asiawatcher

There seems to be more and more 'African' prostitutes frequenting Soi 3 these days.  Since African prostitutes have a known high rate of HIV/AIDS (reputedly 90%) why is immigration allowing these people in?  The payoff must be huge to certain 'elements' but at the cost of increased AIDS within Thailand which I thought, the authorities was trying to control?

I am looking to import low budget fun cars from China.  They are sturdy, economical and look great.

1.  Has anyone imported from China and if so - any ideas on Customs, Duties and so on?  
2.  I can get 4 in a 20' container and these are new - are there holding times in Customs and are there charges for leaving the container on the hard?
3.  If the cars are shipped in parts and assembled here - they require some modifications on structure - does this qualify for BOI if I set it up as a distribution here in Thailand and also have manufacture and fabrication of some components made in Thailand

Any clues would be greatly appreciated.

2010 has seen the postponement of the annual event.  Cited were politics and the indictment of the former TAT Governor Juthamas Siriwan and her daughter for the receipt of more than USD1.8M into their accounts from convicted former Festival Managers, Gerald and Patricia Green.  The Greens sentencing has again been postponed (the 4th since January) and the DSI has been handed the case against Siriwan to investigate prosecution or not.

The last two festivals have seen a downturn in both management expertise and success due to limitation of budgets - less than 10% of the heady days of the Greens and Siriwan.  Siriwan was appointed TAT Governor by former convicted felon ex Prime Minister Shinawatra.

Sadly, Thailand was being showcased by this festival despite the waning support through mismanagement and alleged corruption but right now would be the ideal time to have an International Film Festival again.  Films, unlike TV Commercial campaigns, showcase a country for the life of a film usually around 7 years.  No advertising campaign can ever be as effective but the Ministry of Tourism and TAT have not been able to confirm if next year will see the re-introuduction or simply a demise.  The festivals web URL is available for sale thus one would surmise the deletion from the Thai calendar.

The Phuket fFilm Festival has just wrapped and by all accounts was disorganised and poor quality.  Another festival is due August called the Bangkok Indie Fest from successful entrepreneurs who have run a similar festival in Cambodia 'against all odds', thus may garner more interest for Thailand within the film community.

A press release this month has stated the Government is 'assessing' the use of Tax Incentives (Tax rebates) to fall into line with international competition but as Thailand always drags legislation of 'giving back' anything, it is unlikely this will come into being.

With the recent politics of Thai internal destruction, civil unrest, and the inability of Thailand to obtain a 'completion bond' for production, it is unlikely we will see any 'stars' in Thailand in the near future.  

So the arts community, successful filmmakers and the recent coveted Cannes award, the Palm d'Or being won by a Thai, will continue to suffer.  Will Thailand ever evolve as the incredible film community it started in 1897 as one of the first in the game?  I hope so.