spidermike007

Approximately 5 million Thai tourists and over 40,000 foreign tourists visited the province, generating a total of 17,442 million baht in tourism revenue. So, one foreigner for every 120 Thai tourists? And they are proud of that? I bet the local are happy that at least some Thais decided to visit. And how did they arrive at the 35,000 baht figure? Sounds suspiciously high, and deeply dishonest. A family of four ThaIs, drive down for the weekend, and spend 140,000 baht? Really? Truly? Honestly? Do they just pull these numbers out of a hat, or do they consult with the beach vendors?

Are the nitwits in charge of policy here once again too late to the party? The vehicle tax measures include reducing import duty this year and next by as much as 40% for completely built EVs priced up to 2 million baht ($61,805), and by 20% for those priced between 2 million and 7 million baht. The government will cut excise tax on imported EVs to 2% from 8%, which is expected to add 7,000 EVs in the first year, Finance minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith told a news conference. https://www.reuters.com/technology/thailand-approves-tax-breaks-evs-high-potential-foreigners-2022-02-22/

Because it is total PR. No doubt Toyota and countless other Japanese and international firms are looking at a way out, as we type. They needs partners they can count on, to keep their word on promises of tax relief, and other benefits, that were factored into the decision to manufacture here, and set up plants at great expense.

Toyota was citing the Japan Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA). And from what I have been told by informed sources, Toyota had a very strong case, and Thailand has essentially reneged on the agreement, to give Toyota this tax break. This is a major deal breaker. Expect Toyota and some of the 7,000 other Japanese firms operating here to start looking for greener pastures, governments they can count on, who practice the rule of law, and more dependable partners. This is a disastrous result for Thailand, and will likely ensure it's backwards trajectory for decades to come. And this disingenuous administration continues to claim they support alternative energy vehicles, when in reality their refusal to honor their promises has caused Toyota to stop all production of the Prius here. Woe are the people of Thailand, with this level of lack of leadership, integrity, judiciary, and compliance. Toyota Motors claimed that its imported spare parts were eligible, citing the Japan Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA). JTEPA is a free-trade agreement which the two countries signed in April 2007. One of its intended benefits was eventually to eliminate the tariffs on over 90% of their bilateral trade. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/toyota-motors-thailand-ordered-to-pay-฿10bn-in-outstanding-import-taxes-and-fees/ The newspaper says Toyota insists all Prius parts are imported under the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement, under which the parts at issue are subject to import duty of zero to 10% compared with zero to 80% for normal imports. Toyota Thailand “reaffirms the company imports Prius parts using the correct declaration approved by the relevant government agencies,” the source says. https://www.wardsauto.com/industry/toyota-thailand-suspends-prius-output-tax-tiff

I consider the death penalty to be an excellent alternative to housing someone in a prison for the rest of their lives. It should end up costing the state far less, and it cleans up the oxygen in the process. Why should a person this toxic continue to have the right to consume oxygen? Just be rid of her. And make it happen quickly.

I agree with all you say. I think the world is heading for a massive correction, crash, call it what you like. But my point is that many economies are performing far better than Thailand, and the leaders here failed desperately and miserable.