Metapod

guess hangout together over there, similar plans lol

Okay, for a serious answer. 1. Tax. Thailand was a very low key tax haven with very favorable territorial taxation setup with overseas remittance and no CFC laws. This made it very advantageous to be based here as a tax resident with the right legal structure for overseas company where you could pay a very low tax rate. 2. Lifestyle. Say what you will, but Thailand is a very fun place to live and visit. There is a reason why Bangkok is the number 1 most visited city in the world. It's a playground country. 3. Networking / History - This might be more specific to my industry and circle of friends, but a lot of us met and networked in Thailand when we started building our businesses. Thailand is one of the world hubs for online marketing / SEO and a lot of us came here when we were starting out a long time ago. We didn't just uproot after we started to make serious money. A lot of us started families and settled down here with roots. As for the LTR visa, I'll probably swap to that visa from Thai Elite. My concern is that the LTR visa will no longer shelter taxes if they push for a non remittance based system.

We obviously swim in different ponds. Not everyone here is an aging pensioner trying to squeak by in retirement.

No downside? It's going to be an absolute ball ache trying to stay compliant for expats who have international funds and it's going to chase away all the high earners. Probably the worst part is how Thailand combines PIT with capital gains. Noone making serious money is going to stick around to pay 35% tax for nothing in return when there are other options out there. Just from personal anecdote, I know more than 5 people personally who earn 20million+ thb a year here that have either left or are planning to leave specifically due to these impending tax changes. Several others earning less than I know are also leaving. Will the old entrenched pensioners stick around? Perhaps, but the wealthy won't.

I have 20 year Thai Elite, own multiple properties here and have lived here for over a decade. This change just means I will have to be a temporary resident in Thailand and spend less than 180 days a year here. I'll also be investing abroad instead as I no longer feel comfortable investing more into Thailand with the direction they want to go with tax. Thailand is going from one of the most favourable tax systems to one of the worst in the world. It's nuts. I might also need to consider moving somewhere else for my main "home" as I don't want to be limited in my main home base if I have kids in future that need schooling. Probably make a move to Bali for a while as the offer a 5 year visa that doesn't tax offshore earnings.

my guess is they increase the lower fares up to drop down the cost of the longer fares. they might just do a flat 20thb regardless of distance in this case.

worldwide tax, vat on all imports, carbon taxes. holy <deleted>, Thailand is going to turn into a <deleted> hellhole.

we need to bring Prayut back. <deleted> this new government.

this government is a <deleted> disaster. they are taxing me right out of thailand with all this bull<deleted>

can we get these big government tax <deleted> out of here? sretta is a disaster

50 years? have you looked outside recently? almost every street vendor or service accepts QR payment. it's the preferred payment for many and most still don't report taxes.

this is going to have large ramifications to thailand.

Already tried 5+ taxes on the street BEFORE using the taxi stand. All tried to scam. Calling grab to Centralworld? Sure, if you like waiting 20+ minutes for them to arrive. Motorbike taxi wasn't an option as I had too many things to carry.

its been legal for 2 years and the sky isn't falling. just keep it legal

its been legal for over a year, the sky isn't falling. weed isn't bad. just treat it like booze, which is significantly worse.

waited for 10 taxis at the taxi stand at Centralworld last week and every single taxi refused to use the meter and tried to gouge me for 200+ thb for a 70 thb trip

its been no rules weed for over a year and everything is fine. the world didnt explode. maybe it isnt so bad?

no thanks, i'll take lower cost of living and coruption over "clean" energy and public healthcare that I can't access.

Yes, it absolutely is a taxable event under the new system.

People openly smoke cigs and drink alcohol in bars and restaurants where there are children inside. What is the difference?

That isn't how DTA works. If you are a tax resident with assessable income, you are still going to have to file a tax return in thailand. you wil also need to translate and validate swiss documents, so you are going to have to hire an accountant. this can't be a bog standard thai accountant that deals just with thai tax returns. I'm honestly shocked how financially illiterate everyone here is.

fewer and fewer places in the world where you can escape the globalists.

If you stay more than 180 days a year, no. You will be required to fill a yax return and pay tax on any money remitted per the DTA agreements with any other tax jurisdiction you also fall under

holding out hope Thai Elite gets some special rules

No, that isn't how it works. A DTA doesn't make you tac exempt. You still have reporting requirements in 2 places and will need to fill tax returns in Thailand. This means translating documents, hiring an accountant, submitting tax forms every year to RD. Have you read your specific DTAs? Many of them just specify who has first rights to tax, not exclusive taxation rights. In many DTAs you will pay tax in both countries and rhe country with first rights on tax will provide a credit you can apply to the second country to prevent being taxed on the same income twice. If the rates in the second country are different, you pay the difference. Thaikand has much lower income bands than a lot of other countries, so many people will pay twice in both areas. It all depends on the DTAs but regardless, everyone will have a burden of dealing with more paperwork and beauracracy Also a lot of people have income that isn't covered by a DTA