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The police have been cracking down on international financial fraud rings operating out of Thailand.

The two suspects were identified as Lau Seng-ti, 47, a Malaysian national, and Superng Sae-kao, 29. Seized from them were 23 fake passports and more than 1,500 fake credit cards, of which 83 have magnetic strips and were ready to use.

The confiscated materials are estimated to be worth about Bt100 million, Pol Maj-General Panya Mamen, said yesterday.

Panya said the identities of the owners of the credit cards and other relevant information were obtained by the suspects from the United States via the Internet.

Panya said the suspects were also involved in money laundering and smuggling of goods, and have connections with criminal elements in foreign countries.

The two suspects were arrested on Friday during a police sting operation.

Central Investigation Bureau Commissioner Pol Lt-General Worapong Chiewpreecha, said the past three months have been extremely hectic for the police force because of the growing number of similar criminal activities

Security analysts and observers said Thailand has long been a favourite destination for international crime syndicates because of the ease in getting into and out of the country.

Besides fake passports and credit card frauds, the country has become the destination and transit point for victims of human trafficking from neighbouring countries.

 Illicit drugs, especially heroin and methamphetamines coming from the northern border areas, have not only flooded Thai cities but also find their way to foreign countries via shipping containers departing from the Eastern Seaboard, a senior intelligence officer said on condition of anonymity.