Chon Buri police warns on vehicle buys with dodgy documents

Authorities in Chon Buri issued a warning on buying vehicles with incomplete documents or registration after an incident involving a stolen license plate led to the wrongful accusation of a car owner.

Officers from the Mueang Chon Buri Police Station responded to a call around noon yesterday, following a report that a black Mitsubishi Attrage was found with a stolen license plate which had been reported since January 13.

Upon arrival, police met 43 year old Nokporn, the current owner of the Mitsubishi, and 45 year old Sompong, the original owner of the license plate.

Sompong brought along evidence, including a copy of the police report from the theft, to confirm that the plate belonged to his white Honda City, from which it had been stolen.

Nokporn shared that he purchased the Mitsubishi from Sa Kaeo for 70,000 baht. The car came with the license plate already attached, and the seller promised to send the vehicle’s registration documents later. He frequently had to pay fines when stopped at police checkpoints due to the lack of proper documentation.

He revealed that he bought the car without knowing its full history, only knowing that it came without documents. He mostly used the vehicle to transport goods to sell at the local market.

Nokporn advised other potential car buyers to thoroughly check vehicle documents before purchasing to avoid becoming accidental accomplices in illegal activities.

Sompong recounted that a neighbour had informed him about a sighting of a car with familiar licence plates to his stolen plate. Upon closer inspection, Sompong confirmed that the plates were indeed his.

The police have asked Nokporn to bring his car to the station for further investigations, as the vehicle lacks ownership documents. If it is determined that the car was indeed stolen, Nokporn could face legal charges, reported Khaosod.

The incident serves as a reminder of the potential legal issues that can arise from buying vehicles with incomplete or suspicious documentation. Buyers must verify all necessary paperwork and ensure that the vehicle’s history is clear to avoid legal complications.