Bukkhalo police superintendent Pol Colonel Jinnawat Konthongdee said medical equipment importer Thanaphak Jiradechdamrong, 30, told police that the maid started working at his house on December 8 and asked for permission to leave on December 12 to visit her boyfriend whom she said had been in an accident.

The maid, identified by police as Khin Myat Upu, left the house with two plastic bags and Bt500 advance pay.

Thanaphak called police after he discovered later the same night that cash and three sets of jewellery were missing.

Police secured the warrant and launched a hunt for the woman, alerting immigration police in Chiang Rai, Tak, Kanchanaburi, Prchuap Khiri Khan and Ranong.

Jinnawat urged people to check on their migrant employees or request local police to help collect information on workers.