Reunion tour
Re: "Ex-PM keen for sister to come back", (BP, April 15).
Hello PostBag readers and followers, I am back with yet another of my intrepid predictions. As you may recall, I previously mentioned that the fugitive, convicted, criminal sister of the former fugitive, convicted, criminal brother will probably be back soon.
Lo and behold, the brother just announced that same intention. He has put authorities on notice (or should I say expressed his desire) that she will return this year so they can all party together next year. Isn't that sweet?
I can see it now. She arrives at the VIP section of the airport sans-passport and is greeted by a multitude of bigwigs. Then, with a police escort, she is whisked off to get a sentence that she will never serve. She will then be escorted to a prison where, like her brother, she will express her disdain for the accommodation.
Doctors will then rush her to a VIP room where she will be diagnosed with severe, chipped nail polish syndrome and have to be hospitalised until her sentence (substantially reduced, of course) is over, wherein she will miraculously reappear with new, gleaming fingernails.
Isn't medical service great here? And all of that is paid for by taxpayers -- like you. So, post this on your refrigerator door to remind yourselves of my words and see how soon my prediction comes true.
Sooth Sayer
Taxing times
Re: "Amendment to see overseas income taxed", (Business, Sept 26, 2023).
As a retiree in Thailand for 20 years, I and many others are concerned with the lack of clarity regarding proposed tax liability for funds brought into Thailand (commencing Jan 1 this year .)
I was keen to buy a house in Hua Hin two months ago, and it seemed beyond logic and common sense that I would be taxed on the money transferred for the purchase.
When I told the real estate agent I was not going ahead with the purchase, he told me that I was by no means the only would-be buyer to give the same reason for not buying.
While potentially a few thousand cancelled property purchases nationwide may not amount to a huge sum, there are other factors which need consideration. I, for one, will be reducing my spending to ensure that I don't have to bring more (potentially taxable) money in from my home country this year, and again, I am one of many thousands in the same position.
Also, as the proposed tax on investing in Thailand is aimed at those residing in Thailand for more than six months a year, if my pension and other funds are taxed, I will be booking Airbnb properties in Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines and Cambodia for the remaining six months. It's not a threat: a simple, logical statement of fact.
Chang Louie
Poisoned chalice
Re: "Straight talker", (PostBag, April 13).
I'm flattered that Bill Renoise suggests I would make a good moderator in negotiations between the Israeli government and Hamas to bring about a ceasefire and get aid moving more rapidly into Palestine.
I'll take the compliment at face value, though the cynic in me can't help but wonder if I'm missing a subtle hint that I'd be doing PostBag readers a favour by shuffling myself off to the front line of a war zone rather than penning opinionated letters from the safety of my little Isaan village. Either way, Bill, thanks for nothing! What a poisoned chalice such a role would be.
Ray Ban
