Learning Thai Categories Learning Thai Travel Thai Expat Thai Business Thai Thai Grammar Thai Business News Thailand risks losing property buyers to neighbors Thai Business News Wednesday, 24 January 2007 Thailand risks losing some of its resort home market to Southeast Asian rivals Malaysia and the Philippines if it goes ahead with plans to close a loophole in the Foreign Business Act, according to regional analysts. The government has proposed changes to the law that allows non-Thais to hold property through a local company that they control because Thai nominee majority shareholders waive voting rights. "Thailand is seen as a desirable place for resort property, but Malaysia has, quite frankly, a better legal framework," said David Simister, chairman of property consultants CB Richard Ellis. Malaysia recently eased curbs on foreign ownership of residential property in an effort to cut red tape and spur economic growth. Meanwhile, Songkran Issara, managing director of developer Charn Issara, complains that the government, which has said it wants to promote high-end tourism, was sending out mixed signals. "I want the government to be clear on its policies about foreign investments in Thailand, whether we want to boost them or we don't want to," Issara said. Reuters TNA Asia Property Report Bangkok Post   AAM blasts Thai 'economic nationalism' Thai Business News Tuesday, 23 January 2007 Hugh Young, managing director of Aberdeen Asset Management Asia, said that while he was optimistic about the prospects for Asia's economies in 2007, he criticized the "economic nationalism" present in Thailand after the military coup last September. Young said the central authorities' actions on capital controls and foreign ownership of Thai companies were not well thought-out. "If it persists, [people won't] put money in the country, and there's potential for long-term decline," he said. "This is an example for the rest of the region of how not to do things." The Scotsman   What Thailand's woes say about Asia's outlook Thai Business News Monday, 15 January 2007 Thailand is a country dealing with many of the problems Southeast Asian leaders at the recent Asean meeting should be stepping up efforts to fix - but aren't, according to Bloomberg writer William Pesek. Risks remain for foreign investors in Thailand, Pesek said, due to the inconsistent handling of the economy by the military junta. "As [foreign investment] returns, Asia must stand and deliver," Pesek said. "That means steady and transparent policy making, sound financial systems and making sure globalization raises living standards for all, not just the well connected." Bloomberg   Thailand tightens business rules Thai Business News Wednesday, 10 January 2007 Thailand's government on Tuesday went ahead with new rules on business ownership and voting rights for foreign companies operating in the country. The revised rules allow foreign firms two years to reduce their controlling voting rights in Thai-registered companies to less than 50 percent. The move comes as a second blow to foreign investors, who are still reeling from the central bank's decision last month to introduce some controversial capital controls on the baht. Reuters   Business urges rethink by Thai rulers Thai Business News Tuesday, 09 January 2007 Members of Thailand’s foreign business community on Monday urged the government to reconsider harsh revisions to the country’s foreign investment laws. International companies and foreign governments are worried by rumors that Thailand is preparing to alter its definition of what constitutes a foreign-owned or Thai-owned company. In response, Commerce Minister Krik-krai Jirapaet said the foreign business community should wait to comment on the matter until after details about the revisions are announced on Tuesday. Financial Times Bangkok Post   << Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>