Change in the tax law does target expats living in Thailand and extends reporting obligations

A former chairman of Baker McKenzie, an international law firm with offices in Thailand and a member of the National Reform Council has come out strongly against a recent move by the Revenue Department to change a 38-year regulation applicable to foreigners with overseas income on several grounds including the legality of the order and its broader impact on the Thai economy moving forward.

Top lawyer and former member of the National Reform Council, along with others, calls for a new Revenue Code and for Thailand to compete with World tax havens such as Singapore and Hong Kong. They condemn the current move as a backwards step for the country and its tired economy.

A former Chairman of a prestigious international law firm in Bangkok has warned that a new taxation directive issued by the Revenue Department targeting foreign income sources faces a legal challenge and will create more reporting obligations and confusion.

The order published on September 15 2023, altering a 38-year-old interpretation, is a definite step by the government to widen the tax base, meaning more significant reporting requirements, at the very least for expats living in Thailand. Kitipong Urapeepattanapong, along with other legal experts, including a Supreme Court judge, is calling on the Thai government to overhaul the tax system thoroughly to make it competitive with Hong Kong and Singapore.

Former Chairman of Baker McKenzie in Thailand, Mr Kitipong Urapeepattanapong, warns that the September directive issued by the Revenue Department, rescinding a previous legal interpretation that stood for 38 years, means more reporting for foreign residents and Thai nationals investing abroad as well as confusion. He predicts taxpayers will challenge the new measure in court. Along with other experts and even a former Supreme Court judge, the top legal practitioner cites the move as a retrograde one for the economy.

Full story: Thai Examiner

Tourist police crack down on women AND transgenders on Pattaya's Beach Road

Following attempts to crack down on ladyboys offering sex on Pattaya's Beach Road last week the authorities have now targeted ALL sex workers.

Channel 7 and other Thai media outlets reported action by the Tourist Police against both women and ladyboys or transgenders.

Last week everyone fled the scene because the cops were in uniform.

Now most of the cops were in plain clothes in the operation that began at 9pm.

But videos showed that the sex workers were still getting wise to the crackdown with many running away from officers across the road or onto the beach.

Phaisan Rattanabanterng, a reporter, joined the crackdown and reported speaking to one sex worker who said they had many mouths to feed.

And they could make thousands of baht in a night.

The customers were nearly all foreigners.

Fines were no deterrent, went the report, with 80% of those targeted having a record of prostitution.

All this was to "restore Pattaya's image", the rhetoric continued.

Twenty nine arrests were made with court appearances and 1,000 baht fines in the offing.

ASEAN NOW notes that if we had a hot dinner for all the completely ineffective crackdowns on sex workers on Beach Road over the years all the news team would be severely overweight.

The moves can be seen in the light of the authorities - with the connivance of the invited Thai press - appearing to do something about the visible sex industry on the streets ahead of the high tourist season.

The sex workers will undoubtedly be back tonight - albeit with a watchful eye for the authorities who might spoil their night.

Source - Asean Now 

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Thai Alcohol Control Committee opposes selling booze till 4 AM

The Thai Alcohol Control Committee opposed a proposal to extend the legal hours for selling alcoholic beverages to 4 AM, citing a potential rise in traffic accidents.
Dr. Opas Karnkawinongpop, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, revealed to Thai reporters today, November 25th, after completing a meeting with the Alcohol Control Committee that the committee initially opposed the idea of allowing the sale of alcohol from 5 PM to 4 AM.

The committee said it was too long because it meant alcohol could be sold for 11 hours per day, which could increase alcohol-related health problems, injuries, and casualties.

Dr. Opas stated the chance of drunk-driving-related accidents could also rise by more than 27% or 10-20 casualties per day if alcohol was allowed to be sold from 5 PM to 4 AM despite all-night police checkpoints.

The Thai Alcohol Control Committee had already considered the economic benefits of the proposal, but still had agreed that the extension should not be mandated, Dr. Opas added.

Nonetheless, the committee’s objection was only a suggestion, which would be forwarded to the National Alcohol Beverage Policy Committee for consideration on December 22nd.

Dr. Opas said the objection against extending alcohol sale hours had nothing to do with another proposal to extend the legal closing hours for entertainment venues.

Technically, the two rules are seperate notes TPN media, and even if the Thai Cabinet agrees to extend nightlife closing hours in theory alcohol sales hours would also need to be legally extended.

The Thai Cabinet is set to meet Tuesday, November 29th, to discuss extended nightlife hours in tourism zones.

Source - Pattaya News

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Nightclub goers tested positive for drugs in #Pattaya entertainment venue crackdown, passport inspections for foreigners to continue

Pattaya – Four nightclub goers tested positive for drugs in a Pattaya entertainment venue crackdown.

More than 50 officers led by Major General Nantawut Suwanlaong, Acting head of the Chonburi Provincial Police randomly inspected entertainment venues in Pattaya to check for the current seven major rules which are:

1. No allowing underage users below 20 to enter bar and entertainment venues.

2. No selling alcohol to underage users below 20 in any venues including restaurants.

3. Entertainment venues must be shut and all customers gone by legal closing times, currently between midnight to 2AM depending on zone.

4. Selling alcohol over the legal time is prohibited at all venues.

5. Allowing weapons and illegal drugs into entertainment venues is prohibited

6. Allowing human trafficking in entertainment venues is prohibited.

6 Allowing illegal gambling in any venue is prohibited.

Major General Nantawut told the Pattaya News that they first inspected ‘New Season’ on Pattaya Third Road where lots of Thais and foreigners were drinking. Some of the foreigners were unable to present their passports and they were taken to the Pattaya Police Station for questioning.

Source - The Pattaya News 

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China’s Xi takes APEC by storm after stealing the show with hardline statements

China’s President Xi Jinping is taking APEC by storm after making hardline statements about the region. His recent statements have set off tidal waves as worldwide leaders became sidelined in the chaos after Xi reportedly told off Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau and noted what APEC’s goals should encompass.

According to the Thai Enquirer, Xi called on the APEC region to focus on economic development first and save the power struggle between nations as an afterthought.

“The Asia Pacific is no one’s backyard and should not become an arena for big power contests. No attempt to wage a Cold War will ever be allowed by the people or by our times.”

He furthered that the 21st century has been taken by the region as it accounts for 1/3 of the world’s population and more than 60% of the world’s economy. Then, he went on to say that the region accounts for almost 50% of global trade and has the most dynamic growth potential in the world.

“Currently, the Asia Pacific enjoys overall stability. Cooperation in our region has been steadily advanced, and peace, development and win-win cooperation remain the underlying trend in this region.”

He then laid a heavy hand towards what he calls a “Cold War” mentality, unilateralism, hegemonism, and instability, saying such acts are hampering economic ties. Xi says that such a mentality distorts international norms, impedes development cooperation, and ignites conflicts in the region. Then, he blamed such issues as burdening the region’s peace and development.

Xi’s statements were outlined in a six-page document, in which he promoted the Chinese way of modernisation over the current Westernised route. He called out the US influence that is currently seen in the region and proposed a counter alternative that would help “create conditions for ensuring economic development and durable peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.”

The Chinese president’s statements have grabbed headlines worldwide, leaving Thailand’s PM in the dust. His statements were largely unprecedented with other global leaders in awe of his bold speech. Traditionally, such statements have been reserved for the host country of such global meetings so as to not steal the limelight from the host.

Some observers say Prayut will forever be indebted to China with Xi’s recent turf grabbing just another example of how Prayut’s administration serves as only another puppet to China.

Source - The Thaiger

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APEC 2022: Protestors clash with riot police in Bangkok, Thailand

Riot police clashed with protestors at Asoke Intersection in Bangkok this afternoon as world leaders gather in the Thai capital for the APEC Summit 2022.

Due to road closures, the intersection is the closest the public can get to the summit which is being held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre from November 16-19.

Police ramped up security in the city in preparation for the meeting and riot police were deployed in anticipation of protests.

The demonstration held in Asoke outside the entrance of Sukhumvit MRT Station today was entitled, “What’s Happening In Thailand?”

Demonstrators made various demands, holding placards that read…
“Expel Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha”

“Stop APEC 2022”

“Release all political prisoners in Thailand”

“Abolish lese majeste laws”

“Free Hong Kong”

“Hang Xi Jinping”

The protest was largely peaceful until the police allegedly confiscated signs and other equipment from demonstrators, which is when some scuffles broke out between protestors and riot police.

A demonstrator told the Thaiger that, “earlier in the day, some protestors were arrested.”

Why are different protest groups coming together and raising all these issues at once?
Demonstrators see the APEC Summit 2022 as the perfect time to raise Thailand’s issues on the global stage.

Not only that, but demonstrators feel safe to come out and protest during the summit, knowing that police wouldn’t dare use brutality or water cannons against protestors – as they did during the pro-democracy protests of 2020 – with world leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Vice President of the US Kamala Harris just a stone’s throw away.

One demonstrator told the Thaiger she was protesting against foreign land ownership in Thailand…

“The government said they will allow foreigners to buy land in Thailand for 40 million baht… If land costs 40 million baht, how will Thai people buy it? How will farmers afford it?”

Source + Link & Video The Thaiger

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#Thailand - Soldiers and bomb squads to patrol #Bangkok during #APEC

Authorities are now finalizing security measures and protocols for next week’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
The police chief has indicated around 30,000 police officers backed by soldiers will be deployed around Bangkok on the meeting days.

Explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) police have carried out a major bomb response demonstration at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, the venue for the leaders’ meeting.

A demonstration of searches for suspicious objects at the main venue for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting was carried out. Police canines and remote-controlled explosive ordinance response robots were used in the demonstration.

The robots are able to capture x-ray images of suspicious objects so the operator may determine whether an object is indeed an explosive ordinance.

Upon confirmation of an explosive ordinance, the robot can move the object into a collection vehicle that will then move the object to a safe area for disposal.

Anti-drone vehicles equipped with radar will secure the meeting venue against aerial drones. Radio jammers will activate when a drone threat is detected by radar.

Rapid response units will track down the drone controller and seize the drone in question. The controller will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Royal Thai Police Commissioner Damrongsak Kittipraphat indicated the police have full confidence over more than 80% of security measures for the APEC leaders’ meeting. He explained that confidence will reach 100% upon adjustments and additional drills and this will be accomplished before the meeting day.

The police will deploy almost 30,000 personnel in Bangkok who will be supported by some 2,000 soldiers. In addition to providing security, the police will be facilitating traffic around Bangkok during the APEC leaders’ week.

The police chief said vantage points around the meeting venue will be monitored by security officials, including those in plainclothes. Rigorous security will also be provided at the residences and travel routes that will be used by APEC leaders.

Pol. Gen. Damrongsak said the movements of various groups, including those which may perpetrate violence, are being closely monitored. However, no movements of concern have been detected.

Lessons learned from the unrest in 2019 have also been applied to security measures for next week’s meeting.

The police chief asked that the public avoid areas around the meeting venue if they can, as regular traffic may be impacted next week

Source - Bangkok Jack

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