KhunHeineken

Can't you see what's going on in the world? The BS the world was fed back in the 60's about The Domino Theory and Communism and Vietnam is actually happening in 2024. Russia invads Ukraine. China sizing up Taiwan. China buying up small and / or poor countries, through massive debt. Go and research how much money the US spend on R&D for defense, and then how much of that technology they sell to the world, many of them allies. Any idea how much one missile costs? How many have they sold to Israel since the Hamas attack? How many have they sold to Ukraine. They are not for free. War is big business. It's predicted Russia's economy will grow more than all developed economies this year. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68823399 There will be a time when the economic war ends and the bullets and bombs start flying, because of the economic war. Yes, western governments p*ssed away all their citizen's money, over decades, but the when the debt becomes crippling, then the war will start. We are leaving a nice mess for our kids and grand kids.

At this stage, I'd still rather deal with WISE than a mainstream bank. WISE would have to mess up very badly to end up a worse choice than a bank.

When traveling, I have a laptop and a Google Chromecast. All bases covered, and the Chromecast is smaller than an Android box. Can cast to the TV with the laptop or the phone.

You get what you pay for. If all you want to pay is 1400 baht, that's fine. This little PC does the lot for me, Windows, and Android, all in one, and is also a back-up in case my main PC sh*ts itself. I have all MS Windows options and all Android options through the emulator, all in a box close to the size of an Android box. Can you run Windows on your 1400 baht Android box? No, I didn't think so.

Nothing wrong with that, but I just asked the question to another member, but for the consideration of the general forum, just how much are you prepared to tolerate before seeking out the services of an agent? It's different for everyone, but just how many knock backs, return trips, paperwork etc will you tolerate before you actually wished you went to an agent in the first place?

I am speaking in general now, not just for a bank account, but for how long should one get f*cked around for before an agent is "the last resort?" Just how many "can not" and "need one more photo copy" and "need to do this paper" and "need doctor certificate" and "need Certificate of Residence" and "need TM30" and "line full come back tomorrow" etc etc, then, there's the waiting in queues, multiple times, sometime in the hot sun and / or on your feet, not great for the elderly, and then there's the transportation to get around for all of this. Many rely on public transport, which comes at a cost. It's all designed to push foreigners onto agents. I defy any member to state they have never been frustrated, to the point they thought authorities were doing it on purpose. I don't condone corruption, but sometimes, for one's mental and physical health, and for simply getting the job done, and occasionally even saving some money, pay an agent.

Already ended during the last military government control who aligned Thailand with China. It wasn't so much that the USA "broke up" with Thailand, it was more Thailand "broke up" with the USA. A divorce that may come back to haunt them in the future.

Yes, many people skip an OS and do every second OS. Eg. XE, 7, 10. I'm normally an early adopter of tech, but not with MS OS's. After getting stung with Vista, now wait for every second OS. I'll be waiting for 12 before leaving 10.

Done the same. Went for a Small Form Factor (SFF) PC with half decent specs. Tiny little thing with a lot of grunt under the hood. Packs way more punch than an Android box, and gives a lot more options. I run Blue Stacks, which is an Android emulator, so have the best of both worlds in the one device.

Been a long time since I was here for any length of time on tourist visas, but where do you get "60 day visa exempts (x4)" from? The 60 days visa exempt. I think can be extended for 1 month for 2000 baht, but don't quote me on this. That's 90 days per entry on a 60 visas exempt, if you want it. I was under the impression you would do, basically, 6 months consecutive in Australia and 6 months consecutive in Thailand. I gather this is not correct. Just be aware, Thai tax residency is the calendar year, and if / when the proposed changes pass in Australia, for Australian tax residency it's our financial year.

And Edward Snowdon.

Smart move. Technically I'm still living in my house. I'm just on a long holiday, a very long holiday. Of course, I have every "intention" of returning to my "domicile" in Australia as far as the ATO is concerned, but that's for the other thread.

It's a little difficult to create the false appearance if you return home with no money for bond and lease on a small unit, and to buy a car and register it, then go renew your drivers license, then get an electricity bill in your name etc etc etc etc. Guys go home and don't do any of this, like the guy Nemises knows. To date, many have been getting away with leading a somewhat nomadic life in Australia for the 2 years., however, I can see the day when they tighten up on portability, but that's for another thread if / when it happens.

Interesting post, and I agree, but the question begs, why would someone burn all their bridges in Australia, only to return home and to live like a pauper for 2 years? I'll always keep a small property as a base in Australia, always. It will not just be for taxation purposes. I may have to return for family reasons, medical reasons, who knows, but I will always have accommodation to return to in my country of birth and citizenship. Yes, there are fees and taxes to pay, but that's the price you pay to have an exit strategy from Thailand.

I hope for his relative's sake he's not claiming rent assistance. There relative might be in for a surprise at tax time.

I agree. Why give yourself any tax grief when you don't have to? Why 4 airfares to and from Australia per year? My count is 2 airfares, return and depart from Australia for your 186 days to remain a resident for taxation purposes, and the last I heard, you can still get a tourist visa in an embassy / consulate in a neighboring country like Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia etc. Why not just do a short flight to one of these and get a new tourist visa? Malaysia being the easiest, as it is a visa exemption stamp, but you may wish to check out some tourist things in the other countries. Also, I see there is now the new 60 day visa exemption which I think can also be extended by 1 month. I haven't looked into it, so I am not sure, but I encourage you to check it out. You may not need to even lodge your passport and money at an embassy / consulate for your 178 days in Thailand.

I purposely didn't answer it so the haters had nothing to troll me about, and also because you mentioned you were doing the 183 days inside Australia, so it's irrelevant. I simply gave you the debate as it stands, and the links showing the proposed changes, tax brackets, DTA, advice from ATO staff etc etc and let you decide where you stand on it all.

Why? They don't know where you are calling from. Why would they ask anyway? Now, an official form, either in paper, or inside your internet banking, with fine print saying it's an offense to make a false statement, that's a different thing.

I'm sure he was real happy to be there.

One for the Aussies. At the time, Australia's richest man, Kerry Packer, paid something like, $1 tax. They held a senate inquiry about it and he gave it to them with both barrels. Famous and funny words, and true of every government around the world, even in 2024. If you are not Australian, it only goes for 43 seconds. Check it out. He sums up the sentiment of every tax payer around the world.

I have no problem debating it, if they can post a link that counters the information in any link I may post. It happens occasionally, and then you have research more for the facts / truth, but most of the time they don't provide any links to support their argument. It goes to credibility.

I found this. DrPhibes and DrPhelps is similar. Are we among youtube greatness on this thread?

Have you weighed up the cost against residing in Australia 186 days, versus a possible tax liability to Australia and / or Thailand, under the current laws, and the proposed new laws in both Australia and Thailand, in their worst case scenario?

Yet......................... https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68823399 "The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects Russia to grow 3.2% this year, significantly more than the UK, France and Germany."

Must be paid at the time of filing. Is that correct? If so, is that the same for those who have millions of baht tax liability?