Presnock

Well the operative word there is "yet". I was totally surprised when I came back to BKK and the ease with which we can get around the city now. The way things are going, maybe progress will more the trains everywhere unless of course the city is under water by then. Yeah, if I lived in Ratchaburi, I would have vehicular transportation. I really like the several visits we made to Ratchaburi, some nice areas there, especially near the Myanmar border. The night skies when we stayed overnights were spectacular too. Happy Holiday Season

with the trains/metro going just about everywhere, why drive? I moved to CM to get out of traffic 10 years ago, then daughter began college in BKK and wife and I wanted to be closer to her if there were any immediate problems so we kept our house in CM and rent a house in BKK. Now with the trains etc, there is no reason to drive at all in BKK and now be able to go anywhere in a very comparatively shorter time. But, I still like CM better but recognize all the available conveniences now in BKK.

I think the move to the far right is hitting most of the western countries as they are the favorite countries for those fleeing the autocrats as the immigrants keep finding govt to give them something for nothing while the citizens get taxed higher to pay for the bennies for the immigrants and for making the schools bi-lingual!

in most of the cities controlled by Dem's the local law has been adapted to letting minorities, youths, etc go without any jail time. That is the problem, people do not have to pay for committing crimes. In one of the east coast cities, one car jacker was shot by an off-duty policeman when the perp tried to hijack him using a gun, that perp had 8 other arrests for armed carjacking the previous 8 months or so and was let out on self recognizance each time, no bail or anything else. It began with the BLM riots and their charges all dropped in most cities. But the violence was brought out and preached by Trump as that has been his answer to anything said negatively about him. He even talks about how he could out box Biden. Anyone who has followed Trump since 2016 should easily see how his rhetoric has influence the masses to violence! Just like jan 6 - he calls that a peaceful demonstration.

spent a couple of years in Japan, Fusamachi and Tokyo and totally agree with this. They are among the most honable/honest people in a crazy world. I am embarrassed at how bad the US has become - mostly because so many folks are Trumpers and their answer is violence as he teaches! my opinion anyway and I definitely am not a democrat but gave up on Republicans too

Most dangerous part of "runs" is the fact that if allowed to continue without some treatment (ask any pharmacist what one should keep at home in case of this happening. As a world traveller (due to work) we always carried medicinal needs, including those for the runs as one might just get a mild case but which could get worse. After a day or so one can be dangerously dehydrated and should seek immediate help either by pharmacy or doctor. The pharmacies here are well aware of stomach problems and are always a great help in my opinion. I always keep electrolytes at home as I exercise regularly and after a good sweat, drink a mixture of the same with water. imodium is a great one to STOP the runs. good luck

according to the DTA art 20 1 & 2 and Article 21 para 2, us govt pensions can only be taxed by the US unless the person is not only a citizen but a resident of Thailand. I receive a us govt pension based on 40 years working for the US govt and upon birth was a us citizen.

checkout your DTA with Thailand...sometimes certain incomes are not taxable by your residence country if you are automatically paying taxes in your home country's payments..also check out "Thai.examiner.com" has some interesting reads on this subject too. And, don't forget, The Thai committee is still working on this and there are a number of influential Thais that seem to be arguing against this progect too. As we all know TIT and anything could happen or not.

suggest all read their country's DTA with Thailand and what can or cannot be taxed...US - article 20 is interesting

Read the DTA with Thailand, article 20 talks about pensions etc

Yeah, I originally asked a tax prep consultant about this and they told me that the govt of residence could tax my US govt pension but that then I would be give a tax credit in the difference between the two tax charts. I checked the DTA today, Article 20 states the same as the Canadian DTA, that state pensions could only be taxed by the state that pays that pension. i.e. the US govt. so I we shouldn't have to pay any tax to the Thai govt but only show them (in my case) a copy of the pension yearly chart or my W2's showing how much my pension for the year was and the tax with held. But, TIT and listening to someone like on a video on "Thai Examiner.com", who knows what the final will look like. Happy Holidays to all

THIS EXPLANATION FOR THE CANADIAN EX-PATS IS THE PERFECT REASON OR ALL TO CHECK ANY DTA YOUR COUNTRY HAS WITH THAILAND

GOOD ON CANADA. HOPE IT WORKS FOR YOU AND YOUR FELLOW EX-PATS

suggest all google "Thai examiner.com" for their inputs into this issue. Several good articles.

Check out your country's DTA with Thailand - if they don't tax it, and it meets the Thai threshold then the Thais most ikely can legally tax those funds.

The seminar speakers also mentioned that they want to tax ALL income one recieves during the tax year, not only that remitted into Thailand and that they were also talking about credit card use and ATM withdrawals. Since the countries with a DTA will supposedly exchange info on one's income, who knows where it will stop or begin? Have a healthy and happy holiday season

Seminar I listened too said that they were checking out what to do about credit card use and ATM withdrawals too. That they are looking at all income earned for the year whether it is within THailand or not as long as you are a resident in their country and whether or not you sent it all into Thailand that year or kept part of it in your home country. Until the final version is out the final version will not be complete

Check out your country's DTA with Thailand for what they could charge as payble in Thailand

Wold be wise to check your country's DTA status with thailand as that is where one ould find out what will be taxed. Fm the seminar I listened to, the Thai side wishes to taX ALL income be it earned or not and they will supposedly be exchanging data with one's native country as well for ALL income reporting.

actually since the gen X Y and Z have gotten their voting rights' age and it seems to be going downhill too rapidly. Now we have such polarized political views around the world, it seems very few people are not only not happy with life but appear to be very belligerent and too often just attack! A sorry state of affairs. Glad I am in Thailand but it even seems to be showing up here. Hope everyone has a healthy and happy holiday season.

if your pension is not taxed in Canada but does meet Thai tax table then the Thais will probably tax any money you send beginning Jan 1 2024, But like I said above, they are still trying to finalize the law. Based on what I heard on the 15th, the Thais are meeting regularly to work out all the details on this tax. Also, since 61 countries have a DTA with Thailnd, they didn't go into anything about those but advised that individuals should check out their country's DTA for details. Just google "DTA between your country and Thailand." As for the USA our DTA indicates that the Thais will most likely provide a "tax credit" for any taxes we pay on our income of all types. This most likely means that at the end of the Tax Year, we will have to provide a W2 showing income received and taxes paid on that amount. BUT as I and others plus these 3 Embassy seminar speakers continue to advise that nothing is final until the final is written and signed off by a Royal Decree.

also, on the embassy web page about new passport applications, one of the qualifying questions asked is do you hae 6 months or less left on your current passport? Not sure if you have over a year left on your passport, if they will process it or not. Won't hurt to asked them first.

As mentioned above, I do and have done the 65K monthly for years since the EMB dropped the letter of verificaton, you will have to have your bank provide a letter giving 12 monthly transfers from overseas of 65K, never less but can do more but EVERY month must be at least 65K. The bank will verify your account, plus at CM they want a copy of EVERY page of your bank book too.

Well, they will most likely, keep a count of funds coming into the country unless immigration is going to change amounts and then at the end of the year (first will be 01 Jan 2025, you will get a tax bill on the funds brought into the country. However, they are still working on the new law and NOONE really knows that the final will say so...

USA passport has to be done through the consular section of the embassy. Their web site says 6-8 weeks for the renewal - I just did mine and it took less than a month. very quick and efficient now I guess. Best to get it sooner rather than too late so that when you go to immigration to hem extend the long stay, take old passport and new passport, have them transfer the visa, and any pertinent data into the new passport plus your new expension.