Presnock

Better Ukraine than US soldiers...unless Putin realizes his folly, then NATO will be sending soldiers, Belarussia I read is now mobilizing their troops along the border. Obama and Trump didn't stop Putin when they had the chance and that is why the Ukraine problem still exists today. Of course this is my opinion based on all that I have read over the years - I am 77, a VN vet who has lived in countries around the world - some not agreeing with the US some staunch allies that I would not like to see the US abandon in favor of the Russians or Chinese or N. Korea.

While I am free of Thai taxes, I do pay my share to the US. I do however spend many millions of Thai baht yearly in Thailand which also benefits the people of Thailand. I paid millions for my daughter's education and am still paying for further schooling and not complaining at all. If however, Thailand were to change the laws and force me to pay Thai taxes, then I am not so sure I would still stay here but more and more countries that want retirees are starting to recognize that they may have jumped too quick to charge taxes on the expats which some didn't realize what they do bring with them. My feelings anyway, and love being in Thailand still after 30 years or so.

I personally don't feel that a wall would work 100% anyway. These migrants are willing to face death on the march to get to the river or border areas. A wall can only deter certain individuals. The persistent ones will never stop until they can successfully get into our nation or whatever nation that they are seeking refuge in. This can only clearly show how bad life must be in those countries from which they flee. At the same time the USA is PAYIING big $$$ to those countries to "fix" the major problems causing these people to flee. When will our elected officials recognize that just throwing money at a problem is the only fix? I have lived in some of those countries from which people are fleeing - into the US or into Europe and can understand why they want freedom but just money will never fix that kind of problem - just like in the US, giving poor people money will not get them out of poverty nor even entice them to try ...my opinion only of course.

Actually, having been married to an American woman who passed away from illness and then married a Thai, both now of about 20 years and living within different societies, I notice that both are exactly the same! My American wife was just a few years younger but never worked really after we were married until just before her death as child was grown and gone so she wanted something else to keep her busy...same as with current wife who is much younger but did work as the owner of a restaurant and chef there but only for a couple of years. Both wives treated me the same and do hope it was out of love, and not just for sustanance. Living in many different countries with one wife and then in this country with my current one seems that society is pretty much the same among westerners and Thailand in married life. I am not sure how others get along with their spouses but both worlds to me are so similar it is difficult to separate one from the other in getting along in life. As a couple, in both marriages, the same problems and the same satisfaction to those problems existed. Women and men I tend to think are pretty much the same around the world. Different religions I do realize also make some differences in the interactions among any couple especially of a westerner to a Muslim or to an Asian but basically my life has been fairly easy to be happy and hope that my wives felt or feel the same. I sometimes wonder though why so many think that we are all so different with foreign born wives? Guess it comes down to choosing one and why we did so. Only hope all are as happy as me.

Anyone who believes that Trump has no influence on the Republicans in the govt at this time is blind and ignorant in my opinion. they almost to a person bow on lowered knees to kowtow to his influence. After all, their only concern is getting reelected to their position, not on the progress of the nation. I was a registerd Republican but changed to Independent, but could never be a democrat yet I am very aware of the current political situation in my country. All of the elected officials are to blame for the current problems, especially the illegal immigrant problems. Our nation is not alone with this issue that is for sure as the &^%$hole countries continue driving their own citizens out of that country into the western world causing many problems. We need to fix the UN to even begin solving the problem worldwide but that is just another issue in the new world society. Certainly glad to be OLD now but worry for the younger folks. best of luck. especially in light of the November election.

Yessir got that right but then we were looking at it all as younsters too! Now these tired old eyes just see things in a different light I guess.

You are almost correct...1976 the tallest buildings over 6 stories were the CHOKCHAI blkd on Sukumvit and the Dusit Thani hotel and then in the late 70's they started to let some other bldgs grow. Standing on the roof of the US embassy in those days one could look out over the entire city as most were only 2 stories high and I think the embassy was 3 stories but not positive. Of course that has jumped to the other side of Wireless Road and is much higher these days and a solid fortress. I remember how bad the traffic was in those days, and especially during the rainy season, where some youngsters would have a small boat at major intersections to row people from one side to the other. Now it still floods but waters do flow away down more better drainage in many places. The big thing I really see and that has a big impact on me is the train system now within the city. I retired in Bangkok, having lived in the early 70 right behind the Embassy where Iworked. after I retired, I moved further out of the city but spent many hours fighting traffic for different reasons, not pleasure. It finally got to the point that I told my wife to find an adequate school for our daughter and after being there for ten years, we moved to Chiang Mai. Then when our daughter began college at Chulalongkorn in BKK we leased a condo for her near the college and since we had two Siberian Huskies, we leased a house in Prawet district. Not having to drive but able to jump all around the city very rapidly, is fantastic to say the least! I have been amazed. When we want to go back to CM for a visit to check on our house, we hop he express train to the Airport and then right to CM. We go to visit our daughter downtown regularly and she spends weekends with in Prawet distric. Cheap and easy trip. Never having to drive again in Bangkok to me is the biggest positive difference that I see from 1972, 1976-1979, 1997-2000, 2002-2014 . I still love the country and now like Bangkok even more than I did before. Best of luck to all with the new government...will she last ?

I personally like the LTR from the BOI. They cut the cost of the 10-year visa in half. 4 different catergories with wealthy pensioner perfect for me meaning not taxes on any funds remitted to Thailand. The 1-year notification of address can be done by an agent or if you leave the country before the year is up, when you return the 1-year to notify your address starts starts from day one. The visa has to be updated on the 5th year to ensure one still meets the necessary criteria. I formerly had a non-imm O for 20 years. It did get easier doing the 1-year renewal but with the LTR, papework is much less and easier to provide. Now we await changes as TIT and we have a new govt replacing the new govt we had who replaced the actual winner of the election. Who knows if this new govt, if it lasts, will continue shooting for the worldwide income taxation or slowly let this current one fade away. Either way, I am not planning on leaving. I still love it here but it would be nice to have some stability. But then what would happen to this forum?

the Thai revenue dept says one that has assessable income remitted from overseas, business or whatever and is tax liable must obtain a thai Tax ID number within 60 days of having the assessable income Can be found in Tax Identification: Thai revenue depat. Spells it out clearly

reporting fraudulent information on where one resides to avoid paying taxes or obtain and keep a bank account is by definition fraud. After 2023 and the OECD agreement plus the FACTA and CRS agreements, more and more closer look at account holders and stricter laws regarding that will most likely come about.

The US same story but it started with FACTA and CRS banking exchanges/reporting about foreign bank accounts and for me, my account (40 years old) was cancelled since I lived in Thailand. It is a legal requirement for me anyway to factually report my address at which I live and if I move I am required to provide the latest update on where I do reside. This all came about long before the OECD 2023 agreement which is signed by 138 countries. These US bank reporting started in 2014 and they closed out my account in 2016 I think it was because I no longer had any US address nor phone number. Fortunately there are a few banks that recognize this and do allow foreign addresses. This latest in other countries may be related to the OECD agreement but the FACTA and CRS are exchanges of international banking too. Good luck to all.

absolutely! I thought that was a previous year and that this year you might have more. But for yuour foreign income remitted, that is exempted for the ten years. Enjoy and hope that the new govt doesn't decide to cut that out. regards.

Orif we had not approved the leader who was more corrupt than the bad guys. Out selection of leaders in many places where we do or have a say leaves a lot to be desired. Guess those in charge just selected a person much like themselves and that is why an entire planeload of cash just disappears.

well I googled tax identification: thai revenue department and got a revenue dept page and it mentions several times the ID number/alien too I am not sure what ID number other than the pink one that aliens get. Why not just take the pink id card to your local revenue department office and ask them if that suffices instead of not accepting what the page says about getting a tax id number and not needing one if you have the (sorry) it didn't say pink ID card number.

thay're fake here too....try to register a pair of Oakley's from a local big name shop - no can do from Thailand.

Amen to that comment seems you understand Asians pretty well...but like I said if you are concerned, take your pink ID card, a copy of the Thai revenue dept page on using that pink id card number for filing taxes and your wife to make sure all understand what is going on, and show them in their own office words about the pink id card number that may or may not be valid any longer. Best of luck and surest way that you are possibly going to get an honest answer. Of course you couldalways go to one of the tax agents and pay them for the same answer. UP to you. Good luck

I personally think that eventually and don't have any idea how long it might take, but countries will change their tax residency so that none can escape paying someplace. My feelings but 138 countries on this list though enough about non-payment of income taxes to sign on to the agreement - even China and some other odd ones.. Totally agree, even with the LTR and DTA protecting me both ways - TIT and that all could change tomorrow just like the govt, but since they most likely want more retirees here or weathy people to come here long term, I think that they will grandfather those with certain benefits. Of course that is wishful thinking on my part but...

I fully understand about tax offices, I have been filing for 60+ years and hate to do it every year but I do have a company that does it for not very much and I usually have my tax refund within a couple of weeks. I am very good at following written instructions which the IRS is very good at providing for us. Good luck to you guys too. It mentiones nothing about changing the numbers - but I didn't read beyond that at the beginning about the pink card ID.

well LIke I mentioned, I am not a tax expert, I can read their laws, usually understand in Thai or English and I am telling you what it says in the current Thai Revenue Department page. If your ID number is less than 13 digits that might be a problem but again I sure don't know, If you are concerned, copy that page and go to the local rd office and show them and then they should understand. Good luck.

And pray tell, I too hate taxes but, I have paid them my entire working and now retired life - but, one of the stated reasons for the OECD 2023 agreement signed by 138 countries is that many people do not pay any tax required on their income! Even if not in the OECD, FACTA and CSR signed by the US and other countries (including Thailand) have agreed to exchange banking info on their account holders. At the beginning, one will be told and eventually it too might become an unlawful practice if one doesn not provide current address and providing a different or not valid address could lead to legal action.

Just read the revenue department documentation on obtaining a tax id number - it staes at the beginning - this is one of the revenue department's pages - tax identification - says if one has a pink id card (I guess a 13-digit number that one does not need to get a tax identification number but if one files a tax form, just USE THE PINK ID CARD NUMBER. The revenue department says this. COpy the page and if you go talk to your local tax office take that page and show it to him/her. That is an official document (or translation by that department anyway).

if you can read, google Tax identification: thai revenu dept: it says you do not have to get a tax id number if you have a pink ID card with that number in order to file taxes. this is a thai revenue dept page!

If you go to the thai revenue department, it says "quote" if you have a pink ID card then you do not need to get a Tax ID number, and if you file taxes just use the ID number on the pink ID card" that is a quote from the Thai Revenue dept page. Just google TaX IDENTIFICATION: THAI REVENU DEPARTMENT AND IT GIVES YOU THE OFFICIAL PAGE FOR THAT. iT IS RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING.

No I have no idea how much you might be able to reclaim - as many have said, they will ignore that even though some have gotten it before. People seem to be afraid that the Revenue folks will then target one if one doesn't file the tax forms. All you would have to do is show a copy of you LTR visas and they should definitely understand that you don't have to remit anything. I just didn't know if you had a lot of interest paid on the Thai banking bit.