Supercar dealer reports to DSI

Luxury car importer Intarasak Techaterasiri, aka “Boy Unity”, yesterday reported to Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officials to acknowledge a charge in which he was alleged to have falsely declared the price of an imported Lamborghini.

He is one of 16 individuals summoned by the DSI to acknowledge charges in connection with the supercar import-tax evasion scandal. He earlier asked the DSI to postpone his first summons, which was later rescheduled to yesterday.

Speaking after the one-hour process of acknowledging the charge, Mr Intarasak said he had been charged with falsely declaring the import price of a Lamborghini, adding he would submit additional evidence about it on Aug 16.

As for other imported cars, he said DSI officials told him they were waiting for the genuine invoices of these vehicles from where they were imported and more charges could be brought against him.

According to the suspect, the Lamborghini was imported in 2012 and customs authorities had already proceeded with legal action against him in relation to the falsely declared price of the vehicle.

No charge has been filed against him over other vehicles, including those said to be stolen from Britain, he said. The DSI earlier said 42 luxury cars were believed to have been stolen in Britain and smuggled to Thailand.

Mr Intarasak said the unclear regulations by customs authorities allowed car importers to falsely declare the vehicles’ prices.

“The regulation must be clearly spelt out. If this can be accepted, we would continue our business but, if not, we may have to close it.”

DSI officials earlier seized 34 vehicles from the two showrooms of Mr Intarasak’s STT Autocar Co on Ratchadaphisek and Sukhumvit roads on May 24, saying some of them were suspected of being stolen from Britain or had their prices falsely declared to avoid high import duties.

In response, Mr Intarasak filed a lawsuit against DSI chief Paisit Wongmuang and 11 other agency officers for abuse of authority, intrusion and making false statements before the court.

Mr Intarasak said he had not yet estimated the losses incurred from the seized vehicles, saying it was still unknown how long his case would last.