Seized speedboat to be auctioned

PHUKET: A nine-meter British-built speedboat with twin 200hp Mercury engines, seized from a dive company in Ao Chalong earlier this year, will be put up for auction on November 8 at the Phuket Customs Region 5 offices on Phuket Rd. As with previous vessels put up for auction, the speedboat, “Seafarer”, was seized for alleged non-payment of Thailand’s crushing boat import taxes, which were 209% at the time when the seizure was made. “The boat can carry about 20 people and is about seven years old,” said Pol Maj Prasert Srikunnarat, Inspector of the Phuket Marine Police. “New, it would cost about 1.5 million baht.” The auction reserve price is 700,000 baht, including import duty and all other taxes. The boat may be inspected at the Phuket Customs Region 5 office. Also on the block on the same day will be the two vessels that failed to sell at the last auction, on August 29. They are the 9.8-meter Hatteras motor yacht, “Old Crow” (reserve price 1.7 million baht) and the 7.9-meter sailing yacht, “Bin Cha Cha” (reserve price 600,000 baht). Would-be buyers should arrive at the Customs office before 9 am. Registration to take part in the auction may be made on the day or in advance by contacting the Customs Department (Tel: 076-211377). Those wishing to bid in the auction will be required to put down a 20,000-baht refundable deposit. The auction will start at 10:30 am. The winning bidder will be required to pay 25% of the sale price immediately and the remainder within seven days.