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[webfact]

'Second-class citizens' after EEC
By Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

 

Somnuck Jongmeewasin, a lecturer at Silpakorn University’s International College

 

Academic warns of Massive land grabs in three provinces; privileges for foreign investors likened to pre1997 Hong Kong

 

BANGKOK: -- AN ACADEMIC has voiced concerns over privileges to be granted to foreign investors under the proposed Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) legislation, especially in regard to 99-year land leases.

 

Somnuck Jongmeewasin, a lecturer at Silpakorn University’s International College, said local people could end up being treated as “second-class citizens”, as there will be many exemptions to Thai law and regulations under the EEC bill.

 

Earlier last week, Cabinet approved in principle the EEC bill, which will be reviewed by the Council of the State before being considered by the National Legislative Assembly.

 

Critics have expressed worries over the long 99-year land leases that would be allowed to encourage foreign investors to invest and do business in special economic zones designated under the EEC Bill.

 

Somnuck said more than 100 Thai laws and regulations would be amended or suspended in order to facilitate foreign investment under the bill so that foreign businesses can enjoy special privileges in Thai territory.

 

“This will be just like Hong Kong in the colonial era. Thai laws will not be fully enforced within the special economic zones under the EEC Bill and local people could be downgraded to be just second-class citizens,” Somnuck said.

 

“Under this bill, around 10 laws and more than 100 articles will be waived for the establishment of the EEC and this will eliminate some legal protections in regard to the rights of Thai citizens.”

 

The government’s plan is to offer up to 631,000 rai (100,960 hectares) of land in the three eastern provinces of Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong to attract foreign investors, with laws and regulations waived in order to extend more privileges to foreign investors.

 

“If local people are lucky enough not to be driven from their land for special economic zone development, they will find themselves alienated in their own homeland, as all the regulations and resources will only provide benefits for foreign investors,” he said.

 

The order by the National Council for Peace and Order to waive city planning rules within special economic zones is still in effect, so the EEC committee can choose any land within the three provinces to develop special |economic zones regardless of municipal regulations.

 

Moreover, under to the EEC |Bill, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) would be conducted by a separate team of specialists focusing exclusively on the EEC, which raises questions about EIA standards.

 

Aside from the large land grab from local people to accommodate foreign conglomerates, Somnuck said foreign investors would also enjoy privileges such as tax exemptions for banking, renting property and buying residences inside the EEC zones.

 

“This means that there will be entirely new cities for foreign investors including housing, commercial areas, hospitals and international colleges. They will not only be industrial parks like before,” he said.

 

“Foreign investors can also trade using foreign currencies directly without having to exchange it into Thai baht within the EEC areas.”

 

Many have said the EEC Bill will boost the region and country, but Somnuck said the policy was unlikely to lead to true economic development because foreign investors could bring in specialists and experienced workers from other countries. “Not only we will not learn from their technology, foreign investors can also set up in industries that we are good at, such as agricultural processing or tourism, and compete with our businesses,” he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30313133

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-04-24

 

[Raymonddiaz]

Thailand is losing investment in favor of Malaysia, Indonesia because they are not xenophobic. I think this idea for the 99 years lease is a good idea. Thailand already has second class citizens, check issan or people from the south.

[fruitman]

28 minutes ago, Raymonddiaz said:

Thailand is losing investment in favor of Malaysia, Indonesia because they are not xenophobic. I think this idea for the 99 years lease is a good idea. Thailand already has second class citizens, check issan or people from the south.

or people (even farang) who drive a motobike .

[Somtamnication]

"could end up being treated as “second-class citizens”" . Ah, now they know how foreigners feel here. 

[ukrules]

Too little and far too late. Do they really think they can turn the tide by offering the same things other countries offer ?

 

The boats already sailed Thailand and you're not aboard.

[wakeupplease]

foreign investors? Yes right they are queuing up to loose their investment in this place

[ColinChapman]

 “Not only we will not learn from their technology, foreign investors can also set up in industries that we are good at, such as agricultural processing or tourism, and compete with our businesses,” he said.

 

Well, if you're so good at these industries, you don't have to fear competition do you? 

[jacko45k]

Sounds like discrimination to me.

Welcome to the real world where money does the talking.

[ChrisY1]

When leading "academics" like this guy, display  complete ignorance and outrageous xenophobia....it's any wonder the education system is so broken.

These kinds seem to be trying to send a message, that hoards of foreigners will start rushing into Thailand for some miraculous land rush......They're a complete nonsense.

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

Sorry but he is correct. The junta will decide where these Special economic zones will be. They will then force through the sale of land in these areas. Present owners will be offered an amount and if they refuse they could face S44 and/or get only what the government offers them. There has been no community participation in the setting up of these zones. There will also be no civilian control of who gets what land at which price. These zones will be sold to Chinese and Japanese companies which will not transfer technology nor employ skilled Thai labour nor would they invest in the education of Thai labourers.

 

I am not against special zones nor the 99 year lease but against the way it is being set up. It reeks of corruption opportunities for the junta. The area they want to set a side is also very big, why not start out smaller and first pay the school fees on a smaller zone. The 600 000 rai is about the same area that CP owns and they are the biggest landowner in the country.

[DPKANKAN]

Unfortunately, most Thais are already 2nd class citizens to the ruling elite anyway!!

More like they are running scared that they would be shown up as the incompetents they are in a monopoly controlled big business environment!!

[klauskunkel]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Somnuck said more than 100 Thai laws and regulations would be amended or suspended in order to facilitate foreign investment under the bill so that foreign businesses can enjoy special privileges in Thai territory.

“This will be just like Hong Kong in the colonial era. Thai laws will not be fully enforced within the special economic zones under the EEC Bill and local people could be downgraded to be just second-class citizens,” Somnuck said.

Maybe Mr. Somnuck doesn't quite understand the essence of Thai laws:

 

They are written and amended in a most vague and confusing way, pebbled with loopholes and exceptions. Then they are (mis)interpreted by any entitled authority in such a way that benefits that authority, or they are ignored if that authority needs its beauty sleep. Then they are enforced only if the breaking of the law, or the mistreatment by the authority, was captured and posted online and if the post goes viral. However, the poster will definitely be punished by a two-tiered legal system that caters to persons in power and connections. 

 

So, Mr. Somnuck, you don't really need to worry at all about any Thai laws, until you have reformed the whole judicial system..., but maybe that's a bit too much?

[Bluespunk]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Somnuck said more than 100 Thai laws and regulations would be amended or suspended in order to facilitate foreign investment under the bill so that foreign businesses can enjoy special privileges in Thai territory.

You mean that foreigners will be treated equally under the law?

 

That is appalling...

Edited April 24, 2017 by Bluespunk

[Kasset Tak]

Hmm. they have 4 different programs as his faculty... so i don't know how much he really knows about reality...
1. Bachelor of Business Administration in Hotel Management (Double Degree)
2. Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Communication Design (Double Degree)

3. Master of Business Administration in Hotel and Tourism Management (Double Degree)

4. Master of Business Administration in International Business

 

And it's not only my opinion on this guy, my friends (professors at several different universities) who have seen more of the world then most Thais and teach both MA and PhD in international business and other disciplines, they all say that this should be good for Thailand but it can be too little, too late.

[pentap]

Thais laws, not in forced!

That's been going on for many years, why the big concerns now?

Fickle..

[fforest1]

36 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

You mean that foreigners will be treated equally under the law?

 

That is appalling...

There is a lot more to this Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)

plan than is being talked about here... 

 

Edited April 24, 2017 by fforest1

[trogers]

"It would be just like Hong Kong in the colonial era..."

 

It is precisely this that HK is today one of the top cities in in business and education. Competition forces businesses and people to work harder and be more efficient.

 

The sabai sabai attitude does the exact opposite...

[Bluespunk]

54 minutes ago, fforest1 said:

There is a lot more to this Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)

plan than is being talked about here... 

 

It was this guy's xenophobic, publicity hungry, attention seeking, knee jerk over-reaction to change I was commenting on.

Edited April 24, 2017 by Bluespunk

[dageurreotype]

3 hours ago, SOUTHERNSTAR said:

Sorry but he is correct. The junta will decide where these Special economic zones will be. They will then force through the sale of land in these areas. Present owners will be offered an amount and if they refuse they could face S44 and/or get only what the government offers them. There has been no community participation in the setting up of these zones. There will also be no civilian control of who gets what land at which price. These zones will be sold to Chinese and Japanese companies which will not transfer technology nor employ skilled Thai labour nor would they invest in the education of Thai labourers.

 

I am not against special zones nor the 99 year lease but against the way it is being set up. It reeks of corruption opportunities for the junta. The area they want to set a side is also very big, why not start out smaller and first pay the school fees on a smaller zone. The 600 000 rai is about the same area that CP owns and they are the biggest landowner in the country.

I've read these pronouncements on the proposed 99 year leases and nowhere does it say that Dave from Southend nor Babs from Basildon will be able to actually have security of tenure on their home any where, including these 'special economic zones' so must agree with you. I believe the junta are continuing to flail around for any investment from anywhere, all the while propping up the baht for their backers. Cake and eat it same as it ever was.

[anotheruser]

5 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

"could end up being treated as “second-class citizens”" . Ah, now they know how foreigners feel here. 

Yes the trials and tribulations of the down trodden foreigner living on Phuket. 

[fforest1]

38 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

It was this guy's xenophobic, publicity hungry, attention seeking, knee jerk over-reaction to change I was commenting on.

I understand but the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) zones

are closer to feudal states than a business park so I can

see why he would be upset...  

 

[Bluespunk]

25 minutes ago, fforest1 said:

I understand but the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) zones

are closer to feudal states than a business park so I can

see why he would be upset...  

 

I can understand him being upset as well but he is going way over the top.

 

Second class citizens, my left buttock.

[Jonmarleesco]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

“Not only we will not learn from their technology, foreign investors can also set up in industries that we are good at, such as agricultural processing or tourism, and compete with our businesses,”

Obviously the Thais will need to become innovative, productive, competent and service-minded, then.

[Jonmarleesco]

1 hour ago, fforest1 said:

1 hour ago, fforest1 said:

1 hour ago, fforest1 said:

I understand but the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) zones

are closer to feudal states than a business park so I can

see why he would be upset...  

 

'Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) zones are closer to feudal states ...' As is much of the country.

 

 

[smutcakes]

Foreign investors can already own land freehold in many areas on the eastern seaboard.

[Felt 35]

35 minutes ago, smutcakes said:

Foreign investors can already own land freehold in many areas on the eastern seaboard.

Hope they keep the colony on that side of the bay....

[Wake Up]

10 hours ago, wakeupplease said:

foreign investors? Yes right they are queuing up to loose their investment in this place

Actually they are. The largest retailer of retail jewelry stores in the world just announced plant expansion in Thailand.

 

The wages are cheap and female Thailand labor is good compared to other places. Land is cheap outside sukhumvit and they are expanding airports for travel.  Location in central part of Asia is very good location for world trade. 

 

But without special economic zones for taxes, exemption from some national laws, and 50 plus optional renewal of 49 year leases ( i.e 99 year leases) it will never happen. 

 

If it happens some people will make fortunes and many people will be displaced and treated like second class citizens.  That part she is correct. But getting treated as second class citizens for Thais happens today in Thailand at malls like Siam Paragon and hotels like Ritz Carlton and other places.  

Edited April 24, 2017 by Wake Up

[Destiny1990]

Who going to buy/sell these phuket villas for 2 million USD with a 30 year lease?

[FredNL]

Foreign investors & Thailand ???
The Thai Baht is 25 to 40% overvalued. Thailand is way too expensive to invest. 

International investors (multinationals) already pulled out of Thailand because production costs were rising sky high in the last 10 years. 

[sandemara]

This smacks of jealousy and resentment among the privileged elite wannabes - no outsiders should be allowed to screw the Thai masses. That's our duty.