Speedboat seized, owner sought

MAI KHAO: Phuket Marine Police last night seized the speedboat “Cedar Swan Tender” from a house near the Yacht Haven Marina. Pol Col Phira Boonliang, Superintendent of Phuket Marine Police, said, “The boat had been brought into the country illegally without any import duty paid on the hull or the engine.” He added that officers had tried to contact the registered owner of the boat, Phayung Suwadit, but have had no success. If found guilty of avoiding paying import duty, K. Phayung faces up to five years in jail, or a fine of up to four times the value of the boat plus the outstanding tax, or a combination of both. The boat is being kept at the Phuket Provincial Customs Office.