khunPer

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There is a reason why Srettha Tavisen focused so much on tourism, because that could be a fast way to recover foreign currency income from lost industries; it takes long time to get someone interested in building or opening a factory, and they often need a tax reduction as bait. The Shinawatra-cabinet seems to continue this solution, as the wage-promises don't fit into getting more low-skilled factory-work to the country, compared to wages in other areas of Southeast Asia. Factories in need of highly qualified workers, has many better options than Thailand.

Most Thais would likely rather keep the land for family than a limited 99 years lease-income. With the freedom to renegotiate a lease after 30 years – which also can be for a new leaseholder – they can raise the price with for example inflation. If inflation is the preferred 2% annually, then they can almost, if not fully, double their lease prise; with 2% inflation prices will double in around 36 years. Furthermore, 30 years can be long time and progress can make both land and lease price raise more than inflation.

Infra structure is a general problem for becoming a "World class turist destination" – especially if Thailand also wish quality tourists to be included – and garbage is an extremely visual thing that Western foreigners instantly notice and dislike.

That's what happens, when handing out cash instead of a card, where money only can be used for certain items. However, "always look on the bright side of life", some money comes back to the government from spirit-tax...

You will need to be registered as house owner and host at the local "tessa ban" district office. You might also need to obtain a yellow house book for aliens, ask at the office if that is neccessary; the process can sometime be little complicated, depending on what the local office requests. When that is done, you can do the registration online for being the host, and thereafter the TM30-registration of yourself.

In the Thai law there is no difference between rent and lease. But in practise "leasing" means a longer fixed period than 3 years. When renting (leasing) for more than 3 years the agreement is registered on the title deed at a Land Office and tax shall be paid for the whole agreed period. It's illegal to agree periods over 3 years duration without registering. Some renter s won't make rental agreements for more than 3 years, both to avoid tax, but also for the freedom to raise the rent after the agreed period or sell their property without any registered obligations on the title deed, which obligations continues for a new owner. Often lease is agreed for 30 years, which is the maximum period. Any agreement of additional leasing period(s) is not registered and might be hard to lawfully enforce, if the lessor backs out, sells or die. You can find the law "Rent of property" in English translation HERE.

If me, I wouldn't do it, nor wear massive gold chains...

@DrJack54 gave you the right answer above. I wish to add that keeping the 800k baht in a separate account when applying for extension of stay makes it easier for both you and the immigration officer. If you can afford it, just deposit the funds in a 12-month fixed account for best interest, and withdraw the interest one a year, so the balance is clean 800k baht.

Why not buy it for you son now; i.e., in his name. Owned by a company, it will be taxed as company property. When later transferring it to your son it's a plain business sale and will be taxed as such.

I presume that the regular monthly donations from one or more foreign men are considered tax-free gifts...

When I had my daughter's birth certificate translated, we could use a normal translator. Thereafter the translation was legalized by the Thai Foreign Ministry in Bangkok. It could be done as same day service, and there are translators available in same building. Otherwise legalized documents can be send as EMS. You already has an official translation of the children's names, as it is used in their Thai passports. When leaving Thailand you would need a certificate from the amphor district office, where the mother permits you to take the children out of Thailand. The mother needs to be present at the amphor office to have the document issued. The children will leave Thailand on their Thai passports, as (or if) they have not entered on a UK-passport. There is a sample of my letter below; however, I was never asked to show it, and my daughter has my family name and was 13 years old when I first time travelled abroad with her, but the immigration officer asked her some questions in Thai when we were leaving. In case an immigration officer should ask for the mother's permission and you don't have the certificate, the children might not be able to leave.

I believe a Thai ex-fiancé will keep the ring. Why? Because Tata young both kept her diamond ring and 100 million baht cash, when she broke her engagement...

Luckily I'm not married and have never been...👍 I heard and read all these stories about 70 year old men with their 18-years-and-one-day old new girlfriends in Pattaya, so I really looked forward to me 70th birthday and the new present for myself...😍 – but Covid came at that time and Pattaya closed down... Now I have passes the magic 70-year line, so it seems like I'm stuck with the usual girlfriend...

Seems like a logical explanation, but the haunted-story is far better entertainment...

The title sounded interesting, but seems like I misunderstood, it seems to be a thread about food...

Right now is low season. Inflation is not 25% since 2019, September 2019 the consumer price index was 100.24 and August 2024 it's 108.79... Jet-fuel price is now down to the same level as before COVID-closedown...

Won't work on Samui...

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It's not that old, it began about a decade ago, so Samui Immigration might live in future ages and other immigration offices will follow... – that has happened to other issues we had to get through with and then it also became part of other immigrations requirements. It's indeed still valid, this is the 2024 requirements list for extension of stay based on retirement...

It might be depending of the province. It's needed where I live – Samui Immigration – but we need a lot extra as retirees, we must also pass a hospital health check; I still wonder what happens, if the doctor don't let me pass...

Where to settle in Thailand is extremely dependent on life style and income, if you don't have a Thai partner that wish your settlement to be in the partner's area. When I was searching for where to settle in Land of Smiles about 20 years ago, I visited places of potential interest, before I made my decision. If you also do that, make visit both in the dry season and in the rainy season – some places you might need jetski or boat during the wet period – and up north also in the cold season. I finally settled on a southern island, as I both like the sea and the view of same, and furthermore "all year summer" and the party life. Island-living is often little more expensive than mainland, and tourist areas often little more expensive than more rural destinations; so, ongoing cash flow can also be part of a choice.

Higher flight prices might be a reason why the budget travellers aren't coming, while travellers in the higher financial level both can afford and expects better accommodation than budget travellers. I've noticed the same trend on Samui for a while, many-star hotels are busy, budget resorts seems to have many vacant rooms.

Yes, but there are around 6,000 expats living on the island...😉

Samui Immigration, Surat Thani Province.