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Whispers on Facebook’s Elite/Privilege Group suggest that holders of the controversial five to 20 years visa could dodge the Thai Revenue Department’s (TRD) new tax ruling. Starting January 1 this year, assessable income sent from abroad by Thais or foreigners residing in Thailand for at least 180 days will be subject to personal income tax. A group member claimed, after attending a webinar, that Elite members might be exempt from needing a tax number or filing tax forms, potentially aligning them with the tax-friendly Long Term Residence (LTR) visa holders, who enjoy no personal taxation on overseas income sent to Thailand. This revelation quickly spread like wildfire across Thai media outlets. However, the excitement was short-lived. A group moderator stepped in, clarifying that the attachment shared during the webinar was merely a PowerPoint presentation, not an official document from the TRD. “We’re not going to take comments on its accuracy or validity,” they stated, putting an end to the speculation. To date, neither the TRD nor the official Thai Privilege website has commented on the matter. The TRD’s ruling applies to all tax residents, excluding those with the 10-year LTR visa, allowing overseas income to remain untaxed until December 31 last year. Thailand’s unique tax structure raises questions, especially for retirees relying on pensions already taxed in their home countries. Additionally, many countries maintain double taxation agreements with Thailand, aimed at preventing individuals from being taxed twice on specific earnings. As the TRD gears up to release new tax forms before Christmas for the 2024 calendar year, expectations run high. Some tax accountants predict clarifications in accompanying notes, while others remain sceptical. The primary aim of the TRD appears to be increasing revenue from untapped sources like cryptocurrency and offshore earnings, reported Pattaya Mail. In related news, soon, Singaporeans and travellers from 92 other visa-exempt countries will need to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before their trip to the Land of Smiles. by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Thailand Privilege Card Source: The Thaiger -- 2024-09-28

Thailand’s Business Ease Ranking Plummets in Asia-Pacific: Survey File photo courtesy: bigcitydata via wikimedia Thailand now ranks among the least business-friendly nations in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a recent survey by the Asia Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (ASIFMA). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1339284-thailand’s-business-ease-ranking-plummets-in-asia-pacific-survey/

Thailand now ranks among the least business-friendly nations in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a recent survey by the Asia Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (ASIFMA). Once in the middle tier, the country has seen its position drop from 9th place in 2022 to 12th, now just above Vietnam. ASIFMA’s survey assesses economies based on three key parameters: market development, operating environment, and regulatory framework. Among the 13 economies evaluated in 2023, Singapore maintained its top position with an average score of 7.67. Hong Kong followed closely with 7.38, while Australia (7.16) and Taiwan (6.61) secured the third and fourth spots, respectively. Japan, which was previously in the top three, fell to fifth place with a score of 6.6. On the other end of the spectrum, Thailand’s score dwindled to 5.38, reflecting a continuous decline from its 5th place in 2021. The survey highlights that in terms of ease of doing business, Thailand now only ranks higher than Vietnam among the listed nations. In the realm of market development, Thailand showed some strength in payment infrastructure, an improvement from the previous year’s focus on a growing customer base and wealth accrual. However, its competitive landscape and cost efficiency in the operating environment, previously lauded for “cultural and societal factors,” seem to have faltered. Regulatory flexibility, particularly the low restrictions on product and service offerings, remained a notable strong point. The survey, conducted between September and December 2023, found worrying trends for future business expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. Only 40% of respondents indicated plans to expand their operations in Asia-Pacific, marking a 24% decrease from the previous year. The few businesses showing interest largely include securities, asset management, and bond firms. Overall, Thailand's decline poses a troubling sign for its economic landscape and indicates potential challenges for businesses looking to enter or expand in the region. File photo courtesy: bigcitydata via wikimedia -- 2024-09-28

Thai Mother accused of murdering seven-year-old son in UK appears in court By Tom Sinclair A THAI woman accused of murdering her seven-year-old son in the UK has appeared at Swansea Crown Court this week, where the case was described as “extremely complicated” by her defence team. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1339282-thai-mother-accused-of-murdering-seven-year-old-son-in-uk-appears-in-court/

A THAI woman accused of murdering her seven-year-old son in the UK has appeared at Swansea Crown Court this week, where the case was described as “extremely complicated” by her defence team. Papaipit Linse, 42, is charged with the murder of her son, Louis Linse, who was found dead at a house in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, on January 10. The defendant, who remains in custody, appeared in court on Monday but was not asked to enter a plea. John Hipkin KC, representing Linse, requested that she not be arraigned due to the case’s psychiatric complexities, highlighting the need for additional time to complete necessary reports. In response, Judge Paul Thomas KC adjourned the case to a further hearing on October 25th. No trial date has been set at this stage. The prosecution is led by Caroline Rees KC, while the defence is handled by John Hipkin KC. During the brief court appearance, no new details of the case were revealed. By Tom Sinclair Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS -- 2024-09-28

Pizza the action: Foreign man wreaks havoc at Phuket pizzeria by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ Phuket Times ภูเก็ตไทม์ An unidentified foreign man went on a rampage in the Thalang district of Phuket in the early hours of this morning and physically assaulted the Thai owner of a pizza shop near Phuket International Airport. The Phuket Times reported on the incident today. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1339271-pizza-the-action-foreign-man-wreaks-havoc-at-phuket-pizzeria/

to continue: Thailand Live Saturday 28 September 2024 https://aseannow.com/topic/1339281-thailand-live-saturday-28-september-2024/

Man Dies After Attack by Mixed-Breed Stray Dogs in Ubon Ratchathani Representative image showing stray dogs.Credit: iStock In a tragic incident, a 49-year-old man was found dead in his home in Ubon Ratchathani after being mauled by two mixed-breed dogs. The man, whose identity has been withheld, was discovered face down in his single-storey house on Wednesday, according to local police reports on Friday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1339261-man-dies-after-attack-by-mixed-breed-stray-dogs-in-ubon-ratchathani/

Pattaya authorities detained several illegal immigrant beggars on Thursday to protect the city’s world-class tourism image. Pattaya Cracks Down on Illegal Immigrants to Protect World-Class Tourist Image Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1339265-pattaya-cracks-down-on-illegal-immigrants-to-protect-world-class-tourist-image/

Pizza the action: Foreign man wreaks havoc at Phuket pizzeria by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ Phuket Times ภูเก็ตไทม์ An unidentified foreign man went on a rampage in the Thalang district of Phuket in the early hours of this morning and physically assaulted the Thai owner of a pizza shop near Phuket International Airport. The Phuket Times reported on the incident today. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1339271-pizza-the-action-foreign-man-wreaks-havoc-at-phuket-pizzeria/

An unidentified foreign man went on a rampage in the Thalang district of Phuket in the early hours of this morning and physically assaulted the Thai owner of a pizza shop near Phuket International Airport. The Phuket Times reported on the incident today. The report included pictures of the injured Thai pizza shop owner, a damaged car and restaurant, as well as an image of the foreign suspect. The media captioned the report… “#AnotherForeignerFromFreeVisa #Phuket #CrazyForeigner. He destroyed a pizza shop outside Phuket Airport and assaulted the shop owner by strangling and pushing him to the ground. He then damaged a car before crossing the road to continue his rampage in a convenience store. The store workers were terrified and fled for their safety.” The incident occurred at approximately 2am, today, September 27. The same foreign man had reportedly caused chaos and destruction at several other establishments earlier. In the attached pictures, the pizza shop owner is seen collapsing to the ground, the car’s side window is damaged, various items are scattered on the floor of the pizza shop, and the foreign man is pictured holding a broomstick in his hand. The media also posted two videos of the foreigner’s rampage in the comments section. The footage shows the man randomly kicking a plant pot and other objects in his path. He is also seen arguing heatedly with a Thai woman who defended herself by holding a glass bottle. Many Thai netizens condemned the foreigner for his violent actions and expressed the view that Phuket now attracts only low-quality foreign tourists, who cause more problems than they bring in revenue. Some suggested that the foreigner would likely face only a 500-baht fine and be released. The media did not clarify whether the pizza shop owner or the owners of the other affected businesses had taken legal action against the foreign man. In a related report shared three weeks ago, police apprehended a foreign man after he caused a disturbance in a beauty salon near Siam BTS Station in Bangkok. CCTV footage showed the shirtless man rushing into the salon’s bathroom, wearing a black bin bag around his neck. Fortunately, only a few beauty items in the shop were damaged, and no one was injured during the incident. by Petch Petpailin Photo via Facebook/ Phuket Times ภูเก็ตไทม์ Source: The Thaiger -- 2024-09-27

Police Guard Banks to Prevent Loan Sharks from Seizing 10,000 Baht Handout Picture courtesy: MGR Online In response to alarming reports of loan sharks preying on vulnerable individuals receiving a 10,000 baht government handout, police across the country have been deployed to guard banks. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1339270-police-guard-banks-to-prevent-loan-sharks-from-seizing-10000-baht-handout/

In response to alarming reports of loan sharks preying on vulnerable individuals receiving a 10,000 baht government handout, police across the country have been deployed to guard banks. Starting from September 25, these measures have been particularly stringent in Maha Sarakham, where police teams have fortified security at the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) and other local bank branches. Pol. Col. Kraithong Chaisingh, head of the Maha Sarakham city police station, confirmed that officers were sent to maintain order at these locations, which have seen a surge in activity as farmers and individuals from “fragile” groups rush to withdraw their funds. Many recipients have been checking their accounts to see if the funds have been deposited, with some using ATMs while others queue up to withdraw cash from bank tellers. Authorities have instructed policemen to be on high alert for informal lenders trying to claim the cash from recipients at ATMs. Those feeling threatened by such individuals have been urged to immediately contact the police for assistance. Ms. Pusaya Tangthong, manager of the local BAAC branch, noted that the bank has been seeing large crowds daily. People are keen to update their passbooks and confirm the arrival of their 10,000 baht giveaway. Due to high demand, the bank has been issuing 200 queue tickets each day but faces challenges due to limited counters, reported Thai Newsroom. Adding to the delays, not all visitors are there solely to withdraw the grant. Several are applying for new passbooks or ATM cards, often because their existing ones are lost or their accounts have been inactive for over a year, necessitating the opening of new accounts. These processes are time-consuming, causing the bank's operating hours to extend significantly. Over the past three days, the branch has operated until 5 p.m. instead of the usual 3.30 p.m., with staff only leaving after 7.30 p.m. The enhanced police presence aims to ensure that the intended recipients of the government's handout receive their money safely and without falling victim to predatory lending practices. Picture courtesy: MGR Online -- 2024-09-27

PM Declines to Confirm Reduction of Phase 2 Cash Giveaway to 5,000 Baht FILE - Thailand's Prime Minister-designate Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with members of Pheu Thai party talks to reporters during a press conference at Pheu Thai party headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn) Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has sparked uncertainty by refusing to confirm whether the second phase of the 10,000 baht cash handout will be reduced to 5,000 baht. The cash giveaway was initially intended to support over 30 million people. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1339268-pm-declines-to-confirm-reduction-of-phase-2-cash-giveaway-to-5000-baht/

FILE - Thailand's Prime Minister-designate Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with members of Pheu Thai party talks to reporters during a press conference at Pheu Thai party headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn) Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has sparked uncertainty by refusing to confirm whether the second phase of the 10,000 baht cash handout will be reduced to 5,000 baht. The cash giveaway was initially intended to support over 30 million people. Addressing reporters at Government House today, Paetongtarn said, "Wait a bit, wait for the Treasury Department to confirm. There are options, if I explain now it (the explanation) would be too short." She suggested that a more detailed statement might follow after the cabinet meeting. The cash handout is a populist measure initiated by the Pheu Thai Party to provide financial relief. As of last Wednesday, some 14.5 million farmers and other individuals in vulnerable categories received the initial 10,000 baht grant in full. The Prime Minister also did not confirm rumours regarding potential defections of key political figures to the Pheu Thai Party. When questioned about Palang Pracharath deputy leader Mr. Santi Promphat and party director Mr. Warathep Rattanakorn's possible crossover, she simply smiled and remained silent. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai added that he only learned of these rumours through newspapers and mentioned that no formal discussions had occurred with the aforementioned politicians, reported Thai Newsroom. This development follows last month's political shake-up when renegade MP Thammanat Prompao led an exodus of 20 MPs from Palang Pracharath to support the Pheu Thai-led government, potentially impacting future legislative dynamics. The local community remains attentive to any further announcements regarding the cash giveaway. Residents and analysts alike are keenly aware of the broader economic and political implications such measures might entail. For now, they await the Government's definitive stance on Phase 2 of the handout programme. As the situation unfolds, the government's next steps will be closely monitored, with upcoming cabinet meetings expected to shed light on the final decision. -- 2024-09-27

Pattaya Cracks Down on Illegal Immigrants to Protect World-Class Tourist Image By Aim Tanakorn Pattaya authorities detained several illegal immigrant beggars on Thursday to protect the city’s world-class tourism image. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1339265-pattaya-cracks-down-on-illegal-immigrants-to-protect-world-class-tourist-image/

Pattaya authorities detained several illegal immigrant beggars on Thursday to protect the city’s world-class tourism image. At 6:00 PM on September 26th, Chonburi Immigration, Pattaya City officials, and the Chonburi Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office, jointly launched a crackdown on illegal immigrants begging in Pattaya. The authorities said the beggars were causing damage to the image of the city, which is a world-class tourist destination. Officials inspected areas around Wat Chaimongkol on Pattaya Second Road and along Pattaya Beach, both of which are popular with tourists. They said immigrants had been using these locations to beg for money from tourists, causing annoyance. Some even brought small children with them, which authorities suspected might not belong to them and could be victims of a human trafficking network. Others were elderly, and some appeared disabled to evoke sympathy from passersby. They would sit on the sidewalks, reaching out for money as tourists walked past them. By Aim Tanakorn Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS -- 2024-09-27

Stray Rottweiler-Mix Dogs Maul Man to Death in Ubon Ratchathani By Kittisak Phalaharn Ubon Ratchathani — On September 27th, 2024, Don Mod Daeng police officers received a report of a man found dead after evidently being attacked by two stray Rottweiler-mix dogs at a residence in Don Mod Daeng, Ubon Ratchathani. Officers arrived at the single-story home to find the body of Mr. Wetchai (whose last name was withheld by the police), lying face down in his bedroom. He was found with severe bite wounds on his head, a torn ear, and his body lying in a pool of blood. Medical examiners found no evidence of blunt force trauma or sharp objects being used, ruling out murder. The room showed signs of a struggle, with objects scattered around and the back door left open. Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS -- 2024-09-28

Man Dies After Attack by Mixed-Breed Stray Dogs in Ubon Ratchathani Representative image showing stray dogs.Credit: iStock In a tragic incident, a 49-year-old man was found dead in his home in Ubon Ratchathani after being mauled by two mixed-breed dogs. The man, whose identity has been withheld, was discovered face down in his single-storey house on Wednesday, according to local police reports on Friday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1339261-man-dies-after-attack-by-mixed-breed-stray-dogs-in-ubon-ratchathani/

Representative image courtesy: iStock In a tragic incident, a 49-year-old man was found dead in his home in Ubon Ratchathani after being mauled by two mixed-breed dogs. The man, whose identity has been withheld, was discovered face down in his single-storey house on Wednesday, according to local police reports on Friday. The victim had suffered severe bite wounds to his head, including torn ears, and investigators concluded that he died from excessive blood loss. Initially, the man's relatives suspected foul play, believing he might have been killed before the dogs attacked him. However, forensic analysis revealed no signs of human assault, ruling out the possibility of murder. Police estimated that the man had been dead for approximately six hours before his body was found. During the investigation, police located two stray dogs near the scene—one a mixed-breed pit bull and the other a mixed-breed Rottweiler. Believing these dogs were responsible for the attack, local livestock officers sedated both animals and measured their teeth, which matched the size of the bite wounds on the victim. This incident has raised concerns about the presence of stray dogs, especially those with aggressive tendencies, in residential areas. Authorities are taking steps to prevent future incidents. The dogs have been taken into custody by the livestock office for further evaluation, reported Bangkok Post. -- 2024-09-27

7-Eleven Introduces Convenient PromptPay QR Code Payments Nationwide Great news! 7-Eleven now offers the option to scan and pay with PromptPay, making transactions more convenient by eliminating the need to carry cash. Customers can simply open the QR code on their mobile banking app and pay at any of the 480 participating branches nationwide. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1339222-7-eleven-introduces-convenient-promptpay-qr-code-payments-nationwide/

Great news! 7-Eleven now offers the option to scan and pay with PromptPay, making transactions more convenient by eliminating the need to carry cash. Customers can simply open the QR code on their mobile banking app and pay at any of the 480 participating branches nationwide. On September 27, 2024, the official Consumer Facebook page announced that 7-Eleven has officially launched its PromptPay QR code payment system. The post celebrated the news, stating, “Tears are flowing #Consumers, what do you think?” With this new service, customers can easily pay for their purchases by scanning the PromptPay QR code at checkout. The system supports all major mobile banking apps. However, traditional payment options remain available, including cash, TrueMoney Wallet, credit cards, and All Points, where 100 points equal 1 baht. Although some users commented that the service is now available at all branches, 7-Eleven's customer service clarified that PromptPay payments are currently accepted at 480 branches. Customers are encouraged to ask the cashier if their branch supports the PromptPay option. To pay with PromptPay, follow these steps: Open your bank app and select the "My QR" option. Enter the amount to be paid. Show the QR code to the cashier for scanning. Complete your purchase with PromptPay. -- 2024-09-27

Lawmakers withdraw controversial ‘child-discipline bill’ for further review Picture courtesy: NNT The parliamentary drafting committee has decided to withdraw the controversial bill prohibiting corporal punishment of children for further review, following opposition from Members of Parliament (MPs). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1339221-lawmakers-withdraw-controversial-‘child-discipline-bill’-for-further-review/

The parliamentary drafting committee has decided to withdraw the controversial bill prohibiting corporal punishment of children for further review, following opposition from Members of Parliament (MPs). During the parliamentary session on September 25th, the second reading of the Civil and Commercial Code amendment, also known as the "anti-spanking bill," faced objections. Some MPs described the bill’s content as vague and conflicting with basic principles. Nipon Khonkhayan, an MP from Bung Kan Province representing the Pheu Thai Party, argued that while parents discipline children out of love, the bill’s restrictions might leave them powerless when dealing with misbehavior. He expressed concerns about the law's impact on child-rearing in rural areas, where grandparents often play a key role. Nipon also raised concerns about its potential effect on teachers' ability to maintain discipline in schools. Bunthida Somchai, an MP from Ubon Ratchathani with the Bhumjaithai Party, pointed out the ambiguity of certain terms in the bill, such as "dignity of the child." She argued that these terms could complicate legal enforcement and lead to varied interpretations by police and courts. Bunthida urged the committee to clarify the bill’s language to prevent misinterpretations in different cultural contexts across Thailand. Dr. Cholnan Srikaew, another Pheu Thai MP, emphasized that the bill’s content conflicted with its originally accepted principles. He recommended balancing the rights of children and parents while ensuring clearer guidelines for defining human dignity. The bill will be revised to address these concerns before being reintroduced for further debate. Picture courtesy: NNT Source: NNT -- 2024-09-27