Seized luxury yacht to be auctioned

PHUKET TOWN: A luxury motor yacht, which was seized when its Singaporean owner failed to pay import duty, is to be auctioned on March 20 at Phuket Customs Region 5 on Phuket Rd. The yacht’s owner kept it more than six months in Phuket without paying the crushing import duty of about 200%. The yacht, a Sealine T46 built in Britain two years ago, is 46 feet long. It is powered by two Volvo Penta engines, giving it a top speed of 31 knots. It has two double berths, each with an ensuite bathroom, two lounge areas, a galley, and controls both below deck and on the fly bridge. Additional equipment includes radar, satellite communications and navigation, two refrigerators, a TV, an ice machine and a microwave oven. Pol Maj Prasert Srikunnarat, inspector of Phuket Marine Police, told the Gazette that the yacht was seized in Chalong on November 22. “We still have seven more yachts seized since then. These will be auctioned one at a time,” he added. The reserve price for the Sealine is 5.5 million baht, including Thai import duty. The price of a new boat of this type in Britain is about 12 million baht. Thai import duty would bring the total price up to about 36 million baht. Would-be buyers should arrive at the Customs office before 10 am. The auction will start at 10:30 am. The winning bidder will be required to pay 25% immediately and the remainder within seven days. The yacht may be inspected at the Rattanachai Shipyard on Sri Sena Rd, Phuket Town. For more information, call Phuket Customs at 211377.