A senior Thai lawyer has argued that the Revenue Department may not be able to enforce payment of approximately 17 billion baht in tax from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, citing what he says are significant legal obstacles.

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The claim was made by Paisal Puechmongkol, a lawyer and former senator, in a Facebook post on 30 June 2026. His comments have prompted widespread discussion online, although they represent his personal legal opinion rather than an official ruling or statement from the Revenue Department.

According to Paisal, the Revenue Department initially issued tax assessment notices to Panthongtae Shinawatra and Pintongtha Shinawatra as the individuals who received income from the share sale. Both exercised their legal right to appeal, and after the appeal committee rejected their objections, the dispute was taken to the Central Tax Court.

Paisal said the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions later ruled in a separate case that Panthongtae and Pintongtha were nominees holding the shares on behalf of Thaksin rather than being the true owners.

He noted, however, that the Central Tax Court subsequently revoked the Revenue Department’s original tax assessment, finding that it had been issued unlawfully. As a result, he said the original assessment lost its legal effect.

Paisal further argued that the Revenue Department later issued a new tax assessment in Thaksin’s name based on the same underlying facts. In his view, this raises legal issues because the original assessment had already been cancelled by the court and the statutory time limits for issuing tax assessments and pursuing legal action may have expired, creating potential statute of limitations issues.

Based on those arguments, Paisal said the Revenue Department may lack the legal authority to enforce collection of the approximately 17 billion baht tax bill from Thaksin. He also suggested that if assets had previously been seized to enforce payment, legal questions could arise regarding the return of those assets and possible compensation claims.

His comments have attracted attention on social media, but they do not constitute a judicial ruling or an official position from the Revenue Department.

Manager Online reported that the issue remains unresolved and any official clarification from the Revenue Department or further court proceedings will determine how the matter develops.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now MGRonline 2 July 2026

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Oh please...with the proper connections and brown enveloppes, small chance that the full tax will be paid to the state.

So in fact nobody can be forced to pay taxes? Even courtorders are being ignored as mr Thaksin shows again what a criminal he is. Not even a gesture of a bit to show his goodwill

Well the senior lawyers opinion might be

slightly bias .

No case no fees !

Well I never.

Who would have thought this could be the case.

56 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

So in fact nobody can be forced to pay taxes? Even courtorders are being ignored as mr Thaksin shows again what a criminal he is. Not even a gesture of a bit to show his goodwill

Well we are talking about, Teflon Tony.

Only the little people pay taxes...

why discuss..it will never inforced ,even i doubt it was lawfull the charges (about what happend 20yrs ago)

but real reason

The statute of limitations for tax claims in Thailand is generally 10 years. According to the Thai Civil and Commercial Code, this is the maximum period within which the Thailand Revenue Department can initiate legal proceedings.

They are trying to get this guy for anything and everything even if it seems not possible.

12 minutes ago, OldmanJ said:

They are trying to get this guy for anything and everything even if it seems not possible.

I think you're right.

Just like Thaksin and his corrupt clan swindled Thailand for 20+ years.

3 hours ago, redwood1 said:

Only the little people pay taxes...

3 hours ago, redwood1 said:

Only the little people pay taxes...

Actually, the poor dont pay taxes here either. Look at all the street vendors operating their businesses. do you really think they pay any taxes?

"Paisal further argued that the Revenue Department later issued a new tax assessment in Thaksin’s name based on the same underlying facts. In his view, this raises legal issues because the original assessment had already been cancelled by the court and the statutory time limits for issuing tax assessments and pursuing legal action may have expired, creating potential statute of limitations issues."

Apparently Civil Tax Assessments have a statutory limit of 10 years in Thailand while in the United States if a taxpayer files a false or fraudulent return with the intent to evade tax, there is no statute of limitations. The IRS can audit you, assess back taxes, and apply civil fraud penalties at any point in the future—even decades later. Nothing suprises me anymore. The Thai laws are tailor made for the likes of Teflon Tony.

1 hour ago, advancebooking said:

Actually, the poor dont pay taxes here either. Look at all the street vendors operating their businesses. do you really think they pay any taxes?

Do you really believe they all poor by thai standards? I know some fruit cart vendors who cash in 30k a month.

2 hours ago, Yumthai said:

Do you really believe they all poor by thai standards? I know some fruit cart vendors who cash in 30k a month.

Cash in, as in profit or turnover?

4 hours ago, CMHomeboy78 said:

I think you're right.

Just like Thaksin and his corrupt clan swindled Thailand for 20+ years.

Spot on.

They're doing to Thaksin exactly what he and the Shinawatra crime family did to Thailand for so long.

Where did his zillions come from... the family silk shop on Huey Kaew?

Stick it to him up the gazoo.

4 hours ago, advancebooking said:

7 hours ago, redwood1 said:

Only the little people pay taxes...

7 hours ago, redwood1 said:

Only the little people pay taxes...

Actually, the poor dont pay taxes here either. Look at all the street vendors operating their businesses. do you really think they pay any taxes

Over 2 trillion baht was collected by the government in tax revenue last year so who do you think is paying it if it's not the rich over poor?

7 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Over 2 trillion baht was collected by the government in tax revenue last year so who do you think is paying it if it's not the rich over poor?

Must be the foreign expats 🙃

Or could it be the large foreign BOI companies?

Is this for the TIIT sale? He gifted the money from the sale to his maid, who then graciously gifted it to Thaksin’s children.

It’s very obviously and so blatantly tax evasion! Give him another 15 years in prison for it!

12 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

... could it be the large foreign BOI companies?

Much more likely that it was the ordinary Thai taxpayers.

5 hours ago, advancebooking said:

Actually, the poor dont pay taxes here either. Look at all the street vendors operating their businesses. do you really think they pay any taxes?

Do you really think that the income of all those street vendors exceed their personal allowances below which they have no tax obligations at all?

5 hours ago, advancebooking said:

Actually, the poor dont pay taxes here either. Look at all the street vendors operating their businesses. do you really think they pay any taxes?

So very very true advancebooking, according to Chat GPT only 12 percent of the Thai population pays taxes. The illegal street vendors selling unhealthy food prepared in the filthy streets certainly add nothing to the Thai coffers. So why should Thaksin pay billions of BAHT in taxes.

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

Cash in, as in profit or turnover?

From what they say it's net money after expenses, not sure if every single cost is precisely accounted though.

Needless to say they never filed any tax return.

Post breaking forum rules removed.

@Yumthai rule 39a. Posts should be original, on-topic, and written in your own voice. This is a discussion forum—not an AI content dump—so keep contributions natural and personal. AI tools can be used for reference or to support facts, but your writing should reflect your own understanding and perspective. This is especially important for opening posts, which should clearly come from a human point of view and invite genuine discussion.

14 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

So in fact nobody can be forced to pay taxes? Even courtorders are being ignored as mr Thaksin shows again what a criminal he is. Not even a gesture of a bit to show his goodwill

Ignore the name of the individual involved and look at the facts.

No court orders are being ignored. The issue is that the court ruled in favour of the individual, not the tax dept.

“He noted, however, that the Central Tax Court subsequently revoked the Revenue Department’s original tax assessment, finding that it had been issued unlawfully.”

19 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

Cash in, as in profit or turnover?

i have close friends, who havea small street stall in soi bokau , in the good times he was selling 80-100 kg chicken , means 800 to 1000 pcs each 10 bhat... each day morning 6 am until sold out 2pm aprox 8000-10000 daily...today its only 1/3 of it

you think poor ? they bought a house payed already 3mb and car.

most of the restaurant owners , are poorer than marketpeople !!! not only in thailand!!1. markets are far better to make money than small shops#

up to 30yrs ago i sale on markets in europe each morning average 500 euro sales (calculated in euro) multiply by 8 ladys selling on profitmargen net 30%...and this was hudge money at this time--ok today its far less bcs of exalerating costs and less purchsing power in europe today -for typically market buyers

Just seize his house and all assets in the names of the two kids and let them spend 10 years getting them back.

On 7/2/2026 at 3:48 AM, Georgealbert said:

A senior Thai lawyer has argued that the Revenue Department may not be able to enforce payment of approximately 17 billion baht in tax from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, citing what he says are significant legal obstacles.

Get today's headlines by email

The claim was made by Paisal Puechmongkol, a lawyer and former senator, in a Facebook post on 30 June 2026. His comments have prompted widespread discussion online, although they represent his personal legal opinion rather than an official ruling or statement from the Revenue Department.

According to Paisal, the Revenue Department initially issued tax assessment notices to Panthongtae Shinawatra and Pintongtha Shinawatra as the individuals who received income from the share sale. Both exercised their legal right to appeal, and after the appeal committee rejected their objections, the dispute was taken to the Central Tax Court.

Paisal said the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions later ruled in a separate case that Panthongtae and Pintongtha were nominees holding the shares on behalf of Thaksin rather than being the true owners.

He noted, however, that the Central Tax Court subsequently revoked the Revenue Department’s original tax assessment, finding that it had been issued unlawfully. As a result, he said the original assessment lost its legal effect.

Paisal further argued that the Revenue Department later issued a new tax assessment in Thaksin’s name based on the same underlying facts. In his view, this raises legal issues because the original assessment had already been cancelled by the court and the statutory time limits for issuing tax assessments and pursuing legal action may have expired, creating potential statute of limitations issues.

Based on those arguments, Paisal said the Revenue Department may lack the legal authority to enforce collection of the approximately 17 billion baht tax bill from Thaksin. He also suggested that if assets had previously been seized to enforce payment, legal questions could arise regarding the return of those assets and possible compensation claims.

His comments have attracted attention on social media, but they do not constitute a judicial ruling or an official position from the Revenue Department.

Manager Online reported that the issue remains unresolved and any official clarification from the Revenue Department or further court proceedings will determine how the matter develops.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now MGRonline 2 July 2026

View full article

they all <deleted> their pants to ask Thaksin family for taxes to be paid... like everyone else!

On 7/2/2026 at 2:55 PM, Screaming said:

So very very true advancebooking, according to Chat GPT only 12 percent of the Thai population pays taxes. The illegal street vendors selling unhealthy food prepared in the filthy streets certainly add nothing to the Thai coffers. So why should Thaksin pay billions of BAHT in taxes.

Actually you are just as likely to get

I'll from a 4/5 * hotel than a street

vendor .

Thaksin still thinks he is charge after stating, "they represent his personal legal opinion rather than an official ruling or statement from the Revenue Department". This guy must think he is still the leader of Thai democracy and current legislation.

57 minutes ago, cynic1 said:

Thaksin still thinks he is charge after stating, "they represent his personal legal opinion rather than an official ruling or statement from the Revenue Department". This guy must think he is still the leader of Thai democracy and current legislation.

Thaksin hasn’t stated anything so far as the article is concerned. This guy gave an opinion and is quoted. It’s his personal opinion.

“The claim was made by Paisal Puechmongkol, a lawyer and former senator”