Showing 1 - 7 of 7
New attack on nominee loopholes
Published on 05/09/2013
» The office of the Ombudsman is seeking new legislation to prevent foreigners illegally owning land via Thai nominees. Under the proposed legislation, foreigners would face long terms of imprisonment or fines up to two million baht for trying to hide their purchase of land. Those found holding Thai papers illegally might be allowed up to a year to transfer the plots to legitimate entities. The current loopholes are said to be mainly setting up registered companies with a 51:49 Thai-foreign ownership or by marrying a Thai. There is a suspicion that many plots of land are illegally owned by Thais in mainland Thailand and on the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui. At the moment land ownership deals are not public information, leading to suspicious transactions by Thais and foreigners alike. Critics say that there is no reason for new laws. What’s needed is strict enforcement of existing legislation including the anti-money laundering rules and the notoriously lax tax laws on property transactions.
Top investigators plan Pattaya crime office
Published on 21/08/2013
» The Department of Special Investigation (DSI), having recently opened a branch at Phuket airport, has promised later to extend its presence to Pattaya.
Foreigners strain Thai hospitals
Published on 20/08/2013
» Yet another report, this time from 7News Corporation in Australia, is complaining that public hospitals in Thailand face increasing financial burdens as more and more Australians, mostly male and under 30, are travelling without proper insurance. One public hospital in Phuket says last year there was an accumulation of 4 million baht in unpaid debts. Public hospitals tend to become dumping grounds for sick foreigners who cannot afford to pay the high tariffs in top-notch private institutions. A similar story was reported by public hospitals in Chonburi Province last year. The government reportedly is looking at imposing compulsory insurance packages for all expats and tourists to Thailand, although the complexity of the detail is said to be stalling implementation. One obvious problem is that elderly tourists and expats may be excluded from becoming insured because of pre-existing conditions or prohibitively-expensive premiums.
Compulsory insurance for expats and tourists?
Published on 18/04/2013
» The government is considering forcing foreigners to buy health insurance before traveling to Thailand.
Phuket yachtsman attacked by ‘samurai’ motorbike gang
Published on 19/12/2012
» Phuket yachting figure Neil Petford was attacked and robbed by a “samurai” motorbike gang on his way home from the final party of the recent King’s Cup Regatta.
Parks Dept hikes fees as much as 150pc
Published on 24/08/2012
» PHUKET: The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has announced it is to hike park entrance fees from October 1 at 29 national parks countrywide, including seven in southern Thailand.
Tourists jumped from Tiger's second storey
Published on 18/08/2012
» PHUKET: Shocking accounts of tourists jumping from the second floor and others trampled in the panic to escape are emerging following the fire at Patong's Tiger Discoteque early on Friday morning.