Seized yachts fail to sell at auction

PHUKET TOWN: The Phuket Customs Region 5 office is holding on to the motor yacht “Old Crow” and the sailing yacht “Bin Cha Cha”, after failing to sell either of them at its auction today. At the Customs office on Phuket Rd, only two would-be buyers submitted bids for “Old Crow”, while no bids were made for “Bin Cha Cha”. Satein Kamkabkit, a customs officer and “president” of the auction, told the Gazette that “Old Crow” was not sold because both bids were lower than the vessel’s reserve price. Vithaya Isaramalai, a lawyer at Patong Legal & Business Consultant Office, who submitted one of the bids, said, “I went to see the boat and thought it was very beautiful, so I wanted it for myself. But I don’t think I’ll be back to bid on it again. The price I submitted today was quite reasonable.” Customs officials were hoping to get at least 1.7 million baht for the 32-foot motor yacht and 600,000 baht for the 7.9-meter sailing yacht. The boats were seized earlier this month after their owners, both foreigners, failed to pay Thailand’s 209% boat import taxes. The Customs Office plans to hold another auction for the boats, at a date to be announced. Both boats may be seen at the Rattanachai Shipyard on Sri Sena Rd, Phuket Town.