Thailand Video News: Foreign Income To Be Taxed in Thailand

[Video News]

 

 

The transcript below provides the overall stories from the Good Morning Thailand program, hosted by Alex and Jay. The program includes varied news from across Thailand and some countries in Southeast Asia, ranging from foreign income tax law change in Thailand to women-led ranger group in Indonesia.

 

1. **Foreign Income Tax Law Change in Thailand**: Thailand's Revenue Department is set to amend its tax laws, mandating residents to pay taxes on all foreign income from 2024, regardless of whether it is brought into the country. Currently, residents are only taxed on foreign income if remitted to Thailand. This change aligns with the global income tax principle. Additionally, platforms earning over 1 billion baht must now report their income sources for tax compliance. Meanwhile, the new Tourism Minister hinted at a potential tourist tax, although no details have been provided.

 

2. **Viral Animal Cruelty Incident in Thailand**: A video showing a pregnant Siberian Husky suffering severe burns after its owner poured hot water on it for stealing food has gone viral, sparking outrage and legal action. The SOS Animal Thailand Foundation has filed a complaint against the owner for animal cruelty. The dog, now rehomed and treated, is expected to recover fully, with its puppies due soon. Watchdog Thailand highlights the need for proper understanding of Siberian Huskies' behaviour before adoption.

 

3. **Thai Influencer Robbed in Germany**: Thai influencer Paris Sittisarn, also known as Addzest Carcolor, was robbed of his 6 million baht Patek Philippe watch near St. Paul’s Church in Frankfurt. The incident, involving a German man who engaged Paris in conversation before stealing the watch, has raised concerns about safety and law enforcement effectiveness abroad. Paris has offered a 1 million baht reward for information leading to the watch's recovery and shared images of the suspect and the stolen watch on social media.

 

4. **Australian Fugitive Arrested in Pattaya**: An Australian man, known as Grey, was arrested in Pattaya for multiple offences in Australia and connections to a mafia gang in Phuket. This follows the November arrest of a British man involved in local crimes in Phuket. Grey had been hiding in Pattaya but was eventually captured by Immigration Bureau officers. In a related case, an Iranian man in Bangkok was arrested for defrauding a fellow citizen out of 21 million baht by falsely claiming and selling his land.

 

5. **Jurassic World Filming in Thailand Monitored**: Thai officials have warned the producers of the next "Jurassic World" movie to avoid damaging natural sites during filming in Thailand. The movie, starring Scarlett Johansson, will be shot in Bangkok and several national parks. Authorities emphasize strict adherence to environmental laws to prevent damage, following criticisms from past film projects like "The Beach" in Maya Bay. Filming locations include Ko Kradan Island and Huay To Waterfall.

 

6. **Ultramarathon Runner Sets Record**: Ultramarathoner Natalie Dau completed a 1,000-kilometer solo run across Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore in just 12 days, setting a Singapore record for the fastest 1,000km Thailand-Singapore Ultramarathon. Despite facing intense heat and injuries, Dau finished at The Westin Singapore, raising over $50,000 for the charity GRLS. She now aims for a Guinness World Record and looks forward to the Sydney Marathon later in 2024.

 

7. **Mt. Kanlaon Eruption Disrupts Philippines**: Mt. Kanlaon in the Philippines erupted, causing rivers of cold lava, or lahar, to flow down its slopes. The eruption led to flight cancellations and evacuations in Biaknabato village. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has raised the volcano's alert level to two, indicating potential further eruptions. The lahar poses significant risks, as the Philippines, located in the Pacific "Ring of Fire," has 24 active volcanoes.

 

8. **Women-Led Ranger Group in Indonesia**: In Aceh province, Indonesia, a women-led ranger group combats deforestation and poaching through education and engagement. Their efforts have significantly reduced deforestation, inspiring similar initiatives nationwide. Indonesia, home to the world’s third-largest rainforest, has seen large areas lost to industry. The rangers in Damaran Baru have received formal training and legal support, highlighting the critical role of women in sustainable forest management.

 

9. **Malaysia Deports Bajau Laut Sea Nomads**: Malaysia has begun deporting over 500 Bajau Laut, stateless sea nomads, from Sabah's Semporna district. Living in houseboats or stilt huts, the Bajau Laut lack identification documents and access to basic services. Authorities have burned and demolished their homes on seven islands, following a crackdown on undocumented migrants. Since May 2020, Malaysia has detained 45,000 undocumented people in increased enforcement efforts.