Inquiry into cash brought in from Hong Kong

Sonthi assigned the Anti-Money Laundering Office and the Immigration Bureau to oversee the probe.

"The investigation should be able to answer any [possible] links to campaigning," he said.

If connections were found to the upcoming poll or political parties, the case would be forwarded to the Election Commission for appropriate action, he said.

He refused to speculate on the possible involvement of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was in Hong Kong for a meeting last week, when the cash was uncovered.

PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan said the authorities detected an unusual movement of businessmen carrying cash from Hong Kong over the past week.

Each businessman had up to Bt20 million, he said, noting that the money was declared on arrival and the authorities would have to verify how the money was spent.

Apichart Sukhagganond, the Election Commission chairman, said the EC also discussed about the cash during the commission meeting.