TheAppletons

Presumably, then, your accountant filed a Thai tax return showing zero assessable income and thus zero tax owed?

If he's transferring savings that's he's had prior to 1 Jan 2024, he will not be obligated to pay tax on it.

True. We have, however, seen that the TRD officers in the Hua Hin/PKK region are attempting to levy tax against non-assessable income, e.g., US Social Security. That's a bit unsettling.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1324294-introduction-to-personal-income-tax-in-thailand/

Airbnb. We stayed in a small but comfortable studio (with balcony) in central HH, 5 mins walk from the night market and about 10-15 mins walk to the beach. Kitchen, pool, small (not very good) gym. It cost approx 700 THB/night. Room had aircon, bathrobes, cooking utensils, kettle, coffee, laundry on site. PM me if you want the listing where we stayed (disclaimer: this is not an advert. I am not the owner of the place I'm describing nor am I a property agent. I stayed there for three weeks to get away from Chiang Mai pollution last year.)

Mainly to get the word out to others that this isn't necessarily a "you have to pay tax now" situation. Most people living here on pensions will pay little or no tax in Thailand. Those people who haven't been "going on about tax" are the ones posting about visiting TRD and offering to pay tax when they don't need to pay tax. I wish I could meet those people in person to tell them they owe me 5,000 THB and please pay now.

Very good, Wally. You get a gold star for the day and a pat on your pointy little head. Now ask yourself - if someone says they don't care what people in Europe think, would that person actually respond to the asinine question posed in the OP? Tomorrow's lesson will be about "context" and "nuance".

I'd probably consider moving to India if it weren't for all of the Indians living there.

TLDR

This may help, not sure. Talks about the first, second, and third pillars of Swiss pensions and related taxability: https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-abroad/swiss-abroad-fog-clears-on-tax-reform-in-thailand/75968711#:~:text=Switzerland has signed a double,taxing private second pillar income.

I will be forthright in answering your question - people in the USA don't care what people in Europe think. Sucks but it's true.

Okay, have it your way. (Why I don't comment in these political threads much. I don't care either way but that has no place here, apparently.) Thanks for posting the article though.

Plus the shipping time and import fees of ordering a cup of coffee from Amazon make it really expensive.

Pretty good article, read it mostly because I respect Forbes as a credible source of information. No doubt that Musk and Co. are exaggerating some things to justify their efforts. That said, and at the risk of being branded a "Trumpist" or a "MAGA", the author really tapdances on some of his points. One example: "Did Usaid Spend $6 Million On ‘tourism In Egypt?’ No. USAID announced a $6 million payment to Egypt to “increase educational opportunities and strengthen the livelihoods of the people of North Sinai”—not to fund tourism, as the White House claimed." Might not say "tourism" exactly but if tourism "increase educational opportunities and strengthens the livelihoods..." then it's six of one and half dozen of another. Some good points in the article, some not so good points. Like most articles. (I did note that the author was the magazine's "news reporter covering entertainment trends". Odd topic for him, though Trump is so "everywhere" that perhaps he's considered entertainment now.)

I don't follow soccer much but I think this is what's commonly referred to as an "own goal."

Just rated #1 by airlineratings.com (https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/09/travel/worlds-best-airline-2025-airlineratings/index.html) Back on topic, Qatar business class is fantastic and the lounge in Doha is quite nice. EVA, Singapore, Asiana, JAL, ANA - all still really good, IME. Really depends upon the route you want to take and the respective departure/arrival times you desire. (Pro tip: if you stop in Japan, make sure there's not a "change of airport" in the itinerary because you will be required to get yourself from NRT to HND or vice versa.) Concur with the poster who said avoid Philippine Airlines.

THIS. ^^^^^

Again, you are operating under a giant misconception. You are required to file only if your assessable income exceeds a certain threshold. But hey, do what you want, think what you want, pay whatever you want.

Report income earned abroad? To the Thai tax authorities? Put down the bong, sir.

No, I do not. That limit in my country is $14,600 or so.

No, you are not. You are only required to file if your assessable income is over a certain threshold. If you have zero assessable income, no need to file.

Why in the world would you go to the office when you already know your Social Security is not taxable?

That clapping and cheering you hear is when you are leaving the place.

Indistinguishable

Due to the USA/Thailand double tax agreement, US Social Security is classified as non-assessable income - meaning it can only be taxed by the United States.