The terms of the original contract between importer Bestlin Group and the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) specified that the buses would be manufactured in China, but assembled in Malaysia. If the buses were assembled in Malaysia they qualified for a 40 per cent tax reduction under ASEAN free trade agreements.
Due to doubts over the origins of the buses, the Customs Department refused to release them after arrival at Laem Chabang. Customs boss Kulit Sombatsiri claimed earlier in December that a Bestlin representative had admitted the buses were shipped as complete units from China.
The Customs Department says it will release the buses once outstanding taxes and fines of THB370 million are settled. This batch of 100 was the initial one of a total order of 489 which the BMTA was scheduled to take delivery of by 29 December.
Passengers pay fares for Bangkok city buses when they board. Reservations services are available for buses plying intercity routes in Thailand. 12GO ASIA recommends pre-booking online to guarantee seats at preferred departure times.
Import of new Bangkok NGV buses held up by tax dodge claims
News in Asia
A consignment of 100 NGV buses destined for the streets of Bangkok remains locked up at Laem Chabang Port. Thailand’s Customs Department has blocked the import clearance of the vehicles over claims about where they were actually built.