Will the Philip. pave the way for new Thai business and property laws for foreigners?

[plorf]

Interesting article about what we can probably expect in the Phil in the not-so-distant future.
Much more than Malaysia the Philippines are probably the closest Thailand has to a regional rival/concurrence. If they amend their constitution in such a way it might give a strong signal to Thailand to follow in due time.
What do you think ?
Asia Times Online :: Southeast Asia news and business from Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam

(edit: spelling...)

[EmperorTud]

Thailand, or more accurately; Thailand under a constitutional Monarchy, will never allow foreigners to own land in Thailand.

It's against the core principles of the sufficiency economy.

We are headed towards a policy of localism which does not require foreign investment. It is a very inward looking policy and all the signs point to the tightening of controls regarding foreigners in Thailand.

Forget what the similar countries are doing, Thailand is headed in it's own direction, and it will be the opposite to the way the Philippines is headed, unless something revolutionary, if I may use that word, happens.

[plorf]

I generally agree Tud, but imho the last word has not yet been spoken in this regard. I still doubt the general population is so ready to embrace these principles of self sufficiency. And Thais are very sensitive when it comes to neighbours developping faster than themselves. Just ask them what they think about the economic growth of Vietnam, most Thais I've met, even workers, were well aware of that issue.

edit: And with the Philippines most likely doing very well with relaxed investment laws it may have the renewed chance to rival Thailand in a few key industries namely
-tourism
-automobile
-machine
-textile etc..
Certainly the Philippines have a lot of problems themselves and I am simplifying things, but it may eventually have that effect I think.

[EmperorTud]

I still doubt the general population is so ready to embrace these principles of self sufficiency.

They are not, and that is precisely what we are witnessing going on in Thailand at the moment.

[blackgang]

Thailand might just lose out somewhat as the Phils are not to far ahead of Thailand anymore where thieves and thievery is concerned and what with the happenings in the south it is not that much safer than the Phils anymore.
The safety factor was one of the influential factors when I came here with my child, but it is no matter anymore as she has been going to school in the states for the last 6 years, If not for her I would have went to the Phils instead of here anyway as I have a goodly number of friends there who worked for me or with me on jobs from SEA to SWA.

[Spyker]

Thailand is in need for a big change , as we all know it will take
a long time and many painful confrontations , which will force them
a change of mindset to clear it . Perhaps when they are getting too far behind the curve with other SE Asian nations , the prospect of more money and greed will definitely prevail in time .

[plorf]

^Exactly. It might be just that crucial comparative advantage that'll turn the Phils around. After all with better job prospects from foreign companies and a generally better outlook for the economy other things like poverty related crime might actually improve as well. And I am firmly convinced that big, fully foreign owned companies are much less affected with low level corruption, as they simply won't have to care much about the whims of local officials with a government that aims to promote foreign investment.
Certainly not the cure for everything, but a big leap forward should it actually abandon the 40/60 quota and allow foreign property ownership.

edit: And all Thais I know who work for a foreign managed company would never want to go back to a Thai managed one. A job in Rayong is still way better paid than similar jobs in other regions of Thailand, but higher salaries seems to be just one small advantage, according to them.

[Mid]

forget it , Thailands future lies to it's North and they are just dandy with the status quo .

[plorf]

Burma it is then. All right, saves us all a lot of thinking.
"Too mutt think mai dee !!"

[Rural Surin]

So the issue is...?? Are you expecting Asia to transform itself by 'Western' models? Why might you people be so overty concerned if LOS has or hasn't property laws for foreigners?

[Rural Surin]

Your attempts at re-making Asia in your image or Eurocentric model is futile. Never has been nor never will be. Can you as a Farang...really own property in the West?

[EmperorTud]

So the issue is...?? Are you expecting Asia to transform itself by 'Western' models? Why might you people be so overty concerned if LOS has or hasn't property laws for foreigners?

It's the ethic of reciprocity.

[Mid]

Can you as a Farang...really own property in the West?

well seeing as how you can put it up as collateral for a loan I'd say yes

[Rural Surin]

So the issue is...?? Are you expecting Asia to transform itself by 'Western' models? Why might you people be so overty concerned if LOS has or hasn't property laws for foreigners?

It's the ethic of reciprocity.

I don't buy that. A bit dreamy. A better sense that I have, is that you folks don't really give a rat's arse about such cultural things {in Asia}. There is nothing ethical about your proposals.

[blackgang]

well he did increase his post count by 3 and didn't say a fucking word.

[EmperorTud]

I don't buy that. A bit dreamy.

Fair enough, but don't complain when we exercise reciprocity by tightening our borders, clamping down on immigration and restricting foreign property investment in the near future then.

[Rural Surin]

Can you as a Farang...really own property in the West?

well seeing as how you can put it up as collateral for a loan I'd say yes

I don't believe you can really own land in the industrialized West. Everything is controlled by the state. Eminent domain. Vacancy of familial land. The West isn't so special. exceptional, or extraordinary as you envision....

[Mid]

sorry , I'll need more than your belief , as much as your entitled to it

[Rural Surin]

I don't buy that. A bit dreamy.

Fair enough, but don't complain when we exercise reciprocity by tightening our borders, clamping down on immigration and restricting foreign property investment in the near future then.

OK Tuddy. Fair enough back at ya. I don't complain....never have. I come from this idealistic and romantic camp that insist foreigners can't own land - would be terribly distructive.

[Butterfly]

Your attempts at re-making Asia in your image or Eurocentric model is futile. Never has been nor never will be. Can you as a Farang...really own property in the West?

I agree, if foreigners were given rights to own land, you losers would be complaining how you got priced out and how it's not fair because you couldn't get a fair deal. Thai land for the Thais.

I don't believe you can really own land in the industrialized West.

They make property taxes very expensive, making sure you pay to the nose that "right" as it is a profitable business for the state. Do you really own it if you have to pay "service charge" or "rent" on something you thought belonged to you ? it's even more ridiculous in England where the "ownership" expires every 99 years.

[plorf]

You seem to be a bit of a romantic yourself Rural Surin. By protecting the local elite from foreign companies entering into the market and create stiffer competition Thailand doesn't protect its cultural heritage. You are not selling your country by allowing foreigners to own their own house. They can still regulate the property market by introducing certain laws. But Thais as a population can only win if more and more foreign companies invest in new factories, especially with the current luxury tax. If you don't want to import all these goods, get them to produce locally with their own management style and not in cooperation with some incompetent thai company. All sides except the clumsy old elite unable to adapt to new times will profit.

edit: Oh, you've already admitted to being a romantic, no need to accuse you of that then eh ? ;-)

[spiff]

And with the Philippines most likely doing very well with relaxed investment laws it may have the renewed chance to rival Thailand in a few key industries namely -tourism -automobile -machine -textile etc..

You must be joking. Never.

[spiff]

Fair enough, but don't complain when we exercise reciprocity by tightening our borders, clamping down on immigration and restricting foreign property investment in the near future then.

Tell me, how easy is it for a Thai national to get a tourist visa to the UK at present? Or a work permit, or retirement visa?

You'd think the Thais would line up now that living expenses in the UK are well below Thailand.

[plorf]

^^ I admit to not being an expert when it comes to the Philippines, but can it really be that much worse than Thailand ?

[Rural Surin]

They will never be like you/us. Why do you insist that they proceed in such a way?