Jan 3, 2015, 10:09 pm
Last edit by: aBroadAbroad
This thread is for Thailand news/events and general discussion. It is meant to reduce clutter in the main forum. If you notice a topic here that deserves its own thread, please alert a moderator.
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Special thanks to FlyerTalker Kalboz for launching the original Thai News & Open Discussion lounge back in 2009!
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Special thanks to FlyerTalker Kalboz for launching the original Thai News & Open Discussion lounge back in 2009!
Thailand Forum Lounge-Thread: Thai News & Open Discussion
Mar 15, 2017, 3:36 am
#856
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Nok Air CEO Patee confident of keeping job
Nok Air chief executive Patee Sarasin has expressed confidence he will defy the rumours and be kept in his position following the overhaul of Thai Airways International's (THAI) aviation strategy by its board on Wednesday.
The THAI board will consider major changes on Wednesday by forming the so-called THAI Group to control the management and strategy of three airlines – THAI and its two budget airline subsidiaries, Nok Air and THAI Smile.
There have been reports that executives of THAI, Nok Air’s major shareholder, are unhappy with the budget airline’s performance.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news...orate/30309166
Nok Air chief executive Patee Sarasin has expressed confidence he will defy the rumours and be kept in his position following the overhaul of Thai Airways International's (THAI) aviation strategy by its board on Wednesday.
The THAI board will consider major changes on Wednesday by forming the so-called THAI Group to control the management and strategy of three airlines – THAI and its two budget airline subsidiaries, Nok Air and THAI Smile.
There have been reports that executives of THAI, Nok Air’s major shareholder, are unhappy with the budget airline’s performance.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news...orate/30309166
Apr 2, 2017, 2:41 am
#857
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
Thailand on Trump's trade hit list 
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...trade-hit-list
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...trade-hit-list
The first of the two orders will require a report on the causes of the trade imbalance within 90 days. It will focus on 16 countries: China, Japan, Germany, Mexico, Ireland, Vietnam, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, India, Thailand, France, Switzerland, Taiwan, Indonesia and Canada.
Apr 2, 2017, 8:31 am
#858
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,195
face? American/western imported goods are ridiculously taxed here...an equally onerous import tax on (let's face it) poor quality Thai exports would send a strong message, IMO.(Not trying to turn this into a political topic. Attempting to stress the price v quality disparities.)
Apr 2, 2017, 10:05 am
#859
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
Why the face? American/western imported goods are ridiculously taxed here...an equally onerous import tax on (let's face it) poor quality Thai exports would send a strong message, IMO.
(Not trying to turn this into a political topic. Attempting to stress the price v quality disparities.)
face? American/western imported goods are ridiculously taxed here...an equally onerous import tax on (let's face it) poor quality Thai exports would send a strong message, IMO.(Not trying to turn this into a political topic. Attempting to stress the price v quality disparities.)
was for Thailand 
Apr 2, 2017, 7:42 pm
#860
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
(U-Tapao is "owned" by the Royal Thai Navy hence a Rear Admiral is quoted. It was a large airbase for the U.S. during the Vietnam conflict, and more recently was rumored to be the location of the CIA black-site known as Detention Site Green or Cat's Eye.)
U-tapao in line for new air hub status
Development plans could make airport the third international gateway for Thailand.
RAdm Worapol says U-tapao's new terminal will start commercial operation in August, but even before its opening, an even larger terminal is being mulled by the government as part of plans to create an air hub on the eastern coast. Even as its 1.7-billion-baht expansion, including a new terminal, is yet to be up and running, there is a grander, more ambitious development awaiting U-tapao airport.
A second runway and an even newer, larger passenger terminal are being mulled by the government as part of plans to create an air hub on the eastern coast, along with Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, serving Bangkok.
The next-phase development will go alongside a target to use it as a springboard to spur extensive aviation-related industries under the government's much-touted Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) scheme.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/tran...air-hub-status
U-tapao in line for new air hub status
Development plans could make airport the third international gateway for Thailand.
RAdm Worapol says U-tapao's new terminal will start commercial operation in August, but even before its opening, an even larger terminal is being mulled by the government as part of plans to create an air hub on the eastern coast. Even as its 1.7-billion-baht expansion, including a new terminal, is yet to be up and running, there is a grander, more ambitious development awaiting U-tapao airport.
A second runway and an even newer, larger passenger terminal are being mulled by the government as part of plans to create an air hub on the eastern coast, along with Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, serving Bangkok.
The next-phase development will go alongside a target to use it as a springboard to spur extensive aviation-related industries under the government's much-touted Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) scheme.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/tran...air-hub-status
Apr 18, 2017, 2:06 am
#861
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ORF : UA_Premier_Gold4Life, Bonvoy_titanium, Accor_Plat
Posts: 6,952
clueless?
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30312543
Banning street food in Bangkok
Reminds me of a Forrest Gump quote!
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30312543
Banning street food in Bangkok
Reminds me of a Forrest Gump quote!
Apr 21, 2017, 5:34 pm
#863
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
New round of attacks in the south....? Link.
Jun 16, 2017, 8:18 pm
#864
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
No clue how this new 5% tax might impact various services (hotel bookings, Uber, air tickets, etc.), or how it will be implemented? The "government" is keen to increase tax revenues without raising the VAT as they are in need of billions for new military hardware. For a country which is intent on moving into the modern era ("Thailand 4.0"), most efforts seem to run counter to that "program"?
Revenue Dept soon to table draft law on e-business taxation
THE Revenue Department is expected to table a draft e-business law, which will tax online trading transactions for goods and services, for the Cabinet’s approval this month.
The department’s director-general Prasong Poontaneat said recently that he had approved the draft law in principle.
The department’s legal team is wrapping up the final details of the draft, which will be proposed to the Cabinet this month and then to the National Legislative Assembly. The law is expected to take effect within the current military-led regime’s tenure.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news...orate/30317797
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...ack-to-reality
Revenue Dept soon to table draft law on e-business taxation
THE Revenue Department is expected to table a draft e-business law, which will tax online trading transactions for goods and services, for the Cabinet’s approval this month.
The department’s director-general Prasong Poontaneat said recently that he had approved the draft law in principle.
The department’s legal team is wrapping up the final details of the draft, which will be proposed to the Cabinet this month and then to the National Legislative Assembly. The law is expected to take effect within the current military-led regime’s tenure.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news...orate/30317797
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...ack-to-reality
Jun 17, 2017, 2:39 am
#865
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,195
No clue how this new 5% tax might impact various services (hotel bookings, Uber, air tickets, etc.), or how it will be implemented? The "government" is keen to increase tax revenues without raising the VAT as they are in need of billions for new military hardware. For a country which is intent on moving into the modern era ("Thailand 4.0"), most efforts seem to run counter to that "program"?
From the Bangkok Post article:
"In the case of Uber, he explained that Uber is not a transport service provider -- such entities are exempt from consumption tax -- but is rather a business that charges fees from a managing system and is thus subject to value-added tax (VAT)."
If Uber is not a transport service provider, then why has the Thai government outlawed Uber for being an "illegal taxi" company? This government hilariously contradicts itself on a seemingly daily basis.
Last edited by Prospero; Jun 20, 2017 at 1:01 am Reason: repair quotation field
Jun 17, 2017, 4:01 am
#866
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ORF : UA_Premier_Gold4Life, Bonvoy_titanium, Accor_Plat
Posts: 6,952
The lunatics have introduced a new super retirement visa. It's a 5 year visa that can be renewed again. But, they're calling it a 10 yr.
3,000,000 THB in the bank. Ages 50+, if you're on the list of countries. 10,000 THB fee. 90 day reporting required. Money in the bank lowered to 1.8M if you earn 100,000Thb/month (on retirement?).
Is it April 1st?
3,000,000 THB in the bank. Ages 50+, if you're on the list of countries. 10,000 THB fee. 90 day reporting required. Money in the bank lowered to 1.8M if you earn 100,000Thb/month (on retirement?).
Is it April 1st?
Jun 17, 2017, 5:39 am
#867
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
I'm sure Lung Tu will feel right at home on his Washington DC visit.
Jun 17, 2017, 8:04 am
#868
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
The lunatics have introduced a new super retirement visa. It's a 5 year visa that can be renewed again. But, they're calling it a 10 yr.
3,000,000 THB in the bank. Ages 50+, if you're on the list of countries. 10,000 THB fee. 90 day reporting required. Money in the bank lowered to 1.8M if you earn 100,000Thb/month (on retirement?).
Is it April 1st?
3,000,000 THB in the bank. Ages 50+, if you're on the list of countries. 10,000 THB fee. 90 day reporting required. Money in the bank lowered to 1.8M if you earn 100,000Thb/month (on retirement?).
Is it April 1st?
But keeping $50K US in a bank
Is that permanent? Or can you withdraw that after some time passes?
Jun 17, 2017, 12:16 pm
#869
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
Suvarnabhumi
Airport Insult: Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi lands on list of world’s worst airports ranked at number 68
https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/air...orst-airports/
https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/air...orst-airports/
The new study, released Monday by airline customer compensation firm Airhelp, takes into consideration reviews from passengers regarding customer service, security, comfort, check-in, user experience, and quality of facilities at 76 airports around the world.
Suvarnabhumi ranked 9th out of the ten worst airports. Kuwait Airport was at the very bottom of the list, followed by London’s Gatwick, Manchester, New Jersey’s Newark, London’s Stansted, Edinburgh, Mumbai, Dubai, and Delhi.
Suvarnabhumi ranked 9th out of the ten worst airports. Kuwait Airport was at the very bottom of the list, followed by London’s Gatwick, Manchester, New Jersey’s Newark, London’s Stansted, Edinburgh, Mumbai, Dubai, and Delhi.
Jun 17, 2017, 5:37 pm
#870
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,195
There's one other requirement for this visa not mentioned by 2lovelife and that's a requirement to have Thai health insurance in the amount of at least 40,000 THB for outpatient coverage and 100,000 THB for inpatient coverage. That's likely to be a financial dealbreaker for many.