Government

There is a correction on date the Land Office property transfer fees increase, however this is good news for foreigners who want to buy property or own property in company limited names and want to transfer it to a Thai person and close the company. The date transaction fees go up is March 26. In most cities the district office of the Land Department- where transactions like ownership, lease agreements and mortgage loan agreements on official titled deeds are recorded - will no longer be subsidized by the government after March 26 causing fees to increase back to the rates in place for many years prior to the April, 2008 reduction. This will also give foreign Managing Directors time to consider transferring property held in a Thai company name into the name of a Thai and securing the property by attaching a mortgage loan agreement or lease on the property as a lien recorded at the land office. The company can then be closed saving yearly taxes and avoiding regulatory scrutiny for have a non-performing company used only to own property by a foreigner.

A government appointed committee investigating alleged corruption in the Public Health Ministry's Bt86 billion procurement projects, found signs of irregularities in the spending of the ministry's funds, and has recommended a review of all projects.

Political dissent which came to the boiling point in Pattaya in April spread to Bangkok and then nationwide resulting in a recent multi-million signature petition to His Majesty caused King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 81, to make a rare speech to an audience at his seaside palace in Hua Hin on August 21. The widely revered king warned that the country could collapse if its feuding political factions do not unite, as the government braced for fresh street protests.

A meeting between Chinese investors and the Thai Government aimed at stimulating the Thai economy has been held in Pattaya.

The Thai government will rate films shown in movie theatres and sold in Thailand beginning this month according to recently passed legislation. The symbols are being developed and will be released soon.