Thai PM Defends Share, Land Acquisitions Amid Criticism

[webfact]

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, left, and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra greet to lawmakers before a no-confidence debate against the prime minister at Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, amidst a heated censure debate in parliament, has defended her acquisition of shares worth billions of Baht and land holdings in Pathum Thani, insisting on their legitimacy and the lack of any tax evasion. Facing scrutiny from opposition MPs, Ms Paetongtarn addressed the controversy surrounding her assets, which had become a focal point in the political arena on Monday.

 

The opposition alleges that Ms Paetongtarn circumvented inheritance tax liabilities amounting to approximately THB 218.7 million by acquiring shares valued at THB 4.43 billion from her family under questionable terms. These transactions, they argue, took place between relatives with promissory notes that neither specified a repayment date nor required interest, raising suspicions over their legitimacy.

 

Moreover, questions have been raised about the ownership of the Alpine golf course and real estate on roughly 900 rai in Pathum Thani. The land, the opposition claims, was historically a temple donation prohibited from private transfer, thus casting doubt over its legitimacy within the Shinawatra family holdings.

 

"I might be younger than my parliamentary colleagues, yet my contribution to tax revenue is certainly larger," Ms Paetongtarn retorted during the debate, countering the accusations directed at her for possible tax evasion. She clarified that the share transactions were part of a corporate restructuring process initiated years earlier. Unable to pay upfront, she utilised promissory notes which she plans to settle in instalments starting next year.

 

The prime minister further defended the family’s land purchases, stating they strictly concerned plots with proper title deeds, transactions that took place when she was merely 11. “Business restructuring inevitably involves tools like promissory notes,” Ms Paetongtarn emphasised, reassuring that such practices are standard business operations.

 

 

 

In an appeal to her generation, Ms Paetongtarn urged for discussions to remain level-headed and constructive, recognising accomplishments across the political spectrum, stating, "We are the new generation willing to listen. Achievements deserve commendation and support, not needless divisions."

 

In response, People’s Party MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, critical of Ms Paetongtarn's financial manoeuvres, remarked that while her tax payments outsize those of countless Thais, the essence of tax lies in its equal dignity under law. He underscored that regardless of the amount paid, the legal duty binds all taxpayers equally.

 

The contentious exchange captures the heightened political climate where financial ethics converge with governance questions, leaving a public eager for transparency and accountability in leadership, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-03-25

 

 

[flyingtlger]

Old Chinese saying,"Politicians are like room divider. You need to be crooked to stand".....

 

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[JimHuaHin]

Unethical behaviour.  Terminate her appointment.

[ikke1959]

Show what she really paid to the Revenue Department... She talk and say what she want but proof it.

In a normal country the Government would have fallen and new elections announced.. This kind of scam could not be tolerated

[JoePai]

Attempting to defend the indefensible

[jippytum]

She has a good instuctor on tax avoidance. Her father evaded tax on Shin Holdings by transferring shares to his domestic staff. 

The whole family are shysters. 

[newbee2022]

Probably she booked already a ticket to stay with her auntie ???🤗

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

Unethical behaviour.  Terminate her appointment.

This is Thailand, unethical behaviour gets you the appointment

[TheFishman1]

Corruption top to bottom in every aspect of Thailand TIT

[MikeandDow]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

This is Thailand, unethical behaviour gets you the appointment

Srettha was dismissed  for gross ethics violations. she should follow suit !!!

[kickstart]

7 hours ago, jippytum said:

She has a good instuctor on tax avoidance. Her father evaded tax on Shin Holdings by transferring shares to his domestic staff. 

The whole family are shysters. 

When Tucksin sold Shin Holdings, the phone company he did it though the Thai stock exchange, where Thai company law said that ding it that way you do not need to pay tax.

Call it a lope hole in the law or just doing business.

At the time, his maid was the third richest person in Thailand, did not know he paid them so well.