DrPhibes

On 12/29/2023 at 9:00 AM, Tropicalevo said:

Let me help you here

 

Airlines have always 'overpriced' flights during holiday seasons. It is their cash cow.

After two years of nothing during Covid, we have to charge even more in order to replace those lost profits.

Not to mention that for some reason the Thai Baht strengthens about this time of year also ;-)

14 hours ago, Dan747 said:

I personally do not see lower airline costs from the USA to BKK. It would be nice for an American carrier like United Airlines to reopen their route from NRT to BKK and make money do to the high costs that Asian carriers are charging. Just saying.

I booked round trip from CNX to LAX on EVA, 1 stop in Taipei a week ago, leaving Jan 22, return April 28th for $1,200 USD.  Normally a $1,500+ fare in years past not even counting for inflation.  How cheap do you want pay to fly to the other side of the planet?

6 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Blimey, at this point I'm wondering what's it going to cost to pay a tax return preparer in Thailand that actually understands both the U.S. and Thai rules to (or whatever country you're from) if and when they ever clarify this stuff in the first place. I imagine not cheap. 

Yup, Enrolled Agent with the IRS but heading back to the US for a couple of years this summer while the smoke clears on several fronts here in Thailand.

1 hour ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Malaysia did it a few years ago - they delayed implementation for a few years for personal income taxes (not businesses) and they made an exemption for many people, including retired Expats living in the country.  I previously posted in this thread all about that a long time ago (last month?) - sorry aint going on another hunt to find all that again (should have kept links I know).  

But then they revamped the law to make people who got visas based on wealth and buying property have to be worth like 2x what they had to have for the original Visa for their renewal, crushing many who had bought houses and such but could not make the new requirements. This kind of thing is always the fear of those overseas.

On 9/18/2023 at 10:44 AM, lordgrinz said:

In the USA we are tax residents of the USA no matter where we live, thankfully there is a tax treaty between the USA and Thailand.

You need to read and understand the treaty.  Some things are taxed at the US side, some types of income are taxed at the Thai side.  The question is the things taxed on the Thai side, will they allow a credit for what you paid in the US.

17 hours ago, dinsdale said:

This is a disgusting comment. The only mention about the age of the girls is underage. I'm guessing you don't for example have an eleven, twelve or thirteen year old daughter. 

Underage is dependent on law and culture.  In my day, it was normal for teenagers to head to make out point despite being underage.  Parents knew, their only concern was not to get pregnant or a rape occur.  BTW, did you know that in 1850's  age of consent in most US states was 10, besides Delaware where it was 7.  That was what was normal then and there.

22 hours ago, VillageIdiot said:

As in the USA there will be loop-holes, bolt-holes, and bung-holes for the wealthy and well-connected to go into.

Leona Helmsley nailed it a long time ago when she said "Only the little people pay taxes."

Where upon after that statement, she was sent to prison for tax evasion.  Look it up ;-)

3 hours ago, Mike Lister said:

The average tourist spend is between 42,000 and 50,000 Baht per visit and the average stay is 9 days. That means tourists spend between 140,000 and 167,000 Baht per month. Resident expats are very unlikely to spend anywhere near that amount on average.

Hmm,

Not sure where the data came from and if the per visit amount is just high season numbers or an average over the year but let's work with that.

For us,

[(140,000 + $167,000)/2]/35 = $4,386/mo or $52,632/yr USD for a tourist.  Some of us spend quite a bit more than that given we have families and private schooling for multiple children.  I can see where the average retiree may not hit that number especially if in a 10,000 baht/mo condo and no kids.

Housing(rent) and util alone for a family of 5 here in CM is about $1,600/mo or $19,200/yr for not a fancy house.  Then you have private schooling for 3 kids at about $23,000/yr. Just those two things and your now at $42,200/yr and have not factored in any food, entertainment, vacations, health insurance, etc... and you can see that we easily exceed the $52.6k number.  I understand that we probably represent a minor subset of the total expat community but not sure how minor given the large number of expat families here in CM with kids in international schools.

Any other positive inputs on this is welcome.

Hope all well with everyone.

How about taking care of us guys that are here year round spending a ton each every year.  This scheme of taxing our money coming in (if it comes to fruition) is really going to backfire at a time when they need all the income they can get.  Would be interesting to see how much year round expats contribute vs tourism in money.

3 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

Golf is a good walk spoiled.

Mark Twain

 

https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/mark_twain_100019

 

NB: I grew up in a golfing family but never took to it, myself.

 

BTW these are badges from 2 of the 3 years I volunteered along with my late Dad as an electric ambulance driver at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Invitational (Tiger Woods won all 3 years)

Not many people are going to know your user name, I'm that old ;-)

5 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Paraphrasing Leon Wilson, and validating the assertion of my OP.

Never heard of the guy but probably heard the phrase (or saw on a golf shirt) in my youth somewhere.  Thanks!

So, as far as the dating app.  She could be looking for a husband that was financially secure that she would date first and then marry (and then sex) knowing she would outlast him and inherit his wealth.  Happens all the time here.

Could also have been entrapment where the guy pays up a ton of money and all of this goes away.

My 2 satang...

2 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

No quick answer to your quick mention. Read it here:

 

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-trty/thailand.pdf

Agree, no quick answers.  Ex: If you look at Articles 10, 11, 12 for dividends, interest, and royalties, they may be taxed by the country you live in as a tax resident but there are provisions on how that taxation works. 

The only way I would fly with them again is if the Stews dressed as Vietjet Stews!

Sounds like the Golden Triangle high ends lusting after the casinos across the river 😉

There are a few in BKK with city views that are pretty spectacular and drinks as you describe, but I have yet to visit ones that rival CM for the more intimate city views and mountains (at least between flights out of the airport).  Have had some Mekong river places, but would not call them "roof top" bars.  I am prejudice, I love living in CM despite the 2 mo of burning that you can hop down to an island to avoid for a while.  Good luck with the search!

Have never been to Vietnam but looking at Phu Quoc for some island beach time.  We have been living in Chiang Mai for the last 8 years and have hit all but Koh Phangan and Koh Lipe but COVID took out about 4 years of travel to neighboring countries.  Being only 1hr and 20min flight from BKK is enticing.  How is the island and if we wanted to get off the beaten path for food (as in authentic Viet food) where would we go?  More of a beach trip as a prelude for a longer trip in the future to see the cultural sights next time.  Any tips would be greatly appreciated.  As always, thanks in advance! 

56 minutes ago, TravelerEastWest said:

He is friendly and honest.

 

You were smart to bring the part you needed installed - I had a computer that needed parts and he told me to try somewhere else - but he didn't charge me even when I wanted to pay him for looking at my computer...

 

The computer ended up needing 4 chips from other old junked computers that someone else had on hand - works well now.

He probably did not have the chips in his junkyard of computers.  Your spot on with being friendly and honest.

If anyone could suggest Hi8 to mp4 at as high a resolution as possible, I would be VERY appreciative.  The tapes have all our early lives including live births of our children (where I got to chew through their umbilical cords) and other cherished memories.   Have asked over the years but have yet to find anywhere!

31 minutes ago, Nickcage49 said:

Do they seriously think one shooting is having an impact on their tourism?

 

If that was the case the USA would have no tourists.

 

That's just bunk.

 

And I doubt Israel's situation has much effect either.

Gotta blame somebody aside from here.

On 9/29/2023 at 10:20 AM, VinnieK said:

Are farangs allowed to participate?

If they win, are they allowed to cash in, or the govt confiscates it..?

For the children, of course..

 

I'd swear it was set to stun!