KhunHeineken

I went a little overboard with the specs of my last computer build. The reason being wasn't for bragging rights, (a bigger penis) but for some future proving. An example is HD to 2k, to 4k and to 8k. Another example is fiber Gigabyte internet speed. Also, we don't know how resource hungry a future OS may be. Same as adding a larger amount of storage to cover future photos, music, movies etc. It means I do not have to buy a new computer very often. I get years out of the build because it can handle future technology as it evolves.

Well, I have just addressed your post to me before seeing this post. Are you baiting me?

Yes, of course it is. I have no links about it. I have never put it forward as fact. I have given my reasons for suggesting it. The main reason being, the tax policy is a total mess and unworkable in its current form, but maybe it was never designed to work. All it may have been designed to do is make foreigners pay for another document, either officially, or "tea money" and / or, create another service for "agents." Is it really that long a bow to draw when it's already been happening in other areas for decades?

If the cameras are powered over ethernet (PoE) make sure your NVR supports PoE over all channels. NVR's with PoE cost more, but everything is onboard and is an easier installation.

I think more information, and a budget in mind, is needed from the OP so some kits can be suggested.

Exactly my point. So no "flight of fancy" there. I am saying foreigners MAY have to pay the RD for the clearance certificate, in the same way we pay 300 baht for a Certificate of Residence. All immigration will do is require it, as it currently does other documents, before issuing an extension. An earner, officially or "tea money" for the RD, not immigration. You are still looking at the whole policy as being workable. It's such a mess that maybe we are missing what it's really all about. Just a simple way to make foreigners pay for another piece of paper. Maybe that's all it is. Maybe there will be no serious attempt investigating individuals for tax purposes, unless they are very high net worth individuals, or authorities suspect criminal behavior. If you think this is all "flight of fancy" perhaps you can post how you think the policy can work, in its current form.

I'm suggesting that if a high percentage of foreigners start using gifting as a tax avoidance measure, they will not make it illegal, but may then bring in a gift tax. Why wouldn't they? That's all I'll say.

Yes, I agree with this, but they make good money out of it in the tourist area, wouldn't you agree? That's coming from a someone who has just posted Certificate of Residence should be free, but cost 300 baht in tourist areas. If you mentioned this to a foreigner who has never paid for one before, because they live in Issan, do you think they would consider it a "flight of fancy" or a fact?

No. I am suggesting members research how to get one, where to get one, how long it takes to get one etc etc etc etc to prepare for the possibility one may be needed. That's all. Nothing more. Nothing less. In my opinion, such discussion would be beneficial to members, and if one is not needed in the future, then great.

Like I said, it just all may be a "tea money" scheme like the Certificate of Residence. The policy is such a mess it can't work in it's current form, but maybe it's designed that way so you just pay some "tea money" for your clearance certificate and you're on your way. No reams of photocopies of photocopies etc etc. Just maybe a bank statement that's not even looked at, some "tea money" and here's your stamped certificate for immigration. Members suggesting this scares them are being thin skinned. Immigration, and agents, have been doing it for decades. Maybe all this policy is about is another "tea money" revenue scheme, but for the RD, with the ability they can have a look at some individuals that are high wealth, or criminals. We may be reading too much into this policy and taking it too seriously. That said, I see nothing wrong with considering worse case scenario, and preparing for it, but that's just me. Some may see discussing worse case scenario as scaremongering.

I'm using a VPN for privacy reasons, for the very reason you had a look at where I am posting from. I'm in Pattaya, if you would like to know. It appears expats living in Pattaya don't "scare" as easy as others here. I don't even smoke cannabis, but all that "unsubstantiated crystal ball gazing and whatifery" over in the cannabis forum about how smokers may need a doctors certificate in the future very well may be scaremongering.

This tax policy is such a mess that we can expect changes in the future. I think we all know this. There's already been discussion on what the Thai government will have to change for this policy to even have the slightest chance of being even the least bit effective. A lot of that discussion was "unsubstantiated crystal ball gazing and whatifery" but still needed to be discussed. What does "on California" mean?

I have addressed this in another post that I was typing when you replied. It may not be as "scary" as some are thinking. Interesting how over in the cannabis forum they are discussing, at great length, what the government MAY do to the industry by way of FUTURE legislation. yet on this tax subject, very little latitude is given.

Well said, and I agree 100%. Members seem to think there will be some type of big "investigation" of the masses. The RD will carefully look over bank statements, pension papers, deposits, DTA's etc etc etc etc. I don't see that happening. Have members considered that maybe this policy working effectively is not why it was actually implemented? Is it possible this policy, being such a mess and unworkable, was solely designed to be like getting a Certificate of Residence. They are supposed to be free, but most of us pay 300 baht for one. It may be the case all you produce to the RD is a bank statement, which isn't even really looked at, pay your 300 baht or 500 baht, or whatever, you get your Tax Clearance Certificate, and you are good for immigration and an extension. That "fee" may be actual, and another revenue stream for government, or "tea money." They might have a closer look at some foreigners getting around in a Ferrari and living in a penthouse, but for retirees it might just be a small fee or some "tea money" to the RD and off you go. We have all lived in Thailand long enough to know how things work here, especially for farang.

In my opinion, it's more than rumor / gossip, it makes sense for the Thai government to implement it, therefore, it's a very real possibility. Please don't call it scaremongering and report every post mentioning it. If you feel that way, just don't read the posts discussing it. It's something that should be discussed, and expats be prepared for. If it doesn't happen, great. If it does happen, at least we've had discussion about strategies that expats can put in place well in advance, rather than after the fact, because the minority of members shut down discussion on it because they have labeled it scaremongering. We already need certain documents at extension time. It's nothing for the Thai government to add one more document to the list.

How does that get around being in Thailand for more than 180 days, thus, a resident for tax purposes? Someone using tourist visas can rack up more than 180 days, and become a resident for tax purposes.

As many suspect may be the case, it's possible that foreigners may have to produce a Tax Clearance Certificate at extension time. No chasing at all. It makes the foreigner contact the RD. I think it will all be a big mess, but the Thai government will make rules up on the fly to still turn a baht out of it. Money Number One in Thailand, and no free passes for farang, including retirees.

One thing is for sure, the answers from the bank staff certainly got your "interest."

That's why I suggested it months ago. Yes, there can be a fine line between tax evasion and tax avoidance. Wealthy individuals and companies have taken on government's in Courts all around the world for rulings on whether a practice is evasion or avoidance. I just mentioned certain practices may not be in the spirit of the legislation, but that does not make them illegal, therefore, maybe we can discuss them here. I would be interested in your other strategies. I have a few of my own as well.

I suggest you use the word "avoid" and not "evade." One is legal, the other is illegal, and can not be discussed. Currently, gifting is legal, and tax free, and a way to "avoid" paying this tax. Yes, it's not in the spirit of the legislation, but that's the Thai government's problem, a problem I am sure they will address in 2025 when they see how gifting is being used as a tax avoidance strategy. On that basis, I encourage members to have a Plan B strategy because I have a feeling you will be needing it in the future. I can see a tweak in the policy whereby gifts will be taxed, or the money to the Thai missus will be deemed an income and she will be taxed on it.

Yes, but my point being, the chances of the Thai government taxing ATM withdrawals, regardless if a debit or credit card is used, is near impossible.

Did you read my post? Did you see the part of my post where I said, "Not going to happen?" Members were discussing if a credit card ATM withdrawal was a loan. I simply commented that even if it was a debit card withdrawal, without, as you describe it, "futuristic" Big Brother Chinese regime style monitoring / cross referencing of all ATM withdrawals, expats WILL NOT be taxed at the ATM. It doesn't matter if a debit or credit card is used, I'll say if again, "Not going to happen." I hope this clarifies my "mindset" for you.

I commend you on having an exit strategy for Thailand. Not because of this tax, but because things can change quickly in Thailand, either personally, or collectively, through Thai government policy. This thread is discussing strategies to avoid paying the tax. In my opinion, leaving for good may be a little rash, particularly as you can still do 6 months in Thailand every calendar year. Maybe you were close to having had enough anyway. My Plan B is Vietnam.

I just commented on this. There are many relying solely on this strategy. I would be considering a Plan B, because I can see this tightening up in the future, once the Thai government see how "gifting" is being used so easily as a tax avoidance strategy.

It would stand to reason that they tighten this loophole and start taxing the Thai spouses on the gift amount as if it was earnings. That policy is for 2025.