12 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

17 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Cobblers, they were not fined for just talking on the BTS.

Obviously, the member was being sarcastic

When it comes to that particular member, it was not obviously sarcasm .

29 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Fascinating how you can extrapolate hatred of Jews from criticism of very aggressive Israelis taking over entire swaths of Koh Phangan, and denying significant income streams to the local Thai people. It must be quite an experience living inside that very limited mind of yours.

Plenty of space in my mind, I don't have to share it with Donald Trump!

2 minutes ago, JerryM said:

Like I said, one can gloat with the wrong person.

Are you expecting violent confrontations between buyers versus renters on the streets of Thailand? 😂

I can hear the new term now, " My lawyer is different." 😂

34 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Has nothing to do with Jew hate.

If the behavior of a large group of people is illegal and harming the local area, it's perfectly normal to point it out.

Ko Phangan is a tiny place, so it can be disrupted very easily.

Foreigners not being allowed to own property is exactly for that reason.

Foreign buyers can easily outbuy and prevent Thais from owning land in their own communities.

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

To me, it says, if you want to live in TH, and buy land, do it legally. Don't be a criminal, as there are consequences.

Again, if going to make a business, do it legally, or there will be consequences.

All the expats could leave tomorrow, and TH wouldn't even notice. You're not that important, or, important at all.

All are welcome, just respect the laws. Just like in your home country, unless you enjoy criminals there also. Do expats in your home country get caught breaking the law, and nothing happens to them ? Are you welcoming all the illegal aliens in your home country ?

I love it ... Thai for Thais, as it should be. As I knew it was before arriving.

I wish USA was for US citizens and legal immigrants only.

Happy to hear that, but than I am wondering why Thailand want that foreigners pay tax here, promote their country as the best to retire, best for holidays,..... Thailand only for Thais, would be great indeed... but not for the economy or don't you ever read the worries about the tourism?? I believe if you are welcome somewhere , they should treat you with respect, if you pay taxes you should have some rights too, but not in Thailand. So I agree.. maybe all foreigners out and look what be left over of this country...

3 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Happy to hear that, but than I am wondering why Thailand want that foreigners pay tax here, promote their country as the best to retire, best for holidays,..... Thailand only for Thais, would be great indeed... but not for the economy or don't you ever read the worries about the tourism?? I believe if you are welcome somewhere , they should treat you with respect, if you pay taxes you should have some rights too, but not in Thailand. So I agree.. maybe all foreigners out and look what be left over of this country...

You really think expats would be missed. You are delusional. Such a minute part of Thai economy. Tourism, yea, but as they did during scamdemic, they survived.

We have rights ...

... rights to own property, condos

... rights to very easy visas, to stay for multiple reasons

... right to work and invest, in approve jobs, industries

... right to own personal property

... right to own & operate vehilcle

... right to travel the country, without provincial check points

... right to come & go as we please

... right to retire in tropical bliss, with who ever you want

Right to enjoy you life. Strangely some don't utilize that right, and just want to complain all day, how their life sucks. Oh well ... that's your right also.

What other rights do you need.

Edited yesterday at 05:05 AM1 day by KhunLA

Just wait for them to go after the dodgy visa agents who many “ legal” owners of their property use. They will stop laughing at those who used the gray area to buy their condos or houses for their families. I’m just tired of seeing people go after other’s when they are in a sticky situation, thinking they are the smart ones. Time will tell if they really want to get rid of the foreigners.

On Thai news last night they were talking to a Thai lady that had signed for 200 of the businesses. She said she was paid 15,000/year for each of them. So she was making 3 million baht a year for basically doing nothing.

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

A foreigner should be allowed to own one home and up to two rai of land. This would not have a negative effect on the market, and could end up helping to improve the Thai economy a bit.

These rather draconian investigations will simply deter foreigners from buying property in Thailand and further depress the market. It's simply not smart policy, and they're going after expats who are contributing to society on many levels. Anytime the laws are incredibly stupid people will try to find a way around them.

Going after the Israelis on Koh Phangan, that's a completely different story, when the proliferation of foreign owned businesses impedes on the local competition.

"would not have a negative effect on the market" ... it would restrict supply, and therefore raise prices ... and that increase impacts middle income (or less) Thai Citizens disproportionately. I am not saying the way Thailand has tried to manage / legislate this is "brilliant" by any measure ... but the underlying reason has merit.

5 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

That hotline is a golden opportunity for anyone to call and report on a neighbour they don't like. But it's also an opportunity for anyone to report on foreigners running an established company offering services - like a competitor.

Nominee companies for property purchase have been around for decades. But was this crackdown initiated by Anutin? He has a history of making negative and disparaging comments about foreigners. At least it's happening during his watch.

The people who run legit companies are ok....but I suspect the majority of the nominee companies are created solely to circumvent the prohibition of land ownership by foreigners. In most countries in the world creation of entities solely to circumvent the law is illegal.

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Foreigners not being allowed to own property is exactly for that reason.

Foreign buyers can easily outbuy and prevent Thais from owning land in their own communities.

The Thai government is doing what every government should be doing - don't allow foreign nationals to own land.

4 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Then the amphur should make the shop seller post a warning that it is illegal to export any of the images you buy from his shop. I wonder why that doesn't happen?

probably not deemed necessary, because, as you wrote before

4 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Anyone driving in from Suvarnabhumi Airport will remember seeing a big billboard that said "Buddha is not for decoration" clearly aimed at incoming tourists. In fact it's illegal to export Buddhist images

They sell kitchen knives in Big C but I have never seen a warning about not stabbing people , When i was a kid the "Izal" toilet paper ( lol paper not tissue) supplied in schools had the words "now wash your hands" printed on every sheet, I can't imagine how we manage these days,

But on the other hand as least we now get warned that hot coffee "may be hot" and a packet of peanuts "may contain nuts" But that's the problem , too much legislation tends to reduce common sense , people are becoming incapable of looking after or taking responsibility for themselves. A culture of compensation has not helped.

Why would people want to export Buddha images anyway ?

5 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Sadly the foreigners are the victims, but they were misinformed by the lawyers and sellers. Than you can't blame the foreigners for violation of laws, but those who advised them should be prosecuted.. If you believe that what you buy or rent or whatever is good and you did your job and a lawyer says there are no problems, let these people alone. Always in all scams there are Thais involved as I stated long before. So they can't be left out, and should be punished, as the foreigners mostly handle in trusting them.

Thailand was a good country to retire??? I am wondering if people will say the same with articles and actions like this

I think it is pretty naive to think these foreigners are innocent, honest people. The ones in the news story are definitely not, they are fortune seekers trying to get rich by operating on the fringes of legal regulations. Get rid of them, send them back to their own country.

18 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

Why would people want to export Buddha images anyway ?

Maybe their Buddhist ?

This law pertains to what may be deemed older images or statues and you can get clearance from the proper agencies if the provenance is authenticated

2 minutes ago, oustaristocrats said:

I think it is pretty naive to think these foreigners are innocent, honest people. The ones in the news story are definitely not, they are fortune seekers trying to get rich by operating on the fringes of legal regulations. Get rid of them, send them back to their own country.

Absolute rubbish post at @oustaristocrats . Most of the foreigners buying homes are just looking for a nice place to live/retire, and are told by Thai lawyers/Agents that it is ok to own with a company, which until this year was tolerated.

They are not scammers, fortune hunters or otherwise, but obviously they should have done more due diligence before buying.

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Happy to hear that, but than I am wondering why Thailand want that foreigners pay tax here, promote their country as the best to retire, best for holidays,..... Thailand only for Thais, would be great indeed... but not for the economy or don't you ever read the worries about the tourism?? I believe if you are welcome somewhere , they should treat you with respect, if you pay taxes you should have some rights too, but not in Thailand. So I agree.. maybe all foreigners out and look what be left over of this country...

Because Thailand can, because they want to, because many countries do, tax incoming funds. Don't know, you'll need to ask them.

Is TH best for bla bla bla ? World Class Scuba Diving ? Nah, far from it, as been there, done that, and just mediocre would be too kind.

See how thinking for one's self can change perceptions, the promos, adverts. Amazing.

TH says prostitution is illegal and rarely exists. Do you believe that one also.

Tax issue, you may want to take that up with your home country reps, as mine, USA, we seem to have a decent DTA, and none of 'my' finances are taxed. Many other countries DTA provide exemptions also.

Planes leave every hour all day long, feel free. Live with you choices.

Curious, do you even live in TH ?

Do I think it's best to live in ... NO

Do I think it's best to holiday at ... NO

Do I love it here, and have no plans to leave ... HELL YEA

Edited yesterday at 07:34 AM1 day by KhunLA

7 minutes ago, PhilipHabib said:

Maybe their Buddhist ?

This law pertains to what may be deemed older images or statues and you can get clearance from the proper agencies if the provenance is authenticated

Don't be ridiculous, a true Buddhist would not but a cheap tacky Buddhist statue from a tourist shop.

And no tourist would be seeking permission from the authorities to take such rubbish home with them,

4 hours ago, Watawattana said:

My understanding is that a principle of Thai law is personal accountability. No matter what the advice you were given, it's the person's own accountability to check.

Not in Thailand, but similar happened to me once. An ex-employer's HR department told me very clearly that I didn't need an employment visa to work in a country I'd been sent to do contracted work in. My reading of the rules was that I did. When I told that ex-employer that I needed to leave that country as I believed I was working illegally I was told that I'd be fired if I did. Surprise surprise, I got arrested and charged. No matter what, it was my fault. The evidence I had ensured that I stayed out of jail, and the judge told the employer to pay my fine. Then that employer got fired off of every contract they had in that country as they'd broken those contracts with their behaviour, then I sued them and won of course, then I got asked to take over all of those contracts as the customer still needed the work done and by that time I was 'legal'. Karma was truly sweet.

I really hope that those who got bad/illegal advice get their money back from the cheats and scammers who advised them. I'm not confident of that, but I still hope.

"The persons own accountability" 🤣 like ever bull 💩 excuse under the sun when a thai drives recklessly and kills someone..

As for the outcome of this property stuff, it'll be interesting, glad I'm not involved

Edited yesterday at 07:42 AM1 day by UbonEagle

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

A foreigner should be allowed to own one home and up to two rai of land. This would not have a negative effect on the market, and could end up helping to improve the Thai economy a bit.

These rather draconian investigations will simply deter foreigners from buying property in Thailand and further depress the market. It's simply not smart policy, and they're going after expats who are contributing to society on many levels. Anytime the laws are incredibly stupid people will try to find a way around them.

Going after the Israelis on Koh Phangan, that's a completely different story, when the proliferation of foreign owned businesses impedes on the local competition.

You mean that having a law against foreigners owning property deters foreigners from buying property?

I am against allowing foreign ownership of property in the US and I am against it here.

3 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Some time ago, I thoroughly researched foreign ownership of property in Thailand, and learned very quickly it was not for me.

It was not just the Thai laws around it, but the financials didn't even stack up. Basically, buying property in Thailand was a poor, and risky, investment.

The term, "rent is dead money" is not true in Thailand. Any purchase price money is safe in my home country, earning more in interest than what I pay in rent.

Thus, I rent, therefore, I can gloat. 😂

You are absolutely correct and if you look at rentals versus a purchase it's totally stacked in the renter's favor. It rarely makes sense to buy here unless you're building a house up country where renting is not an option.

7 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

You are absolutely correct and if you look at rentals versus a purchase it's totally stacked in the renter's favor. It rarely makes sense to buy here unless you're building a house up country where renting is not an option.

Rent is cheap here. It's less hassle just to rent.

But good luck getting married and being a perpetual renter. Most women will not go for it. Owning a home = security for her.

4 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Rent is cheap here. It's less hassle just to rent.

But good luck getting married and being a perpetual renter. Most women will not go for it. Owning a home = security for her.

Yes -- that's why SHE bought the house (or her family did). I just rent it from them.

Edited yesterday at 08:16 AM1 day by JerryM

1 hour ago, Bday Prang said:

Why would people want to export Buddha images anyway ?

Ornaments and tattoos apparently. But my point was not about a nanny state warning everyone. My point was that, as usual, they blame/warn the foreigners rather than the Thai enablers (the Thai merchants who know the tourists are not supposed to take them out of Thailand).

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

A foreigner should be allowed to own one home and up to two rai of land. This would not have a negative effect on the market, and could end up helping to improve the Thai economy a bit.

These rather draconian investigations will simply deter foreigners from buying property in Thailand and further depress the market. It's simply not smart policy, and they're going after expats who are contributing to society on many levels. Anytime the laws are incredibly stupid people will try to find a way around them.

Going after the Israelis on Koh Phangan, that's a completely different story, when the proliferation of foreign owned businesses impedes on the local competition.

With the population decline/ageing population, it is going to happen - otherwise they will hit a very significant property crash in future due to very little supply side constraints....there will be a big shake-up out of necessity not for a love of 'Charley' getting a slice of Thai land.

When I decided to move to Thailand I was offered condos and houses in company names. I didn’t go ahead but at the time I was told it was perfectly legal. I suspect some buyers might never have known it was wrong.

There is likely to be a paper trail involving foreigners with Real Estate Agents and Lawyers where the foreigner asks if this is legal and the advisors assure them that it is which will leave these professionals open to legal action from owners for compensation.

Some of you are not going to like my next statement. Regarding the value of houses in companies, I think the best any owner can expect is 25 cents on the dollar.

You’ve basically got 3-4 months to sell your house before you ask the Legal Execution Department to auction it without reserve. This is what the government will probably do if you don’t achieve the deadline.

I suspect the house and villa sales in places like Phuket have fallen off a cliff.

Edited yesterday at 08:25 AM1 day by JBChiangRai
Grandma and spilling

3 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

There is likely to be a paper trail involving foreigners with Real Estate Agents and Lawyers where the foreigner asks if this is legal and the advisors assure them that it is which will leave these professionals open to legal action from owners for compensation.

Sure. It's all right here.

As an int'l Bangkok real estate pro put it: ... such (nominee) structures are not new and remain widespread because investigations are complex, document-heavy and time-consuming.

Edited yesterday at 08:37 AM1 day by JerryM

1 hour ago, couchpotato said:

Absolute rubbish post at @oustaristocrats . Most of the foreigners buying homes are just looking for a nice place to live/retire, and are told by Thai lawyers/Agents that it is ok to own with a company, which until this year was tolerated.

They are not scammers, fortune hunters or otherwise, but obviously they should have done more due diligence before buying.

... 22 years ago, i was looking into owning land through a paper company. even back then, it was already well known that this was a more than questionable grey area.

so, if some people were willing to take that risk and go ahead with such an illegal arrangement, i have little sympathy for them if they now have to face the legal consequences ...

7 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

But was this crackdown initiated by Anutin?

Here's a hint. Bangkok headline:

Anutin orders nationwide nominee crackdown amid EEC land concerns

MONDAY, JULY 06, 2026

So of the 13 arrested - are they in remand? Bailed? Fined? Someone above said they were given 6-12 months to sell their place to a legal purchaser. But is that it?

3 minutes ago, JerryM said:

Here's a hint. Bangkok headline:

Anutin orders nationwide nominee crackdown amid EEC land concerns

MONDAY, JULY 06, 2026

Thanks I subsequently found another one from June. Definitely Anutin's doing..