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Expat NewsletterServing the Expat Community in Chiang Mai
Issue 66 AUGUST 2011 Free Copy
Yingluck Chinawatra,Thailand’s First Female Prime MinisterYingluck Shinawatra arrives at a news conference on the formation of her coalition government in Bangkok on July 4, a day after her stunning election victory. She will be Thailand’s first female Prime Minister. (Sukree Sukplang/Reuters)
Yingluck Shinawatra is set to become Thailand’s first female prime minister after her party, Puea Thai, won the majority of seats in the country’s general election on July 3.
Although a political novice herself, Yingluck, 44, comes from a family steeped in politics. The year after she was born, her father, Lert Shinawatra, became a member of parliament representing the northern city of Chiang Mai. Before he quit politics in 1976, he had also been deputy leader of his party.
One sister held office as Chiang Mai mayor; other siblings served as members of parliament.
However, it’s her brother Thaksin’s political career that matters most. He was Thailand’s prime minister from 2001 to 2006, when the military deposed him in a coup, declared martial law and suspended the constitution.
Yingluck’s critics say Thaksin, who is in self-imposed exile in Dubai, is the one who will be pulling the political strings once she takes office.
Continued on Page 6
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Page 2 | Expat Newletter | Issue 66
Outside Group Activites (OGA)
Expat Clubs
Please note that CEC meetings are now held once a month only.
The Chiang Rai Expats Club held a charity auction and dinner which raised 17,000 Baht for local good causes. The event was staged at the newly opened Dean Plaza on the outskirts of town, and despite fairly miserable weather was well attended. The bids came in thick and fast as auctioneer Neil Ray tried to keep pace with the
bidding. There was a wide range of donated items, notably original photography from Caty Dio who runs the Prataap Jai Gallery in Chiang Rai. The Gallery is a charity centre highlighting the work of local artists, as well as staging children’s events and Yoga classes.
A last minute donation was made of an Alpaca wool rug which fetched 2,000 baht, and this along with a superb
photograph from Caty were two highlights of a great evening. Other donations included photographs from other photographers, and odd things such as some stamps from Bhutan. In all, the proceeds went beyond expectations, and the club will now schedule in another similar event in 6 months time.
The money has been deposited and once a further decent sum is raised the funds will be transferred to the various charities, which the CREC feel are ‘deserving causes’. Charities are invited to contact the CREC if they would like to be considered.
Why not come along and meet some new friends and if you join you get to enter the prize draw, which has now grown to 9 prizes (not bad)! You may get lucky…Lifetime Membership fee is 500 Baht, meeting fees are 100 Baht for members and 150 for non members. Tea, coffee and light refreshments are included and the meeting takes place at the Inn Come Hotel opposite Big C on the Super Highway on the first Saturday of the month.
Coming Events &Future Speakers
Saturday, 23rd JulyKevin Richardson aka Ric, will be re-presenting the address he gave a few years ago, on THE FOUNDING OF WHITE AUSTRALIA.
Friday, 12th AugustCEC Coffee Morning 10am-12pm at Mokador Coffee Lounge, Opposite Wat Pra Singh
Saturday, 27th Augustcopywriter and author Paul Sullivan, who moved to Chiang Mai from Kenya in May this year. He will be talking about his first book 'Kikuyu District'.
Chiang Rai Expats Club
The Outside Group Activities operate independent from CEC without control or administration from CEC. The current groups are:Board & Card Games: Chris Hedges - [email protected] Mai Photographic Group: Mike See & Wyndham Hollis. [email protected] or visit http://cmpg.igroops.comChiang Mai Video Group: Mike Griffiths - [email protected] Club: Bill Dahm - [email protected] or visit http://chiangmai-geeks.phpbb3now.comDining Out Group: Paul Schoenkopf - [email protected] Ladies’ Lunch Group: Nancy Lindley - [email protected] Group: Mark Bleadon - [email protected]
Landscape Garden Group: Ralph Angell - [email protected] or visit cmgardenlandscapes.phpbb3now.comGay & Lesbian Friends Group: Bruce Janis - [email protected] Hikes: Roger Williams. Email: [email protected] or visit http://cmhike.comReading Group: Janet Greenleaf - [email protected]
Travel Club: Dorthy Engmann - [email protected]
Textile Arts: [email protected]
Writers Without Borders: Lee Thomas, [email protected]
Article written by Neil (Club Deputy Manager) Club contact details
Email: [email protected] tel. 0807402318
Page 4 | Expat Newletter | Issue 66 Counsellors Corner
We’ve all heard the rather optimistic cliché, “You’re only as old as you feel.”
It’s a nice thought…but in my opinion rather vague. There may be some of you out there who wake up each morning and pick a number, “I think I feel about 30 today”, but sadly I’ve heard more 30 year olds who complain of feeling 75, than the other way round!
Luckily the solution is simple. With a few changes in thought and behaviour we can choose how old to feel. Take these steps and see what happens:
1. Stop Moaning! A very renowned psychologist named Daryl Bem coined the phrase; “We learn what we believe by hearing ourselves talk.” Think about it…isn’t it true that the more you moan the worse you feel? Make a conscious decision to talk only about the good things in your life for a
whole day. Now try it for a week. You’ll feel younger already.
2. Join In! There is lots of evidence to prove that a sense of belonging is good for us. Becoming involved in our community, family or friendship group gives us a sense of our place in the world and increases energy, decreases depression and gives us a sense of being useful and important to others.
3. Take a risk! I don’t mean getting on your motorbike with no helmet, or even a parachute jump - although don’t rule that one out! As we get older our need for safety and
conformity often grows. We often become careful, not a bad thing in itself, but by ruling out all risk we can often rule out excitement. Being surprised and excited is a constant state for children, and sadly we often lose this as we grow up. Some ‘old fogies’ find children’s excitement irritating. Don’t be one of them! Actively seek new experiences - things to be surprised and excited about - you will feel happier, less cynical…and yes, younger.
OK…that’s a list of anti aging strategies, to start you off. Now you’re excited by life again, you’ll need some energy and vitality in order to further enjoy it.
Luckily I know a man who knows his stuff where physical anti-aging is concerned…my friend the Wellness Director. Take a look at his blog at: http://thewellnessdirector.com and pick up the information you need to live the life you want.
www.thelifechangepeople.com
Brought to you by The Life Change People, Chiang MaiCounsellors Corner
How Old Shall I Feel Today?
YK ConsultantsWe offer the following services :
- Legal Advice- Visa & Immigration- Company Formation- Family legal issues- Contract Drafting- Land transfers - Legal Translation Work- Trade Mark Reigistration
Services provided by experienced legal advisors who are expert in many areas of law (e.g.Immigration. Labor, Business, Land, Family, etc.).
For more information please contact Gift
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Page 5 | Expat Newletter | Issue 66 Thailand: Breaking the Silence on Domestic Violence
After the tragic death of Jaranun Tanjam who lay in intensive care in Chiang Mai's Maharaj hospital for 5 weeks before finally passing away on Friday, July 1st, the issue of domestic violence should be high on the agenda here in Thailand.
Khun Tanjam was deliberately set on fire by her crazed partner, suffering extensive burns to 70% of her body. She had recently separated from him after several beatings and had just started her own shop in Chiang Mai's Night Bazaar.
A friend said of her, "I met her at her shop originally as I passed by it regularly on my way to the gym. She was eager to practice her English and because she is such a pleasant, friendly and positive lady, I was happy to speak with her. She had just separated from her boyfriend prior to this dreadful incident and obtained a bank loan to open her own new shop in the Night Baazar. She also worked 2 days at a new day job - a very industrious person. I attended her funeral and it was very spiritual and moving - at least 150 people attended, she was a much loved and respected lady."
It was first thought that the 35 year old would survive her injuries but sadly that was not to be, adding her case to the list of many who have suffered extensive harm and even death here in Thailand, as a result of domestic violence in one form or another.
Domestic Violence is now a crime. Women who suffer from it can take their abusers to court. For the past few years, the United Nations Development program along with other UN agencies, has been working with the Royal Thai Government to implement the act effectively. This includes establishing a monitoring and reporting system and using public campaigns to raise awareness of domestic violence issues.Television personality, constitutional law expert and former Miss Thailand, Khun Areewan has always been a symbol of glamour and inspiration. And, as more people are finding out that she is also a victim of domestic violence, she has
become a symbol of defiance and strength.
“From a young age I have been brought up in a structure of the Thai family where women aren’t equal to men,” she said. “My boyfriend wanted to get married. I introduced him to my parents. That’s when he started beating me. At that time I thought this was his way of loving me.” For years, she accepted the abuse. Like many women in her situation, she made excuses for
what was happening. But one day she found the courage to leave. “I realised I was a victim of domestic violence. This was the starting point of my interest in women issues.” As she recovered, she realised countless others had suffered as she had. At that moment, she decided to tell her story publicly. Governments, political parties, women groups, magazines, television shows - anywhere she could tell her story, she would. Her activism and voice formed part of a groundswell of support that led to Thailand’s first ever law regarding victims of domestic violence.
Engaging women like Khun Areewan is crucial to inspire others to report cases of abuse and seek support. “The first challenge is to change the structure of Thai society, Areewan explained. “Men are always perceived to be on a higher level.”
The number of reported cases of violence against women and children is on the rise, from 11,542 in 2005 to 13,550 in 2006 with a considerable increase in 2010-2011.
Acid Burns Survivor whose ex-husband doused her face with acid, scarring her for life (Sept. 21, 2010). Acid attacks are most common in Cambodia, Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan but are on the increase here in Thailand.
Continued on Page 12
From Front Page
Yingluck Shinawatra,Thailand’s First Female Prime MinisterFrom wealth to wealthYingluck Shinawatra was born June 21, 1967, into one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in Chiang Mai. She is the youngest of nine children born to Lert Shinawatra and Yindi Ramingwong, the daughter of a princess.
While Thaksin, who is 18 years older than Yingluck, was in office, the family fortune — and its influence — grew considerably. Much of the family’s money came from its telecommunications businesses, which included Advanced Info Service, the largest mobile phone company in Thailand.
Yingluck earned an undergraduate degree in political science at Chiang Mai University and a master of arts degree in public administration from Kentucky State University in 1991. After graduating, she went to work at one of the family firms, Shinawatra Directory, Thailand’s yellow pages, selling advertisements.
Yingluck was taking on increasing responsibility in the family business while her brother Thaksin was taking on increasing responsibility in the political arena after his election to parliament in 1994. In 2001, he was elected prime minister.His government proved popular, especially in Thailand’s north, bringing in health insurance and programs like microcredit, aimed at helping Thailand’s usually neglected rural poor. In 2005, Thailand’s billionaire prime minister was re-elected in a landslide.
However, “Thaksin’s rule had seriously eroded respect for human rights in Thailand,” Human Rights Watch said in a
statement denouncing the military coup that overthrew him in 2006.
Among the violations Thaksin’s government is accused of committing are hundreds of extrajudicial killings that result-ed from the “war on drugs” Thaksin launched in 2003. His security forces are also accused of committing widespread human rights violations while fighting a mostly Muslim in-surgency in the south of the country.
Yingluck succeeds in businessWith her brother running the country, Yingluck was helping run Advanced Info Service. She was managing director until the mobile phone company’s controversial sale to a Singa-pore firm in 2006.
Yingluck then moved over to SC Asset Corp, the family’s real estate company, one of the biggest in Thailand, as execu-tive president.
In 1995, she married businessman Anusorn Amornchat, who is now in charge of M-Link Asia Corporation, which sells mobile phones and accessories. Another Shinawatra, sister Yaowapa Wongsawat, is the major shareholder in M-Link (and a former politician). Her husband, Somchai Wongsawat, was prime minister in 2008.
The day after Yingluck’s election victory, shares in M-Link were up 25 per cent.
Yingluck says it is from her brother Thaksin that she gets her business acumen.
“I have learned from him in business, and I understand his vision, how he solves problems and the way he built everything from the beginning,” she told Agence France Presse news agency.
From business to politicsBy 2009, Yingluck was already being touted as her brother Thaksin’s political heir.
She waited until May this year to make the leap into politics, aiming for the prime minister’s office.
“I am ready to fight according to the rules, and I ask for the opportunity to prove myself,” Yingluck told Puea Thai party members. “I ask for your trust as you used to trust my brother.”
Puea Thai is the third and latest incarnation of what Thais call the pro-Thaksin party, which has received the most seats in every general election since 2001.
During the electoral race, the Bangkok Post marvelled at “a brilliant marketing campaign” that played to Yingluck’s vote-getting strengths as a woman and a fresh face in politics with a history of success in business.
“I’ve seen too many men failing to run the country,” one Bangkok businesswoman told Reuters during the election campaign. “Maybe this time, things will be different.”
Yingluck had a legion of election advisers and proved excellent at following their advice to stay on message and avoid policy debates. She improved as a campaigner as the weeks went by. Already the front-runner, her party increased its strength in the polls as her popularity grew.
Navigates campaign minefieldsShe was also effective at avoiding the minefields along the electoral road.
One was the issue of amnesty for her brother, whom the Thai supreme court last year convicted of profiteering from his time in office, seizing about $1.5 billion of his property.
Yingluck told interviewers that as prime minister, she would put the public interest first and not tailor make rules to
benefit any one person.
In an interview with the Washington Post early in the campaign, she referred to a general amnesty as part of her plan for national reconciliation. The amnesty would extend to a whole host of people charged or barred from politics during the period of political unrest of the past five years.
“We have to move the country forward, to unite Thailand; amnesty will be after that,” she said. “If we do apply an amnesty, Dr. Thaksin will get the same treatment as any other [person].”
Her opponent, Abhisit Vejjajiva, countered that the plan was just “a way of cloaking the fact that she will try to enact a more blanket amnesty so Thaksin can get his.”
Yingluck was also attacked during the campaign for her role in the controversial 2006 sale of Advanced Info Service, as part of Shin Corp. The Shinawatra family’s sale of the company had already caused Thaksin political problems, as it occurred while he was prime minister and was structured in a way to make it tax-free, the Bangkok newspaper The Nation reported.
Once the election campaign was underway, some of Thaksin’s opponents pressed for Yingluck to be charged with perjury in relation to testimony she gave before government committee looking into the sale in 2007.
Yingluck said she could clear up the accusation against her.
“I will exercise patience and will provide all facts to the general public,” she said.
During the campaign, Yingluck replied in English when questions were posed to her in English at press conferences and interviews but her mastery of the language could not match that of her eloquent, British-born, Oxford-educated opponent, Abhisit.
Yingluck has a nine-year-old son, Suppasek, nicknamed Pipe. Her family nickname is Pou, which means crab.
Yingluck Shinawatra poses during the election campaign in Ubonratchathani province, northeast of Bangkok, June 15.
(Sakchai Lalit/Associated Press)
Yingluck Shinawatra walks with husband Anusorn Amornchat and son Supasek Amornchat during her 44th birthday at their residence in Bangkok June 21. (Sukree Sukplang/Reuters)
Page 8 | Expat Newletter | Issue 66 Columnist Paul Sullivan
My house in Chiang Mai is the forty-fifth I have lived in since birth. When I moved in last month I noticed a wooden shrine in the corner of the garden. It was ramshackle and crumbling, weathered and crumpled, drooping and leaning and it looked a sorry sight. I made an elementary cultural gaffe by discussing it with my landlord and offering to renovate it; by sanding and varnishing the wood and fixing it so that it stood upright and proud. He said he would take care of it when his family was present and on a propitious date. That night I read in the Rough Guide to Thailand that a spirit house (oh that’s what it is) is a religious icon, and even an unwanted or crum-bling spirit house should never be dismantled or destroyed. In due course a new, slimmer, golden spirit house was unloaded from the back of a pick-up and placed in the garden awaiting the auspicious date. Next day the gardener came to strim the lawn and tidy the garden and when I returned from the 7/11 he had chopped down a
cypress tree next to the spirit house. My landlord explained that he wanted to make that corner neater and cleaner and apolo-gized for not informing me about the proposed demolition. Eventually the old spirit house was removed and the new one installed while I was away on a long bike ride. It stands there now, decorated with jasmine, candles and plants and I realize
that it has nothing to do with me. It belongs to, and is primarily for the benefit of my landlord and his family who live three doors away. Nevertheless I hope the spirits know that I had their best interests at heart and leave me in peace in their new home, and mine.
I’m a frequent customer of 7/11 and take the opportunity to practice my Thai, such as it is, whenever I make a purchase. I am now familiar with numbers and know most of them, though not necessarily in the correct order. After paying a bill and receiving change on one occasion, a coin dropped to the floor beside me. With all the instincts and reflexes of an ex-footballer I attempted to trap the spinning coin with my foot. Luckily I missed. I say luckily
because, again thanks to the Rough Guide, you should never step on a coin or banknote, which is tantamount to kicking the King in the face. I knew what I had attempted to do as soon as I had done it and I tried to look all innocent, a bit like Mr. Bean, but the Thai customers in line behind me didn’t turn a hair and didn’t say a word or give me any dirty looks. It’s just as well that my reflexes and eye-foot coordination are not what they were.
In Airport Plaza a child, distracted by the lights and sights of the place nearly collided with me and I put my hand on his head, like a gentle rugby handoff, to prevent the impact. Again I realized what I had done as soon as I had done it; you shouldn’t touch the head, the most sacred part of the body. Apparently there is a bit of latitude when a child is involved but it’s easy to contravene cultural and social conventions. I’ve managed three in a month.
Chiang Mai is a great place for cycling. It’s fairly flat with good roads and mountains are nearby if you want to go off-road, so I went shopping with the intention of buying a mountain bike. In the first shop the bikes were stacked side by side, still in their Styrofoam and cardboard packing, with hard to read prices, some with the pedals missing, they were straight out of the box. I found one I liked at the first shop and, when I asked to ride it, was refused. The reason given was that the tyres would get dirty on a test run and it would no longer look new. This was the case at three other bike shops, no test rides. It didn’t make sense. Dirty tyres are of no consequence when buying a mountain bike. The key things are the fit of the frame and the riding position. It seemed that the bike shops almost didn’t want to sell a bike. If the tyres get dirty they can be washed or wheeled through a puddle. I imagined Thai Airways refusing to buy an Airbus because the tyres were dirty. The most I could extract from the third shop was an offer to put the bike on a stand so that I could straddle it and check the fit. But no test ride. I moved on. Eventually I found Jacky’s Bikes whose sales people were helpful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Of course I could test ride a bike, as many as I wished. So I bought a Trek 3900 mountain bike on the spot. I never thought it would be so difficult to get my leg over in Thailand.
Paul Sullivan will be presenting the highlights of his book, 'Kikuyu District: The Edited Letters of Francis Hall 1892-1901' this month - a fascinating account of the life of a semi-nomadic Englishman who was assigned to an isolated fort in pre-colonial British East Africa. As his colleagues died around him, from fever, dysentery, lions and poisoned arrows, Francis Hall assumed command of Fort Smith and became a one-man-band in the middle of nowhere…Find out more at Chiang Mai Expats Club monthly meeting on Saturday, 27th August, 10am for 10.30am at The Shangri La Hotel.
BY PAUL SULLIVAN
CULTURE SHOCK IN CHIANG MAI
Copywriter and author Paul Sullivan moved to Chiang Mai from Kenya in May this year. Below, he outlines some initial impressions of his first months in Thailand.
Kikkuyu District is available on Amazon in paperback and in Kindle.
Page 9 | Expat Newletter | Issue 66
Cryptic CrosswordDown1 Untidy USA - a trial country (9)2 Stops us making unpredictable events (4-3)3 First men without help (6)4 Very small team in New York, initially (4)5 Meeting regarded as a normative example (10)6 Individual for each child, Alex (8)7 Dissent over professional exam (7)8 Try us out - we're out of practice (5)13 Numerical calculations?A Red Indian thought he might eat toffee in class initially! (10)16 Pious, silly girlie is nothing to America (9)17 Food that South Africa and America have for a long time (8)19 Telly or silly thing to put your shopping in (7)21 Manila's odd beasts (7)22 6 across reflector (6)23 Sinbad lying disguised being not well (5)25 Shock a French saint first (4)
Across1 Robotlike gold cat in the loft, it sounds like (9)6 Stop a person including the Guardian, say (5)9 Sounds come back without second sitting (7)10 Contracts for nitrogen weapons (7)11 Ways out in mid-dress (6)12 Retrieval that every orc makes (8)14 Tilt Joseph, without hesitation (4)15 Mathematical instrument in favour of vehicle (10)18 Tart action spoilt pulling power (10)20 Drop everything on Friday! (4)23 Flowers defeat manic mobs outside (8)24 Growing teacher comes back in middle-age (6)26 Joy of French luminosity (7)27 Twister returns at a party, or nothing initially inside (7)28 You don't finish twice, then you get small toys (2-3)29 Dissimilarities surprising or scant when good man is inside (9)
Crossword
solution
For more information on advertising please contact KHUN UMPIGA BOONYASINK
Tel. 08-9138-4757 Email: [email protected] NewsletterServing the Expat Community in Chiang Mai
‘I love life’: Fun-loving British tourist and Chiang Mai resident, 25, swept to her death after slipping into remote Indian river...
Christina Louise Reed, drowned in a river while travelling with her boyfriend in a remote part of India.
The 25-year-old’s body was recovered by police divers on the afternoon of Tuesday, 28th June.
Miss Reed, from Torquay in Devon, had not been seen since getting caught in a strong current as she slipped and fell into the swollen Umkynsan River on the previous Saturday.
Boyfriend Anthony Biddlecombe, a qualified swimming instructor, dived into the surging waters to save her, but she was trapped on a boulder beneath the water.
The 28-year-old tried his best to resuscitate his girlfriend, whom he had met and lived with when they were both studying at the University of Sussex.
But after going under the waves with mouthfuls of air for Miss Reed, a business studies graduate, for the fifth time he
noticed that she had become limp, and swam to the surface to look for help.
But being a long way from the nearest town, Mr Biddlecombe, who was with an American couple when his girlfriend slipped into the river, could not find any immediate assistance.
Diving under the water once more, to where Miss Reed had been moments earlier, the trained lifeguard was distraught to find that she was no longer there and had been swept away by the strong monsoonal currents.
A frantic search began, and Mr Biddlecombe, from Sandown on the Isle of Wight, was hopeful that ‘by some miracle, she would be alive’, his father, Graham, told journalists. The 56-year-old continued: ‘But a miracle did not happen and now it’s just awful, a complete mess, It’s the stuff you see on films, not in real life.’ Anthony, his son, a psychology graduate, had to identify Miss Reed’s drowned body after a team of 20 police divers recovered it following the four-day search.
After living and working in Chiang Mai for the last 2 years, the couple had flown to India earlier in June and had been trekking in the village of Sohra, formerly known as Cherrapunjee, and officially the wettest place in the world, in the middle of the Indian monsoon.
Tragic: Chrissie Reed, 25, pictured here with long-time boyfriend Anthony Biddlecombe, has drowned in India
Her untimely death has led to a stream of messages from friends here in Chiang Mai, the UK and worldwide on her Facebook page, here are just a small selection that show how much she meant to those that knew her. R.I.P:
“Christina, You are a dazzling soul. I think of happy laughter with you in Thailand, I am blessed to have had the time I spent with you, you are in my thoughts and heart, Aloha”
“Christina, it’s hard to add anything to the heartfelt comments that are already here. But this proves how many hearts you touched in your short journey through life. You saw and did far more than most will ever do and shone your bright beam of fun for life and appreciation for what ‘living’ really means into the hearts of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing you. You were unfairly snatched from those that loved you so much, but now I know that you are with those we love that are already in heaven. You will be missed so much by so many, but never, never forgotten. Heaven has a new angel, one that will shine as brightly there as you did here. xx”
“My darling Chrissie I can’t describe the loss I’m feeling right now. The posts have confirmed what I always knew about you though… You were a one off.”
“I can’t believe you are really gone Chrissie. The world will miss you so much. I will always remember you here in Chiang Mai safe and well. It feels like you are still somewhere just down the road...maybe see you again, somewhere down the road I hope.”
“RIP Chrissie, you had a beautiful soul and a infectious smile. Miss you lots.”
Many people have been worried about what the implications of the recent election will be for them and their visas. Firstly whatever your political persuasions, the Pheu Thai party will certainly be good news for Northern Thailand.
They have set out plans to improve infrastructure, continue micro financing and investing heavily in the north. This means if you have a business or home here you are likely to see business and prices increase. As far as visas are concerned, changes are unlikely due to the large issues facing the new government. Although mooted (mostly on websites by foreigners), I do not see the long term 5 year visa being brought in. That means the retirement visa is unlikely to change. Therefore, you will still need to show 800,000 in a Thai bank account or this amount as a combination of a pension and funds.
One final aside. The changes for American citizens and their ability to ‘swear’ to their income (actual proof of income is now required) has been a cause of concern for many in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai immigration will bring this policy in at some point in the future, but for now the news is that the old method is still possible. If you have any queries please email me at [email protected]
The Election: What the Result Will Mean for Expats in Chiang Mai.
Page 12 Expat Newsletter | Issue 66
Thailand: Breaking the Silence on Domestic Violence
(Continued from page 5)
According to the Public Health Ministry’s One Stop Crisis Center (OSCC), in 2007, there were more than 19,000 cases of violent abuse reported against women and children, 80 percent involved domestic violence. Husbands, lovers or relatives are the majority of the perpetrators of domestic violence – often involving abuse of alcohol and drugs. Khun Nareerat has provided support to abused women since 1998. This includes counselling, legal guidance, a place to stay and even a hot meal. “For the past two years, we worked with various organisations in many provinces and found that people are aware of the Domestic Violence Act, yet there are obstacles in its implementation,” said Nareerat.
She added that although more cases are being reported to the po-lice and hospitals a lot remains to be done to increase the ability of the authorities to respond effectively. To effectively tackle vio-lence against women – and the unequal power relations between men and women – it is also crucial to address overall gender in-equalities. “Women play a major role in the Thai economy, and Thailand has a good record of commitments to gender equality. However, women do not always have a status equal to their role in society,” said Gwi-Yeop Son, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Thailand. With the law pro-hibiting domestic violence now in place, and women like Khun Areewan continuing to speak out on this issue, domestic violence can no longer be ignored in Thailand. For additional resources on Tackling Violence and Inequality visit UNDP Thailand: http://www.undp.or.th
Page 13 Expat Newsletter | Issue 66
Personal Income Tax (PIT) is a direct tax levied on income of a person. A person means an individual, an ordinary partnership, a non-juristic body of person and an undivided estate. In general, a person liable to PIT has to compute his tax liability, file tax return and pay tax, if any, accordingly on a calendar year basis.
1. Taxable Person Taxpayers are classified into “resident” and “non-resident”. “Resident” means any person residing in Thailand for a period or periods aggregating more than 180 days in any tax (calendar) year. A resident of Thailand is liable to pay tax on income from sources in Thailand as well as on the portion of income from foreign sources that is brought into Thailand. A non-resident is, however, subject to tax only on income from sources in Thailand.
2. TAX BASE 2.1 Assessable Income Income chargeable to the PIT is called “assessable income”. The term covers income both in cash and in kind. Therefore, any benefits provided by an employer or other persons, such as a rent-free house or the amount of tax paid by the employer on behalf of the employee, is also treated as assessable income of the employee for the purpose of PIT.
2.2 Deductions and Allowances Certain deductions and allowances are allowed in the calculation of the taxable income. Taxpayer shall make deductions from assessable income before the allowances are granted. Therefore, taxable income is calculated by: TAXABLE INCOME = Assessable Income - deductions - allowances
2.3 Tax Credit for dividends Any taxpayer who domiciles in Thailand and receives dividends from a juristic company or partnership incorporated in Thailand is entitled to a tax credit of 3/7 of the amount of dividends received. In computing assessable income, taxpayer shall gross up his dividends by the amount of the tax credit received. The amount of tax credit is creditable against his tax liability.
By Kritiya Kanthasate (LL.B.), YK Consultants
Personal Income Tax(Part 1)
continued in next issue
We Don't Need Your Money!Just Your Love!
All our 70 dogs at the Animal Rescue Kingdom (ARK) need people to come and visit them and pet and play with them on 9rai with a lake. They all run free...
If you have time on your hands, please think about visiting us. You won't be sorry.
Our website is www.theark-cm.com and email is [email protected]
You can call us for directions or pick up at 053-206165 or 088-547-7393
*This ad was prepared by Mr. Grant, formerly of J. Walter Thompson, Young&Rubican and Oglivly & Mather. He got carried away trying to attract you attention with the headline. And it worked but we do need money too!
Pest Management
Chiangmai Three Service
417/20 Moo. 6 T. Maehia Muang, Chiang MaiTel.053-285242 Fax.053-283000
Website : www.chiangmaithree.com E-mail : [email protected]
Cleaning Service
Security Service
C T S
The Chiang Mai Cleaning Company incorporates professional cleaners, all natural, chemical free, environmentally friendly products,
Mae Baan training, and first class customer service enabling personal and long-term relationships with our clients.
Phone: 087 191 6630Email: [email protected]
chiangmaicleaning.com
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CM
MY
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CMY
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PRECIOUS.pdf 1 18/04/2011 11:25
This Newsletter and its contents is copyright Expats Newsletter © Expats Newsletter. All rights reserved.
“We care for you, wherever you are”Banking ServicesMoney Transfer
Money Exchange Certified letter for visa
etc.Please contact
PHONPSI KARNKONHUManager
Bangkok Bank, Kad Suan Kaew Branch
Tel. 053-225-465-7 ext. 1001 Fax. 053-225464Mobile: 081 2881644
Email: [email protected]
Address: 21 Huay kaew Rd. Tambon Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang
Mai 50200, THAILAND
Contact 053-124-430 or 053-124-263 (ext. 139)
Website: www.mckeanhosp.org Email : [email protected]
