OPINION

Stimuli aren't enough

Re: "Economic stimuli in the works," (BP, May 27).

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's obsession with short-term stimuli like his B10K digital handout while ignoring the underlying causes of our poorly performing economy is like putting a good-looking shirt on a stage 4 cancer patient and doing nothing else.

Our root problem is that we lack the nationwide high-quality education needed to create and sustain high productivity, especially in rural and low-income areas -- as shown by students' PISA scores.

As former PM Anand Panyarachun emphasised, this inequality in education leads to inequality in economic opportunities. For example, although farmers were 30.42% of our 2024 workforce, they accounted for only 10% of our 2019 GDP.

What we need is a radical change in mindset at the top -- starting with you, PM Srettha -- not another government department.

Tax goes too far

Re: "New visa promotions, retiree insurance reduced", (March, 28).

It would seem that Thailand is faced with a simple choice: continue with the tax on foreign income and destroy the thriving retirement and mobility hub built over decades, or exempt long-stay tourists (be they retirees or nomads) from the tax on foreign income and allow the economy to benefit from their remittances, consumption, and investment. The latter seems the most sensible course for the nation.

After all, the concept of tax is a social compact where tax is paid in exchange for social benefits.

In the case of long-stay tourists there are no social benefits on offer or expected. No work permit, no heath cover, no social security, and no path to permanent residence.

What is on offer is merely permission to remain in Thailand in exchange for the remittance of capital that would not have otherwise been destined for the country.

Not only is a tax exemption on foreign remittances fair in these circumstances, such an exemption would not in any way violate EU/OECD tax transparency standards, which Thailand seems so keen to adhere to.

In fact, many EU and OECD countries have chosen to offer a full or partial exemption to long-stay nomads and retirees from taxes on foreign income remitted during their stay. Those that only offer partial tax relief, compensate by providing access to the full range of social benefits offered to resident citizens and a path to citizenship.

Thailand's tax on remittances is simply a step too far for many. Foreigners and their capital will choose to avoid Thailand, and many of those who currently reside in Thailand will make plans to move elsewhere or choose to remit much less capital to avoid tax.

Big Boss, beware

Re: "Pheu Thai plans to make coups illegal", (BP, May 22).

You cannot keep a bad man down, they say. Pheu Thai's "Big Boss" is at it again, determined to regain control of his country by shredding the guardrails imposed upon him in that not-so-secret deal which enabled this convicted felon to return home, without the inconvenience of serving jail time.

Will this be another case of "a bridge too far" for Thaksin? Judging by the extraordinary statement issued by Pheu Thai to mark the 10th anniversary of the 2014 coup, and his many blatantly political activities since returning home, the answer must be yes.

Pheu Thai said it does not accept coups, or any action that may lead to one, and nor does it support amnesties for coup-makers.

For a party which jumped into bed with coup-makers, betraying millions of its supporters, coups are now a crime against humanity and democracy! Pheu Thai deputy leader Chusak Sirinil went further: "It's wrong to accept coup-makers as ratthathipat (sovereign) and let them run the country. It's important that people stand up against it."

Some analysts suggest Thaksin is pursuing two prime objectives: consolidating his and his family's power, and rebuilding his personal popularity -- both badly damaged by his betrayal of democracy and reform.

But Thaksin, and his family should remember the powers that be actually have a huge arsenal of constraining actions at their disposal, before they ever need to consider resorting to another coup.

There's that Section 112 issue relating to the Korean media interview, and most recently his failed attempt to install his disgraced personal lawyer as a cabinet member, with Prime Minister Srettha as a side casualty.