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    1. 36

      60 Minutes blasted after replacing harris word salad…

      Here's another. A young person of color is walking down the street and gets stopped by a pollster who asks who will they vote for. The person takes in the blonde hair, blue eyes and the paper-white complexion of the pollster, then glances around and sees people who resemble those January 6 patriots, and realizes their's is the only dark skin within sight. "I'm going to vote for the racist guy, yessir!" These things are ALWAYS suspect IMO. E.g., they come out with a poll result that 95% of the people believe in God. You will not be told that the poll was taken in front of a Catholic church on a Sunday morning. And then there is the fun stuff. In the primary a few months ago Biden was running unapposed; a third-party candidate's name was on the ballot but she had dropped out. For a laugh I voted for her, a New Age charlatan. The laugh will be when all is said and done and the electorate data has been analyzed someone will claim that there is a growing trend of acceptance for magical-mystical grifter candidates. But if today a pollster would ask the question of me I would say I'd vote for DT because I want the Dems/libs to be so scared that they get off their butts and VOTE.
      bendejo in Political Soapbox
    2. 45

      Reasons of change

      Your logic is a bit odd, bro. What you are talking about is like feeding stray dogs that expect everyone to give them roast beef sandwiches without doing anything. I downloaded Grab one day after my now wife and I asked 10 taxis to take us home (30 minute trip) and use the meter. Now I only use Grab or Bolt. If a taxi stops and asks me where I am going, I ignore them. If they are persistent, I tell them to F off. It's funny because it's true! I totally agree. How does that work?
      keysersoze276 in Pattaya
    3. 45

      Reasons of change

      Admittedly, I took a regular taxi today. Only because I was standing outside a hopsital on crutches with a broken leg. One of the hospital staff members told the driver where I was going and helped me into the car. Foolishly, I assumed it was legit. two blocks down the road I notices he hadn't turned on the meter. He asked for 500 baht. I refused. He begged and also begged to take the tollway which cost 110 baht and took 12 minutes longer than taking the main roads. They are required by law to use the meter. If most of them are breaking the law and overcharging, why use their service. And why in the h@!! would you tip them? I rarely tip because they rarely use the meter with no questions asked. In those rare circumstances, I let them keep the change or give a small tip. With the driver today the total was 322. NOT 500. As I was transferring the money and he demanded and begged for 400, so I tipped him the exact amount. Regular taxis should be grateful to even have a passenger. Not overcharging and refusing to use the meter or denying people rides. Both actions are illegal and the public has been encouraged to report the drivers.
      keysersoze276 in Pattaya
    4. 93

      Why Are You Even Here? The Surprising Attitudes of Some Expats in Thailand

      Erm, no!
      JamesPhuket10 in ASEAN NOW Community Pub
    5. 45

      Reasons of change

      This is exactly why taxis and grab drivers have been in so many very violent brawls. The Grab drivers must do their job according to the price. They get to choose to accept and pick you up or not. You can tip them if you like, but they cant overcharge or demand tips like taxi drivers do almost every time.
      keysersoze276 in Pattaya
    6. 93

      Why Are You Even Here? The Surprising Attitudes of Some Expats in Thailand

      Oh no, not another one please, no it is not standard for Thai women to be the dominant partner, that job is left up to American women as I saw on the two occasions I worked in the USA. My Thai partner cooks both Thai and Farang food at home and she and I decide ourselves what we each want to eat. Have you not noticed a large number of Western restaurants all around Thailand, they are frequented by Thais mostly as they are well outside of the tourist areas.
      JamesPhuket10 in ASEAN NOW Community Pub
    7. 112

      Thai Police Bust Multi-Million Baht Sex Toy Smuggling Ring

      did they smuggle it in the country through varioud bodily orifices?
      digbeth in Thailand News
    8. 45

      Reasons of change

      Your logic is a bit odd, bro. What you are talking about is like feeding stray dogs that expect everyone to give them roast beef sandwiches without doing anything. I downloaded Grab one day after my now wife and I asked 10 taxis to take us home (30 minute trip) and use the meter. Now I only use Grab or Bolt. If a taxi stops and asks me where I am going, I ignore them. If they are persistent, I tell them to F off. It's funny because it's true! I totally agree.
      keysersoze276 in Pattaya
    9. 45

      Reasons of change

      Your logic is a bit odd, bro. What you are talking about is like feeding stray dogs that expect everyone to give them roast beef sandwiches without doing anything. I downloaded Grab one day after my now wife and I asked 10 taxis to take us home (30 minute trip) and use the meter. Now I only use Grab or Bolt. If a taxi stops and asks me where I am going, I ignore them. If they are persistent, I tell them to F off. It's funny because it's true! I totally agree.
      keysersoze276 in Pattaya
    10. 6

      Thai woman sends husband to prison for raping 13 year old niece

      Her actions in reporting the crime will (hopefully) result in him being sent to jail, so not totally inaccurate.
      shy coconut in Isaan News
    11. 45

      Reasons of change

      Your logic is a bit odd, bro. What you are talking about is like feeding stray dogs that expect everyone to give them roast beef sandwiches without doing anything. I downloaded Grab one day after my now wife and I asked 10 taxis to take us home (30 minute trip) and use the meter. Now I only use Grab or Bolt. If a taxi stops and asks me where I am going, I ignore them. If they are persistent, I tell them to F off.
      keysersoze276 in Pattaya
    12. 112

      Thai Police Bust Multi-Million Baht Sex Toy Smuggling Ring

      hmmm
      fondue zoo in Thailand News
    13. 10

      Why Doesnt "Me Too" Apply to Democrats?

      He doesn't deny it happened https://nypost.com/2024/10/11/us-news/doug-emhoff-brushes-off-reports-he-forcefully-struck-ex-girlfriend-as-a-distraction-in-first-public-response-to-allegations/
      Yagoda in Political Soapbox
    14. 123

      Why Do You Even Drink?

      I'm pretty much done with alcohol and coffee now. Neither of them do much for me anymore.
      shdmn in ASEAN NOW Community Pub
    15. 93

      Why Are You Even Here? The Surprising Attitudes of Some Expats in Thailand

      You are right to a certain extent, the funny thing is according to the majority of Thais we all come from the same country, which is "farangLand", it does not matter if we are Russian, English, American, etc we are all farangs, we all have the same culture, I find it funny so don't take it as I am complaining. Also, the article is a little bit simplistic, there are lots of overlapping cultures in Thailand, the Thais in the south see themselves as completely different culturally to say the people from Isaan and vice versa, they even have completely different dialects and languages and would not understand each other if they were speaking in their local dialects to each other. I laughed once as I knew an Australian in Phuket for a few years and he went to Thai language school a few times a week, after a year he said he had learned a lot of standard Thai but it was not much use with his wife and her friends as they all spoke Laos (Isaan) to each other. Well-off Educated Thais do not mix with the less educated ones unless they are "conchies" (spelling?) working for them, even then, they eat at different tables as is the case when they are on a car trip with a Thai full time driver and they stop to eat. I have seen that firsthand on many occasions. In the late 1980's I was sitting in a very large house in Bangkok, it was owned by the ex-vice-president of Thailand, we were there to invite him to our upcoming marriage ceremony in Bangkok, a "conchie", came into the room with a tray of refreshments for us but saw we were sitting down so she got on her knees, walked on her knees across the large room and presented us with the drinks, I was shocked but the ex-president took it as being normal. Do Thais become very British for example when they live in the UK for decades, do they fit in and learn how to talk straight, become orderly and logical, do they heck like, they take what suits them just as the rest of us do, I have also seen this first-hand many times. So as long as we accept we will never be seen as or be accepted as a Thai, have to continue to get annual visa extensions, and 90-day reporting then all is fine but I do not intend to sit and look through rose-tinted glasses thinking I have been accepted as a local, that will never happen. But as I said I have accepted this as a fact, nowhere in the world is perfect, 99% of life here is great. Leave your wealth, and money in your home country as it is almost guaranteed we will have to go back there when very old, don't do as many do and burn the bridges to the only country which will look after them to some level when that old age point arrives.
      JamesPhuket10 in ASEAN NOW Community Pub

Non Profit Organisations

tau8

By tau8
in Chiang Mai

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tau8 Apprentice Member

tau8

Posted
Posted

To be advertising ones self as a Non Profit organisation in Thailand, the registration of the said company needs to be registered with the appropriate Thai Government Agency. This means that any contribution made by a person is then used as a means of Taxation declaration when submitting their annual Taxation return.

Given that some of these organisations receive donations or receive weekly, monthly or annual payments for their services - there are regulations that require annual statements and reports of the said organisations financial activities to the Thai Taxation Department.

Why do I bring this topic up as a thread - all to often web sites professing to provide a not for profit operation here in Thailand - (a quick and simple internet search for registered organisations will reveal said companies) - are infact operating a profit making organisation and the deposit of the said receipt for your payments at tax time is as worthless as the paper it is written on.

A registered NPO has a registered number - this number can be confirmed as valid confirmation of their registration in Thailand. I work here in Thailand and pay tax, so I want to make sure any contributions I make are being directed in the right manner for which they operate. Overseas operations providing NPO work here in Thailand should be as responsible for registration in Thailand as any business or company wishing to set up a business here.

I have a company here in Thailand and I worked hard and spent good money to legitimise its operation and meet the Legal obligations of Thailand - so too should any outsiders coming in to make a profit at the expense of operating their business without contribution their dues to Thailand.

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earlofwindermere Silver Member

earlofwindermere

Posted
Posted

I have to agree with tau8. I am involved in this industry and was quite surprised to learn how many organization mislead donors with regards to their legal status. Many groups or organizations are either unregistered or registered in a foreign country, not in Thailand.

Based on what I know, the only tax-exempt classifications is if the organization is registered as a THAI FOUNDATION or THAI COOPERATIVE (foreigners cannot be members of a cooperative). Both of these will have a number (or documents) which you can ask to see. (The only legal exceptions are multi-national organizations like the UNDP).

Many countries have a classification called "Non-Profit Organization" (NPO) but I don't believe that Thailand has this. So, if an organization claims to be an NPO but not a Thai foundation, I would question their legality to conduct their activities here.

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Loaded Platinum Member

Loaded

Posted
Posted (edited)

The British Council language teaching centres in Thailand have 'charitable' status. However, they advertise everywhere for customers, compete with Thai-owned schools for customers and their staff do not pay tax!!! Amazing.

I'm associated with a Thai foundation. There has to be a minimum cash balance in the foundation's bank account which I think is 200K baht. The interest earned is taxable. Accounts have to be submitted and the activities of the foundation are regularly inspected. If a Thai-based operation is advertising itself as non-profit or something similar, just report them to the changwat (provincial) office as all foundations are supervised by the provincial governor. In Chiang Mai that means, if you wish to make a complaint, you don't need to go through the ampur office which is supervised by the lovely lady mayor who was elected because of her promise to improve the environment but is supporting a plan to widen around 20 roads in the city!

Edited by Loaded
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earlofwindermere Silver Member

earlofwindermere

Posted
Posted

I did hear that the government turns a blind eye to the British Council because it has been around so long.

Loaded is correct - certain activities are taxable so all organizations (including foundations) pay at least some amount of tax.

Another interesting note is that while foundations have to submit their financial statements each year to the Amphur, they do not have to be audited. So there's plenty of room for cheats even if they are registered.

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tau8 Apprentice Member

tau8

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  • Author
Posted
I did hear that the government turns a blind eye to the British Council because it has been around so long.

Loaded is correct - certain activities are taxable so all organizations (including foundations) pay at least some amount of tax.

Another interesting note is that while foundations have to submit their financial statements each year to the Amphur, they do not have to be audited. So there's plenty of room for cheats even if they are registered.

Thank you for the information regarding the reporting of said companies who identify themselves as Non Profit organisitations - without mentioning any one in particular it has and continues to be interesting to note some web sites who profess to be Non Profit....and yet receive money to provide services. Possibly the wording in their web sites is the misleading factor, using an expression familiar to people and yet not being legitimate in their practices - It will be interesting to see just what happens if these sites are reported, again thanks for the follow up advice. Where someone pays for a service to an organisation on a regular basis I am not so sure that the Non Profit aspect is the correct profile they are advertising - as it is a fee for service.

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earlofwindermere Silver Member

earlofwindermere

Posted
Posted (edited)

Tau8

I'm not sure if this is the best forum to discuss this but I want to clarify as few things because it seems like there are two issues going on that you are discussing...

1. Legal Issues

I agree that registered agencies are probably better because there is some level of accountability. However; as I mentioned, it is still pretty easy for a registered agency to be corrupt. I also am not saying that all unregistered agencies are corrupt. It just makes sense to me that if you plan to have activities in a country, you should abide by its rules....

2. Non-profit.

I think that there is some confusion here. In most countries, a Non-Profit agency is a legal structure. Based on what you said above, you seem to assume that this means that it does not accept fees for services. This is not true. It is very common for charities to accept fees for services. In my opinion, they should. Here are some examples....

A. The Red Cross rents wheelchairs and crutches. The revenue allows the Red Cross to buy additional items as the old ones are worn out.

B. A foundation owns an apartment building for low-income housing. They charge rent for the poor families to live there (usually subsidized). The rent allows the foundation to upkeep the property and even to expand their operations to help more people.

I think the trend in the development/charity/non-profit world is to charge fees for services. Major organizations (like the Gates Foundation and Clinton Foundation) are promoting this concept. It allows charities/non-profits to become sustainable and not reliant on a continuous stream of donations. The key thing is to ensure that the charities use their revenue to expand, or maintain, their own programs rather than for the managers to pocket it. Being a registered organization helps minimize this risk.

If you google "Social Entrepreneur," you will see a lot of info written on this subject. There are many registered organizations in Thailand who follow this concept.

Note: Edited formatting

Edited by earlofwindermere
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tau8 Apprentice Member

tau8

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Tau8

I'm not sure if this is the best forum to discuss this but I want to clarify as few things because it seems like there are two issues going on that you are discussing...

1. Legal Issues

I agree that registered agencies are probably better because there is some level of accountability. However; as I mentioned, it is still pretty easy for a registered agency to be corrupt. I also am not saying that all unregistered agencies are corrupt. It just makes sense to me that if you plan to have activities in a country, you should abide by its rules....

2. Non-profit.

I think that there is some confusion here. In most countries, a Non-Profit agency is a legal structure. Based on what you said above, you seem to assume that this means that it does not accept fees for services. This is not true. It is very common for charities to accept fees for services. In my opinion, they should. Here are some examples....

A. The Red Cross rents wheelchairs and crutches. The revenue allows the Red Cross to buy additional items as the old ones are worn out.

B. A foundation owns an apartment building for low-income housing. They charge rent for the poor families to live there (usually subsidized). The rent allows the foundation to upkeep the property and even to expand their operations to help more people.

I think the trend in the development/charity/non-profit world is to charge fees for services. Major organizations (like the Gates Foundation and Clinton Foundation) are promoting this concept. It allows charities/non-profits to become sustainable and not reliant on a continuous stream of donations. The key thing is to ensure that the charities use their revenue to expand, or maintain, their own programs rather than for the managers to pocket it. Being a registered organization helps minimize this risk.

If you google "Social Entrepreneur," you will see a lot of info written on this subject. There are many registered organizations in Thailand who follow this concept.

Note: Edited formatting

Your comments are appreciated - lets just be more socially conscious and now as I indicated above more aware of reporting such agencies.

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  • 9 months later...
paddypower Gold Member

paddypower

Posted
Posted

Tau8, thanks for setting up this thread. If I may ask, has anyone else been solicited for a donation by bangkok police officers-volunteers, to buy a wheelchair for police/army/citizens in the South?

Genuine or scam? I could not get a definitive answer from any of my local Thai friends.

This is the 2nd year they have visited my home (Khanom Beach). last year, they acted quite forcefully in asking my wife for a donation. Scared her, actually. thanks, paddypower.

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