Isuzu executives meet with Thai prosecutors to discuss alleged tax case

[webfact]

Isuzu executives meet with prosecutors to discuss alleged tax case



BANGKOK: -- Executives of Isuzu Motors (Thailand) and Tripetch Isuzu Sales companies met with special case public prosecutors for about two hours yesterday.

But no details of their discussion were available as both sides declined to offer any information.

Thai PBS earlier reported that the two companies were accused by the Customs Department and the Department of Special Investigation of present false statements to evade taxes regarding the import of automobile spare parts worth about 1,600 million baht into the country.

According to Customs Department, about 50,000 gearboxes worth about 300 million baht were imported from the Philippines into the country in 2004 beyond the amount declared and another 50,000 gearboxes worth about 500 million baht were imported into the country not in accordance with the declared specifications.

The companies were demanded to pay back taxes and fines amounting to 1.6 billion baht. However, the statue of limitations of the case is due to expire on November 13.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/isuzu-executives-meet-prosecutors-discuss-alleged-tax-case/


-- Thai PBS 2014-10-28

[phutoie2]

the statue of limitations of the case is due to expire on November 13.

well that's , that, move on. Customs will still get a healthy back hander to the tea fund no doubt.

[Woodsie888]

I didn't realise foreigners were running this company as no Thai would do such a thing.

Happiness returning to Thailand? Those chaps don't look so happy.

[ChrisY1]

I didn't realise foreigners were running this company as no Thai would do such a thing.

Happiness returning to Thailand? Those chaps don't look so happy.

Looks like they're thinking of the "payment" to clear this matter.

[bangkokheat]

lets see how the statute of limitations works for foreigners shall we

[Briggsy]

The Customs Department here has been known on many occasions to levy outrageous demands often based on their own highly-inflated valuations and estimates.

The dealership arm of foreign vehicle manufacturers is often the least ethical, most Thai-influenced part of any vehicle assembly and distribution operation here.

So you can see it is impossible for the reader to know who is telling the truth here.

Add to that, the raft of protectionist anti-import taxes that make manufacturers' profitability very tricky here, and the likelihood that the prosecution could well be politicised (e.g. the Thai family running the dealerships may have been close to the previous administration and has now lost its powerful patron) and one really needs to have more information from those closely involved.

[Chris Lawrence]

Maybe they need to parade these guys in front of a gearbox with everyone pointing fingers? Thats a lot of gearboxes and unpaid tax?

[rickirs]

Eight years now and the company hasn't had a complaint filed against it for tax evasion? So file the complaint and the statute of limitations stops. But if after such a long time the government doesn't have sufficient evidence to support a complaint, leave the company alone and start working to better detect tax evasion. Many times a company that has committed an offense will, after a complaint has been filed, find an incentive to negotiate a tax and fine without admission of guilt, and life continues.

[FangFerang]

Please note that since Isuzu is a foreign company, their company name can be put in the news story. If it was a Thai company, there would be no mention of company name or the name of anyone involved -- further, even if convicted no names of Thais are released in the news ....often the norm (especially if influential people are involved).

Amazing Thailand.

[smutcakes]

Just over a month until the statute of limitations expires. It seems we are very much in the 6 week 'negotiating' window prior to expiry.

[Paulzed]

"Isuzu executives meet with prosecutors to discuss alleged tax case"

And are currently in conference on how much tea money is required for the case to go away, Pratet Thai Amazing!!!

[Thai at Heart]

I didn't realise foreigners were running this company as no Thai would do such a thing.

Happiness returning to Thailand? Those chaps don't look so happy.

I don't get it. The only reason to have Thais in the shareholding is to make this very type of problem vanish.

[Chao Lao Beach]

Funny how Thai's Love Isuzu D-max as it is truly a that pickup.

[Briggsy]

Please note that since Isuzu is a foreign company, their company name can be put in the news story. If it was a Thai company, there would be no mention of company name or the name of anyone involved -- further, even if convicted no names of Thais are released in the news ....often the norm (especially if influential people are involved).

Amazing Thailand.

You are absolutely right. I recall a news story in which the Revenue launched a huge raid with over a hundred officials at Siemens taking away computers and documents, greatly disrupting work.

From the news coverage, you would believe that Siemens had been commiting fraud to Enron levels.

In fact the coverage was all based on press releases from the Revenue and was very biased. These fishing exercises are par for the course for foreign businesses operating in Thailand. The way around it is to hire a tax consulting company with good contacts in the Revenue. e.g. Senior tax official's wife runs tax consultancy - they are the one to use. This is impractical when we come to very large concerns like Isuzu or Siemens.