Five years after his 7.8-meter yacht was stolen from a Jomtien Beach marina, the owner of Pattaya Floating Market is sailing again after the boat was found in a jungle-rimmed harbor in Kanchanaburi.
Warida Sae-Ung, 34, showed off the “Base” at a Sept. 20 press conference. The fiberglass boat still had its two Volvo engines but apparently had been unused for some time when it was found.
The boat allegedly was stolen Oct. 15, 2006 by 21-year-old Thewada Sattaboon, who is accused of cutting mooring lines and piloting the then newly renovated vessel out of Jomtien Beach. However, the boat was recovered from the property of Aphirom Supphaporn, who runs the Maaka Harbor where it was found. Police had not yet charged Aphirom with any crime, but said he was under investigation.
Police have recovered and returned Warida Sae-Ung’s boat, 5 years after it was stolen.
Pattaya Floating Market CEO Manus Meephong said Warida purchased the yacht in dilapidated condition for 2 million baht, then spent 500,000 baht to install new engines and design a luxurious interior. It had been taken out for just a single test voyage before it was stolen.
