Thailand: When a safe isn’t enough, banknotes are swallowed by unexpected visitors

IN BRIEF A resident of Thailand discover his safe damaged when withdrawing money to pay the rent The chest contained approximately 1 million baht (≈ 26,000 euros); several bundles of tickets have been eaten away. The intruders are not thieves, but termites having consumed paper and the cellulose. Some cuts could be replaced by the bank, but others were too damaged to be salvaged. unknown. Story relayed with photos on Facebookillustrating a household risk that was not anticipated for the preservation of values.

Thinking about it money safe in a safe A domestic worker in Thailand was shocked to discover, upon opening it to pay her bill, that it was a maid. rent, that termites had partly transformed the tickets in dust. The chest contained approximately 1 million baht —, and while some banknotes could be replaced by the bank, others were too damaged to be. Insects, which feed on celluloseattack not only the wood but also the paperThis explains how currency stored in a safe was eaten away from the inside.

A woman in Thailand discovered, upon opening her safe domestic to withdraw money, than termites had partially reduced to dust bundles of banknotes representing nearly one million baht — approximately 26,000 eurosThe case, which was shared on social media and picked up by several media outlets, illustrates that protecting savings at home is not limited to resistance to theft but must also take into account biological and environmental risks.

The discovery and its consequences

The owner, identified on Facebook as Nanny Irin in the circulating posts, said she opened her safe less than a month ago. She thought her savings were sheltered Yahoo News, West France And 20 Minutes.

How could termites have accessed the safe?

THE termites they don’t just attack wood: they consume the celluloseThis insect is present in wood, cardboard, and paper. Banknotes, made of cellulose fibers, therefore represent a potential food source. Access to the safe can occur through cracks, poorly sealed joints, or entry points in the safe’s frame or surrounding structure. The time frame for infestation is often difficult to determine, hence the owner’s surprise upon discovering the damage.

To place this event in a broader media context, several local and international media outlets explained the phenomenon and pointed out that pest control is an often-neglected aspect of preserving physical objects. Similar and unusual stories circulate regularly, as evidenced by other sections of the regional and international press—for example, publications on the visit of the King of Thailand to France or articles on various topics published by specialist websites.

Recovery and possible recourse

Replacement of tickets

In the event of damaged banknotes, most central banks have procedures in place.exchange For damaged banknotes, there are strict criteria: identification of the banknote, the remaining value of the note, and the ability to prove that it is genuine. As reported in media coverage of the case, some banknotes were able to be replaced, while others were not. The procedures vary from country to country and often require a visit to a specialized counter or sending the banknotes to the relevant authorities.

Insurance and repairs

Depending on the type of home insurance policy, damage caused by pests may be covered or excluded. It is important to check the clauses relating to insect damage and deterioration of valuables. When coverage is not provided, the loss is difficult to recover, hence the benefit of combining several preventative measures.

To limit this type of risk, several precautions are reasonable: storing the values ​​in chests metallic and airtight containers, place moisture-proof bags, monitor the hygiene and airtightness of the rooms, treat or prevent infestations of harmful in the home, and consider bank deposits or digital solutions for large sums. Consumer articles recommend alternating solutions and consulting professionals; reports such as that of TF1 Info or summaries published by mainstream news sites provide practical guidance.

The role of social networks and media coverage

The initial spread of the problem came via a Facebook post, which was then amplified by local and international media coverage. This case illustrates how an everyday incident can quickly become a viral story, sparking discussion about home security and reigniting debates about managing… savings personal. Regional news sites like Southeast Asia frequently publish stories and reports that show the diversity of events reported in the region.

Other news and regional contexts

This type of event takes place within a rich and sometimes contrasting media landscape. Among other recent topics covered by the regional and international press are political reports such as the visit of the King of Thailand to France (Southeast Asia), migration files (expulsions in Cambodia), or social and cultural topics such as a street food festival in Rennes (Southeast AsiaOther publications relay similar personal and unusual stories to this one, for example NextPlz or more factual accounts such as .

For more in-depth coverage of the case and local reactions, several news portals have published additional information: , West FranceTF1 Info, Yahoo). Some sections of Southeast Asia also offer exclusive stories or in-depth reports on related topics (, miscellaneous facts).

When a safe doesn’t protect everything: banknotes eaten by insects

Q. What happened in this case in Thailand?

A. safe domestic worker to withdraw money and discovered that some tickets termites, and not by burglars.

Q. What amount of money was affected by these damages?

A. The chest contained approximately 1 million baht, which is the equivalent of approximately 26,000 euros part of the banknotes was irreparably damaged, which prevented the owner from recovering the full amount.

Q. How did termites manage to reach the money stored in a safe?

A. THE consume cellulosepresent in the paper and the If the safe is not completely airtight or is installed in an infested room, insects can pierce seals or enter through small cracks and reach the bundles of banknotes.

Was there a break-in or theft?

A. No. The evidence indicates that the damage to the banknotes is of biological origin: it is a infestation by wood-boring insects, not by human burglary.

Q. Can the bank replace damaged banknotes?

A. In many countries, financial institutions will exchange partially damaged banknotes if certain characteristics remain identifiable. However, banknotes that are too badly damaged may be refused. In this specific case, some banknotes may have been replaced but others were too damaged to be fully exchanged.

Q. What precautions should be taken when storing cash at home?

A. Preferably store in a dry place free from infested wood; use chests designed to be waterproof

Q. How to spot a termite infestation before it’s too late?

A. Warning signs: small galleries or sawdust near woodwork, blisters or warping of the wood, earthen tubes on the walls, presence of flying insects in the spring. Regular inspection by a professional is recommended. pest control allows for the detection and treatment of an infestation from the first signs.

Q. What immediate steps should be taken after discovering damaged banknotes?

A. bank To learn about the exchange procedure and contact a specialist to assess and process the issueinfestation in order to avoid a recurrence.

Q. Is choosing a home safe sufficient to secure large sums of money?

A. A sturdy safe will protect against theft and fire according to its specifications, but it doesn’t guarantee protection against pests or environmental conditions. For large sums of money, it’s recommended to combine a high-quality safe, a suitable location, and banking or insurance solutions.

Q. Why do termites also attack paper when they are mainly associated with wood?

A. Termites feed on cellulose, the main component of wood but also of paper and cardboard. When these materials are accessible and form part of their habitat or food source, they attack them indiscriminately.