Showing 1 - 10 of 26
Good governance sorely lacking at state-run banks
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 25/07/2019
» During parliamentary debates on the Prayut Chan-o-cha government's policy statement, scheduled for tomorrow and Friday, the state-run Krung Thai Bank's (KTB) 9.9-billion-baht loan scandal will likely be taken up by the opposition targeting one cabinet member, Finance Minister and Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader Uttama Savanayana. When the loan was approved in 2003, Mr Uttama was an executive board member of the bank.
Salt, sugar, grey hair a perfect health storm
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 15/11/2018
» A changing diet in past decades has seen Thai people grow accustomed to consuming too much sugar and salt, negatively impacting their health. This has led to more cases of non-communicable diseases (NCD), heart problems, high-blood pressure and diabetes in state hospitals, which is placing a heavy burden on government spending.
Infrastructure land windfall tax a letdown
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 15/03/2018
» A new tax law which will enable the Revenue Department to collect tax from land owners who are to benefit from transport infrastructure development projects is a novel idea by the Finance Ministry.
Politicians must ditch 'analogue consciences'
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 22/02/2018
» While the government has implemented projects to drive the Thai economy toward the digital era, the conscience of the powers-that-be and the rich remain outdated and trapped in the analogue era.
'Tis the season to stop giving officials gifts
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 04/01/2018
» Thanks to the "no gift" policy, a directive instructing state officials not to accept or give expensive gifts, most state offices have celebrated the festive season in a different atmosphere.
PM must put friendship aside in graft fight
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 14/12/2017
» The high-profile scandal featuring a flashy watch and diamond ring worn by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon poses a dilemma for the military regime which came to power in 2014 when the country was in the political doldrums, with the public losing its faith in elected politicians.
Customs not up to speed on supercar scam
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 21/09/2017
» Bangkok shouldn't be an ideal city for high-powered supercars. Given the city's notorious traffic congestion, it is hard to imagine how people can maximise their supercars' engine capacity by driving them at high speed. Yet, luxury cars are still one of the key items possessed by millionaires here.
Supercar tax-dodging game far too easy
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 08/06/2017
» The ongoing supercar saga reflects the flaws in the country's tax system and deep-rooted corruption in state mechanisms.
Thaksin share case rocks faith in tax system
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 16/03/2017
» The Revenue Department's failure to collect 12 billion baht in tax from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has shaken the public's confidence over the transparency, fairness and equity of the country's tax collection system. It stands as a reminder of the need for tax administrative bodies to be independent of political pressure.
Reserve tumble doesn't spell fiscal crisis
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 23/02/2017
» The dramatic fall in treasury reserves to 74.9 billion baht last December, the lowest in many years, does not indicate that Thailand is facing a fiscal crisis. However, it does not mean that the Thai government will be immune to fiscal traumas either. Factors that will affect the state's fiscal stability are still out there looming.