OPINION

Taxing possibility

Re: "New tax rules need clarification," (Editorial, Oct 8).

Even if Thai Revenue wanted to exclude from taxation income that had already been taxed abroad, e.g. overseas pensions, how would officers here actually know that? Presumably by requiring every expat to register with the tax department, obtain a TIN (tax identification number) and submit annual returns for adjudication. Good morning, chaos!

Re: "Democrat calls for probe into Thaksin", (BP, Oct 7).

A Democrat Party member recently asked on which floor the pampered convict had access to a swimming pool. That is difficult to answer since it depends on which hotel (oops, prison block) he decided to visit.

The pools are located on various floors in each. I am sure that he was wearing official "designer" swimming trunks, as required by prison regulations. From the picture, he had a "rehab" partner who guided him through his workout and who wished to remain anonymous.

And, to be on the safe side, hotel guests (I mean other patients) were excluded from the pool so they would not contract the dangerous condition he was suffering from. That was really considerate.

It would not surprise me in the least if he were transferred to a more convenient (secure) holding area -- say somewhere with a view on the Chao Phraya River -- in order to facilitate his recovery until he is released. I can't wait to be incarcerated so that I can be provided with the best of prison conditions like him.

Re: "Srettha defends wallet scheme", (BP, Oct 7) & "Critics of handout fail to faze premier," (BP, Oct, 8).

The strenuous objections of the 99 economics experts -- including Bank of Thailand governors -- who claim that Mr Srettha's planned B10,000/person handout to boost consumption is unnecessary, deserve thorough debate and discussion -- B560bn of your money and mine is at stake.

For example, the average Thai household had B559,408 in debt as of 2022 (per University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce survey) -- which was a record high. If you get a windfall gain, you should reduce debt -- not increase consumption, which is already beyond your ability to pay.

Finance Minister Srettha is unable to counter critics' arguments on their merits, so he uses their small number to justify his push for the digital wallet. By that "logic," I propose that we distribute the wealth of the 1,000 most wealthy Thais to the rest of us. Presumably the vote would be 1,000: 70 million -- but does that mean we should proceed?

As a wise man said, "There's no free lunch."