German Apprehended in Thai Passport Swoop

A German national and a Frenchman have been arrested by Thai immigration police for attempting to smuggle out of the country more than 400 fake European passports and visa seals, police said Wednesday. German Heinz Paul Bruggemann, 61, was detained at Bangkok's International Airport as he checked in for a flight to Switzerland intending to take 255 fake passports and visa seals out of the country, they said. Also apprehended at the departure hall was French national Thierry Jean-Claude Villechenoux, 46, who was booked on a flight to London with 146 fake passports. The European Union has accused Thailand of being a hub for forgery of official documents which facilitate human trafficking around the globe.