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Inquisitorial
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Posts posted by Inquisitorial
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Slightly off topic as not Phuket - agree with other posters - rent get a feel for the area, do your research before you buy. We purchased in BKK and have no regrets.
I was talking to a Thai (small business man) who told me that he has purchased two condos around 1.5m each in a new development and he mentioned that there are some good buys to be had in areas where the BTS extensions are going such as Samutprakarn (he mentioned that he has ocean view from his condos). No he was not trying to sell us one. As the value will go up once the BTS is operational.
BTS - In the southern expansion, the Green Line will be extended from Bearing to Samutprakarn. The northern expansion will include the extension of the line from Mo Chit to Khu Khot, via Saphan Mai.
The Bearing-Samutprakarn section of the MRT Green Line project is in advanced stage of development. Its construction is expected to open for service in 2017 (not sure how reliable the date is).
Maybe worth researching as another option.
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You think electricity here is expensive? My electricity bill here is around 1500 baht a month or A$55 or A$165 per quarter. My bill in Australia would be at least 3 times that for the same electricity used. So I don't know where you live in Australia that you can access cheaper electricity than here.
You are correct, it just seems expensive our bill in BKK ranges from 2700 baht to 3200 baht per month ($120 - $130) whereas our bill in Aust is around $150 per month unless we have really hot spell then we can double this. I forgot to factor in that we do not use our air con so much in Aust where as you use it almost every day in BKK.
Thanks for pointing this out.
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During our recent visit to BKK we did a trial run on how much monthly income we needed to put away for our retirement so for 3 weeks we religiously recorded every baht we spent - it turned out to be a lot more that we were expecting to allocate. Whilst completing this exercise we paid more attention to the cost of things and compared them to the home country, so that when we come back for our 6 month stint we can bring with us those must have items with us.
So here goes - the following are just some of the things we noticed were expensive.
Wine
Cheese
Bleach (liquid)
Vegemite worked out to be Au$15 for a small jar
Cereal
Muesli
Butter
Olive Oil
Electricity
strawberries (probably imported)
Starbucks coffee (maybe the cost of milk makes it expensive)
good quality clothing
tissues in box (though did end up finding some cheaper ones on special)
Whats Cheap....
massage
food hall meals
hairdresser
water
tropical fruits
orange juice
Taxi
Train
It would be great if you could share what you have found to be expensive and those items you always bring back to Thailand from the home country.
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Yes, you should ask. In Thailsn RH- is very rare so almost all Thais who are type O are O+ but this does not hold for foreigners.
It is possible they did not even test the RHO factor. Ask them.
If you are O Negative and need a transfusion in Thailand, blood of the right type will be scarce (worth asking around to see if you have friends/family who would donate in a pinch). On the other hand, you would be a "universal donor" and able to give blood to anyone including foreigners with other types of RH- blood, for which there are frequent appeals. If you are O positive then neither the case.
Sherl
Do you know if there is problem with availability of AB+ in Bangkok? Though I did read somewhere that they can use O+ on AB+ patients.
Thanks
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we have the same problem it does become a challenge just to change the sheets - also find they are very firm for sleeping on though am getting used to that.
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Ecuador - Not been there myself but have friend of a friend who has recently set up home there.
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I've been chasing around this issue as well. As far as I have got is a chicken and egg situation whereby the tax office in Pattaya won't give me a tax number without me having a work permit. I also have to be very careful as my tax authority outside Thailand does not have a double taxation agreement with Thailand and as such I could end up paying tax on worldwide income in both jurisdictions.
I have had a consultation with the an accountant who confirmed the problem.
After much deliberation I have decided to go the way of the mushroom kept in the dark.
You certainly don't need a work permit, we are non resident only on 30 day visa (currently only spend 28 days in Thailand each year). Though not sure if this is different for those on 12 month retirement visa.
They will ask for work permit but we explained situation and we each had a tax file number in about 15 min after supplying copy of rental agreement & passport and the next day we supplied copy of our title deed and showed them the bank account to confirm in joint names then they issued us with a partnership tax no as well and completed the Tax return for us
Not sure on the dual tax situation between home country. Something we need to look into.
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So if you live outside Thailand and you decide to leave your condo rental management with your juristic office,
or a real estate office, do they usually deduct the tax from your monthly income... and forward it on to the tax dept?
Any landlords out there have any ideas/advice about this?
If a company pays the rent then they will withhold 5% tax and pass onto the tax office (hopefully) but if you deal with an individual then no tax will be deducted - which has been our case. But you will still be required to lodge a return and maybe you will get a refund
Normally the agent who lets your apartment does not get involved in the rent payments that is between you and the renter or their company. If an agent lets he property for you they charge 1 month rent letting fee for a 12 month contract or two weeks rent for 6 month contract. Our Agent has been very good and will keep in contact with the tenant and let us know if anything goes wrong and assists us with the checkout process. We hold 100,000 baht bond.
We have now completed our tax return for 2015 after having to set up a partnership (as mentioned this was required due to fact our condo is in joint names) - at the end of the day we did not have to pay any tax. Basically you can earn 300,000 baht in rent without having to pay any tax after the allowable 30% deduction and threshold allowance if jointly owned and around 210,000 for single over this then you will have to pay 5% tax on the amount over the net 150,000. You are however required to lodge a return when income is over 50,000 baht.
One more thing we found out yesterday at the tax office was that you should get the actual contract stamped - you purchase stamps from the tax office and stick them on the contract - for our 6 month contract it cost us 300 baht.
Finally if you do let your condo and you are overseas I strongly recommend that you return for the final checkout process when the lease finishes as what is acceptable damage to the agent is likely to be very different from your standards. You can claim the expense on your tax in your home country if you are declaring the rent.
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What kind of heresy is this, a farang declaring rental income in Thailand, unheard of before!
Surely not !!!!!
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Hi
We have read many differing opinions on TV regarding the legalities of renting out your condo and the tax payable so we thought we would share our adventures with the Tax revenue department over the past few days - yes we are now into the third day of visiting the tax office.
Just to set the scene:
We are non-resident westerners.
We don't read or speak Thai (hope to one day).
We have started renting out our condo.
Our condo is in Joint Names.
Rental Agreement is with private individual not a company so no withholding tax
Decided to do the right thing and check out to see if we needed to lodge tax return and pay tax.
Can rent out condo as non resident without work permits etc.
Day 1. Visit to the main tax office in Bangkok only to be told that we need to visit the tax office local to where we live - they were however very helpful in translating the parts of the form that we needed to complete in order that we could get our tax file number then we headed of to the tax office in Sukhumvit. They also confirmed that a Tax return would be required if rental income over 50,000 baht.
Arrived at the Sukhumvit office 1 1/2 hours later only to find it was packed people lined up outside the door and heading down the street. waited in line for a while then thought we should check this is right place, found supervisor who spoke English only to be told that they cant help us today as they are too busy, as last day to pay tax - come back tomorrow.
Day 2.
Headed back to the local tax office which only had a few people in, what a difference. Excellent service in about 15 min we had our two tax file numbers, then we asked for help to complete the two returns only to be told that one person should declare tax, tried to explain that our condo is in joint names and that the rental contract is in joint names so income should be split between the two of us - No you cant do that, we must see your title that condo is in joint name (problem that is back in Australia) come back tomorrow with copy of title then we can register for a partnership tax file number (cost 105 baht)
Day 3.
Heading back to tax office with a scanned copy of our title deed - so hopefully we will be able to set up our partnership and lodge tax return. Basically if your net income is over 150,001 baht you will be 90,000 baht worse off by having to lodge under partnership rather than splitting income and completing separate tax returns.
The Important stuff - we have been told:
- If you receive rental income over 50,000 baht you should lodge tax return even if the rental income does not exceed the tax free threshold.
- If condo is in joint names we have been told that we need to register for a partnership cant split income and declare individually (cost for lodging tax file for partnership 105 baht for the stamp).
- Then lodge tax return in partnership.
- Example of tax under partnership.
Has anyone else lodged tax return for rental income when the condo is in joint names, would be interested to hear if you also had to lodge under a partnership?
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Hi
I recall reading somewhere on TV about friendly tax office in Bangkok who had a very helpful lady to assist with the completion of the tax return forms but I can no longer find the topic.
We have Condo in Bangkok that we rented out for past 6 months so from reading the forums we will need to lodge a tax return this Month but am not sure where we need to go to do this.
Our condo is in joint names so hoping that we will be able to split the rental income and get the 100,000 baht relief for each of us, only living in Bangkok at present for one month of the year. (we are both Westerners)
Does anyone know if the tax forms are in English and are online?
We don't have work permit so hope this is not going to be an issue
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Any assistance/tips would be greatly appreciated.
Apologies if I have put this in the incorrect forum.
Thanks
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Hi
If you get KB to set you up with a Pin 2 - then you do not need the mobile confirmation but the downside is that you need to fill in the form each time "Add other account" and email it to them with copy of your passport - it does take about one week for them to approve.
This option is useful if you need to do internet banking overseas.
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- Popular Post
I will start my diet tomorrow.......
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If you have not checked them out there are some good fully furnished condos available on Trip Advisor - holiday rentals. I find Trip Advisor has fairly good search engine and many condos available in your price range - you probably get cheaper for monthly rental commitment and most include internet and electric.
Don't commit to long term rental until you are sure of the area you want to be in.
Try on monthly basis first.
Though you will find that many of the condos in BKK want 12 month lease.
Beware of the electricity charge - I have read that many owners inflate the what you pay. Make sure you are aware of what the charge will be, electric is fairly expensive but when its inflated it can add a big cost to your budget.
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At restaurant/cafe. When your food comes out in staggered intervals and the first person served has eaten their meal before the last person get theirs.
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^^ Very true with warranty issues.
I have bought my last 3 computers in Thailand two ASUS and one Toshiba, and I have found the warranty I have received here to be above what I could have ever expected.
One of my ASUS had global warranty, which was great when I needed some repairs done when I was in Australia. Some computers have global warranty, others don't, so if you need global warranty, make sure the one you buy has it.
where do you buy your computers aussie? I need a new laptop.
Where are you? I have bought 2 in Bkk and one in Phuket. What brand do you want to get? The Phuket one was at Bananas at big C but the after sales service was non existent, but that doesn't matter as when it is under warranty, just take it to the service centre, which was Toshiba in Phuket town. The girl in there was very helpful and normally fixes it on the spot, unless parts need ordering. The others were from Pantip in Bkk.
Also interested - where did you get them in BKK?
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Such a waste - I wonder what they will do with it - probably deteriorated too much now for someone to take this on and finish the project.
Feel sorry for all those people who purchase condo off the plan.
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I have several Thai bank accounts and I got a few of them before I got married on various visas, including tourists visas. I've never really had Thai friends but if you're buying a condo or gold or something big like that the seller or agent will gladly take you down to their bank and introduce you. The key is being introduced by a Thai. Maybe you could ask your landlord to help you with that. They'd be motivated if you signed a one-year contract. One caveat--my info is several years old.
Edit: I might help if you start things off with a sizeable deposit because we know banks like money.
Thai banks do want a local person know to them serving as a personal reference, but that personal reference doesn't have to be a Thai person. When we opened our accounts at Bangkok Bank, we told them the names of an American couple who banked there and lived across the hall from us. They weren't even with us at the bank. Probably helped that we brought $10.000 U.S. in cash to open the account. No further reference was needed.
Since then, I've taken numerous other foreigners to the same bank to introduce them and answer questions they may have while opening their accounts. And I've served as the "guaranteer" on several occasions when people are claiming an inheritance. There is a myth that this has to be a Thai person, too. No, just someone known to the bank as being reputable, with a hefty balance at the bank.
So, OP, don't fret if you can't find a "Thai person" to serve as a reference to open a bank account. If you're known to a foreigner who has ties in the community, then that person can serve as a reference as well.
Nancy. Is this a Chang Mai Bank? We have KK account in Bangkok and my daughter tried to open an account (20 years old) and they told us that she cant open an account unless she has Study Visa. Just wondering if its the age that makes a difference?
Yes, Kad Suan Kaew branch. USD 10,000 may have made the difference for us, plus being well-dressed and having a nice, cheerful, upbeat attitude.
I was there today and witnessed an older expat being turned down. I first laid eyes on him in my condo elevator as he was frowning at everyone, dressed in shorts and tee shirt and then watched as he walked briskly down Huey Kaew, still frowning and pushing missionary family out of his way. He couldn't be bothered to wait for the security guard the mall had hired to direct traffic for Children's Day, instead he walked across Huey Kaew, scrawling at traffic, expecting it to stop.
I lost track of him when I went into the mall, but when I was in Bangkok Bank, he was trying to open an account with a tourist visa and didn't seem to understand their explanation how you need a reference, work permit or 1-year visa, like a retirement visa to open the account. When I came in the customer service rep looked at me and said "Oh, Khun Nancy do you know this man?" and I said "No, I don't" and unfortunately let the poor customer service rep to continue with having to deal with this idiot.
This is probably slightly off topic. But don't want to start a new topic
With the personal reference and or guarantee do you think a parent can do this or does it have to be someone not related to the applicant? We did not even get to the stage of the amount of money we were going to deposit just a flat NO.
Also, appreciate it if anyone can share names and branch of any Bangkok based banks that are more willing to open accounts.
We are keen for our daughter to have an account just in case anything happens to us, we thought it would be easier for her so she could transfer funds into her account and wind up our affairs, not that we are planning to depart this world just yet but one never knows, just trying to put as many contingency plans in place.
Thanks
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I have several Thai bank accounts and I got a few of them before I got married on various visas, including tourists visas. I've never really had Thai friends but if you're buying a condo or gold or something big like that the seller or agent will gladly take you down to their bank and introduce you. The key is being introduced by a Thai. Maybe you could ask your landlord to help you with that. They'd be motivated if you signed a one-year contract. One caveat--my info is several years old.
Edit: I might help if you start things off with a sizeable deposit because we know banks like money.
Thai banks do want a local person know to them serving as a personal reference, but that personal reference doesn't have to be a Thai person. When we opened our accounts at Bangkok Bank, we told them the names of an American couple who banked there and lived across the hall from us. They weren't even with us at the bank. Probably helped that we brought $10.000 U.S. in cash to open the account. No further reference was needed.
Since then, I've taken numerous other foreigners to the same bank to introduce them and answer questions they may have while opening their accounts. And I've served as the "guaranteer" on several occasions when people are claiming an inheritance. There is a myth that this has to be a Thai person, too. No, just someone known to the bank as being reputable, with a hefty balance at the bank.
So, OP, don't fret if you can't find a "Thai person" to serve as a reference to open a bank account. If you're known to a foreigner who has ties in the community, then that person can serve as a reference as well.
Nancy. Is this a Chang Mai Bank? We have KK account in Bangkok and my daughter tried to open an account (20 years old) and they told us that she cant open an account unless she has Study Visa. Just wondering if its the age that makes a difference?
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Unfortunately there are still 4 persons missing in Yarloop as at 6pm today.
Now declared as Natural Disaster by State and Commonwealth Govt.
Fire still out of control and threatening Harvey town has been evacuated.
Very Sad.
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Not sure the rules are enforced you just need to check out all the short term Holiday condo rentals on Trip Advisor many of them appear to be private owners and there are many more on other sites....
Condos available for short term rent on TA in
Bangkok 530
Pattaya 639
Hua Hin 349
Chang Mai 219
Some even available by the night.
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Hi
We need to replace an air conditioner in our bedroom in our condo in Bangkok. I have read many posts on TV some dating back many years on this topic.
The Air Con that we currently have makes terrible noise sound like someone snoring very off-putting and just gushes air no low fan speed and we keep needing to get it re-gassed (thinking this is installation problem) I am sure the developers just installed a job lot of cheap superseded air conditioners. Time to get a new one even though this one is less than 5 years old.
We are looking for good quality Air con with inverter (read this as a must on TV) that is super quiet.
Reading the past TV posts it looks like the most popular and best air con's to get are:
No 1…Diakin
No 2…Mitsubisih
No 3… Carrier.
We were going to purchase from HomePro but I have also read on TV that they should be avoided due to them not having reliable installers? Is this still the case?
I am keen to hear your experiences/recommendations and if you agree that Daikin is still no 1.
Also saw mention that Dragon Air Conditioning were very good who supply and install, when I checked they are only in Chiang Mai based.
I am looking for reliable supplier in Bangkok – any suggestions.
Thanks
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Fresh fruit could be a problem.
Is it forbidden to bring fruit into Thailand (like Australia)?
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Firstly thank you for all your posts.
Okay, I have decided to bring mixed hamper for the management team to share, I thought I would include assorted Chocolates, Tim Tams (one pack of every flavor) and Fruit (apples & grapes?) all made or grown in Australia.
Any other suggestions to include?
My question now is will I have a problem bringing these items into Thailand especially the fruit?
Whats Expensive Whats Not
in ASEAN NOW Community Pub
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I found Imported Baked Beans such as Heinz & SPC much more expensive however the Ayam which I think is local brand is cheaper, but you do get more sauce than beans in these and slightly different taste.