KhunHeineken

Thailand has thousands of Thai tax residents that are foreigners. The message is they want to tax you. I think this is pretty clear to all. By all means, everyone should try to minimize their tax, but ignore the message at your own peril. Members spreading "messages" like, "It will never happen because they would have to hire 5000 more TRD staff" are simply laughable, yet, some actually believe it. Do they really believe it, or just really need to believe it. Who knows? Times are changing.

It's clear TRD staff have not been trained up to deal with a wave of foreigners coming through their doors. Tax is a complex set of laws in every country, including Thailand. I am sure you have used the saying, "This is Thailand" before. Isn't such a term "disrespectful" to Thailand and Thai people? Are you suggesting the several members that have posted about going to their local TRD Office and were simply told, "No need to file" are lying?

Telling people to abide by Thai tax law is not "dangerous" but you telling them not to worry, do nothing, it will all go away is "dangerous." Too funny. About 10 posts now with no content from you.

Yes, because it's my opinion. I am posting for myself. This guy read the Thai law. That's not an opinion, is it? It's YOUR opinion discussing this subject is scaremongering, but that's just opinion.

I have no idea. I know what I heard. It appeared to me he read it word for word, albeit, not the whole Act, of course, or other relevant sections. I posted it because it may be of interest to others. I have posted my strategy. Others will have to navigate their own way through this mine field. I would suggest that many be weary of "The Somchai Shuffle."

Says someone who has more posts than me, and keeps posting troll posts and no content.

I posted the video because he read the Thai Law. I wouldn't post a video that had opinion only in it. I don't care what guys on youtube say, or Somchai at the TRD says. I'll be getting an agent to file, and then rest easy. Unfortunately, it appears many are not getting the correct advice from Somchai. If only it was that simple. We could all remit say, 3 million baht for living expenses and just simply say to Somchai, "It's not assessable." Ohhhh, we are all going to need it. There will be twists, turns, tweaks, and back flips. They will make a lot of it up on the fly. Also, this tax policy will evolve. 2025 is just the start. They know they are onto a new revenue stream with this money spinner, and I just can't see it being as easy as saying, "My remittances are non assessable." I have a feeling they are going to want proof of source.

Mention what?

Riding on sidewalks rarely makes the news, but Yumthai says this tax policy will be just like riding on a sidewalk, nothing will happen to you for breaking Thailand's tax laws.

I don't know the guy. I don't engage the services of his business. I couldn't care less about comments being turned off or on. He read the Thai Law and it seemed clear to me Thailand tax residents must have a TIN. I think you will find most living here remit more than the threshold. I know I do. The rest of your post is more of "The Somchai Shuffle." Members will have to find their own way around Somchai. I have posted what I will be doing. Good Luck to all in dealing with this tax policy.

Strange post. So, you are saying the law exists, but they will do nothing about it, like riding on a sidewalk. Is that correct? It's been a law for decades, so why is the Thai government making it a "thing" now? Surely, it's because they want the money. Yes, I know it's for wealthy Thai's, but foreigners will be collateral damage. A tax resident is a tax resident. I am not worrying about it. I have posted my plan in the past. I will pay this year. An agent will be taking care of everything for me. Of course, I minimized my remittances in 2024, making it up with cash, brought in from other countries. My goal is to get the Certificate of Clearance for as less tax as possible, so nothing can come back to bite me down the track. That's my strategy for the chaos. I will hold off until the 11th hour to file, and keep monitoring the situation, but I will be filing.

I looked at your link. It's Section 3. He quotes Section 70. "Is he lying?"

Yes, I will be countering Somchai. I suggest others do the same. In Somchai we trust.

You'll post for hours on AN, but no time to watch a short youtube video. Watch from 2:05 to 4:05. That's 2 minutes of your precious time. Video is only 1 week old. Quotes the Thai law from 1978.

That's "The Somchai Shuffle." Will you be relying on verbal information from a TRD Officer, of which there is no record of the meeting, no proof you even went to the TRD Office, no name of the officer you spoke to, and no official record of the information he said to you, if / when there's some trouble further down the track?

Once into the second decade, it's correct to speak in "decades."

I've posted this youtube video in three other threads. Like most, I read and post on multiple threads, but maybe some don't, so here it is on this thread. He quotes the Thai law from decades ago. It's only a short video, and he is quite direct. Now, a couple of questions for you, "Is he lying?" "Does that law exist?"

The 800k baht law has been in since to 2008. That's over 10 years, so, yes, we now talk in "decades" but we can say 17 years, if it makes you feel better.

Posted a youtube video where the guy quotes the decades old law, which specifically sets out all tax residents of Thailand must have a TIN. It's been discussed on this forum, with many in agreement. That's part of the chaos, isn't it? "The Somchai Shuffle" is a TRD officer says, "No need to file. No TIN for you." However, the law states you must have a TIN. Interesting times ahead.

Good solution, and worth a try. It could get around "The Somchai Shuffle."

Yes, only your opinion, and I disagree with it. Firstly, I am speaking generally on the subject, not to your specific set of circumstances. I've posted this in two other threads for members who have had a similar TRD experience to you. I call it "The Somchail Shuffle." This guy sets it out in quite a direct manner. He also quotes the Thai law from decades ago. He mentions Thai immigration official can ask for any documents they want to support an extension application. It goes against what you were told at the TRD Office. The problem seems to be an expat verbally tells a TRD officer he is on a pension. The automatic response is , "No need to file." Not, "What type of pension? What country are you from? How much money is your pension?" etc etc. Expats just turn around and walk out the TRD office happy, and with a sense they have met their obligations, when in fact, they have done none of the sort. Like I have always said, there will be chaos, and this tax policy will evolve, but at the end of the day, the Thai government will turn a baht out of it.

It's you who is stalking me. That joke is for New Zealanders. I'm Australian. Do you know the difference?

Posted this on another thread. I'll post it here for your information. The guy is basically saying, "you can't do it your way." You will have to do it the Thai way.

Watch the youtube video I just posted. The law has been around for decades. The Thai's have decided it's time to make a baht out of it. Your situation is part of the chaos most expected. "The Somchai Shuffle" at TRD Offices isn't helping things. It's going to be interesting in towns and cities where immigration may ask for a TIN / Certificate of Clearance, but the local TRD Office staff tell the pensioners "No need to file." I explained it in another post. You know you're on a pension. The UK government know your on a pension. There is a Thai / UK DTA in place. However, all the Thai bank / Thai government sees in the "cash" or "income" into your Thai bank. They don't know it's from a pension unless you prove it to them You do not have much to worry about, and you have plenty of options, just don't kick an own goal on this one by doing nothing, as others have suggested.

Get a TIN, file, pay or no pay tax, get a certificate of clearance from the TRD, and rest easy. Doing nothing is what may cause problems down the track.