BANGKOK, June 10 – Thai authorities seized 120 luxury cars, suspected to have been illegally imported, in raids at various locations in Bangkok and other provinces yesterday.
Tarit Pengdith, director general of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), said authorities confiscated the vehicles from three assembly workshops, two used car dealer outlets and several houses and condominiums.
Six luxury cars were earlier seized by police who charged the owners of tax evasion.
Mr Tarit said some of the luxury cars were installed with liquefied petroleum gas cylinders to mislead authorities.
In one of the raids in Prachinburi province, police found and seized 37 luxury cars from a car assembly plant.
He said the DSI will meet with six related state agencies today to discuss developments in the luxury car scandal and announce the names of owners of “super cars” worth over Bt4 million each.
DSI’s Tarit said owners of a number of luxury vehicles, including well-known personalities, have contacted the authorities to assert their innocence and willingness to be inspected.
The abbot of Wat Pak Nam, Irrigation Department director general Lertvirote Kowattana and the secretary to Justice Minister Kasem Rattanasunthorn were among them.
Mr Tarit said earlier that luxury cars registered between October 31, 2010 and May 31 this year will be checked, targeting cars with market prices of Bt4 million and higher.
