Presnock

here it indicates that Thailand is actively approaching the US for closer ties, yet at the same time the Thai govt is working closed with FTA with China while the Thai govt asking to join BRICS seems like they want to have their cake and eat it too in my opinion.

actually, I have a US govt pension, so the tax remitted exempted wasn't a consideration for me...I opted for the BOI LTR so no more 90-day reports, no yearly extension with anything other than letting BOI know where on is living, in and out much easier for me and in the long run could be even cheaper than doing yearly extensions. Just saying...for me it was/is the best option going.

plus no 90-day reports either...then just an avisory to the BOI on your yearly address (however you do it by exciting the country and then starting the year over before next report) or have your wife or agent advise the BOI of your address. Some of us are still going to be protected by the DTA's with our native countries and our pensions. JUst saying...and I am sure that the BOI will advise those of us who have an account with them already, of any change to the benefits. No one could expect any office or person to PREDICT what his govt will do in the future - even if the current one is still in power.

I just do not understand why anyone with half a brain would ask any govt office especially in this country to PREDICT what the tax situation will be with the next tax program that is just now under discussion!

Yes, the move to BRICS, Thai strengthening trade deals with China and recently news reports of China pouring junk into Thailand...what a joke just like the 2017 deal with China to take their E-waste materials!

My daughter in the states mentioned that several EV fires in her area (MD) needed 4 fire companies to put out the fires all reportedly due to the lithium batteries so has turned off a lot of EV buyers there. Just saying...

Is definitely a small world especially when a group has members from within or around the diplomatic circles as though it may seem large it is actually a small world. In those early years of being in Thailand, while assigned to the embassy I spent almost the full time as a tech rep to the airforce at NKP, thus knowing folks in the Embassy and still remembering them has faded away. Later years in the Embassy I was an office chief and on the country team so would recall maybe the ambo and one or two of the other team members depending on interactions - I avoided most state political folks if possible. I spent one tour in the old embassy bldg and two later tours in the new bldg. The dip staff grew tremendously as did the locals numbers. I barely remember all those who worked for me let alone those I might occasionally interact with but one just never knows as some also belonged to the embassy golf club which I joined and played in all the tournments. Some years I also played on the one of the softball teams we had and of course bowling teams too but while I might remember some of them if I saw them again who knows. I have been in Thailand most of the time since I retired in 2005 and have only met 3 folks that I knew well enough to call them by name - met in immigration waiting room. BTW, under the 1987 rule change, civil service changed to a new retirement system where by their retirement could also include social security. I of course recommended my people to stay in CSRS as any change is to cut the benefits to save money but...to each their own. I am expremely pleased with the benefits that my office provided me in my retirement and my wife will enjoy that which she will get as I pass on before her (most likely). I plan to remain in Thailand until....take care have a good one

This year unremitted doesn't count but if an who knows if that will pass and even if the current govt will be in power, but if it does passl and worldwide income counts, even the BOI doesn't know where the LTR folks will be, just have to wait and see what the final gazette article says about any new laws or amendments to current laws. How can any office predict publically on something? WIsh that were a policy worldwide. have a good day..Thunderstorm and rain here in BKK

it is on the advertised page for the BOI LTR - says remitted income is not taxable. If any of the benefits are dropped, the BOI I am sure they would advise us to that effect of the new tax interpretation. Once you get the LTR you have an account with them and they can easily advise one of any changes. I got my LTR in March of this year so this taxing of remitted income came before and nothing has been said. If they do drop it out, I will make sure I alert folks on this forum. good luck

yeah, 72-73 but mostly then upcountry, 76-79 78-2000 and 2003-2005 at the main bldg. When was your wife there?

Yes, as a govt employee one can opt to keep insurance through the govt group - I did so, my premium was not too high but I added my family to the policy too many years ago - now my share of the premium for the family is about 9600 USD, I am 77 and can easily afford the premium. My daughter will finish college and will be off the policy but then I can do a 1 plus 1 (my self and wife) and the premium would drop by about a third. But, US insurers increase yearly so in a few years I will see (if I am still here) and my policy covers me anywhere in the world. I can't imagine never having insurance - but I myself have never had a charge against the policy but my first wife died of breast cancer so the insurance saved us a lot of money for treatment in the US which was too late in any case.

I agree with you. I only have a US govt pension and could live comfortably in the US. However, most of my career was in warmer countries (except for EU assignments and then not too cold) but I learned a long time ago that I hate cold weather with a passion - might have come from survival school in the military in the Sierras with 5 feet of snow on the ground and temps at -21 F. Anyway when it came time to retire, my wife had died of breast cancer not long before. I really like the PI (2 assignments) but during my time there I experienced floods, typhoons, volcano eruptions, earthquakes (8+) but the weather was just like here almost but here, after 4 tours I knew I liked the food, spoke the language, loved golf (first time every played here near pattya and fell in love with it) so opted to retire here. I haven't regretted it at all and still love it. I ended up not long after retirement marrying a Thai, we have a 20-year old daughter in a BKK college, now in summer school in Seoul , we own a house in CM but are renting a house here in BKK because we had a couple of Siberians. We had planned on college in the US (accepted with scholarships) but problems getting wife a visitors visa because since I had retired here they felt she wouldn't return so couldn't make that first year there and daughter is doing an arts/language degree so is at the #1 college here -much cheaper than going to the states too. We have noticed the smog (during the burning season) getting worse each year but wife doesn't want to sell the house but wants to travel during that period to someplace out of the smog so that is the plan. I have an LTR and only the pension so I feel pretty well insulated from any new taxes. I do wonder about BRICS though, whether that might cause any unforseen problems but who knows when that might go through and if I will even be alive anyway. Life goes on, first came here in 1972 and while it has changed a lot, society is still about the same so no surprises there either. Take care and hope all goes well for you and yours.

Yeah, I worked there for 4 tours - thus decided on Thailand for retirement 20 years ago and haven't regretted it at all. I still love it and do not have any anticipation of being affected by the either of these tax proposals that have come about but until I see the final print after the Gazette, I am relaxed. But I do wonder about life under a BRICS leadership. Does anyone have any clues if it would affect expats at all? I don't know anyone who was in one of those countries first and then if life changed. Good luck.

Like I said about Biden, he lost his memory a long time ago so he just imagines those "facts and figures" and nothing said in their plans for the future according to news today, it was just a waste of time to watch it anyway - almost as much as spending time discussing it on this forum. Therefore, I am gone by now

Anyone who reads news stories on a regular basis shouldn't need someone to always put the print in front of them. Too many ignorant or lazy people on this forum want someone to do ALL the work for them in my opinion anyway. I don't keep a pencil/pen handy as I watch daily news many times throughout the day. Bye now

Actually, from the times I have heard him speak and stories from reporters, I don't think he is actually lying unlike Trump of course it is just that he fantasizes all the time since he lost his memory. My opinion after talking with his Delaware voters.

I am an old fart and have very not-nimble fingers any more but according to Dr. Li the famous writing Harvard health expert, COFFEE is one of the most essential drinks for health! so a cafe at 4 is great! BTW any good stories about what the ambo said is his take on this TRD scheme?

I didn't watch it but have seen several US news stations , most pro-Biden but all cringed at saying that Biden did great - they said he started slow but towards the end looked a bit better. Meanwhile, for the next debate they need a fact checker for Trump as he obviously lied about most issues but then that is what he is known for since he never claims to have any fault so how could he be lying. Both are an embarrassment to me as an American and to think that one of them could be the "leader of the so-called free world" in 6 months. Putin and Co. must be doing the famous Russian Khazachok folk dance if they can ever stop laughing at the candidates.

I have family relatives and friends in different parts of the US everything you wrote is absolutely TRUE from their descriptions of life there today. Everyone is totally disenfranchised from the political scene with three top candidates, still inflated costs since the inflation increases after the pandemic many jobs actually lost, lots of closures with predictions of more to come. NOBODY is happy anymore, just existing and barely at that. Crime on the increase in many places but local govts just change the law so that they don't have to lock anyone up. Illegals everywhere getting freebies while citizens suffer. Not a pretty picture so while I could financially survive with no problem if I went home, why would I? I also love the PI and believe I could survive again in VN, just have to bone up on the language a tad. I used to speak Tagalog too but not isn't even necessary at all there in the PI. Lots of islands to chose from and don't have to worry too much about the burning season. Would miss the Thai food though because I would prefer remote area versus city life. Guess wife would have to put her chef hat on again. But, until the changes here, current tax plan, next tax plan being discussed, and BRICS effects are in my thoughts but not worried yet. I do hope all got out that had to get out and that the rest of us all come through unscathed. take cafe be safe

In his further explanation of his new pp or not and extensions, he specifically did mention the BOI LTR, so my post was not off topic that Tecera-edad mentioned. Have a good one.

BOI ltr Personally, if you plan to obtain the LTR, re-new your passport early next year - apply for the LTR through the BOI (or it authorized immigration office) and then you would have a new passport with a 10-year visa ...what is the validity of your passport anyway? if 10 years then you would be covered the entire time. If 5 years only, then you have plenty of time to work with the BOI on transfer to new pp BTW the LTR is revalidated at the 5-year period so either way you would be covered.

Yeah, later as I re-read the initial comment and your reply, I realized that I mistook the comment - you of course were correct. Sorry about that, I am sure it wasn't my first mistake and most likely will not be the last. good luck! have a good day

I haven't seen anything yet that is an exodus but believe expats of many nations are doing that exit now or maybe in the near future as things settle a bit. Good luck on your travels.

I think the first one you might have to do in person and since you have never done one, you might be expected to pay the fine, do the TM30 and then from now on, your wife can do any update when needed.

There is included to comments to the BP on this ariticle so the comments are just like those here, so the government is well aware of the feelings of the expats and the possible exit of many.