Get paid to travel in Thailand starting July 15

Travel again with taxpayer help when a program to boost domestic tourism begins July 15.

That’s the new date for the THB22.4-billion fund to begin subsidizing travel and accommodations for Thai nationals 20 and up through October, the cabinet announced today. It’s also when travelers can register with Krung Thai Bank, where they must hold an account to participate.

Though the ban on international travel will be lifted Wednesday, strict rules will limit who can enter the kingdom, and tourists will not be allowed in for the foreseeable future due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Pocket Money app (iOS and Android) will provide a promotional code that must be used to access the funds.

Registered users can get 40% of their accommodation expense – capped at THB3,000 per night – for up to five nights one time only during the program. They must book a place outside their home province at least three days in advance.

Those who reserve their stays that way will also get a THB600 e-voucher to use for food and services in the destination province while they travel until on their day of check-out.

Thirdly, is a travel subsidy for about 2 million people. Capped at THB1,000, it will cover domestic air travel, interprovincial buses and car rentals.

Medical workers and volunteers on the front lines of combating the COVID-19 outbreak will get a thank you in the form of THB2,000 per person for travel booked through an agent.

Source - Coconuts

The Thais want to examine your bank accounts

It has been reported that immigration agents in #Pattaya are being taught how to examine foreigner’s bank accounts for what they are calling ‘financial irregularities.’

Hundreds of officers attended a training seminar in the city designed to show them how to detect what had been described as ‘money laundering.’

In theory this means discovering bank accounts concealing funds that cannot be explained and may have been accrued through illegal activities.

Although, in reality, it seems officers are attempting to put a stop to agents who arrange long-term retirement visas for foreigners by declaring funds held in a proxy account that do NOT belong to the applicant.

The training seminar was held in Bang Lamung and presented by Lt-Gen Suwat Chaengyortsuk.

Sophon Cable TV said that the seminar was an attempt to ‘increase the efficiency of officers and show them what measures are available under the current immigration law.

The initiative was described as ‘ongoing’ with technical improvements being added in the future.

Is anybody really comfortable with Thai immigration officers having free and easy access to their bank accounts, especially at a time when it is being demanded that a minimum of Bt800,000 must be held in foreign owned accounts at all times?

What could possibly go wrong – and were is this leading?

Source - BangkokJack

Temple deputy abbot Phra Thatthacheevo of using temple funds to trade in stocks

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Dhammakaya Temple deputy abbot fights charge

Pathum Thani-based Dhammakaya Temple deputy abbot Phra Thatthacheevo on Wednesday morning presented himself to public prosecutors of the Thanyaburi Provincial Court to fight the charge of violating a junta order to present himself before the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief. 

The embattled monk, who was accompanied by lawyers, refused to comment to media.

The DSI also accused Phra Thatthacheevo of using temple funds to trade in stocks – an alleged offence that could result in him being charged with abuse of authority under Article 157 of the Criminal Code.