Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has announced the auction of the luxury yacht ATLAS and its accompanying support vessel as part of an asset seizure linked to a major money laundering investigation. The sale was announced on 12 June 2026 under AMLO’s ninth public auction of the year.

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The primary asset is the pleasure yacht ATLAS, valued at approximately 600 million baht, along with a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) valued at 8.1 million baht. Both vessels were seized as part of an ongoing crackdown on assets connected to alleged scammer networks and transnational fraud operations.

The ATLAS is a Cayman Islands-registered pleasure yacht carrying the call sign ZGCB4, registration number 743656, and IMO number 1010301/MMSI 319023100. Built as a private luxury vessel, it measures 51 metres in overall length, with a waterline length of 43.68 metres, a beam of 9.5 metres, and a draft ranging from 2.9 to 3.5 metres. The yacht has a gross tonnage of 619 GT and a displacement of between 550 and 565 tonnes.

Also included in the auction is the ATLAS STRIDER, a luxury Italian-built SACS Strider Maxi RIB tender registered under official number 749421 with signal letters ZGIV. The vessel is equipped with an Air Berth storage system, safety equipment and onboard amenities. Such craft are commonly used as support vessels for large yachts.

The seizure stems from AMLO’s wider efforts against scammer operations, including call-centre gangs involved in public fraud and organised fraudulent business activities. Authorities previously reported seizures and asset freezes in several major cases with a combined value exceeding 10.165 billion baht.

Following further investigations, AMLO identified additional assets believed to be connected to criminal activity. On 22 December 2025, AMLO Secretary-General Thepsu Bovornchotidara exercised powers under Section 48, paragraph two, of the Anti-Money Laundering Act B.E. 2542 to order the seizure of the 2017-built ATLAS yacht, together with its safety and convenience equipment.

Reports indicate that the yacht is owned by the current wife of Ben Smith, who has been linked to the network of Cambodian businessman and banker Yim Leang. The network has been associated with allegations involving grey-business activities and cross-border fraud.

Amarin reported that the auction forms part of AMLO’s continuing efforts to recover assets allegedly connected to money laundering and organised fraud cases. Further details regarding the auction process and any future disposal of seized assets are expected to follow.

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 17 June 2026

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So the yacht is owned by the wife of a guy linked to a Cambodian banker, registered in the Cayman Islands, and seized by the Thai government? That boat has more citizenships than the average digital nomad in Chiang Mai.

15 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

with a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) valued at 8.1 million baht

Not a bad inflatable.

I hope the on board tool box carries a rubber patch repair kit.

I reckon she'd be a bit better than the ones I used in the back yard swimming pool when I was young

If in a such a situation of a large value seizure being auctioned-off by the seizing authority, in this case the Thai Gov., the new owner who purchased the yacht at the auction sailed to a different foreign port, lets say Bali. Could the original owners then file suit, ordering the yacht seized, claiming illegal seizure in Thailand, thus getting back on a legal merry-go-round? For something of this value, wouldn't surprise me.

7 minutes ago, dddave said:

If in a such a situation of a large value seizure being auctioned-off by the seizing authority, in this case the Thai Gov., the new owner who purchased the yacht at the auction sailed to a different foreign port, lets say Bali. Could the original owners then file suit, ordering the yacht seized, claiming illegal seizure in Thailand, thus getting back on a legal merry-go-round? For something of this value, wouldn't surprise me.

I think you may be correct, and that is one of the reasons I will not be bidding in this auction.😉

15 minutes ago, dddave said:

If in a such a situation of a large value seizure being auctioned-off by the seizing authority, in this case the Thai Gov., the new owner who purchased the yacht at the auction sailed to a different foreign port, lets say Bali. Could the original owners then file suit, ordering the yacht seized, claiming illegal seizure in Thailand, thus getting back on a legal merry-go-round? For something of this value, wouldn't surprise me.

7 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

I think you may be correct, and that is one of the reasons I will not be bidding in this auction.😉

In that case , I lower my bid to 1000 THB.

What galls me is AMLO's lack of transparency. Why was this boat seized? Was its owner arrested and charged? For what? Where is he now? Is this a matter of unpaid taxes? Who is this "Ben Smith"? Does he even live in Thailand?

Nope, as in the US, govts just think they can confiscate property and sell it off with flimsy reason.

Knowing a Cambodian banker, no matter how dodgy, isn't a crime...yet, is it?

8 hours ago, Nemises said:

So the yacht is owned by the wife of a guy linked to a Cambodian banker, registered in the Cayman Islands, and seized by the Thai government? That boat has more citizenships than the average digital nomad in Chiang Mai.

Good analogy, I see it this way: Thai Govt seizes a Yacht, owned.bought by criminals who laundered money, auctioning it off to folks probably guilty of the same thing, because where are these normal people that can buy a 600,000,000 baht yacht. Might add, been around yachts most of my younger life, that is no $20 million dollar yacht, more like $40 million.