KhunHeineken

Getting back on topic, say this tax policy goes ahead, what enforcement options do you think they will implement?

I know it's a lot more complicated, I agree with you on that. However, I would not be surprised if the Thai government simplifies it in order to still make a baht, but the system is basically laughed at. I have even said all the TRD might want is 1000 baht out of every expat tax resident for a document needed for an extension, just like the certificate of residence. It should be free, but most pay 300 baht. Some shouldn't have to pay the 1000 baht but will have to pay it anyway, and others should pay maybe 100,000 baht but only pay 1000 baht. It could be laughable, but at the end of the day, that money goes into the pocket of the TRD, and goes all the way to the top. Another method is all they may do is ask you to produce a document from your Thai bank showing your overseas remittances. They may tax you on that figure and not explore the the source of the income. If you refuse, no extension, and leave Thailand, and come back on a tourist visa. I have posted before, who is brave enough, or stupid enough, to take the TRD to court over this? They will make an example of anyone doing so. Basically, it will be pay "something" or no extension. Like yourself, I can't see them being interested or care about assessable / non assessable, pre 2024 savings blah blah blah. They will simplify it and give you the bill. Pay it, or accept the consequences.

It's not about if paying the tax is a problem, it's about what the Thai government can / may / will do if people do not pay tax. I've suggested no visa / extension to be one method of enforcement they may consider.

I've never suggested expat retirees were targets, or being targeted. Expat retirees simply meet the definition of a resident of Thailand for tax purposes, being in Thailand for 180 days, thus, are open to being taxed the same a Thai national who may also be a resident of Thailand for tax purposes.

The Thai economy is not in great shape. They will be chasing every baht from everyone. The Director General has been tasked with broadening Thailand's tax base. That means, getting more people on their tax books, including foreigners. Time will tell how this unfolds.

I agree. I posted a while ago I don't want to be one of the first group of expats to be made an example of with this policy.

Toughen up, Princess.

How does the TRD know that a Non O visa holder is ONLY on a pension? This why the tax is on the remittance, not the individual, and most pensions go over the threshold.

Not everyone on a Non O is on a pension living month to month. In any case, most pensions from around the world still go over the threshold, so they make money out of the pensioners, as well as other more wealthy retirees.

I remember when it was called "scaremongering" for saying it. It's an easy way for enforcement. The Thai government would be aware how easy it would be to add this requirement.

Fair enough, I just wouldn't leave it to the last minute for your extension. Just a prediction, which I, and others, have posted here before. In my opinion, there's an easy revenue stream just stilling there untapped for the Thai government. That revenue stream can be legit, or otherwise, or a combination of both, depending on the individual. I accept everyone has different thoughts on this issue. I'm just not in the "I'll do nothing" group, but each to their own.

Fair enough. I accept this. I was and still am a little suspicious of this visa though.

Fair enough. I like to tell them nothing here. I used to also put down a fictitious figure on the TM6. The vacating Thailand for 6 months of the year is something no one wants to do, but it may well come to that for those who are not prepared to pay money for nothing.

So, you are basing YOUR actions on what you think, but do not know for sure, Chinese, Russian, and Indian expats will, or will not do. Good Luck with that. BTW, please supply a link as to what they are doing.

Why do you want to sign up? Have you not read all the posts from members that all of this will never happen? It will just all go away.

I haven't speculated anything. Another member posted about under filling tanks, and I posted I would not be surprised if that's what happened. Nothing has changed since then. It wasn't my theory. It was another members "theory." All I said is I would not be surprised. Why don't you take you issue up with the member who posted that they under fill tanks? I don't trust the Thai's, especially where business is concerned, meaning MONEY. Look at the OP heading. It was posted by Admin. They called it "Death island." Why would an island in Thailand be called such name? How would it get such a reputation? Wake up. They tried to say similar to the fiends and families of the bed bug victims. Until the truth was released in the global media. Then, it was all back flips. Why are you trying to wave it away, which I find "immensely disrespectful" to the deceased, and his friends and family. Do you have financial interests on the island, or in the industry?

"scaremongering" - what a load of BS. It's called freedom of speech. Thailand has the death penalty for drug trafficking. There's no death penalty for tax evasion. We often discuss people caught for drug trafficking who are facing the death sentence, but dare to discuss a fine, or a possible visa violate attached to not paying a tax liability in Thailand, and you call it "scaremongering." Really???? "scaremongering" - is that the best you've got?

I wouldn't say a tax refugee. I've paid more than my fair share of tax over my working life. None too happy that any of it went to people who have never worked a day in their life, but that's for a different thread. By choice, I remained a tax resident of Thailand in 2024. Depending on how this unfolds, it will determine if I decide to remain a tax resident of Thailand in 2025. Unlike others, I can easily do 6 month outside Thailand a year. So, Vietnam may see me as a tax refugee of Thailand, along with many others.

Don't you own a dive shop in Phuket? If so, how can your view on this incident be subjective?

Are you suggesting Thailand wants to become a global tax haven?

Are you concerned at all about the financial information you had to supply? I would think you have now laid your cards on the table.

You really have no clue about safety standard in Thailand. MONEY NUMBER ONE - it's as simple as that. You can not guarantee it did not / does not happen though, can you? Ok, bars like that go out of business, but they don't kill people, do they? Then, there's too much methanol, but that's another story. Then there's too much bed bug spray, but that's another story also. Is it possible? That's a Yes or No answer? Good luck with that for a cheap Chinese copy from nowhere. There is some truth to your statement. I wasn't there, but then again, neither were you. Fact is, as you say, someone died, so I hope the family, and note I said the family, get to find out why. Like the bed bug spray, it took the family to have an independent autopsy done in their home country to solve the case of the many dead in one hotel in Chiang Mai. Prior to the family's own investigation, it was deny, deny, deny, and if I remember correctly, they even blamed the victims for drinking too much alcohol or taking drugs. Once again, we can't let any evidence of under filling tanks come to light. Deny, deny, deny. Thai tourism industry profits above all. Or, perhaps how naive you are about MONEY NUMBER ONE, and life number two.

I have two elderly friends like that here also. They have the money in the bank, but their health and mobility is not what it used to be, thus, they use an agent, and who you blame them? My reason for using an agent is more for the protection of my money, not due to lack of affordability. It was a no brainer when the 800k kept invested in my home country more than paid for the agent. I simply don't trust the Thai government. Never have, and never will. I's an unstable country, and have been for decades. The agent I have consulted with deals with an accounting firm. Just like in my home country, creative accounting can make many tax liabilities go away, legally. I have everything set up for the second half of March, but I am still looking around and comparing prices and services. As said, I am not one the members that place my faith in TiT and it will all go away. If it does, great, if it doesn't, come late March, my documents to remain legal here should be in order. Depending on what I may / will have to pay will determine my tax residency status in Thailand in the future. It's no problem for me to leave for 6 months.

It's a rinse and repeat thing. Tourism industries here push the boundaries / exceed safety standards, and when it comes undone and tourists die, and it makes the global media, they arrest the owner of the company and declare the WHOLE industry has been cleaned up and it's safe for tourists, again, until the next time, and then rinse and repeat. As you say. It's been this way forever.

I'm not Thai, and neither are you, so who cares about the Thai's tax liabilities? I am not freaking out. Said it a few time before, I have no problem doing Danang - Vietnam for 6 months a year. I have already picked out the condo block. I accept what you say about "savvy tax consultants" but I have never been influenced by them. What you don't seem to understand is, I really don't care what they do in Thailand to foreigners in relation to this tax policy. I have no emotional attachments here, and a very very small financial attachment here. As I have said in the past, I show Thailand the same loyalty as it shows me - ZERO. You, on the other hand, well, it seems you are the one "freaking out" because you have invested emotionally and financially in Thailand. That's why the Thai government loves guys like you. They have you under their thumb. You see, it's the Thai government that have $$$$$$$$ THB in their eyes when looking at you, and that's because you have to stay trapped in their 180 days tax residency law. Me, on the other hand, they might get me this year, and that was my choice to test the waters, but given what happens this year, they may never get me again. That's the difference between you and me. Firstly, I'm not worried. I am looking at all options, possibilities, Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C. It's just a forward thinking strategy. It appears you are more of a sit back and wait and see guy. Fine. Each to their own, right? I would be interested in why you think your DTA ensures you pay no tax in Thailand. I have a few dollars in the bank and some assets back home, but I don't flaunt it in Thailand and paint a target on myself. As said, I volunteered to be part of the "experiment" in 2024. If all this tax "thing" never happens, great, if it does, and I feel I've been ripped off, it's Thailand 6 months and Vietnam 6 months, and Thailand will get NOTHING from me by way of resident taxation going forward. Either way, I really don't care.