Thailand's ban on imports of used sedans set in late 2019

BANGKOK, July 9 (TNA) - The Thai government, through the Ministry of Commerce, will impose its ban on imports of used personal cars as of late this year to prevent air pollution and road accidents, as well as the evasion of official control measures. Adul Chotinisakorn, Director-General of the ministry's Department of Foreign Trade, announced on Tuesday that such the ban on imports of used sedans will take effect as of December 10. Adul told journalists that people who want to import used personal cars, based on existing customs regulations, must seek official permissions and have all needed procedures completely done by December 9. Adul warned that violators of the ban will be prosecuted and their imported cars will be totally destroyed. According to the senior official, his ministry has held talks and discussions with other relevant agencies since 2015 before the ban is announced. The senior official said that his ministry will, meanwhile, carry on regulating special kinds of vehicles in the country, namely cranes and donated automobiles of Thai government agencies, state enterprises and such charitable vehicles as ambulances and fire engines, while the regulation of other kinds of vehicles will be transferred to other agencies. (TNA)