Etaoin Shrdlu

Hi Pete, I'm not aware of any specialist insurers in Thailand. The market here is still not very well developed and most insurers only offer standardized products. You will probably be limited to whatever maximum limit for personal property can be provided under a standard renter's insurance policy. Some insurers may be willing to provide higher limits, however. You've already found that this is a non-standard type risk for Thai insurers and may be difficult to insure. My suggestion would be to use a good insurance broker who can try to find a solution. Good luck.

My understanding is that the RD can go back ten years for any year where a tax return is not filed. In other words, having the most recent five years worth of filed returns does not bar the RD from auditing years six through ten for years where no return was filed. But if one has filed for all ten prior years, the RD could only audit years one through five. Just my opinion, however.

A more likely scenario would be one in which someone is audited for some other reason and the RD performs a query on the BoT database(s).

Licensed money exchanges require presentation of either Thai ID card or passport if a foreigner. I think the info goes to the Bank of Thailand's database, but would likely be available to the RD.

1964 Ford Falcon 4 door with 170 cid 6 and three-on-the-tree. Subsequent cars of my youth included a 1961 Austin Healey Sprite, 1967 VW Beetle and a 1969 Datsun 2000 Roadster.

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Many years ago I met someone who was an officer of his home country's police force who was posted to his country's embassy as a liaison officer. His mission was to work with the RTP on cases involving his countrymen. So, yes, there are police from foreign countries here, but they will not have any powers to detain or arrest. While their presence here isn't exactly secret, it isn't widely advertised, either.

When I changed SS Benefits from being deposited via Bangkok Bank's New York office to direct deposit to my Bangkok Bank account here, I sent a new completed SSA-1199 form to Manila FBU as an attachment to an email and I also sent the original by EMS. The FBU did not acknowledge either, but my benefits started to be direct deposited to my account here in Thailand not long thereafter. Perhaps sending a new 1199 by registered mail or EMS with a covering letter requesting the change might help.

My HP-21 from circa 1975 is but a memory, but I do have a working HP-12c. But I'm warning you, too much RPN makes one go blind.

I think that your experience at the RD highlights the fact that neither the current Thai tax forms, nor rank-and-file RD staff, are capable of properly accounting for foreign tax credits and similar issues related to international taxation matters.

Deducted the UK tax amount from what? The original post gave me the impression that the UK tax paid was deducted from the amount of the remittance. It should not be deducted from the amount of the remittance, but from the amount of Thai tax payable. The above does not clarify.

My understanding is that tax paid in a foreign country, if the foreign country has the right to tax the income, is not a deduction from the income remitted into Thailand, but instead a credit towards any taxes payable. In other words, the taxes paid in the UK would be a tax credit, not a deduction from income. In this case, it seems the point is moot, but going forward it may be something to look at closely. I don't think current Thai income tax forms address this, however.

There should not be any difference in the premium if you use an intermediary to help you obtain insurance or if you go direct with an insurer. Also, there is a difference between an agent and an independent insurance broker. An insurance agent is the agent of the insurance company and their primary duty is to the insurance company, not the policyholder. An independent insurance broker is the agent of the policyholder and has certain duties of care that an agent does not have. A broker can also provide advice to the policyholder that the agent cannot. A good insurance broker can be a policyholder's advocate if help is needed with claims or other issues. I would suggest that you find an independent insurance broker who can provide you with different quotes from several insurers and can explain the differences in coverage as well as underwriting and claims-paying philosophies.

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I'm not sure that a passport issuance office in a shopping mall will know about this. It might be a good idea to call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' main office on 02 203 5000.

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Here's an excerpt from the trip cancelation/postponement section of a travel policy issued by the local operation of a multinational insurer.

This is also how the IRS now treats the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. Prior to about ten years ago, this wasn't the case.

My understanding is that the Model 2 FATCA agreement allows for the US to share financial account information with another country at the other country's option. I think it would be up to the other country to negotiate the mechanism and details of the information provided by the US. I believe the FATCA Model 1 does not contain this option. Thailand is a Model 1 FATCA partner, so there is no automatic transfer of US account information to Thailand.

Most Thai insurers only offer proper medical insurance on an annual basis. That may not be practical for someone here only for a few weeks or months. The personal accident section of a motorbike policy won't usually provide much coverage. I don't think you'd save much money by declining this extension, but by itself it might not be enough. A travel insurance policy with higher medical expense limits may be a good option. Check for exclusions for motorcycle risks including restrictions on engine size. You will probably find better travel policies from insurers in the US since most Thai insurers only offer outbound, not inbound, travel insurance. Most insurers require that the policy be taken out prior to start of travel, A good insurance broker could help you find a good fit for your needs and may also help you should you have a claim. Make sure you read and understand any policy before you give the order to bind coverage. Good luck.

I believe you will need the blue book of the new residence in order to update your red police book at your new local police station. I think it is the only document the police examine each time I show up for my 5-year check-in. I don't think you need to have the old blue book to register in a different blue book at a different amphur. Family members registered in a different amphur without removing themselves from our blue book a couple of years ago. I don't know whether hotels have blue books, but I don't know why they wouldn't. If the hotel is managed by a third party management company, it may require some effort to locate and obtain permission from the owner. It certainly wouldn't hurt to look into this, however. You also could ask a lawyer if they have a solution for you.

I don't think the forms will be changed this year, but that's only my opinion and I could be proven wrong at any time. It has always been, and it will probably remain for this year, that the taxpayer is responsible for determining whether income is assessable or non-assessable and then only entering the assessable income on the form.

DTAs have always been important for those who may have income that is exempt from Thai taxation. Being exempt from Thai taxation under a DTA allowed remittance of income in the same year it was earned without it being subject to Thai income tax. This hasn't changed under the new interpretation of the tax regulations. Those with income that was not exempt from Thai taxation due to DTA could in the past wait until the following tax year and remit that income without it being subject to Thai tax. This is no longer the case under the new interpretation for income earned and remittances received after 31 December 2023. Those who relied on this method to legally avoid Thai tax on remittances that would otherwise have been taxable are now well advised to review DTAs to see what relief, if any, they have under these agreements. If you aren't certain about the status of your income/remittances and the DTA isn't clear to you, best get professional advice. I don't think many of the regular staff at the RD are up to speed on any of this.

I think he's threatening the Panamanian government because it is pursuing the Trump Organization for tax evasion.