At least Bt500m likely to be generated from auction of seized vehicles

BANGKOK, August 17 (TNA) - Thailand's Customs Department, under the Ministry of Finance, will organise an auction of 343 impounded cars and motorcycles next week, expected to generate at least 500 million baht to the state coffer. Customs Department Director-General Kulis Sombatsiri told journalists on Wednesday that his department has authorised private-run Union Auction Public Company Limited (AUCT) to run the auction of the seized vehicles in Bangkok on August 23. Kulis said that interested buyers are welcome to examine the exterior of the impounded cars and motorcycles at his department's Investigation and Suppression Bureau during August 18-19, from 9am to 6pm. According to the senior official, the most expensive vehicle up for the bidding is a Rolls Royce Phantom Black Edition 2016, set to begin with its auction price of 10.75 million baht, while the most expensive motor bike up for grab is a Harley Davidson with its starting price of 560,000 baht. After winning an auction, the senior official explained, new owners can each register the seized vehicles at the Department of Land Transportation, under the Thai Ministry of Transport, thereafter. (TNA)