CRUNCHER

Try reading the press.

Thanks bub, but as of last reading it seems they have reversed the measure on the stock market segment only. My bank still claims it will withhold 30%. Try posting something of use next time.

So far I did not find any official articles who said U turn for Property withholding tax ....

so still looking for answer as well.

Tks

Just put below post on another thread. Does not answer you, but I think we will have to wait a few days for the air to clear

QUOTE(Dr. Naam @ 2006-12-21 14:11:03)

where are the moderators to stop misinformation?

I do not think there is misinformation. Problem is BOT is not be explicit enough.

http://www.bot.or.th/bothomepage/General/P.../Eng/n5149e.htm

This is the BOT original press release. Does not make it clear if it relates to property buying. (To me that is not short term, but others do not see it my way) No mention of US$ 20,000 limit.

http://www.bot.or.th/bothomepage/General/N.../Relaxation.pdf

is the latest BOT release. Property is not mentioned. So, if it was included in the first place, it still is. Most press comments are speculation, some obviously ill informed..

Confused? Me too. And so is BOT!! Until BOT gets it's act together there will continue to be confusion.

For those still concerned about the tax on property transfers. From the Nation:

"Meanwhile, the Bank of Thailand also issued an announcement on their website on December 21 stating that property including land and condominiums is exempt from the reserve requirement on short-term capital inflows.

Foreign purchasers of condominiums can bring funds into Thailand to purchase condominium property. According to a major local bank, foreign condominium purchasers should clearly state the project name and unit number when remitting funds. "

http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/22/bus...ss_30022204.php

I know I am thick so could someone tell me where it is on BOT website. I cannot find it

http://www.bot.or.th/bothomepage/General/P.../Eng/n5249e.htm

At last it is official. Thanks Wehkin

Does anyone know if they have a branch in Bangkok?

Thanks,

G

Yes quite a few I believe. There is a small one on Rama IV near the Silom Robinsons. Although it is small if they have not got what you want in stock they can usually get it within 24 hours What is more prices are cheaper than Pattaya. Don't know why - this is a nationwide franchised chain, but there it is.

Unfortunately their website is in THai, but if you can get someone to help you read it you may learn something.

Try reading the press.

Thanks bub, but as of last reading it seems they have reversed the measure on the stock market segment only. My bank still claims it will withhold 30%. Try posting something of use next time.

So far I did not find any official articles who said U turn for Property withholding tax ....

so still looking for answer as well.

Tks

Just put below post on another thread. Does not answer you, but I think we will have to wait a few days for the air to clear

QUOTE(Dr. Naam @ 2006-12-21 14:11:03)

where are the moderators to stop misinformation?

I do not think there is misinformation. Problem is BOT is not be explicit enough.

http://www.bot.or.th/bothomepage/General/P.../Eng/n5149e.htm

This is the BOT original press release. Does not make it clear if it relates to property buying. (To me that is not short term, but others do not see it my way) No mention of US$ 20,000 limit.

http://www.bot.or.th/bothomepage/General/N.../Relaxation.pdf

is the latest BOT release. Property is not mentioned. So, if it was included in the first place, it still is. Most press comments are speculation, some obviously ill informed..

Confused? Me too. And so is BOT!! Until BOT gets it's act together there will continue to be confusion.

For those still concerned about the tax on property transfers. From the Nation:

"Meanwhile, the Bank of Thailand also issued an announcement on their website on December 21 stating that property including land and condominiums is exempt from the reserve requirement on short-term capital inflows.

Foreign purchasers of condominiums can bring funds into Thailand to purchase condominium property. According to a major local bank, foreign condominium purchasers should clearly state the project name and unit number when remitting funds. "

http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/22/bus...ss_30022204.php

I know I am thick so could someone tell me where it is on BOT website. I cannot find it

The vast majority of Farang come from the worlds richest nations.The Thais have not got tougher to make sure that we have enough money.They already know we have enough money! What they want is the extra revenue ,imo.Generated by the purchase of visa's from embassies/consulates and maybe they also want less farang living inside Thailand.

This is, IMHO, the most likely explanation for the entire thing. Not only does it generate revenue from visas but by forcing more foreigners to go legal, also generates additional tax revenue.

If extra revenue was the reason they could have got that by charging the 30 day "visa runners" baht 2000 (what they pay the visa run companies) to renew their visa exempt stay at the local immigration office. The government would have raked in a fortune. As for taxes, who can blame the government if that is part of the reason. Just about anywhere you go if you earn money the tax man wants his share.

Thanks for the replies. I was hoping I had missed a press release or something, but it is now clear that even the banks dont know. It was a very inexpensive condo I was buying, but I dont want to risk tying up the extra 30% for a year interest free. I feel a bit guilty because the seller has cleared out the furniture for me, which will make it harder for them to sell or rent out. But it aint my fault.

Asia Property Report - December 20 - news

Thai Property immune from Baht regulations

The Thai property industry is breathing a collective sigh of relief following an announcement by the Bank of Thailand that property – including land and condominiums – is exempt from the new reserve requirement on short-term capital inflows.

The announcement was posted on their website Wednesday, clearing up some of the confusion surrounding the Bank’s measures.

This means foreign purchasers of condominiums can bring funds into Thailand to purchase condominium property. According to a major local bank, foreign condominium purchasers should clearly state the project name and unit number when remitting funds.

Ms. Aliwassa Pathnadabutr, managing Director of CB Richard Ellis Thailand said, “We welcome this clarification which means that foreign property purchasers are not affected by the new regulations. We believe that this will reassure existing and potential property purchasers.”

Complete article :

http://www.property-report.com/aprarchives...amp;date=201206

This is another press/property agent report. I cannot find it on the BOT website. I admit I am pretty thick so could someone point out to me where it is.

"DrNaam. Could you please post where it says that property is exempt as I cant find it. It would be much appreciated."

*****

obsession,

let's not go back but deal with the present situation as that's much easier. the fact is that all restrictions have been lifted again except the one concerning the purchase of short term bonds denominated in THB.

that's what my bank (Siam Commercial Bank) told me yesterday. important is (much more than it was before) that any transfer should be explicitly "labelled", e.g. "investment immobile property" or "living cost Thailand 2007" or "purchase of new car", etc, etc., etc. thus ruling out the undesired "short term temporary inflow of foreign capitalfor the purpose of currency speculation".

i am not in a position to judge whether the information from SBC is 100% correct or whether the BOT has again amended the measures.

So as facts go...er...it isn't one!

Well it might be a fact......but then again it might not.

I appreciate DrNaam has meant well trying to put people straight, but the fact is he does not know, I do not know and you do not know. What we need is authoratative information. That can only come from BOT. Problem is I do not think that even they know. Headless chickens seldom know what is going on.

Here is the original statement:

The Reserve Requirement on Short-Term Capital Inflows Dr. Tarisa Watanagase, Governor of the Bank of Thailand (BOT), announced that despite recent measures aiming at discouraging short-term capital inflows and limiting Thai baht speculation, short-term speculative inflows of various forms continue to persist, as evidenced by the volatility of the Thai baht and its rapid pace of appreciation.

The BOT, therefore, decided to implement an unremunerated reserve requirement on short-term capital inflows. Financial institutions are required to withhold 30 percent of foreign currencies bought or exchanged against the Thai baht, except those related to trades in goods and services, or repatriation of investments abroad by residents. The details of the measure and related operational procedures are summarized as follows:

1. After one year, customers whose foreign currencies have been withheld can request for refunds by submitting related evidence to prove that the funds have been in Thailand for at least one year.

2. Once financial institutions have examined and certified the one-year minimum stay period, they shall inform the BOT to return the funds, through them, to their customers.

3. Should any customers wish to repatriate their funds earlier than one year, they would be refunded only two-thirds of the amount.

4. Foreign exchange transactions which have been traded prior to 19 December 2006 are exempt from this reserve requirement.

5. Foreign direct investments or unrequited transfers would initially be subject to the reserve requirement but shall be refunded upon submission of supporting evidence through financial institutions. Once financial institutions have examined and certified the legitimacy of such claims and the BOT deems it appropriate, the BOT shall promptly return the full amount.

6. Financial institutions shall remit the required reserves, in the form of foreign currencies, to the BOT on the 7th of the subsequent month.

7. The earnings received from this measure would be earmarked for public benefits.

In order to regulate foreign short-term capital inflows, several countries have imposed reserve requirements on such inflows during critical times. The BOT views that the present situation warrants the introduction of such measure to prevent speculative pressure on the Thai baht. The BOT will closely monitor and assess the impact of this measure.

Bank of Thailand

18 December 2006

Here is part 1 of the amendment:

"1. Foreign currencies bought or exchanged against baht for equity investments in the SET in MAI and in TFEX(futures) and AFET(agrifutures) are exempt from the 30% reserve requirement. Financial institutions shall ensure that such foreign exchange transactions are for the aforementioned purposes."

Parts 2,3,and 4 are only detail.

Although in the original statement it talks about "short term capital inflows" being subject to withholding who is to decide what is short term? Although one would hope property money is exempt nowhere do I see a rescindment of the clear quote in a previous post that any effect on property funds would stand.

More to the point when I called my local banker, at a pretty main branch for foreign transactions, just now to ask about the 30% and equity or property funding she said they just don't know. Ergo sending funds for either would be demented.

You obviously have an honest bank to admit that they do not know. Reading this and other threads most banks (as well as agents and the press) are guessing and puttting their own interpretation on things. To me buying property is basically a long term thing, but not everyone sees it that way. I suspect some banks are holding on to the 30% to be safe knowing that it will be easier to give it back to the customer later than the other way round.

Until BOT gets it's act together and gives clear clarification none of us know what is happening for sure.

Try reading the press.

Thanks bub, but as of last reading it seems they have reversed the measure on the stock market segment only. My bank still claims it will withhold 30%. Try posting something of use next time.

So far I did not find any official articles who said U turn for Property withholding tax ....

so still looking for answer as well.

Tks

Just put below post on another thread. Does not answer you, but I think we will have to wait a few days for the air to clear

QUOTE(Dr. Naam @ 2006-12-21 14:11:03)

where are the moderators to stop misinformation?

I do not think there is misinformation. Problem is BOT is not be explicit enough.

http://www.bot.or.th/bothomepage/General/P.../Eng/n5149e.htm

This is the BOT original press release. Does not make it clear if it relates to property buying. (To me that is not short term, but others do not see it my way) No mention of US$ 20,000 limit.

http://www.bot.or.th/bothomepage/General/N.../Relaxation.pdf

is the latest BOT release. Property is not mentioned. So, if it was included in the first place, it still is. Most press comments are speculation, some obviously ill informed..

Confused? Me too. And so is BOT!! Until BOT gets it's act together there will continue to be confusion.

where are the moderators to stop misinformation?

I do not think there is misinformation. Problem is BOT is not be explicit enough.

http://www.bot.or.th/bothomepage/General/P.../Eng/n5149e.htm

This is the BOT original press release. Does not make it clear if it relates to property buying. (To me that is not short term, but others do not see it my way) No mention of US$ 20,000 limit.

http://www.bot.or.th/bothomepage/General/N.../Relaxation.pdf

is the latest BOT release. Property is not mentioned. So, if it was included in the first place, it still is. Most press comments are speculation, some obviously ill informed..

Confused? Me too. And so is BOT!! Until BOT gets it's act together there will continue to be confusion.

thailand truly is "amazing".......lol

other than food and ladies, this place has no redeeming value

"I don't see foreigners returning to Thailand any time in the near future. Markets now have no confidence in the government."

Asia markets rebound, but Thai credibility hurt

Abrupt policy shift undermines investor faith in Thailand's new government.

December 20 2006: 7:05 AM EST

BANGKOK (Reuters) -- Thai shares bounced back on Wednesday from their biggest sell-off in 16 years after the government back-pedaled on currency controls, but the abrupt policy U-turn shattered confidence in its economic chiefs.

The stock market, which plunged 14.8 percent on Tuesday - its biggest one-day drop since Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990 - ended 11.2 percent higher after the army-appointed government exempted stock buying from controls on short-term currency inflows just a day after imposing them.

Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 1.45 percent and the HSCC Red Chip fell 1.76 percent. Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 1.40 percent, while China's Shanghai Composite gained 0.38 percent.

The stunning about-face in Thailand in the wake of a foreigner-led rout that knocked $23 billion off Asia's worst-performing bourse this year rekindled memories of the 1997/98 Asian financial crisis and brought howls of derision from analysts.

"The one thing worse than an incompetent central bank is an incompetent central bank that flip-flops," said Bratin Sanyal, head of Asian equity investments at ING in Hong Kong.

Domestic investors were equally scathing in their criticism of the technocrats appointed by the military leaders who ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a Sept. 19 coup.

"I'm stunned. They are truly incapable. Please, get the hel_l out," said 35-year-old businessman Chan Pornpipatkul.

The rally, spearheaded by big-cap stocks such as oil-and-gas firm PTT PCL and Bangkok Bank - owned in part by the foreigners who stampeded for the exit on Tuesday - was the market's biggest one-day jump since February 1998.

But most of the buyers were Thai, as international investors continued their retreat, selling a net $81 million of shares to go with the $700 million they dumped on Tuesday.

"Investor hel_l"Despite its recovery, the index was still 5 percent lower than when the Bank of Thailand (BoT) announced on Monday a drastic assault on the speculators it blamed for catapulting the currency 16 percent higher in 2006 against the dollar.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), describing the baht measures as "too strong and far-reaching," welcomed the decision late on Tuesday to lift the restrictions for equity investments.

But by then Thailand's reputation in the eyes of international investors was in tatters.

IDEAglobal headlined a research note "Tourists' haven, investors' hel_l," as analysts poured scorn on Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula and his successor as central bank chief, Tarisa Watanagase, both appointed after the coup.

"They are proving themselves to be very unprofessional. Their actions are very irresponsible. They have totally lost credibility," said Catherine Tan, head of Asia Emerging Markets at Forecast in Singapore.

"I don't see foreigners returning to Thailand any time in the near future. Markets now have no confidence in the government."

Tarisa, appointed just two months ago, agreed with her former boss that equity investments should have been exempted from the rules and admitted that the sell-off had taken them by surprise.

"We had to reverse the measures as the market reacted more than we expected," she told reporters.

ABN AMRO cut its investment rating on Thailand to "underweight" and questioned how the economy was being run in the aftermath of the coup, Thailand's 18th in 74 years.

"Policy decision-making seems to be at odds with the workings of capital markets," the investment bank said.

Intervention questionedThe sell-off sparked brief fears of a repeat of the 1997/98 Asian financial crisis, triggered by a baht devaluation, and prompted falls in stock markets in the region, though they also recovered on Wednesday.

Bond yields were largely steady in Thailand's secondary market on Wednesday, with those on the long end falling slightly after central bank intervention, dealers said. Yields had jumped 20-40 basis points across the board on Tuesday.

"Why did they intervene in the bond market today? They should have known bond markets would fall after the baht measure," Forecast's Tan said.

The baht, the strongest Asian currency against the dollar this year, was trading around 35.8 per dollar, a decline of around 2 percent from Monday's 9-1/2-year high that triggered the BoT's leap to the defense of exporters.

The curbs were designed to rein in the baht's rise by forcing speculators to keep their money in the country for at least a year or face a hefty 10 percent penalty.

Trade-related deals and repatriation of funds by Thai residents were excluded. Pridiyathorn added equity-related transactions to the exclusions late on Tuesday.

Exporters had welcomed the curbs because a rising baht makes their goods less competitive on world markets and could reduce earnings repatriated from overseas.

Read some of our earlier - now closed - posts. Are you related to coco the clown?

Of more importance is to compare like with like. Could a Thai single male with a bit of money who like the Californian climate, enjoys Californian wines, fancies a bit of Californian ***** front up in California and be given the right to stay for 30 days without any visa? Could he stay for years provided that every 30 days he crooes the border into Mexico? I do not know the answer, but if he can you have a point. This seems to be what many farang regard as their absolute right in Thailand.

Unfortunate as it may be, it all comes down to wealth and qualifications.

For the sake of the argument, let's say that an average salary in California is $2.000/month. Now, take the ratio of a solid Thai salary 10k baht, and a western salary in Thailand 40k baht (4x), western salary out of Thailand 80k baht (8x).

Assume that the said Thai guy earns $16.000/mo outside of the U.S. and would be able to earns $8.000 /mo in the U.S.

I'd say it would be no problem for him to come and stay in the California for a long time. I know several people who hold 10 or 5-year tourist visas to the U.S.

Compare like to like.

But these 5 and 10 year US tourist visas do not give the king of residency rights in the states that many farang aare looking for in Thailand

within 2 days my wife had a 10 year multi tourist visa ... so it's not all bad news

When will Thailand offer something like a '10 year multi tourist visa' to farang married to Thai? ...or better yet, not discriminate based on whether a farang is married or not. Can't there be modicum of common sense in the equation? How about Thai immigration dept. set up a program for assessing each individual's qualifications. I think part of the reason is they're unsure of their English-speaking abilities (99% are uncomfortable talking with us on a serious subject), and their culture-based assumption that everyone lies (or at least bends the rules, or offers bribes) to get what they want.

I would be intersted to know what the 10 year multi tourist visa to US actually provides. Does it give the right to stay permanenly for 10 years? Does it give the right to work? What proof of financial status is required. It has been many years since I applied for a US visa and things have changed. One thing I had to provide was documentry proof that I was not going to stay permanently in US. I provided a letter from my employer giving details of my terms of employment, my wifes employment and my childrens schooling arrangements. In other words would a similar visa for Thailand be of use to a farang married to a Thai?

Unfortunately there has been a world wide trend in recent years to show little sympathy to granting residency to spouses. The UK is one of the leaders in this respect. It is certainly one area where the Thai authorities could, and should show some flexibility. My wife is not Thai so I do not have this problem. A system which separates families is not healthy.

For the rest I do not think the Thai authorities are doing much wrong.

Papakapbaan - Quote(BTW HENG, WHO CAN NOT SEE IT? THE XENOPHOBIA, the morbid fear of the white foreigner, of the round eyes............)unquote

The X word again. If a country introduces immigration policies that it believes it needs is xenophobic then just about every country in the world is xenophobic.

What is more I do not think that specific skin colour or shape of eyes has anything to do with the definition of xenophobia.

On the other hand coments like yours, in the way that they are made could be considered racist even xenophobic.

d44, please please please. You're a newbie and you don't understand ThaiVisa.

Members like to have a panic attack and rant and rave for a while, thinking the entire country is against them. Please don't ruin it by posting sensible examples of the world not having changed at all - it's not in the spirit of the forum.

Quite right bendix. I think this measure was instigated by the Immigration Department so that farang could have something to rant about other than the new visa requirements.

1. There is no such thing as a triple non immigrant visa for Thailand.

2. You must have your passport when in most countries so mailing it is not a good idea.

3. A visa issued without you in the jurisdiction of the Consulate would likely not be honored by Immigration.

You could also have pointed out that this is mindless stupidity. Entry/exit stamps will show the consulate that the passport holder is still (or should be) in Thailand. This could have all sorts of unpleasant consequences. That, however, would probably be well deserved. What concerns me is that such stupidity might cause the Thai Government to tighten the screws even more, thus making life harder for those who are prepared to play by the rules.

Checked the North Pattay Bus Station this morning. The Baht106 bus does not seem to run any more.

Do you mean the B106 bus from Soi Chaiyapruek in Jomtien no longer operates? Or was there also a B106 operating from Pattaya Nua that has ceased?

My understanding was that there was also a Baht 106 from Pattaya Nua, but have never caught it myself. The sign at Pattaya Bus Station was covered. Possibly because it never went from there. Sorry if I mislead anyone.

While I really appreciate the advice from this board, it is too bad that so many people must lecture.

While many are here for years, some of us, are not. I appreciate any advice I can get. I am by no means an expert, and have learned a lot through this site.

Thanks for all the advice I can get, and to those who just sit and complain and be negative, please bother someone else, a different site. Remember, a long time ago, you may have been new and not had all the answers. While here for only six months, I have a very, very good life here. I work hard, get well taken care of my my employer, but am not married and must take care of my girlfriends visa by myself which dictates spending lots of money outside of Thailand. I would much rather spend $2500 in Thailand, or one of the islands, but have to leave to get (hopefully) another VISA for her (tourist) outside. No complaints, guest in this country, and again, thank you for all your help to those who offer the useful help.....

I think you are a little ungreatful. You ask for advice and when you get it you complain. Suggest you try another forum next time - or just go to the website (it has been given to you twice ) and send them an E-mail.

Wrong Baboon. The policy was introduced by the elected goverment before it was removed.

CRUNCHER- The new policy as you correctly point out was indeed introduced by the previous administration. However if you read my post again, you will see I used the word IMPLEMEMTED by the present government. Not the same thing at all and I stand by what I said. You are quite right to pick me up on anything you dont agree with, however. TV would be pretty boring otherwise.

You have a point, but I love nit picking sometimes. I have just checked the OP. Seems like you and me are the only ones still talking about the new 90 days visa exempt entries. Some of the rest has gone over my head. I am a simple guy really.

Hello,

Have run search but have not see detailed answer....

Does anyone have detailed advice (similar to recent thread on KL or Penang?) on the process, ie getting to Thai embassy/consulate in Hong Kong. It will be for second back to back 60 tourist visa, for girlfriend, she is USA citizen, as am I (Work Permit Holder).

Thank you in advance...

I cannot comment specifically on a 2nd visa, but when you apply for double entry TV you need to show flight tickets for both trips.

For some reason I cannot open their website ( www.thai-consulate.org.hk )at the moment, but you can get an E-mail from that site. Sugges you E-mail and ask them. I usually find them very helpful. Location is in Central on Hong Kong Island. Convenient on all transport bus taxi maxi-cab MTR (subway). Applications in by noon (maybe 11.30 - check) can be collected 0930 next working day.

Checked the North Pattay Bus Station this morning. The Baht106 bus does not seem to run any more. The time table in the window of the booking offie is covered and suddenly the girl behind the window could not speak English when I asked her what the situation was.

I picked up Bell Travel Leaflet and it is front of me. Times -

From Airport,

0800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

From Pattaya

0600

0900

1100

1300

1500

1700

1900

I was told the fare was Baht 150, but did not confirm if price from the airport was the same Price is not on leaflet.

Leaflet sats the service is door to door to local hotels

It is obvious that transport to and from the new airport is still in the settling down process.

As I understand it the 30 day visa exempt entry was for the purposes of tourism. The fact that you could re-enter Thailand and get another 30 days was to encourage tourists to use Thailand as a base for touring South East Asia. The fact that the Thai Government has not enforced this for years is neither here nor there. It is still an abuse (and yes, I have used it myself). If the Thai Government wanted people to stay here permanently on this sort of arrangement they would issue 10 year visa exempt entry stamps. Or perhaps make a lot of ,money renewing the 30 days at the local immigration office for a fee.

Long term tourist (those spending say 3 to 9 months a year here) can get multi entry tourist visas. Those living here full time can various other visas/ work permits etc. provided they meet certain conditions. These visas seem to be easier to get is America, Europe, Oz etc. Presumably the Thai Government feels that people returning to these places at least once a year are not taking up permantent residency here (yes I know there are some exceptions, but it the norm that is important).

I cannot see much wrong with Thailand insisting that visiters to this country have the proper visas appropriate to their stay. Almost evry other country in the world does this. No one is saying farang are not welcome - just get your paper work sorted out.

Comment: Even for legitimate Asian tourists from rich Asian families, do you know how ###### hard it is for us to get a visa in "your" countries USA, Australia, Canada, NZ, etc???

180,000 Thais residing in Los Angeles alone...

How ###### hard is it?

I am sure your figures are correct, but what is the significance?

Of more importance is to compare like with like. Could a Thai single male with a bit of money who like the Californian climate, enjoys Californian wines, fancies a bit of Californian ***** front up in California and be given the right to stay for 30 days without any visa? Could he stay for years provided that every 30 days he crooes the border into Mexico? I do not know the answer, but if he can you have a point. This seems to be what many farang regard as their absolute right in Thailand.

The OP is obviously a bit intense, but he has a good point(s)

Wrong Baboon. The policy was introduced by the elected goverment before it was removed.

Now I know why people tell me to go to beach road to get some pussy

Ok so let a few bahtbusses stay, but only enough to serve the demand and allow in additional metered taxis. I have no problem paying 30-50 for a trip in town in a proper metered taxi. Similarly I have no problem paying 10 for a bahtbus ride if that is the price - but I refuse to be taken advantage of just because I have a different skin color. There are many Thais here who are richer than the farang average and who whould (if they would be bothere) be able to ride for 5 baht with the baht bus. This has nothing to do with socialism and everything to do with racism.

Sums it up nicely