The Thai government has decided to waive personal income tax for foreign actors when working in Thailand in the next five years, in a fresh bid to attract foreign crews to the country.
Bangkok (VNA) - The Thai government hasdecided to waive personal income tax for foreign actors when working inThailand in the next five years, in a fresh bid to attract foreign crews to thecountry.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek saidon June 21 that the tax incentive is part of the government’s efforts todevelop the country’s soft power.
Thailand earned an average of 3.5 billion THB a year from foreign film crewsfrom 2017 to 2021, with the revenue increasing to 5 billion THB last year.
Incentives provided to foreign film crews include cash rebates of 15-20% of theexpenses incurred in Thailand, with limits capped at 75 million THB, saidRachada adding that actors have been required to pay personal income tax whilethey were working in Thailand, despite the fact that they have to pay personalincome taxes in their home countries as well.
With the income tax exemption, Thailand expects togain an average of 3.5 billion THB in revenue per annum from foreign film crewsover the next five years, totaling 17.5 billion THB, while the amount ofrevenue lost through the tax exemption for the same period will be about 71.75million THB./.
Thailand’s cabinet has approved a budget worth 3.5 billion THB (100 million USD) to hire more than 68,000 recent graduates and jobless people nationwide through BCG (bio-, circular and green) projects to kick-start the job market as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to subside.
Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on June 21 met the Vietnamese community in Udon Thani province, as part of her ongoing visit to Thailand to attend the Global Summit of Women 2022.
Governor of Udon Thani province of Thailand Sayam Sirimongkol expressed his wish for increasing cooperation with Vietnamese localities, particularly in economy and culture, at a meeting with visiting Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on June 22.
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Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
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The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
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Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
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Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
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Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
