AlexRich

I liked Pattaya when I stayed there for a few months. It is famous for sleaze and degeneracy but all of that can be easily avoided. There are plenty of good malls, great restaurants and cinemas. The people are friendly and I've never felt unsafe there. I'm not much for alcohol so I'm hardly ever in bars ... so I managed to steer clear of the more unsavoury expats. The guys at the hotel gym that I used were mostly retired professionals ... not what I was expecting. So better than I thought it would be.

In the UK, yes. You need to file this problem under "This Is Thailand" unfortunately.

It's a pity you're not in Pattaya, because there is around 10,000 + ex SAS guys propping up the bars, who'd have loved to join you.

Someone's been on the Chang? The Russian army have shown themselves to be third rate, and not the first class force that they claimed in their propaganda. The Europeans could ramp up armaments very quickly if required, and Russia would not be a match for them, with or without the US military.

If HMRC don't send you an annual return, you then only have to complete one if you have UK taxable income (presuming you are a tax resident of Thailand?). Unfortunately, they send me one annually, so I have to complete it, even though my UK taxable income is below the tax threshold. If I don't, even though I don't owe tax, they would impose fines and penalties. I mention this because some people might not be aware of it. As for double taxation agreements, they work okay if the UK tax is equal to or higher than the Thai tax. However, if the Thai tax is 30% and the UK tax is 20%, you might find that Thailand is entitled to claim the 10% difference. Again, when this matter is clearly outlined in Thai tax law, this is something that expats need to get advice on.

In the UK if the revenue (HMRC) send you a tax return you have to complete and send it on time irrespective of whether you have a tax liability or not. There have been numerous news articles about people being sent £1,500 fines and penalties for failing to send a return, when they had no tax liability in the first place! One guy was homeless! I'm afraid that expats have plenty to worry about, irrespective of what is said in the op piece above. Perhaps the smartest move for the mobile expat is to live under 180 days in Thailand and the rest of the time in a low tax jurisdiction. For those with families and jobs it is much more difficult.

The actress Kathaleeya McIntosh is half Scottish/half Thai ... she's a very pretty lady but I'd say she looks more Thai than European. Her brother is also an actor and he looks closer to Thai also. Both are attractive people and much loved by Thais.

Probably best to wait until the rules are ironed out and published. Double Tax treaties are well and good, but if the Thai tax is greater than the foreign country tax, you may be expected to pay the difference in Thailand. Another point already made is that you could be asked to pay tax and reclaim ... a nightmare scenario for most (and I'd have thought unlikely). The killer blow is that the expat will no longer be able to bring in income earned in the previous tax year without being subject to tax. This is a game changer, and Thailand may find that it vastly reduces the number of foreigners living here. Perhaps that's the idea?

RIP Joe. I haven't looked at the forum for a while so I'm saddened to hear this news. Ubon Joe was a mine of information and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him and many more people who never met him but read his posts.

If it floats, flies or f**ks, rent, don't buy!

Everyone has a right to opinion, particularly about what Russia is doing in Ukraine. Does it disturb you that people are "raging against Russia"? It's as if you think they have no right to?

I’m sure you’ll find one in a shop for fans of genocidal despots.

A good question, one I’d like to know the answer to? I suspect you only declare income that is considered taxable, so no need to declare overseas earnings not remitted to Thailand during the tax year. A good Thai accountant with experience of expat returns would be your best bet.

Almost completed "The Honourable Schoolboy" by John Le Carre, the second book of the Smiley/Karla trilogy ... interesting because it takes place in the Far East ... Hong Kong, Vientiane, Saigon, Phnom Phen ... all places I've been.