Thailand’s Excise Department has added a third high-speed patrol boat to its Pattaya fleet, improving its odds for arresting smugglers and catching tax evaders.
Department Director Benja Louischaroen and chief investigator Jaturong Suwannoi launched the 60-foot speedboat at Pattaya’s Ocean Marina April 27. The boat joins two 37-foot Ratchawat already in use.
Department Director Benja Louischaroen officially launches the 60-foot speedboat at Pattaya’s Ocean Marina.
The new craft is 15 feet wide and powered by two 593-horsepower engines. The boat holds 15 crewmembers who will stay at sea for at least 50 hours per shift. It’s equipped with radar and ultra-wide wireless Internet receivers.
In the past seven months, the Excise Department nationwide made 27,481 arrests and collected 265 million baht in fines.
