliminary investigations. “They’re still pulling the evidence,” he said, hinting at a deeper web of illicit activity.
Before the court’s decision was finalized, police also seized assets worth more than 200 million baht – roughly S$7.6 million – from the four suspects.
Why This Matters
Myanmar’s military seized power in February 2021 and has ramped up its crackdown on the opposition ever since. The latest arrest is said to be part of Thailand’s larger campaign against money laundering tied to narcotics, particularly in the border town of Tachileik in Shan State.
While Burmese state officials declined to comment, Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board stayed tight‑lipped. British authorities earlier this year placed sanctions on one of Tun Min Latt’s businesses as part of an attempt to hamper Myanmar’s arms sales and revenue streams.
Bottom Line
With the Thai police rolling out the red carpet for a boy‑friend of the Myanmar military leader, the world watches. Crime, corruption, and international politics are tangled, and who knows—maybe someday this big bust will bring a little justice to the region.
