Thailand remains investment haven for foreigners

[webfact]

Thailand remains investment haven for foreigners
By English News



BANGKOK, June 21 – Thailand's Board of Investment (BoI) granted promotional privileges to 919 projects with a combined investment of Bt564.8 billion in the first five months of this year, a 70 per cent increase year on year, according to an official figure.

BoI secretary general Udom Wongviwatchai said 215 projects in the service and public utility sectors, with a total investment of Bt260.1 billion, a 224 per cent growth, were the highest among applicants.

He said 526 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects were slightly less than the first five months of last year but the investment volume, at Bt255.848 billion, expanded by 24.4 per cent.

Japanese investors were the highest number of applicants with 282 projects at Bt167.767 billion, a 28 per cent increase, followed by investors from Malaysia at 156 projects or Bt16.850 billion in investments, Hong Kong at 14 projects or a total Bt15.246 billion investment, Singapore at 33 projects or Bt10.48 billion and the Netherlands at 10 projects or Bt9.11 billion. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-06-21

[15Peter20]

Just to precis the forthcoming debate, this news is either completely because of or completely in spite of the Government of Thailand.

[Robby nz]

Was wondering if all these projects must have a minimum of 51% Thai shareholding the same as if I wanted to set up a company?

Or is there some special dispensation for those with big bucks?

[Ragzilb]

Was wondering if all these projects must have a minimum of 51% Thai shareholding the same as if I wanted to set up a company?

Or is there some special dispensation for those with big bucks?

There always is in Thailand

[jaidam]

Thailand is an investment haven for foreigners with money that needs to be laundered. Other than that, not being able to own/control your business in Thailand is not an ideal situation for a savvy investor.

[gemini81]

All investors we deal with & see at my company are wise enough to invest in real estate and property elsewhere in SE Asia.

A wise investor knows he or she has far too many risk factors here, and can own next to nothing. Instability and a stock market based on absurd factors that shouldn't exist do exist. Compared to stock here, casinos in Poi Pet even seem lower risk, so to speak!

[Jasun]

Was wondering if all these projects must have a minimum of 51% Thai shareholding the same as if I wanted to set up a company?

Or is there some special dispensation for those with big bucks?

BOI companies have slightly different rules, it depends on what the 'promotional privileges' were.

[Kalbo]

Was wondering if all these projects must have a minimum of 51% Thai shareholding the same as if I wanted to set up a company?

Or is there some special dispensation for those with big bucks?

If the company is BOI promoted then 100% ownership is permitted.

[marcusd]

Robby... I have a thai company with thai.shareholders. I am now setting up a BOI company and that will mean no more thai shareholders abs I will have ,,per cent ownership. Make sure you actually trade the company or you could end up in trouble and get a solicitor or knowledgable accountant to.help you.

Ask them who they did before and get thr phone numbers and call those people to see the problems or success with the person you are using. Maher sure the references are like businesses to what you are doing. Good luck

Sent from my GT-N7000B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Sayonarax]

April's fool?

[marcusd]

Why do.you say this? I have a business house abs staff and move money to and from my own country no issues. So does ford toyota coke pepsi and hundreds of small players.

Sent from my GT-N7000B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ggold]

Was wondering if all these projects must have a minimum of 51% Thai shareholding the same as if I wanted to set up a company?

Or is there some special dispensation for those with big bucks?

BOI companies have slightly different rules, it depends on what the 'promotional privileges' were.

don't you mean it depends on the size of the brown envelope? Western business's can't pay bribes for contracts or to get around the red tape but Japanese and other asean countries don't have a problem with it.

Edited June 21, 2013 by ggold

[alanferdi]

Just to precis the forthcoming debate, this news is either completely because of or completely in spite of the Government of Thailand.

Wake up - Foreigners.....which ones - Indians, Koreans, Chinese, Russians? yeah Chinese and Indians will rape this land and make it their back yard.... Investment?

[surangw]

Was wondering if all these projects must have a minimum of 51% Thai shareholding the same as if I wanted to set up a company?

Or is there some special dispensation for those with big bucks?

its more cost effective to pay off the right persons to make it looks that way.

[Time Traveller]

Thailand is an investment haven for foreigners with money that needs to be laundered. Other than that, not being able to own/control your business in Thailand is not an ideal situation for a savvy investor.

Sounds like sour grapes. Or maybe you don't get out much.

[Unkomoncents]

It's fairly easy and not too expensive to set up shell companies in Thailand. If you dig a little deeper than the "51% Thai-49% foreigner"-dictum you find that there are a number of ways a foreigner can come into effective ownership of a profit-making institution in Thailand. If you are American and have $60000 to invest, you can set up a "consultancy" on the basis of the Amicus Treaty between the two countries.

As for this article, it's hard not to notice that none of the listed foreign investors has more than a billion US at stake, except Japan. That means there are few major infrastructure projects being funded by foreign investors. There's a ton of money to be made in Thailand, as there's a lot of capital and little sense on offer, market-wise. I'm sure that since 2009, investors have been hovering around, simply waiting and watching. There is one big factor in Thailand that makes the country riskier than many other East/Southeast Asian countries for investment. Unfortunately, that factor cannot be discussed openly in the Kingdom.

[Donnie Brasco]

Anyone placing bets with a long term plan here had better factor in CHINA.

Just sayin'

[anon467848]

Huge International companies have problems dealing with Thai business partners. Look what happened to Carlsberg in the past, and Pepsi are having problems with EST.

Makes you wonder why anybody would want to invest.

[Unkomoncents]

Huge International companies have problems dealing with Thai business partners. Look what happened to Carlsberg in the past, and Pepsi are having problems with EST.

Makes you wonder why anybody would want to invest.

If you've ever worked for a Thai boss, you can immediately begin peicing together why these relationships don't work. For one thing, the Thai modus operandi is to steal intellectual property and then try to claim credit for it in Thailand, all while quashing any questions that might point to the contrary (whether through the Thailand's corrupt judiciary or via extra-judicial means). The Starwood group recenlty pulled out of Phuket, I'm sure for a number of reasons. Listen to the national anthem: "Thailand is for Thais". Thai pride borders on jingoism (take a look at how many countries are buddy-buddy with Thailand in the ASEAN region). Couple that with a fatal disregard for reason, logic and the rule of law and you have a country that would like nothing more than to float into oblivion with an "Unbeatable Thailand" banner draped over it.

[belg]

spend all of your money, and you get 49% of your money on paper in return

ready to be plucked by the chickens you have to give away your 51% to

country of the free? no, that is another one

[elcaro]

My edit and delete buttons are not showing. Maybe moderator can delete my previous partial post. Here is the complete post:

Just to precis the forthcoming debate, this news is either completely because of or completely in spite of the Government of Thailand.

Wake up - Foreigners.....which ones - Indians, Koreans, Chinese, Russians? yeah Chinese and Indians will rape this land and make it their back yard.... Investment?

Funny alanferdi, that you seem to mis all the major investors: Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and even the Netherlands. FYI although small, The Netherlands are in the top investing countries in Europe and are investing 10 billion thai baht; around one fourth of that amount is for Unilevers new homecare liquids and distribution facilities. Does not look like backyard extension to me.

Maybe its better to read the article instead of just the headline before you hit the reply or quote button.

I also do not se the point of you quoting that post. I suspect the idea of a reply button is not in your IQ range.

[BlackJack]

Huge International companies have problems dealing with Thai business partners. Look what happened to Carlsberg in the past, and Pepsi are having problems with EST.

Makes you wonder why anybody would want to invest.

add Pizza Hut

add Marlboro

add a few others that arent so big

[Thai at Heart]

It's fairly easy and not too expensive to set up shell companies in Thailand. If you dig a little deeper than the "51% Thai-49% foreigner"-dictum you find that there are a number of ways a foreigner can come into effective ownership of a profit-making institution in Thailand. If you are American and have $60000 to invest, you can set up a "consultancy" on the basis of the Amicus Treaty between the two countries.

As for this article, it's hard not to notice that none of the listed foreign investors has more than a billion US at stake, except Japan. That means there are few major infrastructure projects being funded by foreign investors. There's a ton of money to be made in Thailand, as there's a lot of capital and little sense on offer, market-wise. I'm sure that since 2009, investors have been hovering around, simply waiting and watching. There is one big factor in Thailand that makes the country riskier than many other East/Southeast Asian countries for investment. Unfortunately, that factor cannot be discussed openly in the Kingdom.

I just saw a 4000 rai project in isaan proposed by the Chinese government, last Thursday.

Better hope that cargo line gets built.

Edited June 22, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[Unkomoncents]

It's fairly easy and not too expensive to set up shell companies in Thailand. If you dig a little deeper than the "51% Thai-49% foreigner"-dictum you find that there are a number of ways a foreigner can come into effective ownership of a profit-making institution in Thailand. If you are American and have $60000 to invest, you can set up a "consultancy" on the basis of the Amicus Treaty between the two countries.

As for this article, it's hard not to notice that none of the listed foreign investors has more than a billion US at stake, except Japan. That means there are few major infrastructure projects being funded by foreign investors. There's a ton of money to be made in Thailand, as there's a lot of capital and little sense on offer, market-wise. I'm sure that since 2009, investors have been hovering around, simply waiting and watching. There is one big factor in Thailand that makes the country riskier than many other East/Southeast Asian countries for investment. Unfortunately, that factor cannot be discussed openly in the Kingdom.

I just saw a 4000 rai project in isaan proposed by the Chinese government, last Thursday.

Better hope that cargo line gets built.

No kidding? Yeah, gotta wonder about the logistics of these projects. I remember reading an interview with a Western real estate developer in which the developer tells an anecdote about a Chinese business man who wanted to open a five star resort on a lake in China. It was, by all accounts, a great plan, except that the lake was an eight hour drive from Beijing and there was no airport. The developer said he was truly sympathetic when I told the business man the honest truth about the likely success of such a project. Said the guy was truly heartbroken. China is so flush with cash right now that pie-in-the-sky ideas actually have a chance of gaining traction.

[alanferdi]

Huge International companies have problems dealing with Thai business partners. Look what happened to Carlsberg in the past, and Pepsi are having problems with EST.

Makes you wonder why anybody would want to invest.

Sure... this list is longer and the Thai Public is spared the details. standing no 10 on the ASEAN list in English, a bleak chance of it being the hub for ASEAN Banking and Administration sectors.

[Thai at Heart]

It's fairly easy and not too expensive to set up shell companies in Thailand. If you dig a little deeper than the "51% Thai-49% foreigner"-dictum you find that there are a number of ways a foreigner can come into effective ownership of a profit-making institution in Thailand. If you are American and have $60000 to invest, you can set up a "consultancy" on the basis of the Amicus Treaty between the two countries.

As for this article, it's hard not to notice that none of the listed foreign investors has more than a billion US at stake, except Japan. That means there are few major infrastructure projects being funded by foreign investors. There's a ton of money to be made in Thailand, as there's a lot of capital and little sense on offer, market-wise. I'm sure that since 2009, investors have been hovering around, simply waiting and watching. There is one big factor in Thailand that makes the country riskier than many other East/Southeast Asian countries for investment. Unfortunately, that factor cannot be discussed openly in the Kingdom.

I just saw a 4000 rai project in isaan proposed by the Chinese government, last Thursday.

Better hope that cargo line gets built.

No kidding? Yeah, gotta wonder about the logistics of these projects. I remember reading an interview with a Western real estate developer in which the developer tells an anecdote about a Chinese business man who wanted to open a five star resort on a lake in China. It was, by all accounts, a great plan, except that the lake was an eight hour drive from Beijing and there was no airport. The developer said he was truly sympathetic when I told the business man the honest truth about the likely success of such a project. Said the guy was truly heartbroken. China is so flush with cash right now that pie-in-the-sky ideas actually have a chance of gaining traction.

Well this definitely not pie in the sky and obviously a lot of people have been privately in the know for a long time explaining the explosion in condo projects in the town.

The Chinese government is planning it and the Thai government is setting it up.

A large company even built a beautiful championship golf course right next to where the estate will go.

I wondered who the hell was supposed to fill up all these condos and how the good course could survive on 20 clients a day. Now we know.

Edited June 23, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[razer]

Contradiction? Who is lying or has there been a 180 degree turnaround? 01-08-2012 The Nation published an Asia News Network Article …” These are the implications of a Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) survey … The survey, conducted in June and covering 374 corporations, showed that while 49 per cent said there would be no change in production bases after the AEC launched, 29% saw a possibility of new bases in Myanmar and 21 per cent in Indonesia. Of the respondents, 232 corporations are in the manufacturing sector.

Japanese companies also complained about a lack of human resources. For those in the manufacturing sector, 53% of the Japanese companies said engineers are the most needed, 40% said they need workers and 37% said they need managers. The Japanese companies in the non-manufacturing sector 45% said they face a major shortage of managers, 30% said they can’t find administrative/sales staff and 28% said they need engineers.”

[rametindallas]

Ask American William Monson about investing in Thailand. He went into partnership with Dr. Thaksin to provide Thailand with its first cable TV network, Dr. Thaksin had him arrested and took control of the company. Monson is still trying to get justice in Thailand. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_L._Monson

[johnlandy]

Thailand is an investment haven for foreigners with money that needs to be laundered. Other than that, not being able to own/control your business in Thailand is not an ideal situation for a savvy investor.

The denizens of the realm are right into laundering, 'gambling proceeds (including operating casinos, illicit drugs, human trafficking, loan sharking, in fact anything AND, everything illegal'