mfd101

Mmmm, well in my case I have a 3 million ฿ insurance with Pacific Cross. Expensive because taken out at age 72 or 73, but I'm happy with it and with the service they provide at annual renewal (polite & helpful). At age 75 I haven't made any claims as yet. Submitted each year with OA renewal & passed by Immigration without comment each time. (This last time in October I commented as they leafed through my financials that my 40-years-younger b/f is rich & I am poor. They laughed & said: Yes we noticed that from your bank book.)

The investment AND its earnings are free of tax in Oz. That's part of the early retirement package from my ancient federal government superannuation scheme (CSS - closed to newcomers in the early 1990s precisely because it was too generous). I expect that the relevant clause of the DTA means that the earnings of that investment - untaxable in Oz - cannot be taxed in Thailand. It would be a weird outcome if that were not the case.

My understanding - but others may know better than me - is that the requirement for a THAI insurance cover no longer exists.

OK, that makes sense. Certainly better than my (2) above. Will follow up. Thanks for that.

I bring in over 1 million ฿ each year, converted from Oz dollars. It is all derived from 2 sources: my investment of my lump sum on retirement from the Australian Public Service in 2004 (ie well outside Thai assessability) + fortnightly income from Oz federal government current expenditure (ie Thai-assessable from Jan 2024). I was forced 2 or 3 months ago - by my Oz bank (NAB) - to take out a Thai TIN, which I did assisted by the helpful & polite ladies at the TRD office here in Prasat Surin. So I now have 3 options: (1) Fill out Thai tax declaration, pointing out the relevant (difficult to understand - even for me) section in the Thai/Oz DTA, which appears to say that my second source above - the only relevant one - can be taxed ONLY in Oz; OR (2) Do nothing, on the basis that my assessment is that I have no tax due to Thailand (now or in the future); OR (3) Consult the nice ladies at the local TRD, where they probably have not seen or heard of such a thing as a DTA. Mmmmm. I think I should do (3), but I'm inclined towards (2), at least for the next 12 months ... to see how matters evolve. Any relevant comments?

4 years to go? (yawn).

I'm looking forward to visiting it one day, but I do find that - apart from Bangers & Chiang Mai - every town in Thailand large or small looks much the same as the next one. And the countryside also ... This is of course a superficial reaction based on my ignorance after 9 years of living permanently in Surin province.

We are living the reunification of the human species. A 1000-year project. Nothing can stop it - for cultural, economic, technological and above all demographic reasons. Hang in there. Get used to it. Enjoy it while you can.

The solution to life's problems is obvious: Increase my wages and reduce costs. Any guvamint that can't do that should be overthrown by the masses.

So, an end to poverty in Thailand!

1000 'generals' down to a mere 500? How will they manage? Surely having a 'general' in charge of each platoon of conscripts is how every modern armed force operates. Just ask the Russians.

You always take this line, but fail to consider the rationale - as the OP states - for staying with OA, namely the insurance requirement is fine & accepted. In my case, at age 75 I need decent health insurance anyway so there's no advantage in changing to another visa type.

Always ask for a receipt BEFORE handing over money. 9 times out of 10 he'll make a rude noise then wave you on without the fine ...

So 59 & 62 is elderly? Not amongst Khmer peasants, I shouldn't think. As to the money stored, fairly typical levels of ignorance involved. My PILs - 78 & c81 - don't have bank accounts. Never been inside a bank in their life. One of their sons (still virginal at 38) has never been inside a shop of any kind in his life. Waits outside in the carpark when we venture in ...

Poland moving up the economic ladder ... Good to see (I guess).

Yet another Falang comes to Thailand for drugs (yawn). Public whipping would be good.

I must say that the British interviewer appears arrogant, condescending & fairly stupid.

He has the appearance (in the interview) of being intelligent & civilized. Given the horrors of the last regime - over 50 years of it - the notion that all will be just fine after 3 months is ridiculous. Syria is hugely complex as to ethnic groups & religions. And deep history going back 3000 years. We can only sit back and watch the new people as they struggle to revive a terrorized nation. And wish them all the best. Foreign interference - Russian, Iranian, Israeli, US - will complicate things, though the first 2 look to be greatly weakened, possibly terminally.

We visit Bangers 2 or 3 times a year, for a few days only. Always Sukhumvit - restaurants & shopping, Lumphini & Benjakiti parks. We love the crowds, particularly the Skytrain. We've done most of the touristy things; no need to repeat. Visited Pattaya twice over the years, a few days each time. OK, but the beaches are nothing to write home about. No need ever to repeat. Life here in south Surin is quiet & sweet.

Um, isn't that what Thai politics is about? And vice versa too ... securing power & privilege to increase wealth.

Interesting how people find it hard to cope with population statistics & economic realities. The French are outraged that anyone could suggest raising the retirement age to 64! Meantime in countries where people are better educated (by politicians) about these things - I'm thinking Oz, for example - the retirement age is already at 68 and heading to 70.

Thaksin doesn't seem to have it in him to maintain a low profile. Constantly announcing government policies or proposed policies, and not even pretending that his daughter is really in charge ... All of which is pretty stupid and will lead to collapse of the government in quick time. Thais prefer appearances to reality.

Certainly Thailand needs the death penalty for leaders of military coups or attempted coups. I'll believe the pollies are serious when they have that on the statute books and actually carry it out.

So, why not have an 'I disagree' sign? At least that would be clear.

Part of the growing process, transitioning from 3rd World agriculture & 2nd World vehicle assembly to more sophisticated economic models. Every country goes through it but it's not obvious that either the Thai ruling class or The People as a whole are prepared - or educated - for radical change.