Pol Maj-General Sommai Kongwisaisuk, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, said Direk Kaewchucherd had worked for the bank for more than 10 years. Sommai alleged Direk used customers’ bank information to make new ATM cards and withdraw money from their accounts.

Most of the victims were foreigners due to their high amount of spending and the fact they rarely checked their accounts, Sommai said.

Direk, 50, was arrested carrying Bt20,000 that was allegedly withdrawn using six fraudulent ATM cards on Saturday.

Sommai alleged Direk spent most of the hundreds of thousands of baht he stole on expenses and entertainment. An anonymous source said the total amount allegedly stolen was about Bt40 million and the thefts had been ongoing for four years.