Jul 13, 2006, 12:23 GMT
Bangkok - DaimlerChrysler Thailand will auction off 25 Mercedes Benzes that were used by world royalty last month during the celebrations of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th year on the throne, a company spokesman said Thursday.
The auction is to be held July 23 at Bangkok's Queen Sirikit Convention Centre, conducted by international auctioneer Christie's, with proceeds going to royal charities, said DaimlerChrysler Thailand spokesman Chatvithai Tantrapornn.
'Everything above the reserve prices will proceed to the king,' Chatvithai said. Reserve prices range from 3.3 million baht (79,270 dollars) for D-Class Mercedes Benzes to 10.5 million for the S-Class cars.
'We've had many inquiries from people who are interested in these vehicles, but this is the first time we've done this so I have no idea how many people will show up,' Chatvithai said.
The vehicles were leased June 10-12 from DaimlerChrysler Thailand to chauffeur visiting royals from 25 countries to functions held to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the king's reign.
Thailand, a constitutional monarchy where the king is head of state, has held celebrations in the past to mark King Bhumibol's silver and golden jubilees on the throne but only on the 60th anniversary did the government invite world monarchs to attend the event.
Royals and their representatives from Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Denmark, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Tonga, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom attended the event.
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