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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40021620

Thai govt pays heed to critics, revising rules on selling land to foreigners

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 01, 2022

The government will look into proposals to improve the draft directive on selling land to wealthy foreigners, Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Tuesday.

He said the Interior Ministry’s draft directive is being scrutinised by the Council of State, the government’s legal advisory arm.

Wissanu added that the council will be urged to consider people’s concerns and apply suggestions that will make the draft “as perfect as possible”.

The deputy PM, who is regarded as a legal expert, said the review will focus on four key issues:

• Investment: The draft specifies that a foreigner must invest at least 40 million baht to be eligible for the purchase of land and houses. However, Wissanu said critics want the government to increase the amount.

• Length of time for investment: The draft directive requires foreigners to maintain the investment for at least three years, but critics are calling for a longer period.

• Resale of land: Critics say that foreigners should be prohibited from reselling the land they hold in bits and pieces. The draft allows them to sell the 1-rai of land in parts until the entire quota is used up.

• Purchasing clusters of land: Critics say that foreigners should be prohibited from buying plots next to each other because it would put a large cluster of land under foreign ownership. The draft does not prohibit this.

The Cabinet approved the draft directive on October 25 and has forwarded it to the Council of State for scrutiny before it is published in the Royal Gazette. Once published, the directive will be in effect for five years.

When the policy was announced, critics and the opposition cried foul, accusing the government of putting the country on sale and betraying the motherland.

The issue has stirred up nationalism, with many critics expressing concern that foreigners will buy up land and make Thais, especially farmers, landless.

Wissanu said on Tuesday that the law permitting the sale of land to foreigners had actually been enacted in 2002.

He explained that since the situation has changed since 2002, the government decided to revise it and use it to attract foreign investment and highly skilled foreigners to work in the country.

Wissanu added that as of now, only eight foreigners hold 1 rai (400 square wah or 1,600 square metres) of land under this provision. However, he said, there are many foreigners holding some 100 to 200 square wah of land under other conditions.

“Every time this law was taken up for consideration, it sparked allegations of national betrayal. I have seen it since the government of General Chatichai Choonhavan [1988 to 1991], when the bill was withdrawn,” Wissanu said.

He said the Thaksin Shinawatra government (1998-2006) managed to enact the law and this government was simply revising and improving it.

“It’s with the Council of State, which can still change it,” he added.

Krisada Chinavicharana, permanent secretary for Finance Ministry, said the selling of land to foreigners had been proposed and considered after the 1997 Tom Yum Kung financial crisis. He said the proposal aimed to draw foreign investment and experts to work in the country.

The initial law required foreigners to hold their investment for five years, but the new draft was reducing this to three years. However, Krisada admitted that he did not know the reason behind this time reduction.

He added that conditions for employing foreigners should also be considered in a bid to stimulate Thailand’s job market.

“I’ve not seen the draft yet, but judging by news reports, it’s not worrisome. The conditions are clear,” he said.

Related stories:

‘We can explain’, says Thai PM as outcry over land for foreigners gets louder

Ex-finance minister slams Prayut govt for agreeing to sell land to rich foreigners

LTR, 40m baht investment necessary for foreigners to buy land in Thailand: govt

Wealthy foreigners can now buy land, houses in Thailand

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40021619

‘We can explain’, says Thai PM as outcry over land for foreigners gets louder

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 01, 2022

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha offered to explain his government’s policy to sell land to wealthy foreigners after it sparked a widespread outcry and criticism.

Prayut said on Tuesday that the Interior Ministry’s draft directive allowing foreigners to buy 1 rai of land if they invest 40 million baht is being scrutinised by the Council of State.

The council, which is the government’s legal advisory body, will also take public opinions into account, he said.

When asked for more information on the policy, Prayut only said: “It’s nothing serious. We can explain everything.”

The draft directive, which was approved by the Cabinet on October 25, has provided critics and the opposition enough ammunition to bombard the government with.

Some have labelled the Prayut government as “betrayers” for putting the country up for sale to foreigners.

The directive is supposed to be in effect for five years after being published in the Royal Gazette, though the government has not said when it will be published.

The directive will allow wealthy foreigners, retirees, digital nomads who want to work from Thailand and persons with special expertise to buy houses and up to 1 rai of land provided they spend at least 40 million baht on government or state-enterprise bonds or invest in long-term equity funds.

This investment must be maintained for at least three years. If it is withdrawn before that, the right to buy land will be voided.

Former finance minister Suchart Thadadamrongvej, who was once Pheu Thai Party leader, has slammed the policy, saying it will only make Thais poorer and make land and houses unaffordable even for the middle class.

This policy has also stirred up a sense of nationalism.

One of the loudest voices of dissent came from well-known influencer Boy Setthinakkharaj, who sells land and houses via his YouTube channel.

In a Facebook post, the YouTuber said the policy was a betrayal of his motherland. He added that he had been offered a lot of money to act as a broker and scoop up land for foreign buyers, but he rejected the offer because he could not sell his own country.

Related stories:

Wealthy foreigners can now buy land, houses in Thailand

LTR, 40m baht investment necessary for foreigners to buy land in Thailand: govt

Ex-finance minister slams Prayut govt for agreeing to sell land to rich foreigners

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40021618

PM denies rumours of Parliament dissolution after Apec Summit

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 01, 2022

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday denied rumours that the government would dissolve Parliament after fulfilling its duties of hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit in Bangkok on November 18-19.

During a press interview after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Prayut said the government has no plan regarding Parliament dissolution. He said he had no idea from where the rumuors had originated.

One rumour on Parliament dissolution pointed to the conclusion of Apec Summit, while another hinted at December 24.

The House of Representatives’ four-year term will end on March 23 next year. The Election Commission has tentatively set May 7, 2023, as the date of the next general election, if Parliament was not dissolved before the end of the term.

When asked about the broadcasting rights of Fifa World Cup 2022 that is currently under negotiation, the premier said he is “positive” the telecast would be available for free in Thailand.

The Sports Authority of Thailand said last month that it would buy the licence for live broadcasts of the World Cup if private broadcasters fail to secure the rights, to ensure viewers in Thailand can watch the matches for free.

The World Cup is scheduled to take place in Qatar from November 21 to December 18.

Related Stories

FIFA World Cup will be free to watch in Thailand, says SAT

EC sets May 7 as general election day: news source

Thailand hopes Bangkok Apec Summit could serve as venue to resolve international conflicts

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40021580

Move Forward’s Pita thanks Bangkok for support, vows to work hard for votes

MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2022

Thanking Bangkokians for naming him as the best PM choice in a recent survey, Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat said he would work very hard to get elected.

Pita was responding on Monday to a National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) opinion survey in which Pita beat PM Prayut Chan-o-cha as Bangkok voters’ top choice for prime minister.

Pita said the results of the survey boosted his morale and inspired him to work very hard.

“I hope Move Forward will become a solution for the country during this time of crisis,” he added.

The October 21-27 Nida Poll showed that 20.40 per cent of respondents preferred Pita as the next PM, compared to 15.20 per cent for Prayut.

Pita also beat Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who won support from 14.10 per cent of the respondents. Other candidates won less than 10 per cent “yes” votes.

However, a nationwide poll conducted by Nida in September showed Paetongtarn as the most popular choice, with more than 21.60 per cent choosing her. Pita in comparison was the top choice for only 10.56 per cent of respondents, while Prayut came in third with 10.12 per cent.

Paetongtarn also beat Pita by a wide margin in an October 9 Nida poll in the Northeast, where she came away with 36.45 per cent compared to Pita’s 12.65 per cent.

Prayut, meanwhile, was the most popular choice for voters in the South, an October 23 Nida poll showed. The incumbent premier came away with 23.94 per cent, followed by 13.24 per cent for Paetongtarn and 11.24 for Pita.

The Move Forward leader said that though he was the top choice for Bangkok voters, opposition leader Pheu Thai had beaten his party in the same poll. Therefore, he said, his party will have to work harder.

“We will have to meet the public more often to introduce our candidates and policies, as well as assure them that we are ready to run the country during this ongoing economic crisis,” Pita said.

He pointed out that Thailand ranks sixth among Asean countries in terms of growth and is trailing behind Malaysia and the Philippines when it comes to direct foreign investments.

He also blamed Prayut’s government for increasing the number of poor from 14 million to 27 million over the past eight years.

Related stories:

Move Forward’s Pita beats Prayut in Bangkok’s best choice for PM poll

Prayut preferred as next PM by southern voters: survey

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40021575

Blocking cannabis law for political reasons will do ‘more harm than good’

MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2022

A farmers’ representative and a businessman called on the House to speed up the legislation of a cannabis control law so businesses know what they can and cannot do.

The statement came on Monday from Prapat Panyachatraksa, president of the National Farmers’ Council, and Ong-art Panyachatraksa, owner of the Organic Phet Lanna Farma and a partner of the RG420 Cannabis Store on Khao San Road in Bangkok.

The two were referring to the September 14 House resolution to indefinitely defer the second reading of the cannabis bill and return it to the special House committee that had vetted the draft.

“I understand the delay was caused by politicking,” said Prapat, who is a member and adviser to the ad hoc panel.

The bill was engineered by coalition partner Bhumjaithai Party, which had promised to legalise marijuana while campaigning for the 2019 general election.

The House voted 198:136 to return the bill to the ad hoc panel for review after Democrat Party, also a coalition partner, said the bill would promote the recreational use of marijuana. Democrat MPs also cited concerns that children and youth would abuse cannabis as a drug. The Rural Doctors Society was among groups that voiced such concersn.

He said he would submit an open letter to Parliament President Chuan Leekpai and leaders of all political parties on Wednesday, calling on them to add the bill to the House agenda and speed up deliberations in the second and third readings.

Prapat urged the public to join him at the Parliament complex on Wednesday when he is submitting the letter.

In the letter, Prapat reasons that the cannabis bill has been passed in principle by the House and vetted by the ad hoc panel, which includes representatives from political parties, government agencies as well as the private and civil sectors.

The letter also points out that the bill’s legislation should be speeded up for the sake of clarity and the creation of new business opportunities, adding that it had been vetted carefully to ensure its enactment does not affect vulnerable groups as feared.

Prapat said many farmers and businesses have invested a lot in growing and processing marijuana into products. If the bill is not enacted soon, it could spark losses of as much as 50 billion baht, he said.

Ong-art, meanwhile, said businesses cannot move forward without a direct cannabis control law, which he added would boost confidence in the business.

He also pointed out that banks are not granting loans for marijuana-related businesses, because their future is uncertain without the law.

“As a businessman, I want the direction to be clear, so we know what we can and cannot do,” he said.

He pointed out that if marijuana is put on the list of banned narcotics again, then many businesses would go bankrupt. He also asked why politicians did not speak up when the panel vetting bill announced its decisions.

“This is not right and it’s disgusting to play politics on the future of the people and the country,” he said.

He added that the price of dried ganja had fallen from 30,000 baht per kilo to about 1,000 baht due to uncertainties over the bill.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40021572

Pheu Thai’s PM candidate vows to tap the potential of new generation

MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2022

Thailand should tackle problems of people’s standard of living and geopolitics as soon as possible, Pheu Thai Party’s prime minister candidate, Srettha Thavisin, said on Monday.

In an interview with Thai newspaper Krungthep Turakij, he said Thailand has almost lost its position on the international stage, as the country had not showed its identity and potential over the past eight years.

“Thailand has resources that many people want, but we need to be proud and humble in trading because we cannot rely only on ourselves,” he said.

It is necessary to consider problems case by case, as some problems should be solved immediately, he said, adding that taking care of problems in a proper way may result in benefit for many generations of people.

“We have to take care of people, not just amending some rules,” he said. “We should tackle problems step by step as some problems are easy to deal with.”

Srettha, who is also president of real estate developer Sansiri, said the government should meet all groups of people’s needs, especially the new generation who will be the country’s power in the future.

He said that the current government had failed to gain the confidence of the new generation due to communication errors.

“I believe that our country’s leaders have good intentions, but they have to improve their communication,” he said. “We should be a good role model for the new generation, otherwise it would be like pouring oil on the fire.”

He added that he was not calling for a reform, but a change in mindset.

“I believe that proper communication will help attract people without forcing them,” he added.

He said the general election next year will be turning point for Thailand, adding that many businessmen want to see clarity in the country’s administration.

He also pointed out that political conflict so far had affected economic growth, even though Thailand has the potential to boost its economy.

“The government should have looked at the roots of the conflict,” he said. “If there is any correction, the government should not do it with one group of people because it would affect others.”

If he were to be elected as prime minister in the upcoming general election, Srettha vowed to tackle four big issues: people’s standard of living; the constitution; geopolitics; and people rights, liberty and equality.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40021557

Ex-finance minister slams Prayut govt for agreeing to sell land to rich foreigners

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2022

Former finance minister Suchart Thadadamrongvej, who was once Pheu Thai Party leader, condemned the government for letting rich foreigners buy up land in Thailand.

Suchart said on Sunday that he believes the policy will do more harm than good and will make Thais poorer.

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Interior Ministry’s proposal to let foreigners purchase houses and up to 1 rai of land if they can show an investment of at least 40 million baht.

This regulation will be in effect for five years after it is published in the Royal Gazette, which the government says will be soon.

Suchart pointed out that the cost of living in Thailand is affordable compared to other developed countries, which is why the value of the baht is low against the dollar. This means, most rich foreigners will find land in Thailand very cheap and will buy up huge swathes for speculation.

This, he said, will push up the prices and even middle-class Thais will find the cost of land and houses unaffordable.

“In other words, this policy will make Thais poorer,” he said.

He warned that the situation will be much like wealthy urbanites buying up farmland for speculation and leaving farmers landless.

Suchart also warned that there is a chance that foreigners will buy up land and hire locals to look after it or lease it to them for a profit.

He added that like the case in Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia, Thais may be blocked entry to large clusters of land bought up by groups of foreigners.

Also, he said, some countries may interfere in Thailand’s sovereignty to protect clusters of land bought by their citizens, which could spark diplomatic quarrels.

He added that if the government wants to boost the GDP, it should do so by propping up the manufacturing industry instead of selling off land.

Suchart led Pheu Thai when it was created to house MPs from People Power Party before it was dissolved in 2008.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40021543

Move Forward’s Pita beats Prayut in Bangkok’s best choice for PM poll

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2022

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat is Bangkok voters’ top choice for prime minister, a recent opinion survey found.

The survey, conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) from October 21 to 27, involved telephone interviews with some 2,000 people from Bangkok’s 50 districts. The results were announced on Sunday.

Pita, who was nominated as the Move Forward candidate for the May 2023 general election, beat Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha by a fair margin.

In response to who they will choose as PM, the respondents said:

• 20.40%: Pita because he has political determination and is a capable, new-generation politician

• 15.20%: Prayut because he has integrity, performed well as PM and has brought peace to the nation

• 14.10%: Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra

• 12.20%: Undecided

• 7.70%: Sudarat Keyuraphan, Thai Sang Thai Party leader

• 6.85%: Korn Chatikavanij, Chart Pattana Kla Party leader

• 6.35%: Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, Seree Ruam Thai Party leader

• 3.15%: Somkid Jatusripitak, Sang Anakot Thai Party chairman

• 3%: Chadchart Sittipunt, Bangkok governor

• 2.15%: Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhumjaithai Party leader

• 1.8%: Cholnan Srikaew, Pheu Thai Party leader

• 1.15%: Jurin Laksanawisit, Democrat Party leader

• 4.45%: Others, including Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, former PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, and ex-Chart Thai Pattana leader Kanchana Silapa-archa.

As to which party Bangkokians would choose in a constituency-based election, Pheu Thai came up top with 28.5%, followed by Move Forward (26.45%), Palang Pracharath (9.50%), Democrat (9.45%) and the remaining 26.1% shared among several parties.

The Thai also topped the list for party-list election, with 28.60% choosing it, followed by Move Forward (26.10%), undecided (10.15%), Palang Pracharath (9.15%) and Democrat Party (9%) and other parties (17%).

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40021500

‘No politics’: Prayut gives Thai media the silent treatment as popularity sinks

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2022

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has given Thai media the silent treatment for almost a month now since being cleared by the Constitutional Court to remain in power.

Gen Prayut has managed to avoid answering most questions on political affairs posed by the media. He hinted earlier that he would be passing such queries to his spokespersons team.

Confronted by the media on hot political issues, the prime minister now either gives brief answers, simply shuns the questions, or just walks away.

On other occasions, he has offered excuses such as a stomach ache or other emergencies as reasons for not answering reporters’ questions.

Typical was his response on October 4 when questioned about his political future: “I haven’t thought about that. Let me focus on tackling floods now.”

Prayut has been asked whether he will reshuffle the Cabinet at least three times since the Constitutional Court ruling. His answers were: “Nothing about that now”, “No, no”, and “I haven’t done anything about it”.

On October 26, Prayut was asked to comment on speculation that he and Deputy Premier Prawit Wongsuwan will be PM candidates for the ruling Palang Pracharath Party at the general election, tentatively scheduled for May 7. “I don’t talk politics,” came the curt reply.

Asked on the same day if he was planning to become a member of the ruling party, Prayut said: “Whenever that happens.”

Recent opinion surveys show Palang Pracharath and Prayut are lagging far behind the main opposition Pheu Thai Party and its prospective candidate for PM, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

The Constitutional Court ruled on September 30 that Gen Prayut had not exceeded his maximum eight years in office. Judges ruled that his tenure should be counted from when the Constitution was enacted in April 2017, and not August 2014 when he became prime minister following the military coup he led three months earlier.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40021495

Suspect donation may result in dissolution of ruling Palang Pracharath Party

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2022

The Election Commission (EC) will investigate to see if the ruling Palang Pracharath Party broke the law by accepting donations from a “foreign” businessman linked to an illegal Bangkok nightclub.

EC secretary-general Sawang Boonmee can under the Political Parties Act gather information and evidence to see if any wrongdoing was committed, a source said on Friday.

If the evidence points to wrongdoing, then it could lead to the party’s dissolution after the case is handed to the EC, the source added.

The law prohibits Thai political parties from accepting donations from an illegal source or from a foreigner, and they can face dissolution if found guilty.

Palang Pracharath has been in hot water after it was found that the party accepted a donation of 3 million baht from Chaiyanat Kornchayanant, a naturalised Thai businessman whose Chinese name is Haozhe Du.

Chaiyanat, who came to Thailand more than 20 years ago, said he obtained Thai nationality after marrying a Thai woman.

However, police are investigating a possible connection between him and an unlicensed pub in Bangkok’s Yannawa district, which was raided on Tuesday and where dozens of mostly Chinese patrons tested positive for illegal drugs.

Also confiscated in the raid were various party drugs and gambling tools, police said, adding that the pub mostly caters to Chinese customers.

Separately, Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of Thai Constitution, on Friday filed a petition with the EC to investigate the matter.

He pointed out that if Chaiyanat is found to be holding both nationalities, Palang Pracharath can be deemed as violating the law and get dissolved.

Chaiyanat is one of five wealthy Chinese businessmen in the tourism sector who has come under the police radar. His wife is a senior police officer and the niece of a retired police general.

He has businesses in many provinces, including Bangkok, Chonburi, Phuket and Samut Prakan.

Department of Business Development records show that Chaiyanat is registered as a director in 12 companies involved in businesses ranging from real estate and jewellery to Internet services and birds-nest products.