4myr

Had similar experience with this office last year. Went there twice. Even spoke with the lawyers office on the 3rd floor. Things they don't understand or recognize, even after reading out loud the Thai version of my country's DTA: they said they never allowed DTA exemptions in their history of cases, only tax credits. Even for cases not mentioned in the DTA they allow tax credits, this according to my first visit with the tax officer lady. Hua Hin is a smaller branch. But you can go to the regional office where Prachuap is part of [ https://www.rd.go.th/english/40118.html ]. It is Office 6, but located in Bangkok. Here's the address https://www.rd.go.th/region/06/19.html

For what it's worth. Had a free consultation call with Thomas Carden's office. Tax resident in 2024, remitted savings prior 2024 above threshold for married couple. Do I need to file? Answer: NO, but strongly advised to file. Why? Because all Thai banks will report to TRD all remittances per bank account. How to file? Put 1 baht interest income and attach evidence 1) total remitted income 2) 2023 balance statements of foreign bank savings.

Why many are talking about the 60/120k thresholds. According to the 2023 TRD guide, these are the thresholds: https://www.rd.go.th/fileadmin/download/english_form/2023/GUIDE_91_66_Complete.pdf

A few articles on Thai and China EV insurance markets give insight into why at the moment EV insurance costs are higher than ICE equivalents. The EV (insurance) market is more mature in China. The trend of increasing insurance premiums for EVs is not unique to China and Thailand; similar patterns have been observed in markets like Australia, US and the UK. "Thailand's EV insurance struggles with high costs, rapid depreciation" https://www.reccessary.com/en/news/th-market/ev-insurance-loss-rate-hit-over-90-percentage-attery-is-main-challenge-thai-insurers-commented The article highlights a complex landscape for EV insurance in Thailand, characterized by high loss ratios driven by battery costs and competition among insurers. While there are significant challenges, including stricter lending practices and complicated insurance requirements, government incentives and advancements in local manufacturing present opportunities for growth. The future of the EV market will depend on how insurers adapt to these changes and address the specific needs of EV owners. Overview of EV Insurance Challenges High Loss Ratios: The Thai General Insurance Association (TGIA) reports that the loss ratio for EV insurance has surged to over 90%. This means that for every 100 baht insured, insurers are incurring losses of 90 baht or more. This high loss ratio is attributed to several factors, including the rapid depreciation of EVs and increased maintenance costs, which are 50-60% higher than those for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Battery Costs and Risks: Batteries represent about 70% of an EV's price and pose significant risks, such as fire hazards and high replacement costs. The rapid pace of technological advancements can also render parts obsolete quickly, complicating long-term insurability. Impact of Competition: The intense competition in the insurance market has led some companies to modify their premium structures. For example, Tokio Marine Insurance's Thai branch has adjusted its premium calculation method, particularly affecting new customers or those transferring policies. Factors Affecting the EV Market Cybersecurity Risks: The increasing connectivity of EVs raises cybersecurity concerns, further complicating risk assessments for insurers. Government Policies: Despite these challenges, there is optimism about the growth of the EV insurance market due to government incentives aimed at promoting EV adoption. These incentives are part of a broader push for sustainability and environmental awareness among consumers. Local Supply Chain Development: The establishment of production facilities by various manufacturers in Thailand is enhancing the local EV supply chain. This increased capacity is expected to drive down production and maintenance costs, making EVs more affordable. Recommendations for Insurers Separate Policies for Key Components: Industry experts suggest that insurers consider offering separate policies specifically for batteries and electric motors, potentially with higher premiums for these high-value components. This could help address the unique risks associated with EVs while providing clearer coverage options for consumers. "High Insurance Premiums Are the Latest Thing Weighing on China’s EV Market" https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2024/04/05/768245.htm The article highlights the growing challenges faced by electric vehicle owners in China regarding insurance costs and availability. As the EV market evolves, insurers are grappling with issues related to pricing accuracy, claims history, and repair costs. These factors contribute to rising premiums that may deter potential buyers and complicate the transition from traditional vehicles to electric ones. The situation underscores the need for improved data collection and risk assessment methodologies as the market continues to develop. Overview of Rising EV Insurance Costs in China Increased Premiums: Many electric vehicle owners in China are experiencing significant increases in their insurance premiums. Reports indicate that some drivers are paying up to 8,000 yuan (approximately $1,100) annually for EV insurance, which is about 2,000 yuan more than what they would pay for a comparable fuel-powered vehicle. Some drivers have noted that their renewal premiums increased despite having no accidents. Rejection of Applications: Insurers are reportedly rejecting applications from EV owners who have high mileage or long commutes, viewing them as elevated risk factors. This trend has led to dissatisfaction among consumers, who have taken to social media to express their frustrations. Factors Contributing to Higher Premiums Repair and Maintenance Costs: The higher premiums for EVs can be attributed to their increased repair and servicing costs. EV parts are generally more expensive and harder to source, which raises the overall cost of insurance. Lack of Claims History: The insurance industry faces challenges in accurately pricing and assessing risks due to the relatively short claims history associated with electric vehicles. This lack of data complicates risk assessments for insurers. Shortage of Qualified Technicians: There is a limited number of qualified technicians capable of servicing EVs, which further contributes to the higher costs associated with insuring these vehicles. And finally, one of those China and EV bashing youtube channels funded by Falung Gong, and critical of the CCP, has this time a surprisingly balanced report on this topic. Just ignore the click baiting title and watch:

Some cars like Tesla and Xpeng have charger on route planners standard. And if your EV does not have it, just download the app abetterrouteplanner.com [ABRP] and connect it to your OBD scanner to read realtime data like your SoC battery charge. And plan your charging stops along your route. There is however no equivalent planner for your gas fuel stations.

MG ES5 expected to launch on March Bangkok Motor show Two Thai sources confirmed this, referring to announcements by managing director MG Sales at MG Dealer conference 2025 held in Bangkok: https://autostation.com/cars/mg-es5-electric-crossover-expected-to-launch-in-thailand-this-march/ https://www.car250.com/mg-es5-ev-2025-th-03.html What's special: Similar size as Atto 3, Geely EX5, Omoda C5, Neta X, etc. Drives as rear wheel drive better than its FWD peers. See reviews below Will probably get lifetime battery warranty as MG4. Charging speed better than average among peers. VtoL higher than peers. Has more conventional stuff than peers like normal door handles and more hardware buttons. What's below average than it's peers: Although infotainment system is upgraded and OTA's will be supported, Chinese reviewers still complain about lack of features. Like not many 3rd party apps, no dashcam, no sentry mode. Sofar domestic China sales were mediocre [below 10,000], while Deepal S05 and Geely EX5 exceeded 90,000 during similar launch time. They changed the marketing manager, but his [Zhou Jinkai] first appearance seen as a re-launch event has been ridiculed on dongchedi.com. Reviews Interior, driving and comparison with European peers Features, interior, exterior, driving Driving dynamics ES5 vs Atto 3 [start at 8:49]

Latest Michael Dunne's newsletter, as copied by youtubers like Electric Viking: BYD: So Damn Good – But Not Invincible. What Warren Buffett Might Be Thinking https://newsletter.dunneinsights.com/p/byd-so-damn-good-but-not-invincible Not the main conclusion of Dunne's newsletter, he refers to the hidden debt of BYD, which to him is manageable. However GMT Research's study sees it as an addiction. At the end of the day, BYD like CATL and Huawei are showcase entities for the CCP which will be regarded as too big to fail. Links: https://wallstreetpit.com/122698-behind-the-numbers-is-byds-supply-chain-masking-debt/ https://www.mk.co.kr/en/world/11222381 https://www.gmtresearch.com/en/research/byd-addicted-to-supply-chain/ [ study by GMT research ] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-19/byd-s-supply-chain-financing-masks-ballooning-debt-gmt-says

A big data study based on UK Ministry of Transport roadworthiness tests gave some insight in the longevity and reliability improvements of BEVs vs ICE. Key Findings Lifespan Comparison: The study found that newer BEVs have an average lifespan of 18.4 years, which is comparable to traditional petrol vehicles. Notably, BEVs can travel up to 124,000 miles over their lifetime, surpassing the mileage of petrol cars Reliability Improvements: Newer BEVs show a 12% lower hazard rate (likelihood of failure) for each successive year of production, indicating significant advancements in reliability. In contrast, petrol and diesel vehicles exhibit lower improvements in reliability at 6.7% and 1.9%, respectively Technological Advancements: The research highlights that while early models of BEVs were less reliable than internal combustion engine vehicles, rapid technological advancements have led to improved performance and longevity in newer models. This trend suggests that BEVs are becoming a more viable option for consumers seeking sustainable transportation solutions Links: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-024-01698-1.pdf [detailed study] https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2025/01/24/electric-vehicles-now-last-as-long-as-petrol-and-diesel-rivals/ [best readable synopsis] https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/a-novel-way-to-estimate-car-longevity-shows-that-electric-vehicles-life-mileage-is-increasing-fast/ [earlier findings from the authors on same subject]

I don't have an EV yet, but I imagine it can be simple as this. You stop as your bladder commands you and you use ABRP [A Better Route Planner app] to compute and route you to the charging stops you need to make, based on realtime battery SoC data ABRP gets from your EV through the OBD connection or the cloud if your EV is connected. And you can sync bladder time and charging stops by setting in ABRP whether you want to have short and many charging stops or few and longer ones. No need to think/calculate, what is my speed, my efficiency and range I can drive before my next charging stop. Links: https://abetterrouteplanner.com/

Nope, lead acid. It is 60Vx20Ah battery I believe. Around 200-300 charge cycles. Even if I replace the lead acid by LFP batteries, the charge cycles will increase to maybe 1000. But the problem is these batteries do not have cooling or a sophisticated BMS like in a car. So expect it to replace it after 2-3 years. It's range is 25km with a speed of 20-25km/h. Charging to full takes 6-8 hours. I've installed a solar panel on top with a dc-to-dc booster to charge while on the road. I keep the battery temp in check not to increase over 50C.

Surprise surprise. Honda will also launch the e:N1 EV as an import model this March that you can buy. Till now it was only available with a lease. The e:N1 import model is similar to the Chinese e:NS1, made by Dongfeng Honda. The car is based on the HRV platform. A few things why this Honda will not resonate with some buyers: it uses a NMC instead of LFP battery. And it's charging speed is not on par with peers - 78 kw. I expect the price to be between 1 - 1.1 M baht, based on the Chinese top model and with an uptick of 50% of an import model. Maybe they will ask more, because it is a Honda and not a Chinese brand. Turn on English subs: Links: https://autolifethailand.tv/spec-option-unofficial-price-honda-en1-ev-mar-2025/ https://www.dongchedi.com/auto/params-carIds-x-5387 [ Chinese model specs ]

According to car250.com Mazda will launch an EV in Thailand, the Mazda 6e. In China this car is known as the EZ6, however with a smaller standard range battery [68kwh]. The car is based on a previous iteration of the Changan Deepal L07. It is a sedan the size of a BYD Seal. On the looks it is a very lovely car and has a bigger boot space than the Seal. But I'm afraid the price will not be competitive to the Seal with discount. Based on the Chinese EZ6 topmodel standard range [68kwh battery] and an uptick of 50% of an import model, I expect the Thai price to be around 1.3 M baht. This is the price of the Thai Deepal L07. A Seal Dynamic with discount is now 1 M baht. Links: https://www.car250.com/mazda-6e-th.html https://www.changan.co.th/en/deepal/l07-en/specification/ https://www.dongchedi.com/auto/series/10137 [ Chinese EZ6 specs ]

It depends where you live. I live in a rural area. I've got a similar one and use it for trips with the dogs and to buy large amounts of groceries at Makro. As long as you don't drive on provincial roads it is tolerated. I've even seen a mobile coffee shop on these tricycles. My problem with these tricycles like with e-bikes is the longevity of the battery. But I saw a video lately where they put a BYD blade battery on an e-bike. I hope they have some cooling installed to get the same longevity as in a car

I'm still in the woods whether I need to file, even though I have remitted income that Thai RD on paper confirmed that it is not seen as taxable - savings and income prior 2024. https://www.rd.go.th/fileadmin/user_upload/lorkhor/newspr/2024/FOREIGNERS_PAY_TAX2024.pdf Expat Tax Thailand is most clear on this topic [ I do not need to file ], in this video: https://www.expattaxthailand.com/do-you-need-to-file/. However their latest interview with 2 RD tax experts made it less clear. Siam Legal did not answer, nor Benjamin Hart. Some in this forum has chosen a route by filing a nil return. At least you can show evidence even though the rules whether to file are not clear to me. Some is very vocal in saying you have to file, because any remitted income is assessable. I am not buying this argument, as the current 2024 Thai forms only allow a listed Revenue code TEDA exemptions and allowances, that has not been changed between 2023/2024. When I last visited the RD local office, the lady showed a tax calculation that cannot be represented in the form, so is to me not transparent and not usable for future audits, as it will only available in the records of RD. So for now my attitude is to wait and see for a few weeks if there is more news and then make up my mind.

I tend to agree on your last speculation - no rushing to tax foreigners as earning/cost ratio for foreigner tax residents is lower than for Thai residents. Here is my logic: 1) the rule changes apply to both Thai as foreigner tax residents. CRS is in place and TRD know more on foreign assets of Thai residents than they do on foreign assets of foreigner residents. 2) Thai residents are not covered by DTA's as foreigners and taxable income of foreigners are alleviated by possibly already taxed income in source country [check Chiang mai TRD 2 way tax calculations notice] 3) I read the google translated Thai guide on PND90 [ https://www.rd.go.th/fileadmin/tax_pdf/pit/2567/Ins90_101067.pdf ]. I have not read any new specific guidance with regards to foreigners or foreign sourced income.