khunPer

That is true - "...good for the nation" - the major question is merely how much more an alien shall pay? If the balance is right - i.e. minor or acceptable surcharge - then almost nobody would complain. Another fact is that if you cannot afford - or by other means can get - a health insurance, you are on you own, i.e. on your own money. This means that if you cannot afford to pay for your health, then you shall consider if Thailand is the right place for you to stay as an alien. It's not a matter of opinion - or a question about equality or discrimination - it's pure facts.

It won't, by that time they've fixed the drainage, so it won't be like it was before...

I've always been told from dietitians that olive oil should be avoided for frying, while it's excellent in cold food, for example in salads. The dietitians I know all says that palm oil and coconut oil are the best for frying, both are available here at affordable prices, however the coconut oil is two-three times as expensive as palm oil, but seems to have a number of health benefits, so might be well worth the money.

Not at all "neglected to advise some relevant information but there is something distinctly peculiar in your account of this incident" - there are 21 other Danes on the tax-list besides me on the island where I live, so it's about all Danes, furthermore numerous Danes further up north have shared about it in a Danish-language forum, many are retirees with no other income than their government pensions - so please don't speculate in something you have no knowledge about, and make accusations based on your speculations. The basics of a DTA is to share tax-information between the two states...???? I have based on this incident been in contact with the Danish tax authorities, who confirms in writing that they share tax-information with Thailand...

You didn't specify much in the opening post, but from the 2017-salary-guide I have, it says this for "admin"...

Take a look in the Thai salary guide HERE. Officer level... Programmer & IT-support: 23,000 baht to 41,000 baht per month. Supervisor level... IT: 36,000 baht to 67,000 baht per month. Higher levels in IT range from 54,000 baht to 160,000 baht per month.

The comments to the Danish DTA says that the so-called "standard DTA" states that taxation of retirement pensions are due in the state of tax-residence, however a state can claim taxation right as source of income, which is a deviation from the standard DTA. This might result in that an income is taxable in both states, but will be refunded, or partly refunded, due to a DTA. Your Norwegian example is according to what follows from the standard DTA, whereas your US example follows state of source (I havn't checked if US' DTA says anything about taxation in both states, like the Danish DTA says). The most easy way to avoid double taxation is the Thai exemption-method, i.e. (1) Exemption method The country of residence does not tax the income which according to the DTA is taxed in the source country. -however, the exemption method is up to the Thai authorities' decision, it's not up to the taxpayer...????

The source is "the taxman" - i.e.that's what the kind people from the tax authorities have told not only me, but also other Danes in Thailand. They are mainly looking for income that might not have been taxed abroad, i.e. the data they have obtained is us retiree's net-income after home country taxation, and they say "money that the Danish government had not taxed", so we need to show that tax has already been paid. In Denmark all communication with authorities is digital, so we Danes can for example only print an income tax-statement ourselves - i.e. no official letterhead, and no rubber stamps, and no signature - luckily, they seems to accept that...????

If I remember correct, then the GB and Thai DTA specific mention that pensions paid by government are only taxable in GB for GB-nationals, I'm not sure if private pensions are specific mentioned. You need to carefully read your home country's DTA. Some states might also have a further explanation to what has been agreed in the DTA, and how it works in practice. I'm not at all specialist, I just wished to care about my own income taxation and fully legal ways for "tax planning"...????

I've been looking for it since more than 15 years ago - I never found any, but I do remember somebody posted that it was available a few places - I ended up buying my own safe...???? Now I'm saving up little money every month, so I one day might have something to put into my safe...????

You said "...I never ever heard of anyone being taxed for bringing money into LOS to live on as a retiree as you propose to do." Then you will hear about the first case right now - and I'm just one of several - the Thai tax authorities has begun to check retirees for retirement pension taxation. I, and many of my fellow Danish countrymen (and women) have had visit of the kind taxman (often a pair of ladies) that already have full statements about income from our home country. We need to prove that we have paid income tax in our home countries, and that the income tax is higher than it would be in Thailand (no problem when one's country is number one in the World). Mind you that the base of a DTA is that the two states share tax-information. According to the Thai taxman, retirees from Denmark and Finland, are only the beginning; however, you might not need to pay tax in Thailand, but they do wish to know about your income, in principle you are tax-resident and fully income taxable...????

That is unfortunately not correct. A DTA is just a way to avoid paying tax twice of the same income, you might still be income taxable both in your home country, and at the same time full tax-resident in Thailand, if you stay more than 180 days in Thailand during a calendar year. I would love to pay income tax in Thailand of all my income instead of in my home country, which has a DTA with Thailand, unfortunately I'm stuck with the World's highest taxation on my retirement income, even that the DTA says that it's "taxable in both states"...

In principle you are tax-resident when staying in Thailand more than 180 days within a tax-year, which is a calendar year, i.e. you shall pay income tax. Income from abroad is first of all depending of your home country's DTA (Double Taxation Agreement) with Thailand, and the the sources of income. Some income might be taxable in both countries, but one of the countries will repay tax, if they charge it. Thailand has two ways to eliminate double taxation... C. Elimination of double taxation The focus of a DTA is the elimination of double taxation. Each DTA may prescribe different methods of elimination of double taxation of a person by the resident country: (1) Exemption method The country of residence does not tax the income which according to the DTA is taxed in the source country. (2) Credit method The resident country retains the right to tax the income which was already taxed in the source country. It calculates its tax on the basis of the taxpayer's total income including income from the other country which according to the DTA is taxed in that other country. However, it allows a deduction from its own tax for the tax paid in the other country. Only about 6 percent of Thailands population is registered for income tax, and circa 4 percent actually pays income tax (according to news articles); most foreigners with retirement pension as the only income, or living from savings, don't register for income tax - it might even be difficult to be registered without having any Thai income (I talk from experience) - but in principle you are eligible for income taxation. In principle all foreign income brought into Thailand is income taxable; however, only if the income is transferred during the same calendar year as it's earned. The next calendar year, and any following calendar years, the income is considered "savings", which are free from income tax when transferred into Thailand. Dividends from foreign stocks and interest from foreign bonds are only eligible to be taxed in Thailand at the same rate as Thai dividend and interest, i.e. 10 percent and 15 percent, so if you pay higher withheld dividend tax at source of income, you shall not pay tax in Thailand, or the Thai-tax will be repaid. Foreign capital gain is income taxable, but I only hear about people that leave the capital gain offshore until next calendar year...???? When using the 800,000 baht bank deposit for applying of annual extension of stay, the source of fund is not asked for; i.e. you could have change from having a work permit to be retired, and use previous Thai income for the deposit. Only when using the income method of minimum 65,000 baht each month, you need to prove it's a foreign transfer, normally marked as FTT in your bankbook and bank statements (Foreign Telegraphic Transfer). Any Thai income as interest from you bank accounts, or other investments, will be withheld tax - 15 percent from interest, and 10 percent from dividends - if you accept that tax, then you don't need to do any further. However, you might be able to reclaim your withheld tax, if your total taxable Thai-income is under the tax limit, but do consider if it's worth the paperwork depending of the size of money; i.e. 800,000 baht might in best years pay around 1.5 percent interest that equals 12,000 baht, of which 15 percent tax is 1,800 baht. You can find you home country DTA in the link HERE. Depending of you home country's DTA and source income, you might have some tax-benefits from dividend tax when residing in Thailand, which can be 15 percent flat rate - which for example is eligible for US dividends paid to non US citizens (I dont know if US-citizens are also eligible) - or Thai 10 percent tax, if the dividend is transferred into Thailand during the same calendar years as it's earned, but only eligible for the actual transferred dividend sum...????

In my modest opinion, it's a bad photoshop work.

They are dropping quarantine for vaccinated tourists from November 1st, that'll make a difference for the coming high season, so the number might not be far out...????

28th september Samui +5 cases Phangan, no new cases Koh Tao, no new cases

Tax-number and ID-number are the same 13-digit number, and yes, it was written on the yellow vaccination appointment card. You should be able to get it from Samui Hospital in Nathon, 3rd floor, where you, as others have mentioned it, can also have a WHO vaccination passport. Link with instructions have been shared in an above post...

In the always unbearable crystal bright light of hindsight...????

When it's raining, it might result in flooding - sure, especially when people decides to settle in areas that are natural water reservoirs in heavy rain periods, as after a few years with less rain these areas seems to be safe, and those settlers furthermore splash concrete out everywhere, so the water cannot drain into soil - it's pure logic, which however is overlooked quite many places around the World, not only Pattaya...????

"...cannot guarantee opening of entertainment venues soon" Of course not, the reopened Pattaya will be B.L.U.E...????

Be aware of box jelly fish - by some mentioned as the most poisonous creature on Earth - especially in calm weather and after rain, or during soft rain, some experts warns. Sadly, a 9-year-old Israeli boy has died after he was stung by a box jellyfish while swimming at Haad Rin beach on Koh Phangan even he was given immediate first aid and rushed to hospital... You can read more in Thai language at Mathicon Online'a article (29th August 2021) HERE. 7 years ago we there was a similar sad accident with a French boy, The Guardian article from August 2014 is HERE. In case of being stung by Box Jelly Fish, some beaches on the islands have emergency posts with vinegar - looks for example like in my photo hereunder - vinegar is the best instant cure while waiting for an ambulance... Here is an emergency first aid guide in both Thai and English... Samui Rescue might also be a source for instant ambulance help, their phone number is 077 421 444. This is what a Box Jellyfish looks like in Wikipedia...

This thread is ment to share information about Covid-19 vccinations on the islands, perhaps a moderater would pin the tread, so we only have one place to share information about vaccination, making knowledge distribution, questions and answers more easy. Please note that "the Ministry of Public Health affirmed that all people who reside in Thailand, regardless of their nationality, are eligible to receive the vaccine under the government’s plan." PR Thai Government says... The Government has ensured that Thailand will begin a mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign, starting 1 May 2021, by prioritizing people aged 60 years and older, as well as people having certain underlying diseases or conditions, followed by citizens aged 18-59 years. During the CCSA meeting, the Ministry of Public Health affirmed that all people who reside in Thailand, regardless of their nationality, are eligible to receive the vaccine under the government’s plan. The first phase of COVID-19 vaccination campaign will start with Thai people aged 60 years and older, as well as people who have certain medical conditions: (1) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), (2) chronic kidney disease (CKD) in 5th stage, (3) coronary artery disease (CAD), (4) stroke, (5) obesity, (6) diabetes, and (7) cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. These groups are required to register to receive the vaccine, with a choice of three methods. Registrations may be done on (1) the Mor Prom ("Doctors Ready") app, a new platform that was specifically designed to facilitate the Government's vaccination program, (2) a nearby hospital, or (3) a village health volunteer or health promotion hospital in your area. The registration opens on 1 May 2021 and vaccinations will begin on 7 June. Other groups will be vaccinated in another phase. The registration for citizens aged 18-59 will be open in July 2021, and they will start to be vaccinated in August. PR Thai Government sources: 1. https://www.facebook.com/fanmoph 2. https://www.facebook.com/ddcmophthailand

I kindly suggest that we during the coronavirus pandemi period make a pinned thread with transport from/to the islands – Phangan, Tao and Samui – as the normal timetables and transports are cancelled; and when restarting, they might be only with limited departures. Lomprayah has been mentioned earlier in another thread, and the question about their 12:30 catamaran departure from Samui to Phangan, which I haven't seen, but however seemed like some passengers did make the tour. The reason could be, that there are so few passengers that it's operated by a speed boat. Here is the latest update from Lomprayah...

September 2019 updated post for obtaining Driver's License on Samui Apply for license at DLT (Department of Land Transport) in Lipa Noi (link to Google Map)... Official document requirement list... The office opens at 8:30 am Monday till Friday, come not later than 9 am to pick a queue-number from DL service-window #1 at left, the numbers are hanging on the wall. The tests start at 9:30 am. Documentation and photo-copies needed before you apply, if applying for both car and motorbike two sets of photo-copies are needed: Medical certificate when applying first time for a Thai DL. You shall ask for a medical check and the formular for DL at a hospital, or in a clinic. I used Thai International Hospital opposite Tesco-Lotus in Bo Phut, they charged 250 baht for check and form; it takes about 30 minutes or less. Certificate of Residency, or Work Permit, i.e. something legal to prove your address. The sign says a certificate of Residency can be obtained from one's embassy (in Bangkok), but normally a letter from Samui Immigration is accepted (I used that first time); Samui Immigration normally charge 500 baht for issuing an address confirmation letter. If you are registered in a House Book, i.e. Yellow House Book, you can use that; I did it when renewing my DL five years ago, and again today, where I also used my pink Thai ID-card. Using the pink ID-card for aliens gives you, your Thai ID-number on the DL, instead of your passport number; then you don't need to renew your DL when renewing your passport, and getting a new passport-number. Foreign DL and International Driver's Permit are needed first time you apply for a Thai DL, but it seems like Samui DLT accept foreign DL without a IDP, but the DL must then be translated to English and certified by your embassy – I had both DL and IDP when I applied for my first Thai DL, no translation needed as IDP is in English – if you don't have a DL, you need to take a full test. It has been posted before that full initial test is only performed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Your first Thai DL will normally be valid for 2 years. Renewal of Thai DL the old license must be expired. It's been posted before that you can renew up to one year after the license has expired, after that time you'll need a full test. The first two times I renewed a Thai DL I came a few days before, which was accepted. This year I came two days efter expiry, which gave me almost one year longer validity of my new license, as it runs over 5 birthdays; i.e. I got 5-years and 363 days. Applying for DL and tests The office opens at 8:30 am, come before 9:00 am. Pick your queue number and wait for being called to the DL counter. All photo-copies must be signed, best to do it in advance due to queue line and waiting time. Bring originals in case your are asked for them, or you need an additional photo-copy, which can be made in a both outside the DLT building. You'll be asked to write your name and telephone number, and sign a form when applying for DL. Passport, you need to copy the bio-page, and the page called "visa", which is your current non-expired visa, or your current extension-of-stay; i.e. photo-copies of two pages from your passport. Address documentation must be original letter from embassy or Immigration office, or photo-copy of Work Permit, or photo-copy of Yellow House Book – both "page 1" with house-address, and the page with your name (often page 2) – plus eventual pink ID-card. Medical form has to be original letter from hospital or clinic. Even it has been mentioned in the news that a medical form is also required for renewal, but Samui DLT don't want it. I once again wasted time and money, but had on the other hand the experience of enjoying a fine service, and a kind doctor, at the hospital. Current foreign DL; and translation to English, or IDP; both original and photo-copies when applying first time for a Thai DL. Current Thai DL when applying for a renewal, no copy is needed. Tests begin from 9:30 am at 2nd floor. There is also a 10:00 am team, might be for renewals only. Your name will be called by the DLT instructor, he will normally say "mister" or "miss/mrs." when calling foreigners, and using first name only (as per Thai culture), but your name might not be pronounced correctly, so pay attention. You will be handed your paperwork, stampled with the old DL when for renewal. Normally you need to pass physical tests for Combined color blindness and peripheral vision test Depth-perception (Three dimensional vision test) Reaction time (Brake test) (All three tests are fine explained here, OP #2, #3, and #4) Then follows an about one hour mandatory video. When renewing DL today (September 2019), we foreigners, and some few Thais, on the 10 am team were not tested on the peripheral-machine, and we should not watch a video. Getting your new DL After passing the tests, your papers will be signed by the instructor. You go downstairs to DL-counter #2 and hand in the papers, and pay the fee (about 600 baht per license). Wait in front of DL-counter #1, they'll call your name – first name, and might not be pronounced correctly – walk inside and have your photo taken, then again wait outside till called, and receive your new DL. I'm ????, I just passed 70-years, and got another almost 6-years license to drive...????