Presnock

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.

while a rehash, it does say that they want to amend the tax law on the the world wide income bit....Nothing really except that the talking continues...did say that they would honor the DTA's...

says published 27 June 2024 at top of article

well the OECD, CRS FACTA FBAR, etc are showing that the whole world is going to begin treating expats in a different manner it seems to me. After COVID, many countries continue to falter with inflation and zooming prices, demands for increased salaries, increased costs for materials for factories, stores, etc all countries seem to be hurting and looking at ways to garner some money from somewhere and to me anyway it looks like expats are among the easiest of targets since they obviously moved to a foreign country for probably some financial reasons be it taxes, weather, food, or whatever but are usually in the same boat when it comes to being pawns for the immigration folks. So what choice do most expats have - pay up or move out. Good luck to all. But definitely whenever someone gets a note about someone considering their retirement here, give them a true picture of what might happen.

well for those who have read this morning's report on this, it seems to me to indicate that are are proposing an amendment to the existing tax laws. That would seem to be easier than writing up a separate bill requiring probably different and more difficult wording for the govt to get it passed. But, it sure seems like they are going to go the tax ALL income starting next year unless there is a different govt that doesn't want many expats to leave. But the bottom line for all of the expats is - WHO HAS THAT CRYSTAL BALL TELLING US WHAT WILL BE NEXT AND WHEN? Just have to wait for the next report. Reading the comments from the two articles, expats have expressed some really harsh words and seem like many will be leaving unless that is just faked bravery in the face of the TRD. Let's hope cooler heads prevail and they think twice before acting on the proposed amendment.

Especially happy about the insurances for visas made the Thai insurers very happy as well as rich

yes, the rates are for TAX RESIDENTS but we hear that many Thais don't pay taxes - that I have no knowledge on nor do I care BUT, not you don't get any benefits other than that of paying what the Thai Revenue Department thinks is your fair share! However, currently we know very very little about this new possible tax program but it does appear to possibly be a death knell for many expats - some who have not been paying taxes to any country, some who will be hit by double taxed and have to file for reimbursement, extra paperwork for all who remain but for some maybe no change whatsoever and we will not know the extent of said program until most likelyl sometime NEXT year if it even moves forward which it seems to be doing as the govt is screaming for all their folks to find baht for the coffers.l good luck and remember - until we get a final word NOTHING you read here from any of us might ever happen or be fact.

Yes, very familiar with the local system...first they have the one of the highest number of "official holidays" ( just checked and this year there are 30 listed plus some particular ares also add a day or two and the govt might not officially do one or two so you get the idea anyway there are way too many as in the Thai schools my daughter studied, they also hold many practices to have celebrations of some of those holidays and plus being excused on the holiday, they might do the celebratory activities during other schools days. I also noted in the ENGLISH classes of some of the schools, not a clue what they were being taught as the teachers had to teach what the owner/school head provided as lesson materials. Teachers not knowing the languag well themselves are just a the mercy of their bosses. We fought at every grade for 5 years, moved to a SATHIT (won't name the university) school which had a great reputation, into a new school - unfortunately nepotism ruled on management and selection of local teachers, and within 3 years, ALL of the foreign teachers had left and ALL of the students except for the lowest grades (not sure how many remained after kindergarten) had also transferred although the school had grades up to 12th. We opted to leave after the first (grade 6) and went to an International School even though that school offered free (200K a year) tuition for us to remain. Fortunately the international schools can do their own hiring/firing and curricula, and at our daughter's school all the classes are in English except for the Thai classes (mandantory for all full Thais after grade 6 I think it was) and our daughter began a new phase of education in which she thrived (graduating with high levels of 4 different languages, great math and computer skills) and many friends from many different countries. She is in the #1 Univ in Thailand (liberal arts so not worried) in a program requiring even higher academic skills that the regular university entrance, and currently is in summer language school in the #1 university in Seoul. and doing exceptional work. Loves school and learning and this spirit was shaped by the teachers at the International School. As parents, my wife and I only tell her she is limited strictly by her own drive. We help shape what she wants to do in life based on our life experiences and will support her in whatever she wants to do. She is also on the Univ dance team, class badminton team, class advisory team for new students and loves K-POP dances and songs and knows all of the BTS songs by heart! Sorry to drone on but wanted you to understand how and why I feel as I do about the current Thai schooling. Good luck to all who have kids in school nowadays.

well, I have witnessed the difference in the Thais - I lived here in 1972-73 and then again in 1976--79 there was no western fast food then, very very few fat Thais - then I came back in the '90's and wow, western fast food galore and yessir fat Thais too. But on top of that, much local foods use and use cooking oil too many times, lots of sugar and salt. But there are restaurants nowadays too that will provide well cooked healthy foods according to the new healthy diet foods. Steamed veggies, only olive oil for sauce/slight cooking, and prices are not so expensive either. That is here in BKK anyway, not sure about other areas. After reading the Dr. Li's best selling books on dieting we changed our diets so have been looking for the restaurants that do the healthy meals. If one wishes to cook for themselves, there are many markets providing fresh foods and one can opt for whatever they want/like but that is life anyway isn't it? what is good for me others might not like. I do wish all a healthy and happy life!

googled BP this morning and clicked on latest - so prob the same - it did say that the discussions, it appeared that DTA's would remain at this time, nothing about LTR being dropped or changed..but TIT and even the free wallet now on hold. Anything or nothing could happen but at least, we did see something... maybe after tomorrow. good luck to all, happy travels.

NOT AT ALL!. I read the intial exchange, I myself went to google to see just how easy it was - and then put out the call for anyone desiring to know which countries...

I think khao soi is better in CM area having had it elsewhere many times. but food preference is definitely an opinionated response to this type of question. have a good one

basically you have had the commie north versus the catholic south but, many southerners fled and probably some northerners too took the opportunity and moved to the freer states...southern was probably always better.

yes, on the squatters thing - many states have already changed their laws to prohibit this type of activity - Fla, and Ga and maybe more.

google free healthcare in which countries - easy enough to do and see

So then, why are you still here?

yeah in the daily US youtube news they have an article on the Squatters' and how the lawyers are helping the Squatters to win in court cases - based on a law of centuries ago! Amazing to say the least that owners in many cases have to pay big bucks for other lawyers to fight it out! When you have open borders this is just one of the negative results in my opinion.

Mike and Co. there is an interesting article in todays local newspaper concerning possible future tax program plus some comments to that also in google along with the article stressing basically what the expats have been saying about this possible ur probable future tax program on expats

Well that is incorrect - my taxes for my US Pension based on the 1099R I get that is used for the 1040 goes from 1 Jan to 31 Dec each year. As for tax resident that might be different as Thailand is any 180 days in country. Thel US, I am a citizen so I am always a tax resident for the US. The DTA is a treaty and can just be dropped immediately as countries are required to provide 6 months I believe notice that they will cancel the treaty - or maybe re-write it and also, the other taxation program from everything we hear has just begun the talking stage so those even talking about it might not be in the next government here that could change anytime. Good luck though on tax situation.

I agree can;t be worse than Biden but, the only loser in my opinion in this Nov. election is America. Some day maybe, the public will realize that having political parties that bow to the rich and richer when selecting a candidate that will enhance their record profits another term but then again maybe not. The rot among the elected continues to spread regularly as they quickly seem to learn how to benefit from their position either for themselves or their family. When they won't even floor a bill banning insider trading among their congressional buddies and one looks at their portfolios, one can easily see how they become even richer than before they decided to take that govt salary. My opinion but that is how we determine for whom we will vote or not. take care enjoy the rains.

yep and I wouldn't vote for them either.

same with Shopee and with the new Money-back govt policy if you don't get what you paid for.... On the other hand if you plan on settling down here you had best wait until the latest tax interpretation (s) might be. And BRICS just around the corner too as they snuggle up to Xi and Putin.

Spent some time in central and west Texas a long time ago - a huge state to say the least. Great for retirees in no state taxes either so save that way. I have read too a lot of those tax swamped folks from Calf have been moving to Texas too. Now if we could rope those tornadoes and gulf storms a tad it would open up more of the state for living. Lots of good food there too as I became acquainted with the Tex-mex restaurants with a bowl of jalapenas on every table! In the year or so that I was there, I really enjoyed it immensely.