Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing 4,300 expat businesses have been scrutinized here in Thailand. Let's go ahead and just jump in here. I thought of making this video after reading a recent article from the Bangkok Post, that is bangkokpost.com, the article is titled: 'High-Risk' Business Registration's Plunge. Quoting directly: "The number of companies registering in "high-risk" sectors has declined sharply following efforts to tighten business registration, says the Department of Business Development (DBD). Director-General Poonpong Naiyanapakorn said the measure -- which began in April and requires Thai shareholders co-running businesses with foreigners to submit financial credentials -- has reduced high-risk sector registrations by 60%. Checks on the DBD Biz Regist digital platform found several users allowed others to use their login details or verify documents, while some applicants never appeared in person." First of all, by the way, I don't think it's incumbent on people to go to DBD in person per se for certain documentation. Some things can be done via Power of Attorney. Now if it's not done via the proper procedure for Power of Attorney that may be another issue. That said, quoting further: "Mr. Poonpong said the DVD had uncovered at least 7,500 irregular registrations across 10 tourism provinces." - so that's the first thing to understand. One of the things that there's a lot of attention being paid is in tourism provinces because as I have discussed in other videos, there has been a spate of foreigners coming into these jurisdictions, disregarding local Thai laws, disregarding rules and laws regarding work authorization and restricted occupations in Thailand, I've gotten into that in many other videos.

That said, quoting further: "More than 4,300 expatriates were accused of unauthorized business operations or working in prohibited occupations. 

I have discussed this in other videos; I've been kind of burned for it in other videos because I have talked about it. I said look, there is getting to be momentum behind law enforcement going after folks who are blatantly disregarding the rules in Thailand regarding restricted occupations. I've noted this in other videos, regarding especially the issue of foreigners who claim to be able to practice law in Thailand; if you are a foreign national and not a Thai National, that is clearly restricted to Thai nationals. There are other folks who have been saying that they can provide tax advice in Thailand. Again that is a profession that is reserved for Thais. And there are a number of other things, especially in the tourism sector; land ownership is something else that seems to be being targeted here in Thailand. I think it's important to point this out right now because again this is not a minor thing. 4,300 incorporated entities is a substantial number of businesses that are doing business here in Thailand and those who are again disregarding Thailand's rules, laws, customs regarding the issue of foreigners engaging in business activity here in Thailand are likely to find themselves having a bad time.

Those who are out there who find some of this overwhelming, but do want to do business here in Thailand, and want to do it the right way - they want to get work authorization correctly - it's not a terrible idea to contact a legal professional, gain some insight and guidance into how best to proceed.