Tornado

Just to gee up the do gooders. I have 2000 dvd copys, 100s of computer cds and probably 3000 copy music that I share on a p2p.

at the end of the day, I couldnt care what you self opinionated drips think, it aint like stealing a car, it aint

the same thing, yes it is stealing as like all major companies and corporations do from us. Its life, get over yourself and stop trying to teach people the way you think, I couldnt care.

Please stand by your bed, inspection of your goods and sundrys

Cheers, I have found someone who says they can build one for me, I will see how that goes.

the link you supplied sounds simple, but with the amount of traffic I am hoping for, it would be to time consuming.

I am no expert - but here is my half penny worth

A friend from Malta who before has come twice a year, this time says he is not coming again -- Pattaya dead.

Another went on a visa run to Cambodia -- people more friendly than Pattaya -- he is going there in future.

A very large Short Time Bar which before was always crowded with golfers in the afternoon -- for the last three weeks has only had three or four customers and many of the girls are saying they are going homeat the end of the month

Many rooms for rent which I cannot remember seeing in this area at theis time of year before.

A Thai owned food business -- the owner says they he is not getting the customers that he had before -- he reckons his takings down by 60% -- He wants to sell as he is unable to continue paying the rent -- Bars that four months agao were for sale at 3 million now priced at half than but still no buyers

It is just the time of the year, its Songkran and rice planting time - it happens every year.

I think its all just because of the time of the year. Thais do not buy cars or plan major business, due to Songkran, you will find that the Thais side will be back and running after the festivities.

In my experience, March is always a little slow on the foreign side, New Years is over, the Kids just went back to school, the business plans for the year are being developed etc, people dont travel as much in this month. I personally dont think there will be a down town in holiday makers, but Thai expats trying to survive here is another matter.

Ive made a decision to go to the USA for 6 months after my house is built in Nakhon, to start a new business. I would of loved to have done it here, but with all these enforcements/changes I couldn't be bothered. My lawyer told me yesterday that all foreign companies can only have one work permit (coming soon) - well thats no help to anyone. I like Thailand, but I dont love it, like I used to.

I will be coming back to live rurally though, once the business takes off.

I wish I never started a business in this country and just lived here, I think I would feel a lot better about Thai's in general and wouldnt have aged so much in the 10 years Ive been here. oh well!

how long is a piece of string?

Twice as long, as the middle to the end.

I say any country still using the death penatly for drug trafficing, the citizens of that country should also be punished in the same way if caught trafficing drugs into other countries.......................

I totally agree with you.

Im not sure how its done as Im not a computer techy guy, but Im looking for a program that is located on the server that lets all videos uploaded to it, to be converted into flash and placed into the appropriate url address/folder.

Im guessing that everytime someone uploads a video on youtube, a program on the server automatically converts it to flash? I cant see them having to do it manually as there are millions of hits a day and thousands of videos uploaded each day.

Ive looked at youtube and Ive also searched the web, but when I think Ive found something I think would be the right thing, I get lost in the computer techy descriptions, so I am none the wiser.

anyhelp would be appreciated.

Cheers.

Its not Scampy - he cant drive. but then again............

Ban this goose, just in case.

Instead of giving her your last name, why don't you let her use a hyphen? In any case, once you register the marriage, you have a choice to use any form. My wife originally kept her name then later changed to use a hyphen.

Also, the rumors of less rights for a Thai woman as a result of marrying a foreigner is simply NOT true. Trust me, I know. My wife has not lost ANY rights regarding home/land ownership.

Regarding the O-visa (marriage) the main advantage is not having to leave the country to renew the visa. You should report your residence every 90 days which can be done by sending a letter to the immigration office. Make sure it is the right office!

I have an 0-visa and will be renewing my visa next week at immigration. My wife called and they needed all the forms relating to marriage, house registration, etc. and we told them we split our time between here and America. They didn't mention any income documentation but maybe it has something to do with us having 2 children. They said no problem and I don't need to leave country to renew visa and I don't need to show money. I have a multiple o visa.

I know, confusing. I will find out next week when I go with my daughter. I will report my findings later. Actually, I am a little disappointed, I thought I could escape for a few days in Singapore and play golf.

Firstly, I feel a bit honoured that you have posted on my thread 9 posts in 5ish years - I really do appreciate your post.

If you remember, I would very interested in how you get on re: income documents.

The wife, seems to like the hyphen idea, to be honest Im not bothered which way she wants to do it, as long as she is happy

Samran - you'd get an intial three month entry. To extend that, you'll have to show a combined family income of 40K per month, which means, your stay here is consecutive, useful if you eventually want to apply for residency which requires 3 years consecutive stay, and (amongst many other things) 3 years of Thai tax returns.

If you can't do that, then I'd assume you'd visa run every three months.

You can marry her without giving her a surname. Law changed a few years back.

Ok. I currently have 7 years of consecutive non imm b visas and have paid tax for that period also, I realise I am already within the guidelines to get residency, but how will getting a non 0 visa effect that? does that mean I have to start again in getting consectutive visas?

I dont think I want it at the moment anyway, but its good to know. I can pay to get residency for 1 mil and not even turn up for the interview = NFT.

cheers for your help.

I flew to London last year on Ethiad, the most stunning women I have ever seen. Arab, Chinese, Thai, English a mixed bag. I treated myself to first class and I noticed the first class is where the most beautiful hostys were. A great trip. 6ft 1 bed, priority through Gatwick, literally 1 minute and out the door. It was pretty cheap to, I think 70k return of something like that.

I think the Arab women are gorgeous. edit - well the ones on the plane were anyway.

LOl.

also on my last throws of 30's as well mate, hit the big 40 at the end of the year. first time married, bit scarey really, then again hopefully nothing changes, it hasnt been bad for the last 6 years, so Ill see.

cheers for the banter.

You can work on an non-O.

My wife used to.

Cheers Samran, that is another good reason to do this as well, although I have a non B at the mo.

So lets get this straight, if I marry (give here my last name? or can you marry without doing that?), I am allowed to stay in country every year and then get another non o from Singapore or Malaysia and repeat the cycle?.

Is there anymore bonus' to being married? any more rights? quicker to become a resident? (If I want that is).

any info on the pitfalls of marrying (yes not those ones!)? any info on anything regarding the topic is much appreciated.

aussiestyle1983 and ronw , cheers for the info, It is probably better to do this then I think. I noticed someone else saying you can work on a non immigrant O, is that true?

You would think I would know all this, but havent been watching the new enforcement of the laws as it changes so often, who knows what they really are until you walk into the government office.

cheers again!

Hello Andrew,

I am another one that will not hide behind a mask.

I have started a few threads asking perfectly reasonable questions as well as responded to existing threads with my thought on the issue. Invariably, someone using a pseudonym will blast me, insult me and/or laugh at my point of view. I, in return, lower myself to their level and blast back using whatever insult seems appropriate. Needless to say, their trail of insults persists.

I dare say that these anonymous posters would not be so bold as to say these things to my face. This is why they will not use their real names. As I ponder this, I think these people are intelligent in at least one regard. If I knew who they were & happened to run up on one in Chiang Mai, the outcome might not be so pleasant.

I fully anticipate a volley of insults from some of the members. Know in advance no response will be forthcoming so feel tough & let loose the tirade. You will have to wallow in the mud by yourself.

I have decided that this will be my last post on ThaiVisa. I have a very bad taste in my mouth regarding this "forum thing" in general. From this day forward I will read this forum for news and search for answers to specific questions only.

Good luck to you, Andrew Hicks. Good on you for not hiding.

Dear T Lloyd

Almost brings tears to my eyes. Please don't play The Last Post yet. We men of principle must stick together. (Or are you a bit of tottie?)

From all the comments, I'm beginning to feel it's pretty dirty out there and I'm almost running scared. If I know they've broken you, I don't know what I'll do ut here alone.

But seriously, maybe the rules should require a real name from all verbal gladiators. It might clean up the collective act.

And by the way, are you that bastard, Tony Lloyd I used to work for because if you are, I'm out to get you and I'm not going to rest til I find you! For two years you made my life a misery...

Andy, stop being a tool.You are as funny as polio.Nice little troll though....

agreed! self importance comes to mind.

I have been "Thai married" for 6 years. I am now thinking of having my marriage registered and giving my wife my last name.

If I do that, what are the benefits to me in regard to staying here? can I stay yearly without leaving? Is it a non immmigrant O visa I will get?

I read this thread a little and see that I have to show 40k per month coming into my bank - can this be shown 1 time and then every year I just renew or do I have to show this every year I redo my visa? At the moment I have about 100k per month coming in from the US, but that allstops in another year. I have the means and finances to stay here indefinately, but I dont have an income from an outside source. would I be better putting money into an account and then having the money put into my Thai account per month? Can I show that I own property (have investments), but I dont take monthly money from that as it would be classed as working that money goes into my wifes account.

Do I have to leave the country every 3 months as I do on my non immigrant B visa?

Which way is the best way to go about this as I have the money to stay, but cannot prove outside income indefinately. I also want to stop work in Thailand and carry on with a few internet business' that are global instead of regional.

Basically I just want to live the village life for a few years and be left alone, any info is much appreciated. Cheers.

edit: I remember there being a law not long ago that stated that if a Thai woman marry a farang, she can only own 1 Rai of land i here name, any info on that? cheers.

Just a few personal experiences.

I purchased some of my land @ 10,000 Baht per Rai for larger plots and I purchased small plots and paid 50,000 per Rai in the village.

My brother in law (Thai) purchased land close to Chian Yai town for 300,000 Baht for 1 room (5 by 15 meters), so it just depends where in the area you are.

Palm. I had 9 rai plot of palm planted last year and it all got eaten and died from rats. It is a major problem in the early stages, if I had the time or the thought, I could of got the family to look after it, but I didnt..........

Timber or one of the other posters might have posted regarding this already

good luck with it all martaway.

I can't believe the kind of people that are on this board. It is outrageous. The man is just trying to help. I guess you people don't mind these young girls selling their flesh. I have a problem with it and commend Brother Tony for doing something about it. It may not be the best way, but there are probably some people at those places who heard him and then heard from their consciences and left. At least he is trying to make a positive difference in the world and not feeding the problems.

There is a visa for missionary purposes in Thailand. The country has no problem with people coming for religious purposes.

or another slant - it looks like yelling, it looks manic, 99% of the people there cant understand him and although he thinks he is right in what he is doing, he looks stupid, which then in turn makes the whole exercise a joke to most and makes the religion he is preaching to be in peoples eyes.

Put an advert in the Thai news papers for people to come along to a venue and listen to him preach, that would make more sense surely.

Cheers for all of your best wishes, I am back at home now.

120k later for the plastic surgery , I wish I had paid my insurance on time . Breathing a lot better on one side, will probably take a couple of weeks for the swelling to go down and Ill back to being my ugly self.

My mate visited me in hospital last night and said that it was only 1 friend of the guy that jumped in, the rest were farang haters. Anyway it will all work out in the end.

again cheers for the support.

mods feel free to close the thread if you like.

ahh..... brother tony, the same brother tony that wanted to start a church in Phuket.

heres a tip, learn the language as it seems the powers of god havent helped you get your point across.

I can only imagine what the Thais were thinking.

The finest form of revenge is to lead a fulfilling life.

Difficult as this may seem right now....get your loved ones out there and rise above the gutter where the a$$hole who attacked you lives.

Hard to take now, but in the months, years to come....YOU will be better off ....

Disagree, this will not be forgotten in the years to come.

It will sit in the pit of the stomach and fester like something undigested, just randomly thinking about will raise blood pressure.

The only relief will be the satisfaction of setting things right.

You can only be on the receiving end of shi... for so long.

If your quality of life and peace of mind is so degraded, where you have to pack up and start over some where else then a parting gift is in order.

Some baht thrown at some sympathetic locals. At the very least it will demonstrate there are consequences to one's actions, and because we're already despised for having money, it will be shown that same money can be directed in many ways.

This unfortunate event also makes it very clear yet again that in any altercation assume you'll be utterly alone to deal with it. No one is going to help you, count on it.

Personally I wouldn't screw with the courts, I don't want apologies, I don't want money, I want his legs broken, then again that's me, call me old fashion.

As I get ready to go and have my nose rearranged today, I am feeling what you have posted - it is definately festering today mate.

anyway, cheers for the direct post, I am thinking many things at the moment........

cheers, Im running late.

Jimmy in Bangkok

I wish you a speedy recovery as well mate and I'm only sorry I wasn't there to lend you a hand. That really p#sses me off......100 people standing around watching a guy get beaten up with the possible outcome being death....aaaaagggggghhhhh

jayjayjayjay

Press charges....... Go for a civil case with financial implications as well. This guy needs to do jail time at a minimum. Doesn't matter what his issues are behind this behaviour (drugs, family, girlfriend problems etc), his pulling a knife on you needs heavy police action (you need to make heavy threat of financial damages in the civil suit so you have something to negoitate down after he sobers up and comes crawling too you for forgiveness, an insurance policy as such).

The others that joined in where trying to protect there own(happens here and other places as well), there part in this was unnecessary and a knee-jerk reaction to a countryman in distress. I would guess that these guys would be happy to have a drink with you (not that you would like too) under other circumstances, if they knew you and how the situation developed. In no way is it right, but your the odd one out and always will be.

I have seen the pack-of-dogs sydrome here many times. Nothing has changed in 20 years, so don't feel this is an immediately problem with todays youth. The main issue is to avoid situations where it can develop. You had little chance to avoid, my sympathy is with you at this time... cheers..

thanks for your post and your insight. Yes a civil case is ok to proceed with, but in my limited experience in the court system here, if the guy has no money, you end up footing the lawyer fees and also the 100k that you have to pay to the court, to even get it listed for trial, and then you get nothing out of it at the end. Appreciate your post though, if it was my country I would proceed for sure.

CHdiver

Wish you a speedy recovery.

t.s

thanks for your post.

WaiWai

Very sorry to hear of this.

I agree entirely with the reasons others have given for pressing charges. I would, however, understand if you did not.

All the best for your physical and mental recovery. Counselling may be a good idea. You will undoubtedly experience shock and post-traumatic stress reaction is possible.

P.S. What do others think about bringing his story to the attention of newspapers - good or bad path to pursue ?

Appreciate your post, its funny that I thought this happened last week, it actually happened only on Saturday, maybe I am in shock, or Im just not thinking straight. Newspapers seem to cover many worse things and nothing gets done about it, so dont bother on my account. cheers.

LoveDaBlues

I've only been here 1.5 years but I made a decision early on to stay away from the touist areas. The Thai's see the constant stream of farang throwing around 1K baht notes like water; some can't handle it and become very bitter towards farangs and then...............

So this day was the first time Id been to Patong for 2 months and over he last 6 years (since maried), Id been on only a few occasions to visit mates. I get your meaning though and thanks for the post.

Jai Dee

I agree... do not let him off the hook... it will discourage him and his mates from trying a similar stunt on someone else.

In the meantime, you can use some of your contacts to find out more about him... and his past. It may prove dividends.

Sorry to hear about this Torny... for this to happen to a farang local is appalling. I wonder what would have happened if it had been a non-Thai speaking tourist victim, rather than you.

Don't let him get away with it.

PS. I hope you mend quickly... take care.

cheers mate, I wont let him off the hook, Ill just wait a while. I appreciate your post mate.

chingching

Just doesn't sound too believable to me. Car honks and u wait 2 min. to find out what he wants? A 100 people and noone at all comes forward?

Ulysses G.

Tornado is not a liar.

Insight

thanks mate, appreciated.

To many to list, my fingers killing me, Thanks to Terry57, Chonabot ( I needed your Muay Thai skills!), Crossy, phazey, YaiJung (your thoughts are also mine), taxexile, soundman, Jet Gorgon, bkkmadness (the others were friends - Ive heard from someone who is finding things out), gbt71fa, Jim's_a_Thai_Fox, PhilHarries, tijnebijn, dave111223, kratindaeng and Donna for the nice PM - Im ok thanks.

cheers again.

Thanks for all of the kind words, it really is appreciated.

To make a few things clear, the guy was still there when the police came, so yes I know who it is and yes I do have his number of his car.

I just met with the police an hour ago and they are still waiting for my say so on pressing charges or leaving them. My Thai friends, say press charges, but now I know where the guy lives/works, thanks to the police telling me exactly where it is - so I have to think hard whilst Im in hospital tomorrow for 2 days.

The police also checked out my car and although I have no damage to the panels of my car, I did have a swipe mark on my back left tyre, it has been rubbed, so maybe I did "hit" his car and wasnt aware of it as my truck is quite large and with the music / bass on, I wouldnt of felt it.

They showed me the alleged collision mark on his car, it is about 4 cm long, no dent, just a black mark on his back colour coded bumper. Typical young hero car with Never Die crap on the back windscreen. I think what has happened is he was backing out and actually hit my car as I was going along, basically he must of backed into me as I was going past, although so slight I didnt feel it, or was changing the music or something. who knows, I didnt feel it anyway and was none the wiser.

so basically I think he would be in the wrong anyway as he was backing out and hit me as I went past. Not that it matters now.

The reason I dont want to press charges is I dont want to put my wife or myself in harms way or have the stress of thinking about bad things. As many here know, my wife was kidnapped last year over a house I was purchasing went sour because of a greedy little thug, who wanted to extort money from us. (that is a whole other story itself) That is being tried next June. It nearly ruined our marriage and we have just reconcilled over the last two months and then another ######ing problem comes.

Sometimes its better to flee and fight another day when things quiet down. One thing I have learnt in life is if someone causes you grief, let it blow over and then one day knock on the door with a bat and say remember me. Fist fights are for the hot headed (many in my younger life), revenge is best served cold.

I suppose the last 9 months has been very difficult for my family here and I am just sick of it, Im sick of the disregard for peoples welfare and Im sick of being stressed over keeping my family and myself safe from really bad people. Since the kidnapping, we have had 24 hour security, we bought two guns and we have a police check point out the front of my house. Even with some of the most powerfull people in Phuket as my family/friends/colleagues you cannot be safe 24 hours a day unless you are away from the problems.

My wife and I have decided to leave Phuket and head upcountry to our land and build a house.

To me Phuket has become a very violent place and Im sick of being nice/looking the other way, when some prick decides to take thier frustrations out on you. I realise its not just Phuket, but it is immaterial to me as this is where I live.

sorry for the sob story, but Im just sick of the people in Phuket and Im sick of the way we get treated even after all of the staff we employ, the taxes we pay and the donations we make to schools etc - I have tried to fit in for to long and this broken nose has made me re evaluate what is important to me and what I am prepared to put up with.

cheers to all.

I went to Patong last week to get a hair cut and see a few mates. I spent an hour or so with a friend, then went to get a haircut, but she/he wasnt available. I decided to go to Central instead and do a bit of shopping as well. It was 1.30 pm.

I was driving up Nanai rd, music on and enjoying my day off. Next thing a car behind me starts beeping its horn and flashing its lights, for me to pull over. Curious I did just that.

As I pulled over, the car parked in front of me and I sat and waited until someone got out, finally after 2 minutes a young Thai guy gets out alone, so I get out and ask him in Thai what was wrong. He started shouting the standard Thai"phrases" and I asked him what the hel_l he was on about. He said I had hit his car , I hadnt hit anything to my knowledge!

Anyway within 1 minute (unprovoked), he pulled out a knife and tried to stab me, he lunged 3 times and luckily I was quick enough to deflect two and the last one he nicked my arm. I then proceeded to punch the living crap out of him in the middle of Nanai Rd - I was basically fighting for my life.

I had the guy pinned to the road, trying to get him to calm down and from behind I could here footsteps coming fast, as I looked around I was smashed in the face with a rock half the size of house brick and 5 other Thais, started laying into me. I knew if I went down I would probably be kicked to death or stabbed repeatedly and as I was between my truck and a shop, I wasnt in plain view of any passer bys. I got out from their beating and stood up in the middle of the road, so their would be more witnesses if I met my demise and to also try and get some help.

I looked for my phone, but it had been stolen by ? whilst I was getting stoned to the head, I couldnt call for help, nor was any offered by the 100 or so people that gathered, even the farangs . Whilst in the middle of the road, the 6 Thais, still were packing around me and saying, ###### you farang, go back to your country etc, the usual mongel Thai talk and flying out at me as I was looking at another. In the end I couldnt have cared and I swung and swung and kept on swinging until the police finally arrived.

When the scene had died down only the Thai guy in the car was still around out of the bunch that atacked me, plus the 100 or so crowd.

Im not sure if I will press charges, due to not wanting a court date in another 2 years (thats how slow it is) and do I need more grief with this sadistic bastard that has no regard for life. The police have given me 1 week to think about it - what would you guys do?

I have been in Phuket for 10 years or so now and what I have been seeing lately and what happened to me is becoming to normal. I feel anti farang sentiment a lot more since the government coup, I think Thai people have lost direction and laws seem to have been relaxed - who knows my face hurts and Im rambling.

In the end I ended up with a broken finger, 7 stitches to my arm and a badly broken nose that will require plastic surgery to correct it. It is smashed in 11 places inwards. I am off for the surgery tomorrow. I think I was quite lucky as he did try to kill me.

Moral - dont stop, if getting flashed to pull over by a normal type car, drive to the nearest police station and then get out.

Im sorry for your loss.

I would put a reward sign up at dons cafe/mall, freedom bar and all of the small mini marts near your house. Get your MRS / friend to write it up in Thai.

For alternative local TV from Phuket you can also see 'Andaman News' in English, about 8.30-9.00am most Mondays to Fridays, with local news, reports, interviews and weather forecasts on TV Channel 11 (VHF dial, not UBC-True) & usually also on Radio Thailand FM90.5, both to Phuket, Phang Nga & Krabi. It MAY also be shown on Phuket Cable TV channel 1 at 3.30, 7.30, & 11.00pm, + 01.30am.

The News text, photos and many VDO Clips (from last 2 years) are on www.ThaisNews.com

Please tell us if you have problems downloading any of our VDO Clips.

(Our news text and mini-videos can be freely copied, but please give credit to Andaman News TV11 Phuket - unlike PGTV who seem to copy many of our text items & even footage sometimes!)

We also welcome any contributions of local videos, that may be of interest for our news program. For enquiries, suggestions or to send PR, please email [email protected] or visit TV11 studio on Rang Hill, Phuket City.

----

On a related subject and item we had yesterday:

"Phuket-based property developer Bill Barnett of C9 Hotelworks has launched a worldwide video competition urging the global community to show their idea of the perfect lifestyle on the island, for the chance to win prizes of stays at the Mövenpick Residence Karon Beach. His PhuketPerfect.com website guides viewers to a dedicated page on the successful You Tube website, where they can upload their idea of the perfect Phuket day or lifestyle. The competition closes on April 15. Mr. Barnett said he wanted to do something for the entire Phuket community to show the fantastic lifestyle continues here and said this is a great opportunity for others to get involved in the prosperous times we are experiencing."

-----------

another free plug

New draft of FBA easier on foreigners

NLA version aims to restore confidence

source: Bkk Post

A group of more than 50 members of the National Legislative Assembly have proposed a new draft Foreign Business Act potentially more friendly to foreign-owned joint ventures operating in Thailand than the government's version of the bill.

A copy of the draft obtained by the Bangkok Post says that a business would not be automatically defined as foreign even if voting rights held by foreigners were more than 50% _ a controversial clause currently present in the government's own proposed FBA amendment.

Instead, the NLA version proposes establishing a new screening committee to evaluate issues such as voting rights and nominee structures on a case-by-case basis for the purposes of the FBA.

The draft was prepared by Somchai Sakulsurarat, an experienced banker and former president of Bangkok Metropolitan Bank and the Bank of Ayudhya.

NLA members who have signed the draft include Borwornsak Uwanno, Somkiat Onvimol, Sungsidh Piriyarangsan, Purachai Piumsombun, Vachara Phanchet, Pol Col Nitiphum Navarat and Sqdn Ldr Prasong Soonsiri, the chairman of the Constitutional Drafting Council.

The government's FBA amendments passed the cabinet in January despite stiff opposition from foreign business groups.

The FBA changes, as originally proposed by the Commerce Ministry, would automatically define as foreign any company in which foreign entities hold more than 50% of shares or control more than 50% of voting rights.

Rules and penalties for nominee shareholdings would also be strengthened, and companies would be required to register their status with the ministry and adjust their legal structures within one or two years.

Although the government says the new FBA exempts most exporters, manufacturers and companies receiving Board of Investment privileges, analysts and foreign business leaders have resoundingly blasted the stronger law and warn of a sharp decline in foreign investment flows.

Mr Somchai said the NLA draft aimed to restore foreign investor confidence.

"The draft Commerce Ministry version is problematic and has weakened investor confidence," he said. "All companies are deemed foreign so long as voting rights exceed 50%, even if they are straightforward and honest businesses."

The Commerce Ministry version also was unbalanced in its treatment of the rules, since existing companies would be offered time to adjust their structures unless they were under investigation for possible wrongdoing, he said.

"Discriminatory practices are unacceptable based on the universal principles of law," Mr Somchai said.

Thirteen companies are now under investigation for possible FBA violations, including Shin Corp, controlled by Singapore's Temasek Holdings; DTAC, the second-ranked mobile operator owned by Norway's Telenor; and the retailing giants Carrefour and Tesco.

Mr Somchai said the NLA version would set up a foreign ownership review committee headed by the Commerce Ministry permanent secretary to review whether companies in which foreigners held a majority of voting rights were meeting legitimate business needs.

The committee would also check whether Thai partners had genuinely invested in the business. It would monitor whether the rights and benefits to Thai shareholders were legitimate or if they were acting as illegal nominees.

"A company with foreign voting rights of over 50% will not automatically be defined as foreign under the NLA draft," Mr Somchai said.

He said that many multinationals felt the need to maintain majority voting rights for sound reasons, such as to control the use of their brands or intellectual property.

But if no clear business need was proven, then the majority rule would be enforced, Mr Somchai added. The NLA draft would not automatically clear Temasek Holdings and the questions regarding Kularb Kaew, the holding entity it set up for the Shin acquisition, he added.

"But at least under the new draft, foreign investors would not say that Thai law is discriminatory and fails to meet international standards," Mr Somchai said.

The NLA draft would also stiffen penalties for illegal nominees to up to five years in jail and impose fines of up to five million baht for both foreign and Thai nationals violating the FBA.

Mr Somchai said the NLA would review the proposed draft within two weeks.

"The draft doesn't represent pressure on the government even though the NLA has proposed the law itself. Actually, this represents a collaboration between the government and the NLA to solve the problems," Mr Somchai said.

Business leaders expressed uncertainty about the new draft and its conditions.

Peter Van Haren, president of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce, said he was uncertain about the proposed law. "The moves [to ease restrictions] are positive, if it is true," he said.

Thanawat Patchimkul, the head of research at KGI Securities, said the latest move would prompt considerable confusion in the market.

"If it is true that [the NLA] is looking to get rid of the voting-rights rule, then the question is, what happens to everything that has happened to date?" he asked.

"The entire situation stemmed from the nominee question. If they say it is okay now, then the authorities need to be very clear, or else this will be just another flip-flop in policy. You can't shake up investor confidence and then come back and say nothing has happened."

Santi Vilassakdanont, the chairman for the Federation of Thai Industries, declined to comment on the NLA proposal, which he said had yet to be circulated within the business community.

"But actually, I think the Commerce Ministry version was discussed quite widely among the Industry Ministry, the FTI, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Thai Bankers' Association," he added.