Mario666

Seems that LOS is same as many SEA Countries.....And so are the "Families" !

Don't "Catch a cold"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RaQ21bXdDQ&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2__LDcR8Mmwes_DbRdtN3n9_VUqLyJozi14-pscy7vPevF_0nNQDk0--I

Happy New year!

Or as they would say......

สุขสันต์วันตรุษจีน

S̄uk̄hs̄ạnt̒ wạn trus̄ʹcīn

Enjoy!

Passerrelli! ????

5 hours ago, Max69xl said:

Immigration offices for example. Always crowded after a long holiday, especially during high season in tourist areas. 

I went to do my 90 day report early at Samui IMO today anticipating the New Year/Holiday aftermath.

I have never seen it so quiet!...The staff outweighed the "Guests" by about 5 to 1......Handed over my passport and Bank Book and asked how long?   They said 10 minutes. Went downstairs for a pee, came back up and they called my number...BINGO! .

In and out less than 5 minutes! Never happened before!...I said Korp Khun Krap and Merry Christmas to everyone!....The FAT ONE just glared at me as per!

Also went to DLT and got Tax for 3 of my motorbikes...I was 2nd in the queue....Again in and out in 5 minutes.

Loving Christmas Day! Have a Great One Folks!

1 hour ago, Nip said:

Somewhere there is a statistic that I paid little heed to stating that a large % of road accidents are within minutes of home. I was struck by a car from behind on my bicycle less than 100 meters from my house.

Listen Mate...If you are on here (TVF) you are like the majority of us a  a "Coffin Dodger"......Most of us have been in and/or seen all kinds of accidents,

I have just turned 62, November 5th. I rode mortorbikes in the UK and lost many friends.....I also lost many young friends in car accidents!

I have been directly involved in a few...mostly not my fault!

When it is your time it will happen.

I never drive in the dark here, except motorbike to 7/11 or Family Mart.....300 yards each way from my place.

<deleted> drivers and bikes and even Cars driving at night with no lights sometimes, can only lead to Disaster!

But get a LIFE!...

Try Bhuddism if you're that worried!

But the story is it depends on what you do in this life as to what your reincarnation may be!

So be a good boy! xxx

2 hours ago, kidcosmique said:

Hi all, so I've recently moved to Bangkok and I'm looking at ways of following the Prem. It looks like True Visions offers it via their Platinum TV package (2,100+ THB per month) or as an add-on to other packages (200 to GOLD = 1,800, or 400 to others). Anyway, not cheap.

Are they and hdprime.tv the only ways? how is hdprime doing now? 
Also, my another need will be the daily news - I know I can't catch BBC or Channel 4 news, so I'm looking at BBC World - again in True Gold package minimum, so expensive. 
Is there also not other way to follow news from UK perspective? If not, what's a good alternative? Australian channels?

Hi Mate,

As regards footie because of the time difference I can't be arsed watching most games live...Some people do and you should get loads of replies on that from this forum if that's what you really want?

There are also many IPTV services which mostly require you buying an android box......you can download/record and watch "Live Matches" ......Again you should get loads of replies on that.

I also have a couple of websites that allow you to watch Match of the Day, Champions League, La Liga, etc,. etc. in catchup mode without needing a VPN.

I have tried and subscribed to at least 10 different VPNs all of which have eventually been blocked by the BBC.

As regards BBC, ITV, etc. I use SmartDNS Proxy...You can Google that as the Forum does not allow promotion and website links often, SmartDNS Proxy also offer free VPN ....It is also one of the cheapest and has brilliant 24/7 technical support where you can chat live online to a techie.

I also use SmartProxy DNS to watch SkyGo as my brother has a Sky subscription in the uk which allows you to get news, live footie, films,etc., etc.

For more info better to PM me.

Cheers!

I live on Samui, but am confused by the terms "Southern region (east coast)" and " Southern region (west coast)".

Samui is obviousy in the west of The Gulf but on the east side of the southern peninsula.

Please can someone clarify this for me?

Sorry if I am just being "Thick".

2 hours ago, dode57k said:

Exactly my scenario. Basically had to lie to get my money. I know this doesn't answer the OP's question though. My expectation when I cash the lot in will be that as you say, taxed at source then claim back from the tax office, regardless of where you are living at the time.

May I ask what if any progress you have made as to finding out if/where you may be able to claim back the tax deducted at source?

It seems that SL will always deduct the tax at source. I have 2 other smaller pension pots with other companies, but both are "with profits" and doing quite well so I will be leaving them for the time being anyway.

12 hours ago, cleopatra2 said:

Are you sure the FA said there was no tax treaty. It would seem inconcievable  to state no tax liability in UK if no tax treaty existed. 

My limited understanding of Vietnam tax laws is that pensions are possibly tax exempt. 

 

Yes I am certain he said that,

I also went to the Govt. website to make sure I was getting correct and independent information and found this. The guy is an idiot.

I am however intrigued by your comment "My limited understanding of Vietnam tax laws is that pensions are possibly tax exempt. "

This could radically change the situation. Please may I ask where you acquired this information?

Vietnam Double Taxation Agrrement.pdf

34 minutes ago, cleopatra2 said:

There is a DTA in force between UK and Vietnam.

The DTA covers pensions. The pension would be taxable in Vietnam

Thank you very much for your information.

I just rechecked via Google at this link:

https://www.expertsforexpats.com/expat-tax/double-tax-treaties/

Once again it would appear that I have been ill-advised by my current (soon to be Ex-Accountant) who wrote only 2 days ago " Yes, you wouldn't pay UK tax if for example you were resident in Vietnam.  Of course,  you might face a Vietnamese liability."

He told me by telephone that Vietnam didn't have a DTA with the UK!

This is turning out to be a "Mine-Field".

Having said that I just checked the DTA list again and Cambodia is not there!

<deleted> it!...I'll pay some tax and withdraw gradually. ????????????

Even if I did it in the UK I would only pay £7,500 in income tax on total net earnings of £50,000 pa.

With the constant <deleted> we have to put up with here maybe a move back home is due while I recharge and have time to think about the next destination!

Thanks again!

9 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

I took my 25% tax free lump a couple of years ago. I've just drawn down another sum but within the personal tax allowance. Had to courier some original documents to them, anti money laundering, and yes, pension companies all seem slow at paying out whilst quick to grab anything.

 

I'm told that there is a way to release all the funds and claiming the tax back. I'm waiting the details from my FA and his UK tax people. I will also double check this with my own Tax Accountant to make sure it's all above board.

 

Once I've got all the details I will PM you here. If you haven't head from my in 7-10 days please feel free to remind me - memory's not what it was! 

Hi Baerboxer,

Many thanks for your reply.....I have had so many conflicting opinions from many sources, not least from my own accountant who less than a week ago was telling me that it was a goer, but has now done a 180 degree turn.

Had I taken his earlier advice and withdrawn all the pension in one go I would have paid a huge amount of tax at higher rates.

The reason for my post was that so many Brits on TVF must be in a similar position to me.

The major reason why I am looking to withdraw as much as possible and minimise the tax implications now is because with the political uncertainty in the UK who knows whats going to happen?.....Not to mention the uncertainty which constantly surrounds us as expats in Thailand!

Once the money is in my account I can take it offshore or anywhere else I choose, but with Brexit, the General Election, etc., anything could happen in the coming few weeks or months???

I look forward to hearing from you.

Please feel free to PM me anytime!

Best regards,

Mario

27 minutes ago, Pedrogaz said:

I think I would talk to Standard Life and ask if they take tax out at source ie when you take the money.

 

I transferred a single amount of more than 23 million baht here from Australia. Income taxes had already been paid. The money went to CitiBank (an American bank) and I had to answer several questions from them before they would release the money. But other than that there were no issues.

Thanks for your input.

I already withdrew a couple of small amounts to test the water and they had tax deducted at source.

I am sure the rules are applied differently in various countries, but my OP was specifically concerning the UK situation.

20 hours ago, Jane Dough said:

Interesting. Liverpudlian loves 'em and you hate 'em. Were you born on either side of the Mersey?

 

Rooster

 

 

When The Scousers come to play at Old Trafford the Stretford End sing this song:

Sung to the tune of In My Liverpool Home

In your Liverpool slums,
In your Liverpool slums,
You look in the dustbin for something to eat,
You find a dead rat and you think it's a treat,
In your Liverpool slums

In your Liverpool slums,

In your Liverpool slums,
Your mom's on the game your dad's in the nick,
You can't get a job cause you're so f**king thick,

In your Liverpool slums

No offence! Just an observation!

Hi Again Guys and thank you for all your responses all of which I agree with.

Since posting I asked my accountant to pose the question directly to HMRC, but without mentioning my personal details.

He now informs me that I am liable to pay tax on the private pension withdrawals as it is not covered by the Double Taxation Treaty (DTA) with Thailand.....Yes I need a new accountant.

It is Standard Life's policy to deduct tax at source....I can't speak for any other pension companies, but Guderian is  right.....They are an absolute pain to deal with.

I already withdrew my 25% tax free lump sum a couple of years ago. I did not take the Annuity Route as the annual payments I would receive were so poor....

If I stay in Thailand I will probably do as Doowat suggested and just make withdrawals up to the next Tax Band, i.e., £50K currently and pay the 20% tax on the £37,500 (£50k less personal allowance £12,500).

However, as mentioned I have been living here over 10 years now and like many others have become disenchanted with many things including the ever changing Visa Requirements which for me being on a non-Immigrant O Visa based on retirement means that my only financial option is the 800K-400K method.

I have just turmed 62 so am not even considering what pittance of a Government pension I may ever get which currently I cannot claim until age 67 I believe....That will probably go up again to 70 before I get to draw anything!

I have friends living in Vietnam who have lived in LOS previously and all say how much better "most things" are. Also there is no DTA with Vietnam so I will now be exploring that option.

That then raises the question of how I get my money out if I want to leave quickly? I have an account with KTB which I never let drop below 1m Thb, bringing over Sterling from the UK via Transferwise.....I have not brought anything over for nearly a year since the exchange rate has been so bad.

Hopefully once the Brexit Fiasco is over the Pound may rally even if only slightly as the uncertainty will be gone....Fingers crossed!

Thanks again for all your responses and once I get a definitive answer on the tax on pension situation if I decide to move to VN I will update TVF.

Hi All,

Well more specifically UK members.

Due to the increasing political uncertainty in the UK with Brexit, the Election, etc., I am interested in withdrawing as much of my private pension pot as quickly as possible whilst minimising income tax payable. I have a large sum which were I resident in the UK for tax purposes would attract very high levels of income tax if withdrawn in one go. My question is would I be able to claim back the tax which is deducted at source by my pension provider (Standard Life) based on my non-resident status?

I have been living in Thailand for approximately 10 years and qualify and am registered with HMRC for non-residency under the UK rules. I have a UK accountant who does my tax return each year. The only income I get in the UK is from rental property which as it is earned in the UK is subject to UK income tax. However, this accountant seems unable to profer a reliable answer to my question and has changed his advice more than once on this subject.

I know that the UK has a "Double Taxation Treaty" with Thailand, but believe that tax would only be payable in Thailand if I brought money into the country in the same year in which it was earned (or in this case withdrawn). I do not work in Thailand and have been living here on a Non-Immigrant O Visa based on retirement with extensions of stay each year.

My question is would I be able to claim back any tax which my pension company (Standard Life) deducts on withdrawals at source? I do not intend to bring the money to Thailand any time soon particularly with the extremely poor exchange rates we are getting for Sterling currently.

Have any of you done this and can anyone suggest a reputable, regulated, preferably UK based expat tax specialist? I know there are many companies who advertise such services, some on TVF from time to time, but often they are not regulated, charge extortionate fees and I have even heard of some people losing all their pensions to fraudulent organisations.

There must be several of you in a similar position.

Thank you in advance for any help or suggestions you can provide.

I live on Samui....What is this cool season thingy????

I have been here 14 years and the coldest it ever got in the daytime was 24C.

The locals were all going round with jackets on!

On 9/11/2019 at 9:06 PM, daveAustin said:

 

Of women, though not to drag the thread down, there does seem to be a hint of rotund, feminist entitlement. Let's face it, Asian women are just nicer, for the most part.

 

 

I was back in the UK a while ago in a pub with some friends and showed them some pictures of my Thai female friends.

One of them said "Wow!...Do they all look like that?"

I said "No, of course not, but 90% of the Thai women I know are better looking and have better bodies than 90% of UK women of equivalent age!"

You should have seen the faces of the "Bags" on the next table who were "Ear-Wigging"!

4 hours ago, SantiSuk said:

Just an up to date passbook Patriot. A letter from the bank would not show transactions and I think they want to see activity as well as latest balance.

Hi guys,

As usual Samui Immigration office differs.....

At my last extension in June I asked if I needed to bring proof of 800K at my next 90 day report.

They said they wanted a letter from the bank and statements to cover the entire period from my extension until my 90 day report...I have been back to the UK since the extension so my 90 day report will be some 120 days from the extension date.

They said they did not want to see the bank book.....I guess that makes sense because if you do not update your bankbook regularly (I don't) it often does not show every transaction....so in theory you might have dipped below the 800K threshold at some point.

I bank with KTB so can't speak about what happens when you update the bank book at other banks?

Just saying!

10 minutes ago, vogie said:

Watched all the golf yesterday, no problems and the recent friendly between Man Utd and Leeds in Australia, again no probs. I've only been using it for 1 month, but I have just paid up for another month. Why don't you try it with their 3 day pass for 95 baht, not a lot to lose.

Edit: did you use it with their downloadable app, works better on that?

Hi Again Vogie,

They didn't have an "App" as such when I last used them a couple of years ago.

I watch sports and all TV via my Windows laptop....SkyGo works on iPhone and iPad, but will not play back through TV...BBC, ITV, etc., ...All okay with VPN.

HD Prime comes and goes.....i.e.,....Think striclty "Bent" and Mafia run????

Do not over invest in your subscription!....You know what I mean....BTW where are you from?

Mario 

11 minutes ago, vogie said:

HD Prime is great for the sport, it pretty much has all the sport channels, they offer 7 days free trial. Great movies, worldwide tv and Thai TV for her indoors.

 

Hi Vogie,

I used that before, but found when trying to watch games "live" had many buffering problems....I still have my account with them with outstanding credit.

Can you recommend from recent experience?

Cheers,

Mario

On 7/15/2019 at 1:03 PM, ChipButty said:

When I told a guest that he said he wasn't sure which he prefers rats or snakes

To eat????

22 hours ago, ZeVonderBearz said:

Football season is upon us and I've just realised that Bein Connect has lost the Premier League, been watching games via Bein for two years and enjoyed it other than them losing the CL last season. Anyone know any alternatives? I know of a fair few illegal sites to watch the games but they can be problematic when streaming so any legal and reliable suggestions would be great.

Hi Mate,

I am not sure where you are from because of your name....Dutch, German...….<deleted> we are all friends again now LOL?????????????

I only ask because if you have friends in the UK or Republic of Ireland that have a Sky TV contract (including Sports Channels) you can ask them for their account "Sign In" and watch many things on SkyGo.

You will need to download the SkyGo App first....You will also need a VPN.

Not strictly "legal", but works ....Up to you?

If you need further info PM me...okay?

Cheers,

Mario ????

37 minutes ago, PoorSucker said:

Samui Immigration requires a TM30 now for long stay extension. 

Hi PoorSucker,

As you may have read I have never been asked for or about TM30 ever by Samui immigration.

Is this a new thing?....Maybe I will find out next time I do my 90 day report?

I just arrived back from the UK on July 2nd.

I don't even know how to go about it accordingly.

6 minutes ago, keemapoot said:

Just a matter of time until your landlord gets nailed, and you will not be able to get services until the fine is paid. I was also by chance, at immigration last week in my provincial office, and there was a big problem between a Thai guy speaking angrily to the immigration officer. Seems he was a representative for an owner that had never done TM 30s and he had 6 foreign tenants. Immigration was demanding he pay fines for all those at the maximum and it wasn't pretty.

 

Maybe since you described that you rent in both places it's just easier to pick Phuket as your residence, and assist your new landlord there to do the filing?

Thanks again Keemapoot.

Well as I said I have been renting this place for 10 years.

As yet I do not rent another property and was merely trying to preempt any problems in doing so by my post.

The landlord is a 'HISO" big land owner on the island having been born here and inherited and developed the land. He is very well connected.

He has many properties for rent on the island, all to foreigners/farangs so I am sure that he would have been fined or found out a long time ago if IMO were going to do anything?

Obviously that does not mean it will never happen!

It does raise the question however if anyone else has run into TM30 issues on Samui before?

I did not even know what a TM30 is until it came up on TVF a couple of years ago!

It is illegal to rent or live in 2 places in Thailand then?

Also on Samui my Landlord has never done a TM30 for me as he never knows when or where I come and go. I never tell him and he has never asked.

He knows I travel a lot, but has never mentioned it.