Sunbelt Asia Weekly Column
16 March 2018
Is there probable cause in Thailand?
Question 1:
What’s the general definition of probable cause in Thailand? Is probable cause required for a stop and search? I realize a person with a badge and gun can do whatever he / she likes, but what does the law say?
Sunbelt Asia Legal Advisors responds:
There are two kinds of searches allowed by police officers; search in a private place which requires a warrant from the courts and the search of any person in a public place.
The second search can be made on probable cause, ie the police has a suspicion based on the situation. It can be a grey area but most people can see what could be deemed as suspicious. Such as a person driving a car makes a U-turn just before a police checkpoint would be considered as suspicious behavior.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand predicts a year on year rise in foreign visitors for Songkran based on forward bookings by airlines for the period. Airlines from France, Taiwan, South Korea, Russia, Australia, India, the United Arab Emirates and Japan have increased their forward bookings from the same period last year. In addition to forward bookings by airlines there are a number of charter flights and low cost carriers. Chinese arrivals are expected to rise 38 percent to 165,000 for the Songkran period while tourists from Malaysia are also expected to cross the border in increasing numbers. The TAT predicts spending by foreign tourists to jump 18 percent year on year to nearly 20 billion baht; foreign tourists are predicted to spend 5,500 baht per day per person on average during the three day Songkran holiday.
Don Mueang International Airport will propose a major overhaul of the old domestic terminal as part of the three phase development plan. The 2.2 billion baht renovation budget will be proposed next month and it is hoped that by upgrading and opening the now closed terminal congestion will be eased at the airport. Don Mueang caters to the low cost carrier airlines and reached 37 million passengers in 2017 and is expected to grow by 14 percent this year to 42 million passengers. Other projects up for approval include renovation of the jet bridge and the installation of more immigration checkpoints to increase the number of passengers handled per hour from 2,000 to 3,000. The renovated terminal could open as soon as 2020 according to the general manager of the airport. Short term projects are expected to be implemented at Suvaranbhumi, Chiang Mai, and Phuket airports as all three see overcrowding and AoT plans on building a second airport in both Chiang Mai and Phuket.
The Cabinet approved in principle regulations on trade in crypto-currencies, initial coin offerings, and activities related to digital assets. Under the approval, a 15% withholding tax on profits and dividends generated by transactions involving digital assets may be imposed and all corporate entities involved in digital currencies, either brokers or legal representatives, must register their operations with the government. According to an adviser in the Prime Minister’s Office tax collection on digital-currency investments will be considered by the Council of the State and details of both changes will be clearer next week.
Amazon, the global e-tailer, is expanding into Thailand by working together with Siam Commercial Bank, Payoneer, E-Commerce Education, Benzio Institute and DHL to launch JumpStart Chiang Mai – this new option, offered on their Facebook page, will allow new small to medium business entrepreneurs to sell their products in the US. Sellers on JumpStart will get free consulting and will need to have products ready to sell within one month after training.
Special offer on serviced officesWe are offering two types of serviced offices available at a special promotional deal
Office with space for three staff at 11,000 baht a month
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Please feel free to contact us if you are in Thailand on (+66) 02-662-7004 to discuss any of these listings.
Manufacturer of massage tables in Bangkok includes land
This factory makes massage tables and other furniture in Bangkok and sells their furniture to hotels, resorts, and spas overseas and in Thailand. In business since 2000 the company has built up a good reputation for quality items and a good client list.
The business has 11 full time and 3 part time staff with a total monthly payroll of 145,000 baht. Sales are around 8-10 million baht a year with a profit of around 40 percent. The business owns the land which is included in the sale. The 300 sqw property holds the factory and a building with a total of 560 sqm. The price of land and rents in Bangkok continue to so this is a great opportunity to own your own property.
The owner is retiring and so wishes to sell the business as well as the land and property.
ASKING PRICE: 35 million baht
(BKK15823)
Chic Thonglor hostel with 41 beds, family rooms
A chic and modern hostel with five dorm rooms and two VIP bedrooms with en suite bathrooms is now available in the popular Thong Lor neighborhood. The business also has a bar and restaurant on the ground floor and has a total of 41 beds and has earned reviews on Trip Advisor and booking sites.
The hostel has a three year lease and a monthly rent of 84,000 baht. Sales reach around 2.5 million baht a year with profits at about half a million. There are five staff members with a total monthly payroll of 40,000 baht. The owner invested more than 9 million baht in fitting out the building but is looking to sell quickly as he has another business to work on.
ASKING PRICE: 4.2 million baht
(BKK15822)
Exclusive Sukhumvit Chef’s table style restaurant
In a great Sukhumvit location, this restaurant offers an unusual setting for diners; a true chef’s table with diners who come for the excellent food and unique atmosphere. The restaurant has earned rave reviews for its top notch menus and has been covered by several Thai foodie magazines. Diners are required to make reservations in advance for this exclusive venue.
The rent on this 60 sqm space is only 30,000 baht a month, a steal for this part of Bangkok. The business has a parking lot as well, a rarity in this town, sharing the ten-car car park with a coffee shop next door.
There are three employees with wages of 59,000 baht and month and sales reach 800,000-1,000,000 baht per month with a monthly net profit of 400,000 baht.
The owner is looking to do a bigger project and so is looking to sell.
ASKING PRICE: 1.8 million baht
(BKK15821)
Snack shop in busy Rama 9 area
This charmingly decorated small shop is in a busy area filled with offices in the booming Rama 9 neighborhood. With a great location and near a Starbucks, this shop offers ready made snacks to go, spicy salad, salad rolls and more. There are also 8 seats for some eat in customers. The business has only just started and already sells 4,000 – 5,000 baht a day. A small franchise, this business is turn-key ready for someone looking to walk into a business that can easily grow.
Rental on the 10sqm shop is only 13,500 baht a month, great for this popular location. There are two staff with monthly wages of 24,000 baht.
ASKING PRICE: 880,000 baht
(BKK15806)
E-commerce food and beverage site
This e-commerce site takes advantage of the booming online shopping trend in Thailand. Established 3 years ago this e-commerce food and beverage marketplace is ready for a keen buyer to grow even further. The current owners have already established many of the customers and vendors required to get the business growing but the opportunities in growing this business are huge.
The business has five employees with a total monthly payroll of 50,000 baht and the office rent on upper Sukhumvit is only 14,000 baht a month. Setting up an e-commerce site takes a great deal of time to grow the business and this business has broken even and is expected to start turning a profit next year as the hard work has already been done. Revenues last year reached 13.4 million baht; the business does not hold any stock but connects with the vendor who delivers to the customers directly.
ASKING PRICE: 5.5 million baht
(BKK15809)
Top-rated Samui dive school and charter boat business
This top -rated and highly reviewed dive school is located on Koh Samui and has been offering high quality, environmentally aware dive and marine tours and dive classes since 2002. Well reviewed on TripAdvisor the business offers exclusive high end daily joint trips and private charter snorkeling and diving speedboat tours to the best destinations in the Gulf of Thailand. The region’s first Scubapro Partner Centre, the award winning PADI 5 Star Dive center has garnered rave reviews and great word of mouth over the years.
This business could see growth by tapping into the expanding Chinese market as well as by increasing the private charter side of the business.
There is 25 highly trained dedicated staff with a monthly payroll of 580,000 baht. Annual sales are at 20 million baht with a net profit of 3.75 million. Approximately 60 to 65% of sales income comes from internet sales with 30 to 35% from resorts and remaining income coming via direct walk in and retail. The split between diving/non diving revenue is around 35% / 65%. The monthly rent is 35,000 baht for the 400 sqm building. The premises has space for reception/retail, office administration, classroom, store, garden areas for guest arrival/departure and a kit room containing high spec’ and well maintained dive & snorkeling equipment. The property also has a substantial 2 story, 2 bedroom detached house with storage and an engine service workshop.
The business is fully licensed and assets valued at 10.5 million baht are included in the sale.
The owners are retiring and wish to sell this thriving high end business
ASKING PRICE 24 million baht
(BKK15820)
Popular Chaweng beach bar on Samui
The owner of this popular long-running bar on Koh Samui has dropped the price as he is looking to retire and wants to sell this well-located bar. Set in the heart of Chaweng Beach, the bar has built up a good reputation over the years it has been open. Highly rated on Trip Advisor and with great word of mouth, this bar is one of the top nightlife destinations on Samui.
This fun bar can seat 40 and is open from 7:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. There are three full time dedicated employees with monthly wages of 37,300 baht per month. Rent on this top location is 560,000 baht a year or 46,666 baht per month and the lease expires in March 2019. This busy bar saw sales between 4.5 to 5.5 million baht in the last years with a net profit of 2.5 million baht.
The owner has owned the bar for more than ten years and is ready to retire and so is selling the business. This is a truly turn-key business. Walk in and take over a thriving bar in the heart of Chaweng.
ASKING PRICE: 1.5 million baht
(BKK15724)
Long-running Pattaya hotel and restaurant
The owner of this long-running Pattaya 2nd road hotel and restaurant is keen to sell as he is moving to Bangkok and so has dropped the price. The hotel was fully renovated just this year for a new, modern look and it now has a up to date, modern kitchen, bar, and restaurant with classic decor. There is an outdoor dining space as well and the entire restaurant seats 50 people.
The hotel has 14 rooms over 4 floors, in a three unit shophouse. Rent on this large space is only 100,000 baht per month. The hotel has income from a tour company of 15,000 baht a month, reducing the total overall rent to 85,000 baht a month. The lease is set for 4 years plus 3. There is 6 staff with a total monthly payroll of 70,000 baht a month. Located right on the main road and with good lease terms, this is a deal.
The owner is moving to Bangkok and so must sell the business. The sale includes all new equipment and the fully renovated restaurant and bar as well as a Thai company with work permit.
ASKING PRICE 5 million baht
(BKK15804)