Infrastructure

[hocuspocus]

We are led to believe that the unemployment figures for Thailand are 0.6 percent. By my calculations that means 99.4 percent of working age people in Thailand have jobs and are contributing taxes etc to the Thai economy. Then add the approx. 1 million unregistered foreign workers (who are presumably paying taxes) to this 99.4 percent then that must be a lot of money going towards the government.

With this amount of money going to the government then why are the roads so bad. The road between Thailands two biggest Cities is a mess and is totally unacceptable for a country that does not want to be classed as Third World. In as much as we all hate roadworks they are a fact of life and the roads have to be under constant repair and I think in about 700 km while driving from Bangkok to Chiang Mai I only passed one road works and that was near the centralized city of Bangkok.

Ah yes then we are told it is estimated that 30 percent of all money put towards infrastructure projects is profits for the builders or skimmed off.

Now we have a government that is committed to stamping out corruption are we going to see improvements in the roads and rail networks now that this 30 percent is put towards the infrastructure projects. I think probably as far as the rail network is concerned they were waiting for the Chinese to come up with the money but it appears that the new railway projects will not reach Chiang Mai or Bangkok (I may be wrong with that)

[AYJAYDEE]

just because you have a job doesnt mean u pay taxes

[Honkie]

OP , are you demanding or contemplation the improvements ?

Btw, how much income tax or road tax are you paying?

[hocuspocus]

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OP , are you demanding or contemplation the improvements ?

Btw, how much income tax or road tax are you paying?

I pay 15 percent on my savings here, VAT on all my purchases, and I pay road tax on my pickup and also I drink a lot of beer which is heavily taxed so I like to think the more I drink the more I contribute. No doubt I paid a big lump sum on my new pickup without 1st car refund. I am not demanding anything, just pointing out there is room for improvement if Thailand wants to be a serious player in Asean.

[hocuspocus]

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just because you have a job doesnt mean u pay taxes

I appreciate what you are saying but in a Country that has almost full employment things should better as it does not have to support millions of people on benefits.

[Issangeorge]

In my village, about two days after the rainy season was over they started work on the roads, all the pot holes are filled in, New drainage system, even the dirt laneway behind my house has had work done on it (first time in the eleven years I've been living here). However I think it is because of the new mayor we have actually doing his job.

[DP25]

By my calculations that means 99.4 percent of working age people in Thailand have jobs and are contributing taxes etc to the Thai economy.

The vast majority of Thais are either unregistered workers or do not make enough to pay income tax. Only about 3 million Thais pay income tax, out of a workforce of around 40 million.

Most of the government's revenue comes from corporate income tax and VAT. Income tax is only a small percent.

[hocuspocus]

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In my village, about two days after the rainy season was over they started work on the roads, all the pot holes are filled in, New drainage system, even the dirt laneway behind my house has had work done on it (first time in the eleven years I've been living here). However I think it is because of the new mayor we have actually doing his job.

By my calculations that means 99.4 percent of working age people in Thailand have jobs and are contributing taxes etc to the Thai economy.

The vast majority of Thais are either unregistered workers or do not make enough to pay income tax. Only about 3 million Thais pay income tax, out of a workforce of around 40 million.

Most of the government's revenue comes from corporate income tax and VAT. Income tax is only a small percent.

So how does Thailand compare with other Asean Countries with regards to income tax. If Thailand can't keep the roads in good order (they are gradually getting worse) then they need to look at raising more revenue. There seems to be vast amount of new cars on the road but the road tax in my opinion is way too low in comparison-If people can afford to buy new cars (look at the amount of new car dealerships that are been built) then the increasing road tax by 50-100 percent would help towards the roads.

[noteconomicallyviable]

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In my village, about two days after the rainy season was over they started work on the roads, all the pot holes are filled in, New drainage system, even the dirt laneway behind my house has had work done on it (first time in the eleven years I've been living here). However I think it is because of the new mayor we have actually doing his job.

By my calculations that means 99.4 percent of working age people in Thailand have jobs and are contributing taxes etc to the Thai economy.

The vast majority of Thais are either unregistered workers or do not make enough to pay income tax. Only about 3 million Thais pay income tax, out of a workforce of around 40 million.

Most of the government's revenue comes from corporate income tax and VAT. Income tax is only a small percent.

So how does Thailand compare with other Asean Countries with regards to income tax. If Thailand can't keep the roads in good order (they are gradually getting worse) then they need to look at raising more revenue. There seems to be vast amount of new cars on the road but the road tax in my opinion is way too low in comparison-If people can afford to buy new cars (look at the amount of new car dealerships that are been built) then the increasing road tax by 50-100 percent would help towards the roads.

mate goto bayoike 2 tower and head to the top floor and have a look at the great view then goto cambodia or loas and look out there highest buildings and compare the views.

you may just find out you know little to near nuthing about infrastructure in asean.

[sdanielmcev]

You could offer to fix the roads yourself.

[daveAustin]

IMO there is little relation between levels of employment and a place that doesn't know how to build roads that last. Roads tend to go up far too quickly, suggesting the bed is inadequate and leading to obligatory subsidence. Mind you, very overweight trucks doesn't help.

Of unemployment figures, they may look nice, but are fudged and don't tell the whole story. For one, you often have more than one person doing a one man job and few pay proper income tax, not to mention the 200,000 monks that don't put a bean in.

[AYJAYDEE]

IMO there is little relation between levels of employment and a place that doesn't know how to build roads that last. Roads tend to go up far too quickly, suggesting the bed is inadequate and leading to obligatory subsidence. Mind you, very overweight trucks doesn't help.

Of unemployment figures, they may look nice, but are fudged and don't tell the whole story. For one, you often have more than one person doing a one man job and few pay proper income tax, not to mention the 200,000 monks that don't put a bean in.

they know how to build roads but dont feel the need. inspectors and clients are okay with the way they are built. guess why?

[hocuspocus]

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You could offer to fix the roads yourself.

I would but I do not have a work permit.