The Department of Special Investigation is coordinating with the Department of Land Transport to take legal action against 114 luxury car importers who were found to have evaded paying taxes on 854 imported cars.
Deputy director-general of the DSI, Pol Lt Col Phayao Thongsen, said at a press conference on Monday that the DSI will be seeking the DLT's cooperation as it sought more information on the owners of the cars, which were imported between 2012 and 2014.
In total, 10 teams have been assigned to seek all the information the authorities will need to start legal proceedings against the car dealers, whose actions caused a loss of 2.6 billion baht in customs fees, local government and value-added taxes, he said.
It was reported that the luxury cars were imported from the United Kingdom, he said.
Each team will handle 83 cars and 12–13 importers, Pol Lt Col Phayao said, adding the DSI is aiming to complete its investigation within four months.
Also, the Regional Special Investigations Divisions are reportedly investigating a tax evasion case involving 574 other luxury vehicles.
The department had earlier permitted the DLT to return 20 luxury cars that were not taxed after the owners finally paid the import duty, according to a DSI source.