KhunHeineken

You've been in Thailand 28 years. Business has changed a lot in those years. I'm not the one who bought and paid for 4 house that I can't own. Well, have haven't sunk my money into Thailand, so, yes, a safe, risk free and stress free retirement for me, and at any point Thailand causes me grief, I can move next door. I have no financial ties or emotional ties here. As I have said in the past, I show Thailand the same loyalty it shows me, zero. It's a condo, and no photo for you, rice farmer.

This goes to the very heart of the debate. You want to view it your own way, and do it differently, to suit your lifestyle, but you ignore the fact that this tax policy is similar to the immigration laws here that we take seriously and strictly abide by. The Thai legal way is the way to "view" it, and Thai law does not cater for your views, or the different way you want to do it, or your lifestyle. Get it?

How, exactly. would it improve? I believe drug addiction is a medical issue, but I also believe it's the not victim's fault a crime has been committed against them by someone in desperate need of money for drugs. The community has a right to be protected.

When I considered it, those were my thoughts also. The Elite visa came to mind.

Was the name of that bar "Toy Bar" and stayed open late?

My post was more directed towards the next generation of retiree coming through, and relocating to Thailand, following the same path you set out in your post. It's probably best for them to move their retirement set up money, and vacate Thailand for 6 months in that year. Everyone's tax liability will be different. Not every retired expat here is living on a meagre welfare pension with minimal tax to pay. The middle class retirees and high net worth individuals will have to assess whether Thailand remains a value for money retirement destination for 365 days of the year. If one's tax bill is more than the cost of living in say Vietnam for 6 months, why would they pay the tax to Thai government when it funds living in a neighboring country for 6 months? They would still be up for the cost of living in Thailand for the second 6 months of that year. I have just mentioned in another post about age, health, and mobility. I agree it's not possible for some to leave, but for those who are able, and who MAY get stung by this tax, leaving Thailand for 6 months of the year could be financially beneficial.

And that's why it was so memorable. No, you have to pay the person giving it to you.

It's not just Thailand. Western countries are the same. You can't legalize heroin, for example. Imagine what would happen to a society in which heroin was legalized. It's not just the legalization, but also the addict still has to buy it. Are you suggesting the tax payer pays for free drugs for social users and addicts in order to cut crime?

Now, he would be arrested for working illegally, deported, and blacklisted.

I was going to bring up this very issue. If the visa is so attractive, and sure to make all holders "content" then why didn't a lot, lot more people jump on it???? Serious question.

That's the point though, isn't it. Many didn't get the LTR because the visa didn't suit them, therefore, they can not be disappoint with it. What's that say about the visa?

You do have a vivid imagination. I'm sure your kids are impressed with how your wealth, thus their inheritance, has been redistributed to your Thai wife's family. You OWN property "lock, stock and barrel" in the UK, but you certainly do not in Thailand, but that's for another thread. As for moving in different financial circles, I'm not sure what you mean about that. I rent by choice. I use an agent for my extension by choice. I would never invest in an unstable 3rd World Country. Maybe we move in different intellectual circles. Well, Pattaya Bay has been called a toilet, but it's still a nice sunset, and the nightlife and hospitality venues are great. I'm single, by choice. I didn't come to Thailand to adopt an extended Thai family, like you did. I leave once a year for the Singapore F1, and for important family events back home. I am in good health, so international travel is no problem for me. Now, back to this tax issue, can you tell us all another 'Somchai TRD Office story?" They are humorous.

Hardly. It's the retirement visa, with extensions, which means one NEVER has to leave Thailand, that makes Thailand a popular retirement destination. It's not that elderly expats can't afford to cross a border, it's that eventually many become incapable of doing so due to mobility and other health issues.

Ok, Tonto.

I already know roughly what tax bill I should have to pay. It's not so much the "risk" but the run around I will pay to avoid. Eg. "you need two photocopy this paper, not one." Also, queues. As the 31st March nears, foreigners attending TRD Offices will increase. Not waiting in a queue is all part of the agent's service. I agree with your point about should there be any "trouble" I will ring the agent and he can speak to either the TRD, or Immigration, or both, but with a certificate stating I have paid some tax, not necessarily the correct amount of tax, but some tax, I am not expecting any problems. As I have said, in my opinion, if not this year, then in the future, one will need a certificate from the TRD at extension time. All I am doing this year is trying to pay the least amount of tax for that certificate so there are no nasty, and possibly costly, surprises at extension time. I try my best to give no government departments here any opportunity to extort money out of me. The agents charge a set price, and while others are waiting in line at immigration, my 800k is earning more than 5% in my home country, which more than covers the agent's fees, and I'm on the golf course.

Not only do Filipinos sing western songs better, but they are more friendly. The female Filipino singer in the large bar at the back of Tree Town is a good singer. She does a good Tina Turner. Go down the road next to Bangkok Bank, and at the T intersection where you can go straight, which takes you to 2nd Road, or turn right, where there are more Tree Town bars, it's on that corner. You can't miss the bar, or the band. I forget the name of the bar. They play good tunes, and do it well. They take requests, and even ask members of the audience during a break what songs they like. I'll be surprised if you don't like them.

Nothing is for free in Thailand.

I don't think Albo is a certainty. If you look around the world, in all the recent elections, it's been the anti woke and PC parties that have won. People have had enough of all the BS. Just look at Albo's "own goal" with The Voice. The referendum was over in an hour. He misread the electorate then, and if he does it again before the election, he'll lose the unlosable election, like Shorten did. "How good is Australia?" I predict a significant swing away from the two major parties. Possibly even a hung parliament. It will be interesting to see what big names lose their seats.

It looks like you just started the AFL thread.

Did you stay in Thailand more than 179 days in 2024? If you did, why? It was well discussed that one transferring larger sums of money here, for such purposes as buying property, should seriously consider being a non resident for tax purposes in the year they remitted said larger sum of money.

It's because of the temples. They come to seek redemption.

Greed has no limits in Thailand, nor does age seem to be a barrier. Thaksin represents Thai society, that is, MONEY NUMBER ONE.

And so could Dubai, again.

If the new tax on remittances starts to bite, perhaps retired expats will move to crypto to pay for things.

No. Thai women like the man to pay the charge.