Thai Enquirer: Understanding Thailand's New Tax Directive on Foreign Income

A survey by the National Institute for Development Administration (Nida) shows that the majority of government officials and employees of state-owned enterprises are in debt and therefore agree with the government's policy of starting the monthly salary for bachelor graduates at 25'000 baht - perhaps to accumulate even more debt. Neither at school nor at university is money management taught. Thus, a large part of the population - and not only government employees - live in dubious affluence - spending more than they have available every month. In this country, living like a lord and getting into debt is apparently part of good manners.

A 57-year-old man who posted ten messages on Facebook between October 24th, 2014, and June 20th, 2015, was arrested in September 2023 by officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) and Provincial Police Region 4 in Khon Kaen Province. The content of the posts dealt with political issues in the post-coup period, some of which referred to the monarchy.

In addition to the visa options for holidaymakers, Thailand offers 5 different options for foreigners who wish to spend their retirement in Thailand.

The move to recriminalize certain aspects of marijuana, which could be considered a drug due to its high levels of hallucinogenic substances, is not an urgent matter. Health Minister Chonlanan Srikaew said the ministry will first engage in discussions with relevant agencies and groups. However, he did not provide clarification on which specific parts of marijuana are targeted, although it is known that leaves and flowers contain high levels of THC. Chonlanan said the ministry and the Pheu Thai Party will collaborate with the Bhumjaithai Party, the Narcotics Control Board, and the Justice Ministry to address the Marijuana and Hemp Bill and the upcoming ministerial regulations regarding the sale and use of marijuana. Nonetheless, he did not provide specifics regarding the content of these new rules or whether individuals will still be permitted to cultivate marijuana plants at their homes. Furthermore, there was no clarification on whether marijuana dispensaries will be required to cease operations. Chonlanan said the matter of recriminalization and the development of new rules should not be rushed, as it carries potential consequences that must be carefully considered.

The lifetime ban of politicians based on a breach of ethical standards that a political officeholder should uphold distorts the people's power and creates more political conflict. These consequences highlight the need for a revision of the junta-drafted charter, as emphasized by the Lawyers' Association of Thailand. Narinpong Jinapuck, the chairperson of the association, said when it comes to decisions regarding ethical standards, voters should be the ones to choose who represents them in parliament. After all, it is the voters who grant these representatives the authority to create and amend laws on their behalf, not the court. Therefore, for a court to decide who can be a representative based on ethical standards is an encroachment on the people's power to elect their representatives. The section in the charter that grants the court this authority should be amended, and the entire charter should be rewritten by an elected charter drafting committee. The association also urged the government to consider an amnesty for political officeholders who were banned due to this law. This includes figures such as Former MP of the Future Forward Party, Pannika Wanich (posting a photo deemed disrespectful to the monarchy); Pareena Kraikupt of the Palang Pracharath Party (accused of possessing state land); former deputy education minister Kanokwan Vilawan (involved in a land scandal); and Former MP from Palang Pracharath Party, Thanikarn Phonphongsaroj (for allowing a fellow MP to vote on her behalf).

PM Srettha Thavisin will donate his monthly salary to different charitable groups, said Government Spokesman Chai Iamsiri. This month's salary of the billionaire PM, which is 125,590 baht, will go to the Foundation for Children.

For some time now, it has been observed that online publications publish interesting articles two or even three times in a row - sometimes even on the same day - with changed headlines and slightly different wording, but mostly identical content. And all because of the advertising they contain!

In an article worth reading, The Nation describes the emergence of the Royal Thai Police in Thailand. It shows that little has changed since then: Even then, people complained that the police did not take their duties seriously, that they lacked courage, that they stole people's food, that they did not pursue criminals and that they slept on the job.

Very interesting: The Nation A recent opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) learned that most Thais lack confidence in the police force's integrity and performance.

Thai PBS World asks: Should legalizing gambling and police reform go hand in hand?

Please read Thai Enquirer's opinion too: Revitalizing Thailand's economy through immigration policy reform

According to Thai PBS World, experts believe that the large gap between rich and poor will continue under the new government.

The law related to entertainment venues should be updated and decentralized to allow local administrations to adjust zoning and decide the opening hours themselves, said Move Forward Party MPs. They pointed out that the law has been in effect since 1966, and the current definition of an entertainment venue is outdated, which has created loopholes for police bribery. The licensing regulations are unnecessarily complicated, as they require contacting multiple agencies, leading to increased business costs. They suggest the implementation of a one-stop point to streamline the process. They also propose that local administrations should have the authority to determine the locations and opening hours of these venues, instead of it being a subject for discussion in parliament. They argue that major tourism cities and entertainment venues situated far from residential areas should be allowed to operate for extended hours.

Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaiset said the government would continue to follow the money trail of influential figures believed to have engaged in questionable dealings before suggesting that taxes could be an effective way to weed them out.

Senators have voted against a police summons being served on Senator Upakit Pachariyangkun over drug trafficking allegations following a debate where he defended himself.

The junta-appointed Senate voted 174-7 against the police's request to summon Senator Upakit Pachariyangkun to acknowledge charges of drug trafficking and money laundering. The police had to make the request because Section 125 of the charter prohibits the arrest or detention of a member of parliament unless they were caught in the act or there is consent from the House of Representatives or the Senate. The police linked Upakit to Tun Min Latt, a Myanmar businessman who was arrested in Bangkok for drug trafficking and money laundering in September 2022. Tun Min Latt is also believed to be an arms dealer for the Myanmar junta. During the Senate meeting, Upakit stated that his accusers had fabricated false evidence against him for political gain and denied all wrongdoing. He also said he does not want to interfere with the justice system. However, the majority of the Senators argued that Section 125 must be upheld, leading to the decision against the police's summons. Section 125 says that during a session, members of the House of Representatives or Senators can't be arrested for a crime unless their house approves or they're caught in the act. If they're caught in the act, a report goes to their house's President, who can let them go to attend a meeting. If they're detained before a session starts, they must be released when the session begins if the house's President asks for it. The court can release them on bail or bond. If they're charged with a crime, the court can try them during the session, but it can't stop them from attending meetings.

The Office of the Charter Court on Weds asks concerned parties to submit info about Pita Limjaroenrat's cases on ITV shares and lese majeste law amendment within 15 days in order to speed up the process.

Serial petitioner Srisuwan Janya has filed a petition with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), calling for an investigation into the Move Forward Party's decision to expel First Deputy House Speaker Padipat Suntiphada from the party. If the party is found guilty of violating its own regulations and the 2017 Constitutional Act on Political Parties, the NACC could potentially petition the Constitutional Court to dissolve the party. Srisuwan argues that the party, when announcing its decision to expel Padipat, clearly stated that he had not violated any of the party's regulations. Instead, it was motivated by a desire to assume the leader of the opposition position, while Padipat wished to retain his role as deputy house speaker. Srisuwan alleges that this move was primarily driven by political considerations, potentially constituting a violation of Section 46 of the 2017 Constitutional Act on Political Parties. Section 125 says that during a session, members of the House of Representatives or Senators can't be arrested for a crime unless their house approves or they're caught in the act.

Activist Srisuwan Janya on Weds petitioned the Election Commission to pursue a case against Move Forward Party & former member, Deputy House Speaker Padipat Santipada, claiming MFP dishonestly expelled Padipat so he could join another party & amp; keep deputy house speaker post. Srisuwan said if found guilty, Move Forward Party could be disbanded by the Constitutional Court.

Faced with his own mortality, massage parlor tycoon-turned-anti-corruption vigilante Chuwit Kamolvisit finally takes on the Thai establishment before heading to Glasgow, near his eldest daughter's home.

The legendary Carabao rock band, which has been entertaining Thai fans with its hugely popular songs for more than four decades, has decided to disband next March, with their last concert scheduled on April 1st next year, according to Yuenyong Opakul, aka "Add Carabao", the band's leader and lead singer. Yuenyong said he will continue to compose and produce songs for fans, with the help of his nephews.

Very interesting: The Nation A recent opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) learned that most Thais lack confidence in the police force's integrity and performance.

The Ministry of Health warns that many respiratory diseases, especially influenza, spread during the rainy season and the rate of patients is higher than last year.

For additional information: Bangkok Post: Flu spike prompts warning The Nation: Flu jab essential for vulnerable groups: Public Health Ministry Bangkok Post: 2023's influenza cases jump 5-fold

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has accused former Culture Minister Itthiphol Khunpluem of issuing an illegal building permit for the construction of a high-rise condominium complex called Waterfront Suites & Residences in 2008 when he was mayor of Pattaya. Itthiphol was summoned by the prosecutor on September 4th, 2023, to acknowledge his charges, but he did not appear. Like his late father, the notorious Godfather of Chonburi, Itthiphol fled the country. The NACC then applied to the court for an arrest warrant, which was issued on September 5th, 2023. A new arrest warrant was issued on September 7th, 2023, providing that the statute of limitations on the case would be suspended if the suspect fled.

The Pattaya News on October 12th, 2023: Unfinished Pattaya Marina Project Caught in Legal Limbo