Phulublub

I was not suggesting ONLY using a filter on the aircon. I thought that would be obvious from the rest of my post which said ".... and may well extend the life of your main HEPA filter in your airpurifier." But clearly not obvious enough. PH

I like the layout of the Urban 50m2 and the Avenue 45m2 units...both make good use of space imv, unlike the 48m2 (?) units at City Garden. PH

In the past eight years I have lived in central Pattaya and looked (both for rent and potentially buy) at many. My thoughts: Grand Avenue....condos appear well fitted out, but both the two I looked at had ZERO storage space. Management fees also high (esp for a new build); those facing west and south get either a LOT of afternoon sun (something to consider with all condos, obv) or are right up against the TravelLodge. South - plot next door up for sale so potential development soon? Centara - built quality appears poor (have a look at the pipework in the underground car parks). Again, west facing get sun, east facing too close to noise from Buakhow. Pool and gym appear large, but with hotel and number of units do not expect will be quiet. Avenue/Urban/City Garden - more established and better value IMV. Avenue and Urban appear to be well run by Committee/Juristic, City Garden does get some airbnb I hear and Juristic not interested in tackling this despite big notice at entrance. Pride - seems rather dates, sma;; pool. Potential noise from Soi Diana bars. Diana Estates- great location, BUT - traffic on Buakhow getting worse; noise from Tree Town well into small hours. PKCP - dated, but good value. A little further out but near baht bus and with own tx not a problem. PH

If the filter is dirty, then is HAS to be catching dirt. Maybe not all - but somehting is way better than nothng, and may well extend the life of your main HEPA filter in your airpurifier. PH

New Retirement Extension last week at Jomtien - pre-filled and printed form accepted with no questions asked. PH

From a Met spokeman: 'We met the aircraft on arrival and a 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and endangering an aircraft. 'He remains in custody." PH

Good for you. Sounds like my OH is quite a lot smaller than yours, or your son. I merely suggested something for prospective purchasers to consider; really didn't need the lecture, thanks. PH

Actually there is a techincal difference between a motorbike and a scooter. Depends if engine is attached to chassis (scooter, which alows "step through" platform) or frame (bike). Typically, bikes will also have larger CC engines - but there is considerable overlap. PH

While this may be true for some, I find the 125 perfect for zipping around town...really don;t need any extra oomph. Mrs found the 160 too big - the 125 is big enough and, when she's on the back, is almost too big for her to get on/off. Worth bearing in mind for a couple. PH

Bought a new Honda Click 125 in Bo Win late last year - cheaper than pattaya dealers, free delivery. PH

How?

And in that regard they were almost right...several post election recounts have revealed that votes cast were not exactly as published. Most (all?) were miscounted in Trump's favour. But there was no widespread fraud, no widespread misconduct. As far as I am aware, the only convictions of people trying to act illegally have been of people voting for Trump. But don;t let hard truths get in the way of your narrative I would also suggest that chanting "Hang Mike Pence" and erecting a gallows is hardly "upholding the democratic process". PH

I wans't aware that Agents could process applications well in advance of the official gace period. If that is the case, then using one to obtain a new extension if one needs to be out of the country in the month before renewal, that might be useful information to some; good of you to share. PH

Really don;t know what the problem is. I forgot my extensionw as due, and am going up country tomorrow - so off to the bank on Sunday for letter (I use 800K), to copy shop for photocopies of all needed docs. Down to Jomtien for 0730 Monday morning and there are about 50 ahead of me in the queue. Info desk opens on the dot of 0800 and am through with my number (002) by 0825. Main doors open at 0830 and i am out again by 0850. Under two hours door to door on what is supposed to be a "don't go that day" day. As an aside, helpful chappie at desk said next year need new photo as background needs to be white (my phots are years old, so no real complaints). Also, new requirement is a copy of ALL previous extensions, not just last one - again, very helpfully he merely photocopied the missing ones for me. YMMV. Those who wish to pay 8K+ for an agent to do some copying and skip the queue will have a little less beer money in their wallet. PH

But only one of them suggested injecting bleach PH

This is the point I was trying to highlight a couple of days ago and is potentially even more complicated than that for some. Consider those with both UK Government Pension (exempt) and UK State Pension (not exempt) and other non exempt income (dic=vidends, interest etc) . Will they be able to allocate their personal allowance to their exempt income so that ALL the non-exempt is taxed at 20% thus reducing any potential additional liability here, or must it be pro-rata? PH

There is no "fund" that you contribute to. You pay for current expenditure while working and that includes the pensions being paid at that time. When you come to draw a state pension then, if you have paid sufficeint contributions, you are entitled to a benefit paid for by the then cirrent taxpayers. PH

I read that as you saying that any income (or is it just pension income?) that has been declared in the UK does not need to be declared. If so, since we all submit self assesment returns, then all UK taxpayers (even if they dont have sufficient income to actually pay any tax) are all outside the scope of these regulations and we can all safely ignore them. That's not how I read the rule though...even if declared and taxed then if we remit here more than the 120K (or 190K for 65+) non-exempt income, we should file a return and may be liable to tax if the Thai total is more than that already paid. PH

Is it that simple though? UK ex Military in receipt of Military pension (exempt by DTA) and state pension (assessable Income). Tax is paid...but on which one? Pro rata? Likely under threshhold, but...what if post miltary life, he worked and obtained a further private pension (Assesable Income?)....then it gets muddy. State Pensions are most definitely not "money accumulated while working". Paying NI gives an entitlement to the Pension. There is no pot of money. Not sure the status of private pensions, either defined contribution or defined benefit. PH

To deliberately misquote... "What have the Thai Government ever done for us?" Apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system, and public health ... Oh peace? SHUT UP!!!!! ©️Monty Python 1979

Anyone thinking of dodging a bullet by having one year when they are not Thai tax resident needs to be careful. I have read (but cannot now find the source) that if you were tax resident, spend a year not tax resident and remit funds dirign that year, but then subsequently become tax resident again, the money transferred during your non-tax resident year will be Assessable Income in the year you return. I suspect this is to stop people doing exactly as is being suggested to try and circumvent the law.. PH

Yes. To be pedantic, it is anything earned and remitted after 31 Dec 23. PH

An update has clarified that the new regulation only applies to Assessable Income from 1 Jan 24; this is why you may see several posts advising that statements showing assets and values at 31 Dec 24 should be kept to help prove (if needed) any future transfers of these funds is from exempt assets and is not Assessable Income. PH

Why? Once again, any money earned before the start of this year is NOT liable for any Thai tax. How often does this need repeating? PH

The new regulations are not aimed at retirees. So many think we are vital to the health of Thailand's economy. We are not. The regualtions are aimed at Thais. That some of us may get caught up in it is immaterial in the overall scheme of things; even those who do will, because of the numerouse DTAs, have little or no additional taxes to pay. PH