Opposition goes on offensive

Paetongtarn grilled over tax avoidance

- AEKARACH SATTABURUTH MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

The opposition yesterday launched a blizstering attack against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, accusing her of tax avoidance, among other things, on the first day of the censure debate.

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the opposition and the People's Party (PP), opened the debate by accusing the premier of lacking the ability to govern, evading taxes and allowing her father, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to wield political influence.

PP deputy leader Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn then took to the floor to further grill Ms Paetongtarn over the tax avoidance matter, claiming she had exploited legal loopholes to avoid paying taxes, a practice commonly used by the country's wealthy.

He said the practice borders on tax evasion and unfairly places the tax burden on salarymen, middle-income and low-income earners. It also raised questions about how the tax system could be made fair, he said.

According to Mr Wiroj, after being royally endorsed as prime minister in August last year, Ms Paetongtarn transferred company shares worth 9.3 billion baht as required by the constitution.