Foreign Business Act - and foreigner lobby in BKK

[doseiai]

The FBA is now being voted on. Unknown to many of us,
there is a lobby for foreign interests in Bangkok, that supports weakening it or throwing out the act altogether.

On Aug 8 a majority of the NLA (Legislature) voted in favour of expanding the definition of foreigners to include: a) the power to appoint or remove a majority of directors, b) the power to determine the company's future direction, and c) in the case of multi-tier holding company structure, a proposal to categorise each tier in the structure as foreign.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/23Aug2007_biz37.php

He said that businesses in the manufacturing, export and some other industries were not affected. (i.e. Japanese multinationals)

Also, there is a lobby that supports tightening of screws on foreigners.

Here are some orgs that may help to sway lobbyists:

* Joint-Foreign Chambers of Commerce is looking out for foreigner's rights. Deepak Mittal is the vice-chairman.

* British Chamber of Commerce in BKK. (BCCT). www.bccthai.com, 7th Floor, 208 Wireless Road, Lumphini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel: +66 (0) 2651-5350-3 Fax: +66 (0) 2651-5354 Email: greg@bccthai.com

* American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand
7th Floor, GPF Witthayu A, 93/1 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel: +66 (0) 2254-1041 Fax: 66 (0) 2251-1605 Email: service@amchamthailand.com

It seems that the old business of Thailand is still angry about the 1997 baht crisis when they had to sell off their businesses to foreigners, and this is their payback by shutting all foreigners out from the economy, leaving a clause for Japanese manufacturers, of course. Yet all foreigners in service industries are blanket targeted, whether we had anything to do with the crisis or not.

Nevertheless, I feel that something can be done to stop this Act. If u r angered by this law, don't complain. Do something! Now's the time, as they are voting on this act!

[mdechgan]

I think the act should be stopped unless it covers the Japanese also.
It would be injustice (like there is such a thing as justice here) for them to ban all foreigners except the Japanese selectively. Either ban all of us or don't ban us at all. Frankly speaking the Thais can argue that foreigners should have no right to control the local countries laws. However money talks here and money in Thailand has a very big voice so lobbyist shouldn't have a problem.

The Thai do not understand the basics of economics or history. In economics there has to be a free market where goods and finances flow easily to benefit the country's economy like perfect competition.

The Thais also forget that in Thai history the Thais themselves are foreigners.
The Thai language and culture is a mix of pali, Chinese, Indian, Hindu, Laotian, Mon, and etc. Most of the high ranking officials and lawmakers don't forget were educated from overseas universities.

The Thai are scared and kinds pissed off that most of the successful people and businesses in Bangkok are foreigners in a sense.
Some of the richest people are Chinese or Indian, Sikh. Just look how busy the Yaowarat, Sampeng (Chinese), Pahurat (Sikh), Silom, Sathorn (western corporations) Most of the prime real estate (other than the royal family) and wealthy landlords or of either Chinese or Indian descent such as (Lek Nana).
These people are successful because of hard work not because of favorable laws.

[Hawkeye]

The Thais will do as they wish. It is their country.

The foreigners will do as they wish. It is their money and skill.

The 1997 financial crisis also hurt the foreigners who were already invested in Thailand. A tougher FBA will hurt them more. It won't affect foreign speculators who were the real instigators of the crisis of 1997.

I think the foreign business community is receiving the message loud and clear that their investments are not wanted in Thailand. They will act accordingly.

[doseiai]

It's not that Japanese are singled out, its that *Manufacturers* are singled out as being exempt, because their exports support the baht, just so happens that most of them are large Japanese corporations. Manufacturers are largely exempt from the FBA. Every nation bends to big business, so this is no suprise. Japanese small businessmen involved in service industries are still affected by the FBA, there is no special status for any foreigner over another.

-My point to you all is the FBA is being re-written as we speak, as was the Constitution. NOW is the time to mobilize It's not about whether its right or legimate or not what the Thai are doing. The point is that anyone who expect rights needs to lobby or fight for them...nobody will grant you rights if you don't make yourself heard. There are avenues for that that I listed above.