KhunHeineken

Been a common saying for decades: "they don't want us here, they just want out money here." Ever heard the saying, or something pretty similar before? Tourism accounts for around 20% of Thailand's GDP. Have you heard that, as well? Tourism is what has caused Thailand to be named "the world's brothel." Have you heard that saying before? Those "tons of areas" don't have many Thai's, either, do they? It's difficult to find a village that doesn't have a falang living in it. Look how tourism and expats have created provincial immigration amongst the Thai workers, many heading south to work in hospitality, legitimate or otherwise. If foreigners haven't colonized Thailand, what would you call it? I will count your reply as the most naive post of the day.

We are definitely being ripped off. A passport, any passport, is just not worth that much money.

I agree. That's why it's called "The Australian Housing Market Ponzi Scheme." In many ways, it's not dissimilar to what happened in the USA back in 2008. Since the covid housing bubble, the banks have tightened up. I think it's because they knew they were over leveraged. Those mortgages are still in play. Inflation is still at 3.8%, and has been for some time. That's about 1.3% higher than the RBA would like. Raise rates again, and it pushes thousands across the country into foreclosure. Lower rates to save the housing market and inflation increases. Catch 22. The broad sword of raising interest rates only effects those repaying finance. The rich are unaffected and keep spending. Hardly equitable. A few ideas were put forward by government advisors at the time. One being, a temporary rise in the GST. This hits the people actually causing the inflation, the spenders, but it was not to be. Turning the family home into an investment vehicle has brought financial pain and suffering to many, with no end in sight.

The "middle" is the epicenter of the colony.

I've been all over Thailand, even off the beaten track on a road / trail bike. Seen a lot and done a lot, over many years, good and bad. What you don't seem to understand is your presence has corrupted the whole village.

That is basically how it works. Many members seem to think DTA's stop their money being taxed in two countries. This is incorrect. DTA's simply stop the same money being taxed twice. I posted this on another thread. I'll post it again on this thread for your benefit. He explains it quite well.

DTA's ensure no double taxation, however, DTA's simply allow the taxation to be shared, and not exempted. One particular member believes not. Tax or no tax the following year, the Chinese and Russian will keep the Thai property market afloat. He may be right, but in my opinion, anyone doing their due diligence would hold off to see how this tax unfolds, and a I gave an example in another thread of the exact demographic who should not be rushing in. Another member said the Chinese and Russians simply want / need to get their money out of their country, and I accept that, but I also mentioned if they are "parking" that money in Thai property, then it's creating a "bubble." I have never trusted any government here. That's why I have nothing here I can leave behind in a matter of hours and head straight to the airport. This is by design. They can do anything, at anytime, and foreigners have no rights. That retirement visa / extension is nothing more than a 1 year tourist visa.

Many pensioners here would have to budget for that. That 20,500 baht would have to come out of their lifestyle.

You are not a resident of Thailand for tax purposes, so no consequences at all for you. Feel free to stay another 9 days if you like, but not another 10 days.

It's now January 2025.

Perhaps those that have financial and emotional ties in Thailand. A member posted earlier on another thread that he will not leave his Thai family for 6 months of the year. I guess some people will just have to pay.

Maybe the Thai's are just happy to have tourism, rather than be colonized, because that's pretty much what expats have done, colonized Thailand, from north to south, and east to west.

They very well might have just enough in place come extension time in 2025 to ensure you pay "something" and that "something" may not necessarily be tax.

If it comes to that, will you sign a false declaration? The stakes get raised once you go down that path.

Interesting.

Thai's have a birthright to live in Thailand, you do not. That means the Thai government says "jump" and you ask "how high?" Make of that what you will, but if they want your money, and you refuse to pay, you are out.

Perhaps you can "gift" one of the kids a car, and they let you drive it, if you know what I mean.

Yes, but he'll tell you he ploughs money into the Thai economy, and how the Thai government would never get rid of him because they would lose too much money.

And they are all smart enough to know that "my girl is different." It's pure genius.

You have 432 posts on this thread, nearly more than double the member with the second highest post count. It's the same for the other tax threads also. In all of the threads you tell members about the tax they will have to pay, yet claim I post about "the sky is falling." Really????

The Wild West (Cambodia) is way behind the times, and they don't seem to go for the jugular like Thailand does with foreigners.

Why not set up a bank account in a neighboring country that you like? You go there for a small holiday every now and then. Go to the bank. Withdraw a sum on money the day before you come back to Thailand. Declare the money. Throw it in the safe and live of it for a while. ATM withdraws for the offshore bank helps as well. Just remit as less as possible. Why not spend the 111,000 baht on holidays, rather than giving it to the Thai government for NOTHING. It's not tax avoidance. It's tax minimization. Some may argue this, but TIT, so the chances of any problems is near zero. Did the same when in Singapore for the F1. Brought back a chunk of money.

Yes. Best visit now, before there is an insurrection.

Wars raging all around the world, and Mr. Drill Baby Drill soon to take power. Pretty obvious, isn't it?

Happy New Year.