tonika

I am a UK citizen living in Thailand. At present I receive 3 (UK) Local Government pensions that are paid into my UK bank account, which have tax deducted at source. In June I am entitled to the State pension ( again liable to UK tax ).

Can anyone tell me whether it's possible to have the pensions taxed here in Thailand rather than the UK. The reason being that I feel I get little benefit now from the UK, in the form off help. For instance, once you've left the UK for 6 months, you are not entitled to use the NHS. My Sate pension is frozen, due to living abroad. And they also stop your Winter Fuel Payment allowance.

While I suppose I would still be liable for the same amount of tax deduction in Thailand from my pensions income, I am using the facilities here, and feel I should make a contribution. Whether the tax can be deducted here rather than the UK, is another matter.

My wife and I are intending buying a new car ( Honda City ), and we would like to take advantage of the Thai Governments rebate scheme for buying a car ( up to B 100,000 ). But my wife's friend told her that because she owned a 2nd hand pickup over 12 years ago, we would not be eligible for the rebate. I am a bit confused, as a neighbour says that the rebate applies to new cars only. Can anyone tell me who is correct, my wife's friend, or the neighbour ?.

Can anyone confirm whether there was an extension of time granted with the rebate scheme on new cars ( under 1 million Baht ) by the Thai Government, into 2013. We are thinking of buying a new car in the near future, my wife's friend told her to ask about the Government rebate scheme, as it's been extended to next year. Is that correct ?.

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated.

Thanks to replies I got from my last post ' Retirement or Marriage Visa ', I had decided to go for the Retirement visa as it seems less hassle to get. But I'm now wondering if it's worth trying to get an extension on my current visa ( Non Immigrant, Cat. O, Multiple entry ), before I apply for the Retirement visa ?. If so, can this be done without leaving Thailand. And how much would it cost ?. Also, has it got to be done within a certain date, before my current visa expires, next year in June ?.

Thanks guy's, for all your helpful replies. It would seem the paperwork for the Retirement visa, as I suspected is much less. So I'm going to go for it. My neighbour who suggested the Retirement visa is the one to go for ( after having so much hassel getting the 'Marriage' visa ), will be disappointed to learn, he can't get Permanent Residency with a Retirement visa. He had high hopes for getting PR, so as to avoid having to keep on reapplying for a visa, year after year.

At present I'm here in Thailand on a Non Immigrant Visa ( Type O multipule entry ), expires June 2013. I was intending to go for the ' Marriage Type ' visa, during the course of the year, before my multi entry visa expires. Now I'm not so sure, after talking to my neighbour who had quite a bit hassle at the local Immigration Office, to get his ' Marriage Visa ', about 3 weeks ago. He tells me he has to go through the same hassle again next year, in order for the visa to continue. He thinks it would be much easier to go for the Retirement visa instead. He advises me to do the same.

My (Thai) wife, thinks I should still go for the ' Marriage ' visa, but from reading some info on this forum, I'm thinking it would be easier going for the Retirement visa, and also,

nowhere near the same hassle for renewing it every year thereafter.

I'd appreciate any replies on this.

I am hopeless regarding cars, and could do with advice on the following. My wife would like me to buy a Honda CR-V. When checking the official Honda website the ' standard model ' is just within my budget, and looks very attractive. But we saw on the webpage Honda have 2nd hand cars that they certify. I was wondering if it's worth it ?. The model advertised is a 2008 CR-V 2.4 i-VTEC AT 4WD, price B 1,150,000 ( look's like new in the advert photo ) . The cost new ( 2012 ) on their websie is B 1,524, 000. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks too both of you guys, will give both Penang and these websites links a try.

Cheers

Can anyone give me prices for 'Farang' type foods in Bangkok. Items, such as Corned Beef, Baked Beans, Tinned Soups, Tinned Tomato's, Tinned Salmon etc. I'm living in Issan, and I would like to compare prices with those in Bangkok, to see if they vary a lot. Because if so, it may be worth coming to Bangkok to buy in bulk. At present a tin of Corned Beef is just over B 300, where I shop in Issan ( that's over 6 UK Pounds ). When I left the UK in July, the price for the same item was just over 2 Pounds, in my local Supermarket. Although I do realize there is a cost for shipping, tax etc., I'm hoping these items are still a bit cheaper in Bangkok. If anyone can let me know, I'd be oblidged.

Thanks

Thanks Songhklasid for responding, will give these places a try.

Can anyone tell me if Korean Panax Gensing is available in Thailand. I've been told my Immune System is weak. And that this Gensing can help restore it.

Thanks for the replies, I got corned beef today, thanks again.

Recently moved to Udon Thani, but can't seem to find any Corned Beef for sale here. Does anyone know if it is sold in Udon ?. Have tried Tesco/Lotus, Tops, and Big C in Udon, but they don't stock it. Or, do I have to go to another Thai city to get some ?.

Looks like I'm stuffed, and in a ' no win ' situation, regarding uk tax. Anyway, thanks to all that responded.

I've recently taken early retirement from my job in the UK, to settle here in Thailand with my Thai wife. I thought that my tax would now alter significantly on the 2 Local Government Pensions I receive. But it would appear there's not any difference. Also, I rented out my UK house, as I couldn't sell it due to the economic climate at present in the UK. But it seems this is also taxed at the same rate that I'd pay in the UK. And I'Il still have to fill in a HMRC tax form every year.

My question is, are there any tax benefits/concessions for moving here to Thailand ?. I just wondered, as you hear so much about Tax Exiles, Film Stars etc. moving abroad, to avoid the high taxes they pay in the UK.

Thanks yet again MobileContent, I really appreciate it. Sounds as though I'm spoiled for choice.

Regards

tonika

Thanks to all for the info, guys. like the ideas about th high speed internet scenarios. Will certainly give them a try.

Regards

tonika

Thanks ' Mobile Content ' will check this out when I get there.

Hi

I'm coming to live in Udon Thani beginning of July. Can anyone give me a rough idea, regarding Satellite TV, and Internet Installation costs. Are there different Providers, and if so, can you recommend one in particular ?. Do they charge a monthly subscription fee, like here in the UK ?. With TV, I would only be interested in Current Affairs, News Channels and Documenteries. If anyone can help, I'd be oblidged

thanks.

I'm retiring and moving to Udon Thani, where my wife and I are having a house built. I should be there in July, all being well. Should I go to the expense of sending my household goods, such as, TV, Fridge/freezer, microwave, laptop etc from the UK ?. Or, is it cheaper to buy new items when I get to Thailand ?. It would be handy to know the approximate cost of such items, especially quality manufacturers prices, such as Sony, Panasonic, Mitsubushi, Hatachi, etc. If anyone can give me any info on this subject I'd appreciate it.

I always assumed tax was payable by "UK residents" therefore if you are not residing nor have a residence in the UK why would you pay them tax ?

CharlieH Thats what I thought, not so HMRC, they say regarding Residence ; ' There is no special definition of the word

' residence ' for tax. It is not just about whether you have a house or flat in the UK or about how much time you spend there, but the the more connections you have with the UK the more likely you are to be a UK resident ( For taxation ). You can be resident in more than one country at the same time '. To me it's just another way of saying you'll be liable for UK tax even if your staying in Thailand.

There is no double taxation treaty for state or private pensions. (There is only for government pensions i.e. pensions paid to people who worked for the government.)

You'll be taxed on your UK income (including your pension) just as you would be in the UK.

Theoretically you could also be taxed on your UK income in Thailand if you bring it into Thailand within a year. However, I've never heard of this actually happening. If you have no income in Thailand then there's no need to make a Thai tax return and the taxman here will never even know about you. If you want to be extra safe, keep the money in a bank account outside Thailand for a year, then bring it in.

AyG - Can you give me any further advice regarding the following information ? When I retire I will have 3 ' Local Government Pensions ', and it would look like I will be renting my property in the UK, rather than selling. So I would have a monthly rental income + the 3 pensions. In addition I also have some money in a bank savings account, but with the poor interest rates here in the UK, I thought of transfering this money to Thailand. Then in June (2013 ) I get the UK State Pension.

According to the HMRC Digest of Double Taxation Treaties ( With Thailand ) it states;

1. Property Income Dividends : Full Refief on Tax ( The income must be subject to tax in the territory to qualify for relief )

2. Interest : 25 % ( Note 1. Relief may be restricted if whole amount of Income is not remitted to Thailand - Note 2. 10% or full relief in certain circumstances )

3. Government Pensions : Full Relief ( Relief available only where the individual is BOTH a national and a resident of the territory )

4. State Pension : No Relief

Thanks

tonika

Can anyone give me help or advice regarding the Double Taxation Treaties between the UK and Thailand ?. I'm taking early retirement in the UK at the end of June, depending on how soon I can sell or rent my property in the UK after this, is when I'II be able to come and settle (permanently) wth my wife in Thailand.

At the moment the thing that is causing me the biggest hassle is , I just can't seem to get any straight forward answers about how much tax I will pay, and to which country, when I retire. At first I got in touch with HMRC, I got passed fom one department to the next, but at the end of the day I was still confused. I then went to see a Chartered Accountant, He tells me my UK tax situation is pretty straight forward, and his Company can sort it out. But when I asked him ' What is the situation with the Double Taxation Treaties, when I've moved to Thailand ? ', he couldn't give me an answer. His advice was to ask expats who live there.

So if anyone can give me help with this subject, or they know off someone who can, I'd be very much obliged.

Thanks to you all for your advice. Phoned Hull this morning. Lady I spoke to was very nice, told me exactly what documentation required to get my visa. What did come as a surprize was that I don't need to go to Hull in person, can send my documentation/details by post. This has saved me a fortune. Really appreciate this.

tonika