What price protectionism?
Post – Articles by David Wade, Tropical Homes I am writing this column from Riga, the capital of Latvia. This was one of the first break away states from the former Soviet Union and is a small coastal country next to Estonia and opposite Finland. Considering its relatively recent independence from the former Eastern European Communist bloc, Latvia is flourishing. What is more, there is a property boom to match. So it is interesting to compare this tiny country, finally free from centuries of totalitarian rule, with the land of the free itself – Thailand. Despite having a population of a mere 2.3 million, Latvia has embraced foreign investment and actively encourages overseas property buyers, while Thailand – at a time when its legislators ought to be considering the relaxation of prevailing land laws – has chosen now of all times to enforce those laws more rigorously. What good purpose will this serve? The Phuket Land Department recently published record revenues as a result of new reg
