CMBob

I have known a lot of people who have gotten 30-day extensions (from exempt entries and Tourist Visas) and every one of them had the 30-days tacked onto the end of their exempt or Tourist Visa period. At least that's how it works here in Chiangmai.

Yes, they do 30-day extensions. I was out there 2 weeks ago and it was a zoo (busier than I've ever seen it). Got there at 10AM, finally got my re-entry permit at 2PM. Was still very busy when I left.

I remember having some of those a few years back as I remember that may have been a rule then; however, I don't believe it is any more (I've done a couple extensions and couple re-entry permits here in CM in the last 13 months and photos I provided just had a white background and there were no questions/issues).

There's an app called "Police i lert u".....which points out your location and gives you the option of calling the cops or an ambulance. I downloaded it but haven't used it (just thought it might come in handy if I witnessed an accident or whatever). Have no clue how well it does or doesn't work.

Confusing post as there is no such thing as a 15-month visa anywhere in Thailand. If what you're looking for is conversion to a Non-O followed by a 12-month extension during the last 45 days of the Non-O, that's possible by any visa agent (or by yourself) so long as you meet the requirements.

The subject of the thread is possible tax here in Thailand for expats who happen to be tax residents here. If you're concerned about inheritance/estate taxes in the UK, maybe contact a UK accountant (it isn't the topic here).

Well, inheritances are pretty much tax free here in Thailand (if under 100,000,000 baht). As to what you have to pay in the UK, I have no clue. And, maybe it's a problem if you transfer the UK inheritance proceeds into Thailand as perhaps a Treasury official requires you to prove that the funds transferred are inheritance funds. As to tax issues here (Thailand), it depends on whether you're a tax resident in Thailand, how the "new Thai tax" law is amended/interpreted, etc., etc.

Unfortunately, presuming the new tax law takes effect with all its glory (not), I just watched a video of a tax lawyer in BKK who said it will be up to the person to prove the money transferred wasn't from earnings or is exempt under an existing tax treaty. I know the OP said it was "savings" but the tax lawyer argued that it would be treated as earnings (as that's likely where originally it came from) unless you can prove an exemption. So best advice is for OP to transfer before the end of this month and avoid any possible issue. One issue that bothers me is that certain things (for examples only, inherited money or US social security earnings) are exempt from taxation here in Thailand; however, when transferring funds from a common account (where you keep all kinds of things - interest, dividends, prior earnings, etc., etc. - how does one satisfactorily prove you only transferred inherited funds, social security funds, etc.?

Please delete.

Never heard of anyone have that happen to them. If you're leaving on an international flight from CM, the re-entry desk will be open. Now, because this time I elected to not have to carry the paperwork to the airport, I went to the Central Festival Immigration office this morning to get a re-entry permit. Took 4 hours (was as jammed out there today as it was at the main Immigration office near the airport last Thursday).....I should have waited until I got to the airport....sigh. Also, the sign for re-entry permits out there now says 9:30AM to 11:30AM so I guess they might stop allowing any "inspection queue numbers" after 11:30AM now.

On the fancier end, try LeCrystal (google their website and hit the Festive Menu option. There are many places offering Xmas eve and Xmas day lunches and dinners. Most, I think, are set menus with option as to mains.

In February of 2009, at Hua Hin Immigration, I converted a Tourist Visa to a Non-O and simultaneously obtained a one-year extension based on retirement that began at the end of the 90 days provided by the Non-O......so effectively I obtained a 15-month permission to stay. Whether any Immigration office will do that again is unknown to me but maybe that's what the OP is trying to talk about. But, as everyone else has said, there is no such thing as a single visa or extension that lasts 15 months.

For what it's worth, here's the relevant part of the new police regulations that took effect in June of 2020.....

And, as I stated, it hasn't applied to me or other friends who travelled this year outside of Thailand this year (or last few years). I have no idea why you and your friends are treated differently.

Actually, it's not....specifically because no non-Thai hotel ever files a TM30 for someone living here. I've flown out and back into Thailand several times in the last few years and never had a problem because of that with filing 90-day reports online or any other Immigration issue (including annual extensions and re-entry permits). I have read that in a particular case (when returning to Thailand with a new passport or visa), a new TM30 filing may be required but I'm not sure if either case applies here in CM.

Slightly off topic but you might want to consider a trip to your home country to obtain cataract surgeries. For example, in the US, I had both eyes done by an exceptional eye surgeon about 5 years ago and, with Medicare, the total cost of doctor visits and the cataract surgeries (two weeks apart) was slightly under $900. Congrats on the 53+ years.

Let's see, it was you that said "No certificate no exit. Unpaid tax? No exit." Please explain who you say will stop the exit and how they'll do that. Perhaps you're suggesting they'll post revenue officers at the international airports and a traveler would have get past them before seeing the exit immigration officers?

And, if the hotel is doing the TM30 online reporting as required, they'll just take your passport number off your driver's license (unless they no longer put that info on the lower right of the drivers' licenses).

Same thing has happened to me but: (1) It's hit or miss whether the online checkers notice you've stayed at a hotel that did their usual online TM30 for you. Sometimes it causes the online checkers to reject your filing, and sometimes it doesn't. (2) What you need to do (if you want to start doing online 90-day reporting again) is to go to the office behind the Immigration office and tell them what happened (they only needed to see my passport). They'll update their computers and put a new TM30 slip in your passport and then you can do online reporting again. Unfortunately, it's been a zoo back there (and in the main office) so it may take you a while to spend 3 minutes to get that done. (3) But you also can do the 90-day report in person (main office or Central Festival) without doing that "update."

No, I don't think I misunderstand. Many expats have one year visas (more likely extensions) that only come here for 3-5 months for the winter and they and many full-year expats often take trips to neighboring countries during their stay. So it's not just seeing a tax certificate....and the notion that the exit Immigration officers at the 4 (5?) international airports are going to be searching through a passport to count the days is rather silly in my opinion. But we're just speculating as nothing is in place now or (according to many of the people giving talks about the new tax law) is likely to be in place until long into the future. Then, when and if we get there, let's see how Thai Treasury has to deal with tax treaties that prevent what some sky-is-falling people are saying is going to happen (for one example only, the US/Thai tax treaty expressly states that Thailand cannot tax US social security benefits).

I respectfully disagree with your speculation as to the issue of enforcement. It appears you are guessing that exit Immigration will be tasked with figuring out how long a foreigner has been in Thailand during a given year and then refusing to let them leave unless and until they obtain a Thai Treasury tax clearance. Sorry, I simply don't believe that scenario is going to happen.

I live here permanently and I remain at a loss as to how enforcement would or could happen. Perhaps you could explain as I don't understand your comments. (1) Yes, I understand your comment about maybe they require a tax clearance before leaving the country. Yet, that seems a bit odd. They would require exit immigration to see that? And you're suggesting they would require that of every one of the 27+ million foreign visitors? (2) Where, when, and how would a foreigner report the number of days in country (I presume by "county" you meant country)?

Sorry but can't help with a Kindle repair shop here. A few years back, though, my Kindle needed to be repaired and found out that the repair cost was outrageous. Instead, I bought a tablet (Samsung) which cost almost $100.00 less than the repair. Downloaded the Kindle app and it's been great (all the functionality of the Kindle....plus essentially a computer to boot).

I am sure they could. Will they? Not a chance in my opinion.

Have watched a couple of online videos and attended a presentation by an accountant here in Chiangmai at a CEC meeting. And, so far, nobody seems to know pretty much anything about what the new (alleged) law will in reality take effect or how it would be enforced. The only common advice I've heard from all sources is that money you bring into Thailand before 2024 will not trigger any possible tax effects here. As to the above post suggesting that the US Embassy/Consulate will provide any assistance whatsoever is simply a pipe dream. You know where will freeze over before that happens.