beautifulthailand99

Yes probably one of the biggest marijuana producers in the world now he will be relaxed about winnowing out the small fry and dominating this new market. One of the reasons why small craft beer companies haven't made great inroads is the punitive taxation regime sponsored and encouraged by BoonRawd/ThaiBev booze duopoly that effectively freezes out small players or makes the product prohibitively expensive. The same goes for the big supermarkets, they never really attack each other with aggressive pricing as that would damage each other. The Thai people are the big losers in all the strangleholds the mostly big Thai/Chinese families have on the business environment. Foreign entities enter the market at their peril - just ask Tesco or Carlsberg !

It's in that report from the AAPG and yes it is disgusting and an anomaly, particularly so in that pensioners don't make a big claim on the state for free bus fares healthcare and the like, making it doubly iniquitous. If a class action was to be attempted, then a lot of people would have to put up a lot of money to prepare a case and take the government to court. You're talking serious money here, and in many cases the government has Crown immunity anyway so normal laws do not apply. My sister just lost out at getting her pension at 60 when she had fully expected it all her working life , there was a court case I seem to remember, but they lost. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6061da7ad3bf7f5ce1060a85/Crown_Application__Jan_2021_.pdf

One of the big drivers was the Junta getting Anutin's Bhumjaithai votes to cobble together an anti-democracy coalition. That job's done now, and I suspect Anutin will use these changes to get a lot of the small players out of the business and cement the Charnvirakul Clan as the pre-eminent dominant player in the market. Rather like Thai Bev and Boon Rawd totally dominate the booze one. The markets are totally rigged here. Follow the money.

There are a lot of conservative Thais who are very upset at the liberalization of the law and see the whole "anything goes" approach as part of the now broken pro-democracy movement. Some token repressive move in that area will play out well with the Auntie battalions. My money's on it becoming like prostitution, technically illegal, but those that can jump through the hoops and pay the requisite tea money get to continue their business with some checks and balances. A big pay day is coming for the BiB and they get their toy back again to extort where they can and be a boon time for neighbour grasses with grudges to play out.

Well done George I salute your indefatigability and the wisdom of the citizens of Rochdale. He sussed out Israel's liar-in-chief Eylon Levy and the US Congress way back when, and doesn't suffer fools gladly. Probably the greatest on the stump speaker the British system has ever produced, born in poverty from the tenements of Glasgow. An arrogant, self-opinionated in it for himself man for sure, but then aren't most politicians. But one who spouts poetry when the others merely splutter weasel words. Let the frothers froth and cowards demure - but he will keep the red flag flying here ! (or at least until the next election or when he is banned from Parliament !)

That's an interesting and fair report and in a just and fair world the recommendations would be implemented in full. That said, what leaps out is the cost of doing that would be £600 million per year for a 'virtual' constituency that has little or no effect on votes back home, so there is no political imperative to make that happen and I can't see that ever-changing. Since in a report referenced up the thread they reckoned that frozen pension 'fraud' was costing £100 million per year, that would indicate a fair amount of transgressions. APPG's along with Select Committees and the like are secondary parts of the executive giving roles to back benchers to make them feel useful and are often for the also-rans and never will bes and easily and conveniently ignored by ministers who yield the actual power.

Which is probably most of the service industry folks you encounter.

Wise words and worth noting that's Thais only get 600 baht per month at 60 rising to 700 at 70 and 800 I think at 80. Which is nowt. What also annoys me is we know a lot of Thai OAP's in the UK who have worked cash in hand most of their lives sent money home and bought houses etc and have money in Thai banks gets full UK pensions and housing benefit and such like because on paper they appear poor. Whilst I have been upgrading my wife's NI contributions on a voluntary basis to get her added years up to get a reasonable state pension she will get in 5 years time. No wonder Britain's welfare state is close to being totally broken, and why no Thais I know of living in Britain want to go back to live in Thailand full-time.

Extradition then Britmantoo spends out his final years in the Scrubs and gets extra snout rations by giving favours to Muslim gang members.

(To be sung in the style of Gilbert and Sullivan's patter song) Verse 1: In Thailand, sunny Thailand, there dwells a British gent, A retired ex-pat, content with every pound and cent. But trouble brews, oh what a mess, his pension's cause for strife, For DWP has caught wind of his fraudulent pension life! Chorus: Oh, this ex-pat in Thailand, a pensioner so bold, Thought he could outwit the DWP, but now the truth's been told. A frozen pension, uplifted wrongly, now he must pay the fee, Caught in the grasp of bureaucracy, in sunny Thailand by the sea! Verse 2: He sipped his tea and lounged in ease, no thought of right or wrong, But the DWP had other plans, their audit came along. They found his scheme, his clever ploy, to get more than his due, Now he's in quite a pickle, with no idea what to do! Chorus: Oh, this ex-pat in Thailand, a pensioner so bold, Thought he could outwit the DWP, but now the truth's been told. A frozen pension, uplifted wrongly, now he must pay the fee, Caught in the grasp of bureaucracy, in sunny Thailand by the sea! Verse 3: To court he goes, with papers piled, his case a tangled mess, Explaining to the judge and jury, this pensioner in distress. "I didn't know," he pleads his case, "I'm just a foreigner here," But the judge, unmoved, declares his fate with a stern and final leer. Chorus: Oh, this ex-pat in Thailand, a pensioner so bold, Thought he could outwit the DWP, but now the truth's been told. A frozen pension, uplifted wrongly, now he must pay the fee, Caught in the grasp of bureaucracy, in sunny Thailand by the sea! Verse 4: So learn from him, all pensioners, in Thailand or afar, Don't meddle with the DWP, no matter where you are. For they'll catch up, with eagle eyes, and justice will prevail, No pension schemes or wily dreams can tip the DWP's scale! Chorus: Oh, this ex-pat in Thailand, a pensioner so bold, Thought he could outwit the DWP, but now the truth's been told. A frozen pension, uplifted wrongly, now he must pay the fee, Caught in the grasp of bureaucracy, in sunny Thailand by the sea! (With a grand finale, the song concludes with a warning to all who dare to tangle with pension schemes and government departments, in true Gilbert and Sullivan fashion.)

Agreed, or you can claim extreme poverty and probably end up with some small deduction monthly from your pension to pay it back.

Just seen this that sounds a very harsh penalty for being honest.

If you don't mind sharing how did they catch you ?

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Thanks for posting that it is crystal clear if you are caught they will take action. Also looks like if they suspect you of not being truthful which multiple repeated false declarations would confirm, then they are going to go after the overpayment. Wise counsel would suggest that members who flout the rules should probably be circumspect about boasting the fact on an open forum, and should refrain from encouraging others that they won't be caught. Secondly, they should make provision by saving these overpayments just in case they are caught and need to repay them. Lastly, I would never talk about this to fellow expats at the bar, who could ultimately be the ones to whistle blow and dob you in. There are a lot of toxic farang in the LoS who would relish such a thing. Finally, in the absence of new tech that will be impossible to circumvent if you must do it take especial care to cover your tracks, that said I guess in the near future it will be impossible to game the system so you will be caught and will need to pay it back probably through pension deduction at source.

As others have pointed out, the timescale for the tech to bust offenders is a few years away but the tax situation that I have highlighted looks like it could potentially impact much earlier. I'm not up on that process so maybe others can advise.

The two things are linked in order to avoid the Thai authorities taxing your pension you will have to fill in both a Thai tax form and claim exemption under the UK double taxation agreement which will then require the Thai authorities contacting HMRC in the Uk to determine your tax situation. Bingo they then know where you live.

ChatGPT Enforcing monitoring of the frozen pension uplift for UK pensioners living in applicable countries and determining fraudulent claims involves a combination of administrative processes, data management, international cooperation, and anti-fraud measures. Here are steps the UK government's Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can take: Administrative Measures: Data Collection: Ensure accurate and up-to-date records of all pensioners receiving the UK State Pension, including their country of residence. Regular Reporting: Require pensioners to regularly report any changes in their circumstances, including changes in their residency or citizenship status. Communication: Maintain clear communication channels with pensioners, informing them of their reporting responsibilities and the consequences of fraudulent claims. Documentation: Require pensioners to provide necessary documentation to support their eligibility for the frozen pension uplift. Verification Processes: Implement robust verification processes for pensioners, including cross-checking with other government agencies and international databases. International Cooperation: Bilateral Agreements: Collaborate with countries where UK pensioners reside to share information and verify pensioner status. Data Sharing: Establish agreements for the exchange of information relevant to pensioner status and eligibility. International Task Forces: Work with international organizations to create task forces dedicated to monitoring and preventing pension fraud across borders. Anti-Fraud Measures: Data Analytics: Use data analytics and AI tools to detect unusual patterns or inconsistencies in pension claims. Fraud Detection Units: Establish specialized units within the DWP focused on detecting and investigating fraudulent pension claims. Random Audits: Conduct random audits of pensioners to ensure compliance and detect potential fraud. Whistleblower Hotline: Establish a confidential hotline where individuals can report suspected fraudulent activity related to pension claims. Penalties: Implement strict penalties for those found guilty of fraudulent claims, including fines, repayment of benefits, and legal action. Public Awareness Campaigns: Educate the public, including pensioners and their families, about the consequences of making fraudulent claims and the importance of honest reporting. Technology and Automation: Digital Platforms: Utilize online platforms for pensioners to report changes in circumstances and submit necessary documentation. Biometric Verification: Explore biometric technologies for identity verification to prevent impersonation and identity theft. Machine Learning Algorithms: Implement algorithms that can learn from historical data to identify potential fraud indicators. Periodic Reviews: Regular Assessments: Conduct regular reviews of the frozen pension policy and its implementation to identify areas for improvement. Policy Adjustments: Make adjustments to the policy as needed based on the results of reviews and feedback from stakeholders. Training and Resources: Staff Training: Provide training to DWP staff involved in monitoring pension claims to enhance their ability to detect fraudulent activity. Resource Allocation: Ensure adequate resources, both financial and human, are allocated to the monitoring and enforcement efforts. Legal Framework: Legislation: Strengthen legislation related to pension fraud, including increasing penalties for offenders. Cross-Border Legal Cooperation: Work with international partners to facilitate legal cooperation in cases of cross-border pension fraud. Reporting Mechanisms: Transparency: Maintain transparency in the monitoring process, allowing pensioners to understand how their claims are assessed. Feedback Channels: Establish feedback channels where pensioners can raise concerns or report potential issues with the process. By combining these measures, the DWP can improve its ability to monitor the frozen pension uplift, detect fraudulent claims, and ensure that UK pensioners living abroad receive their entitlements fairly and securely.

https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad/report-a-change-in-your-circumstances No one has addressed the issue re the new Thai taxation of remittances into the country. These thought to be apparently covered by bilateral tax arrangements, so you shouldn't pay twice if you are taxed (or are tax-free if under the limit in the UK) . However for that to apply the Thai tax authorities will need to contact the UK which will then reveal your residency, this leading to freezing of the uplift. Role of Competent Authorities: The tax authorities of the UK and Thailand work together to ensure the agreement is properly applied. They may exchange information and cooperate to prevent tax evasion and ensure the agreement's effectiveness. Benefits: Encourages Trade and Investment: By providing clarity and predictability on tax matters, the DTA encourages cross-border trade and investment. Reduces Compliance Burden: Taxpayers do not have to navigate complex tax systems in two countries, reducing administrative burdens. Prevents Double Taxation: The primary goal is to ensure income is not taxed twice, which would otherwise discourage international business activities. Consultation: Individuals and companies with cross-border activities between the UK and Thailand should consult with tax professionals or advisors familiar with the specifics of the DTA to ensure they are compliant and taking full advantage of any benefits provided.

It isn't hard to figure who is defrauding the DWP on this thread. You will probably get away with it unless you get gobby in the bar and give it away to somebody who knows the score.

For the record I would try and avoid it if I could and the penalties if found would only equal what I had been overpaid anyway. That said, the old wing and a prayer system is giving way to an all seeing IT monolith, which will make that approach impossible sometime in the near future. And that's without adding the Thai taxation system that might require you to register with Thailand for tax purposes data that would be shared with the UK to avoid double taxation. Now that's a real kicker !

I didn't say that - information can be exchanged via the sharing of bespoke files on an ad hoc basis. The Bill now at the Lords stage gives the required legal authority to enact that.Government systems have long had common data sets such as name, NI Number and date of birth to match up data.

Here's the progress of the enabling Bill, it's in the Lords now at Committee stage. https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3430 I was right about Statutory Instruments https://publiclawproject.org.uk/resources/how-the-new-data-bill-waters-down-protections/ Automation and AI are playing a more and more significant role in how government makes decisions and carries out its functions, from education to healthcare, to immigration and welfare. Data protection laws are currently some of the most powerful tools available to protect individuals against unfair uses of data and technology, and to enable people to find out how their data is being used and how decisions about them are made. This Bill will weaken some of those vital data protection laws The Bill gives the Secretary of State broad powers to amend our data protection laws via statutory instrument, without adequate scrutiny by Parliament. The wide powers given to the Secretary of State in Clauses 5, 6, 12 and 114 should be removed or narrowed.

I wouldn't worry about this - what will be will be and is in the future anyway. No one will be going to prison, but being aware this will probably happen at some point in the near future is no bad thing.

I have never said that I have always be clear that this is work in progress.