The DSI is checking dealers of luxury cars for evading duties after a scandal broke out.

Seree said he didn’t want to sue the DSI but wanted officials to speedily conclude the probe so his business could go on as usual.

Seree told a press conference on Friday that his firm has been importing luxury brands for more than 30 years and dutifully paid taxes and duties as per Customs Department requirements and never had any problems.

The DSI on May 18 seized 83 cars from the company’s premises including those belonging to customers who brought them there for repair or resale on suspicion that they were falsely declared or stolen, he said.

“Such accusations are very sensitive. This is the first time we’ve ever had this problem. I still feel sad and I regret customers’ loss of confidence in the company, which has been hard earned throughout the years,” he said.

It has been almost two months now, he said.

Customers have been told that they could take their cars out if they sign an agreement with the DSI not to sell the car or cause any damage, but since they could be fined Bt15 million, they didn’t dare to do it.

The company would soon send documentation to the DSI.

The lower price of the company’s Lamborghinis was due to bulk purchases, he added.

Facing the theft charge, Heman Sudchaliew, 26, and Srisamorn Larpluam 34, claimed that they didn’t make any money from key chain selling and were hungry.

They confessed to stealing 10 large carp, one red tilapia fish and one albino catfish. Police are looking for the duo’s elusive accomplice, a 30-year-old man nicknamed Jack.

The police probe also found that the trio stole four carp fish from a shop in Soi Sukhonthasawat 24 on June 21.

Insurance agent Rawadee Kiatkamjornpattana last month had published on her Facebook page the CCTV footage of a woman and two men allegedly stealing the carp from the pond in front of her issuance firm’s office in Soi Latphrao 101.

Her posting urged people to help her down the alleged thieves. She had raised the carp for over a decade, she wrote, and they had high sentimental value.

Speaking at the Government House, Boonsrang explained on Friday that his committee would take about nine months to complete the proposal.

“So by December, we may just have finished the framework for the police-rotation system,” he said. “I don’t want to rush. I hope we prepare the proposal based on comprehensive information and the proposal works well in the future.”

The Boonsrang-chaired committee convened its first meeting this week. It has already set up five sub-committees to help with its work.

The subcommittee on academic affairs has already been assigned to explore solutions to problems related to police reshuffles.

It is widely said that some police positions have been sold, which in turn encourages corruption.

“This subcommittee will also study guidelines about how to improve police-force structure,” Somkid Lertpaithoon said in his capacity as the chair of the police-reform committee.

At yesterday’s meeting, committee members seriously debated the police’s shortage of staff and budget constraints. Between 70,000 and 80,000 positions are now vacant. Units with most vacancies are attached to border patrol police and scientific crime detection agencies.

“The scope of police work is relatively too vast when compared with its budget,” Somkid said. “So, there are discussions as to whether some units should break off from the police force.”

He added the committee expects to achieve significant progress before the end of August.

“All subcommittees are told to start working right away,” Somkid said.

“The honest shall thrive, the corrupt shall never last long,” the country’s highest-ranking monk,” Somdet Phra Ariyawongsakhatayan, said at the Ratchabophit Sathitmahasimaram Temple.

Prayut, his wife, and PM’s Office Minister Ormsin Chivapruck called on the Supreme Patriarch as they presented offerings of worship on the occasion of the Buddhist Lent, which started on July 9 this year.

The Supreme Patriarch blessed Prayut’s missions for the country.

“May your good and righteous wish for the country be fulfilled,” he said.

A complaint filed by the 59-year-old woman’s daughter prompted Muang district officials and police to inspect the premises and charges were filed against the owner, Nathanapop Klachingchai, 50.

Nathanapop is charged with having no permits to operate a business, to operate a business that could affect people’s health, or to operate a service establishment.

The last charge carries the heaviest penalty – up to a year in prison and/or a fine of up to Bt60,000.

Pimyanee Thanyawongsakul sustained a broken leg while Nathanapop was giving her a massage. He insisted nevertheless on being paid his Bt700 fee.

Incensed that Nathanapop didn’t visit her mother in hospital, Pimyanee’s daughter Saranya, 25, filed a police complaint demanding compensation.

Nathanapop claimed in his defence that Pimkyanee hadn’t informed him she suffered from osteoporosis, which can leave bones brittle. Had she done so, he said, he would have refused to give her a massage.

He said he was obliged to collect payment as a “traditional massage teacher-worshiping fee”.

Nathanapop said he would pawn his motorcycle to get the money to compensate the family and, if that wasn’t enough, he would pay the rest in instalments.