JTXR

The OP in this thread is obviously AI-generated. Be prepared to see a lot more similar nonsense everywhere online.

On the few occasions the wife and I eat in a very busy food court one sits in at the table while the other gets food first, then the other goes. Capturing the table in the first place can be a challenge, but the leave-something-on-the-table ploy just seems bush league to us.

OK. Cool. Thanks. In my situation then, at least until things become less muddy, and assuming interest or dividends on savings earned before 21/12/23 are also tax exempt, I'll just file a return saying no transferred funds are taxable and wait and see if they ask me later.

I did read that document. It's what I referred to at the "original post". The "source" of the funds in the account in the US I transfer from is part "pension" (i.e. US social security) and part savings. Both are, or have been, either taxed or tax-exempt in the U.S. The mix of "pension" and "savings" in that account can vary from month to month and figuring out the mix on the date of transfer would be a nightmare and/or impossible. My basic point is that the new so-called "requirements", as far as they are actually known, are potentially Byzantine in the extreme. I have not seen an example of the the tax return I'd be expected to file, but if it will require detailing the "source" of the funds I transfer each month, staying in Thailand is simply not worth it.

I earn no income from Thailand sources but transfer at least TB 66,000 per month from the US to meet the requirement for extension of stay based on original Non-Imm OA retirement visa. I spend more than 180 days per year in Thailand. From what I can understand from the original post here, I am therefore a "tax resident" in Thailand and need to file a Thai tax return at the beginning of 2025 and I MAY owe some tax on the money I transferred into Thailand from the US in 2024. After reading all the original post here and also the Thai/US Double Tax Agreement, however, I have no idea whether I WILL in fact owe tax and how much it might be or what the filing process might be. I have always prepared and filed my own US tax return myself. By the look of things so far, one will need a Thai tax attorney to figure out the new requirements here. This nonsense may well be the proverbial straw that breaks the expat retiree camel's back.

I've just glanced quickly through the posts here and see only EV and ICE. In the intermediate term, until there's some realistic number of public charging stations installed and operational, hybrids will be the most attractive alternative for most Thais.

Because they asked for it.

As in most places, the "culture" depends on what you are looking for. One thing for sure: Thai women know very well the different types of guys out there and the different types of things they are looking for.

Great. I have too. That doesn't solve my problem regarding this particular bank and this particular type of account. Do you know anything about passport numbers on driver's licenses?

Thanks

Yes, but that thread does not say what documents are required.

I get all kinds of "western food" delivered from Villa Market.

Thanks, but almost all the posts in that thread are some variation of "don't worry about it", "too much trouble", "no one will ever ask", "not necessary", etc. My OP is clear that my bank did ask and said it is necessary for them if I want to open a new account with them. None of the posts in the thread says what DLT will require.

Sorry if it's a smart-ass comment, but I honestly believe the time to retire to Thailand is 1995.

I donate books to the Neilson Hayes Library in Silom in Bangkok. They sell at their annual book sale. Sometimes I just give old books to one of the used book stores in Bangkok. The ones they don't want to try to sell, they just put on a "Free Books" table to attract customers.

I never even realized my passport number was on my driver's license until my bank declined to open a new account for me because my license had my OLD passport number on it. If I go to DLT to put the new number on the license, will they need only the license and new passport, or will they want all the things they require for a new license (residence permit, etc.)? Also please remind me: In BKK, the license place is Building 4 at DLT? Thanks.

I need one to buy a new car and it's been years and years since I needed to get one. I've forgotten the process. Just what documents are required? In Bangkok, is Chaeng Wattanna the TI office to go to? Thanks.

You have a Non-Imm O visa? As far as I know, the requirement is only for Non-Imm OA retirement visas (and extensions).

No, we will stay in Thailand for the foreseeable future but likely move back to the US eventually.

OP here. Sorry, after posting, I've been taken up with a number of things. Still, I've read and I appreciate all of the comments. Thanks. I'm now annually extending permission to stay based on original OA Non-Imm visa. Wife and I had traditional family marriage a number of years ago (sin sod paid, etc), not registered. She has a ten-year US tourist visa (her second). Based on what folks have posted, I'm thinking registering the marriage in Thailand is the way to go in order 1) to change my permission to stay from retirement to marriage (and hopefully not need anymore the annual health insurance expense) and 2) to change her US visa from tourist to marriage. Is this right? One major concern is that if we move to the US later (she currently has family obligations that keep her here) she will want to work there. Will a US "marriage visa" allow her to do that? Thanks again for your input.

Of course it would be much easier, but given the hoops one currently needs to jump through to get annual retirement OA-based extension of stay, there's no way TI would do it online to make life easier.

What are the pros and cons of each? 1. For ease of change with Thai immigration from retirement visa to marriage visa 2. For ease in eventually getting US marriage visa down the road 2. In case of divorce down the road Also, to do pre-nup, is it wise to do one in the US and also in Thailand?

“I've had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.” - Mark Twain

Remember, of course, that an estimate from a hospital is like one from a car mechanic. It's just an "estimate," and it's not unusual to have the bill come in higher due to the problem "turning out to be more complicated....", etc.). My wife and I go to 2 different private hospitals in BKK for different issues. One of them has proven much more reliable in their estimates. I won't name them for obvious legal reasons, but it's good to try to research a hospital's reputation when it comes to estimates.

Thanks. I've stopped using Lazada because of past problems with their business practices. No melatonin in my local pharmacies. I'll try some of the bigger ones downtown.