An average of 5,000 to 10,000 luxury cars are smuggled into Thailand or imported off authorized dealers each year, according to Suparat Sirisuwannangkura, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries' Automotive Industry Club. The four brands most affected by smuggling and tax avoidance scams or imports through independent dealers are BMW, Mercedes, Lexus and Rolls Royce. The schemes result in billions of baht in lost import and trade tariffs. Some foreign auto makers are considering moving production bases to neighboring countries if the practices continue. The Department of Special Investigation is currently conducting inspections to verify authentication of ownership and import registration documents of 548 luxury cars whose ownership or purchase has arose suspicions.
AFP