THIRTY out of 35 vehicles that were stolen in the UK and sold in Thailand were handed back to their rightful owners at a ceremony attended by Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong and British Ambassador Mark Gooding this morning (July 19), MNG Online said.
Po.l Col. Yutthana Praedam, acting head of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), said British authorities, through the National Crime Agency, had asked for investigation of 35 vehicles, 13 brands, stolen by a suspect named Mr. Inthrasak (surname not mentioned), or Boy Unity, with the assistance of both Thais and foreigners and illegally imported to Thailand during 2016-2017 under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT).
The suspects had bought these vehicles through hire purchase from various companies in the UK and then falsely stated to British customs that they were new ones.
They were then flown from Heathrow Airport to Singapore after which shipped to Thailand
“Investigation showed that the stolen cars were successfully imported to Thailand by a group of criminals through three companies. Documents were submitted and taxes paid to the Customs Department to ensure validity and they were then registered at the Land Department and sold to the public,” he said.
On May 18, 2017 DSI searched nine targeted areas in Bangkok which led to the seizure of the following vehicles: five BMW M4, one Ford Mustang, one Honda GT Type-R, one Lamborghini Huracán Spyder, one Lexus, eight Mercedes Benz, one Mini Cooper, three Nissan GT-R, five Porsche, two Land Rover and two Volkswagen GTI.
Legal action was taken against Inthrasak and 12 other suspects.
Mr. Watcharin Panurat, executive director for investigation, said the vehicles have to be returned to the UK according to the law with the door open for the victims to file a lawsuit against the companies that sold them.
Last month two victims who sued the company that sold stolen vehicles to them won the case with the latter told to return their full payment.
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Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong and British Ambassador Mark Gooding looking at vehicles being returned to their rightful owners in the UK. Photo: MNG Online
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