Photo courtesy of Khaosod

 

Thailand's efforts to collect $542 million in taxes from former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra might be hindered if his assets are located overseas. Thai officials explained they lack authority to enforce civil cases beyond national borders, posing a significant challenge. The Supreme Court's recent ruling overturned previous court decisions, mandating Thaksin to settle his tax debt, with a 10-year collection period starting from the judgment's finalization.

 

The Revenue Department has initiated the collection process following the Supreme Court's decision that identified Thaksin’s income from the Shin Corporation shares in 2006 as taxable. Failure to pay voluntarily would lead the department to seek a court writ to seize and auction off Thaksin's assets within Thailand. The Legal Execution Department, however, underscores their limitations in pursuing assets located abroad, unlike the international cooperation possible in criminal cases.

 

Pakorn Nilprapunt of the Council of State emphasized that the Finance Ministry's involvement is limited to legal proceedings to obtain the writ of execution. Once acquired, any recovered assets will become state property. This tax case comes amid a separate legal proceeding involving a lese majeste case against Thaksin, which saw an appeal following his previous acquittal.

 

Thaksin, currently serving a reduced one-year sentence for abuse of power, returned to Thailand in 2023 after a 15-year self-exile post-2006 coup. As the tax recovery efforts coincide with an election cycle, Pheu Thai Party leader Cholnan Srikaew commented on the sensitive timing and stressed the importance of transparency and equality in addressing the issue, given the party's historical ties to Thaksin, reported Khaosod.

 

Key Takeaways

• Thailand seeks to collect $542 million in taxes from Thaksin, facing challenges with assets abroad.
• Supreme Court's decision reignites the tax collection after previous rulings favored Thaksin.
• Legal limitations restrict asset recovery to within Thailand, complicating enforcement.

 

Related Stories

Supreme Court Orders Thaksin to Pay 17.6-Billion-Baht Tax Bill

Pheu Thai MP Korkaew Slams Court Over Thaksin Tax Verdict

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khaosod 2025-11-19

 

 

 

5555 And, of course, there are no proven facts.

He won't want to remit that payment in a year when he's resident or they will tax the remittance as well - and I bet they make sure he can't leave just for this reason.

The elite and nationist elements of high government and society has really done a long-game number on Thaksin and the PT party. They allowed him back with all the fanfare that decieved him and his family, then allowed him and his daugther to rule for a short time and get comfortable... than, like a venus fly-trap, got you. Thaksin and his family, plus the PT party, have been slowly chipped away at and all of them have ended powerless.

Only thing left to now do is to take their money, hence the new court cases and reversal of previous court decisions... all meticulously planned. Thaksin was lulled into a false sense of security to get him back in Thailand because he wanted back in (but failed to realise that Thailand has moved on from him), and now they have him... and he and his family are being slowly dismantled by the far-right nationalist conservatives. Massive mistake to come back but his arrogance got the better of him... often the case with deluded old men. The trap that the nationalist elites and military laid for him was perfect.

PT party has been destroyed so professionally it's crazy.... and once this is complete, then PP party will be next, already started, and by the time the election comes the only option will be a coalition led by Anutin will be the only option... so nothing will change again and the military plus Bangkok elites will retain power. As usual, rinse and repeat.

14 minutes ago, Sir Dude said:

The elite and nationist elements of high government and society has really done a long-game number on Thaksin and the PT party. They allowed him back with all the fanfare that decieved him and his family, then allowed him and his dauther to rule for a short time and get comfortable... than, like a venus fly-trap, got you. Thaksin and his family, plus the PT party, have been slowly chipped away at and all of them have ended powerless.

Only thing left to now do is to take their money, hence the new court cases and reversal of previous court decisions... all meticulously planned. Thaksin was lulled into a false sense of security to get him back in Thailand because he wanted back in (but failed to realise that Thailand has moved on from him), and now they have him... and he and his family are being slowly dismantled by the far-right nationalist conservatives. Massive mistake to come back but his arrogance got the better of him... often the case with deluded old men. The trap that the nationalist elites and military laid for him was perfect.

PT party has been destroyed so professionally it's crazy.... and once this is complete, then PP party will be next, already started, and by the time the election comes the only option will be a coalition led by Anutin will be the only option... so nothing will change again and the military plus Bangkok elites will retain power. As usual, rinse and repeat.

Anutin is one of the most corrupt politicians in Thailand and will be removed in December by a Section 151 no confidence vote. If he dissolves the government he will not be able to return, there is too much evidence against him and his Blue Party. The Election Committee is still going to prosecute the Blue Party for their involvement in the money laundering concerning the last vote. 

With all the corruption and failed politicans (sic), I think the only sensible choice is to have "Lalisa' as the next PM.

Blackpink and few other K-pop groups can be her cabinet.  I know a joke, but they would probably do just as well as the current crop.

8 minutes ago, dutch boy said:

Anutin is one of the most corrupt politicians in Thailand and will be removed in December by a Section 151 no confidence vote. If he dissolves the government he will not be able to return, there is too much evidence against him and his Blue Party. The Election Committee is still going to prosecute the Blue Party for their involvement in the money laundering concerning the last vote. 

Well, you can say Anutin still has cred with the dinosaurs, but I'm not sure he'll get removed, as he's the only conservative/military guy available for the job, guess we will see... maybe, but I'm not so sure, as it will all be controlled from behind the scenes, as usual. There are no free and fair elections here as the situation is rigged before it happens... hence all the lawsuits that are suddenly popping up for no reason to get rid of possible rivals.

 

Thaksin used to have a condo on Park Lane in London and a large house in St. Georges Hill estate, Weybridge. There's a good few millions of Pounds £GBP (at least 500 of million Baht) there if he still owns them. Suspect any assets he had are now in the hands of "nominees". I bet he's wishing he stayed away from Thailand now. Will Yingluck chance a return to Thailand? Not if she's got any sense.

 

I cannot believe Thaksin has no assets in Thailand anymore.

Keep him in general pop in prison until he pays the  $542 million.

1 hour ago, FlorC said:

I cannot believe Thaksin has no assets in Thailand anymore.

Keep him in general pop in prison until he pays the  $542 million.

 

Come on ....Tony has had decades to get most of his money out of Thailand....With plenty of brown envelopes and lawyers, he will not be paying jack ever...

 

And besides, the 20-year statute of limitations should be coming up very shortly, should it not?

Next elections PT will win big again and Thaksin will again hold all the aces. Just a matter of time 

7 hours ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

Next elections PT will win big again and Thaksin will again hold all the aces. Just a matter of time

 

What?

if he refuses to pay add 1 year on his prison sentence for every million baht owed until he does