Rise in Bangkok tax exemption sought

Earlier the ministry raised the value from Bt1 million to Bt1.5 million as part of the proposed Land and Building Tax Act. But Sommai yesterday said this might not be high enough for Bangkok residents, as their residential prices are relatively higher than those in provinces. 

He also mulled waiving the tax for homeowners who are retirees, who are older than 60 years and who have lived in their houses for 20-30 years, given that they have no salaried income. 

The ministry will submit the draft tax bill for the Economic Cabinet’s consideration on March 18 and to the main Cabinet on March 24.

 

THAI MADE VP AT GM  

General Motors announced yesterday that, effective on April 1, Amnat Saengjan will become vice president of manufacturing at GM Thailand, and will be responsible for both the GM Thailand and GM Powertrain Thailand plant operations. Amnat is the first Thai national to occupy the top manufacturing leadership position at GM Thailand.

Amnat will report directly to Robert Parcell, manufacturing manager for GM International Operations, and indirectly to Marcos A Purty, managing director of GM Thailand and Chevrolet Sales Thailand. Michael O Perez who has served in that role as well as the role for GM Southeast Asia Operations for the past 18 months will move to another senior position within GM to be announced at a later date. 

“Our manufacturing operations at Rayong are assured a smooth transition with the appointment of Amnat. He has proven his leadership capability as assistant plant manager, vehicle operations, GM Thailand, effectively overseeing the entire plant operation in Rayongsince 2010,” said Tim Zimmerman, president of GM Southeast Asia.

 

RISE IN AURA OUTPUT

Tipco Foods, the manufacturer of mineral water under the brand Aura, has invested Bt200 million to the raise of production capacity at its mineral water at its factory in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai, by 140 per cent from the previous year. With the capacity expansion, the factory will be able to produce 130 million bottles of Aura mineral water per year to meet the growing demand in the market.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary, Aura is ready to top the mineral water market in Thailand with the goal to achieve 30 per cent growth of this year revenue to Bt975 |million. It wants to become mineral water market leader within 2017. 

Mineral water market in Thailand in 2014 was worth around Bt2.5 billion with 18 per cent growth which is considered to be very high comparing to other types of beverages. Aura itself has a market share of 30 per cent.