n00dle

1 hour ago, Pilotman said:

You said it my friend. You are trying to justify the indefensibly.  As you must know very well, we are talking here  of direct taxation not indirect, discretionary taxation. 

Nah, I just like baiting the righteous. Im happy you enjoy being taxed, however I have no qualms avoiding it altogether, either moral or financial.

I probably question many things you accept.

1 hour ago, recom273 said:

Have you ever paid income tax here? I didn’t get the intense burning feeling in my backside as I did in the UK. 
 

If something was received in return, then why shouldn’t people contribute? that would include entitlement to visa renewal instead of attending local immigration every year with cap, that would include government health care  -  There’s no such thing as a free lunch, and that goes both ways - another reason I am against this digital nomad visa, it would be a one way street.

 

I’m happier to pay directly rather than the money that’s taken by Thai companies with no tax receipts under the pretense that it’s being paid on your behalf.

I did until I went freelance over 11 years in the kitty here. Inspent time in the phils, switched to freelance and now im back I cant be arsed.

But you are right, taxes here are not as painful.

7 minutes ago, PremiumLane said:

Old moaning boomers in Thailand don't like the idea of young people getting even half the benefits or help they got back in their day.... shock horror

As for benefits, I can expect none from my home country, I have been gone far too long to be eligible.

What gets me is the phrase "happy to pay tax"

How much of the koolaid do you have to drink before you become content to give hundred of thousands of dollars away over the course of your lifetime for services you dont recieve?

16 hours ago, mackayae said:

Monday, we will go to her BBL branch and deposit the check in her account. Will have to wait the 45 days. Have no other options since she does not have a US bank account. 

Thanks for the help.

 

This has been their policy for years, I used to consult for a us multinational thst isisted on paying by cheque, and this was the case every time.

17 minutes ago, recom273 said:

Why do digital nomads want to settle in Thailand?

 

Because it’s cheap and they can spend the rest of the time playing around on tinder.

 

They can pay peanuts for one of the numerous decent short let apartments in a decent area of the city and there are ways to game the visa system.

 

I would presume, payment is deposited to a country where they benefit the most, I would suggest only a small amount of most digital nomads wage enters the country, while a clever nomad will be investing the remainder. Tracking the funds would also present an issue for authorities as payment is often via a third party.

 

Actually as it stands, I hear Thailand is a great place to hold cash - because no questions are asked, I hear Australian and NZ banks have to inform the tax agencies when overseas income reaches a certain threshold. 
 

The reality that these nomads would live on a desert island and do a bit of work between long walks on the beach is a long way from reality. It’s usually heads down to make as much cash as possible, working unsociable hours to fit in with other countries timezones and scheduling.

 

Why would any government encourage this? 
 

 

 

 

First of all the whole digital nomad moniker is misleading at best. I freelance, I am not living in a van or on a sailboat documenting my life on youtube or instagram, though a sailboat would be nice.

Nor am I nomadic, but I do work from home, or while I travel.

Most digital nomads are not nomadic, they tend to settle down somewhere to get stuff done. Its nearly impossibe to get anything done while you are moving around.

Im also wondering if these nomads you describe have their heads down working unsociable hours, or if they are on tinder,  surely it isnt both?

I have clients in australia, us, and europe. A conference call to any of those places is easily acheived within reasonable hours. The work is done whenever i feel most productive, usually between the hours of 9 and 5, though I will admit if I cannot sleep or am feeling inspired, I can be found working anytime.

33 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

indeed, but you benefit from others who do pay tax, in infrastructure, defence, security and the availability of uni trained professionals the world over, including those who developed the technology you use to make a living. People who pay no tax to any society are parasites, feeding off others. 

Ah a more self-righteous response could not have been expected.

Where does it say I pay no tax? Imsee evidence of taxes I pay with almost every transaction.

And where would you have me pay those taxes, in a country where my money is not earned, or in the country where i don't live? Note: my money comes from several countries, none of them my "home" country.

I have not set foot in my home country for more than 1-2 months total in 15 years, though I am taxed on assets there.

Universities recieve revenue for patents they develop. They also recieve private funding for research and last I checked, tuition is expected if you wish to receive an education.

My now paid off student loans certainly indicate that my education was not free.

Last I checked I pay for my electricity and water as well as rent for where I live. I do believe there is a thai citizen who should be be taxed on that income. There is certainly a tax on the utilities.

I pay for my internet and mobile phone, also taxed.

Most items I purchase are taxed, fuel, food, supplies etc, I pay fees when I drive on an expressway etc.

I pay school fees for my child who attends a private school. They are also taxed. 

My garbage collection results in a bill, I cant remember how often.

Most things I import are taxed.

I pay for my own medical insurance, and trestment i receive is taxed.

Sadly I smoke, taxed.

I guess it could be argued I pay taxes.

As for defence/securtiy spending, if ever there were a reason to opt out of paying tax, that may be it. Thankfully I am not American, and my home country sees defense and security somewhat differently to many countries.

On 10/19/2020 at 3:28 PM, Alex80 said:

I would be happy to work and pay taxes in thailand. Unfortunately I can't register as freelancer.

This is where we differ. I am a freelancer and cannot say I would be happy to pay taxes anywhere.

On 10/5/2020 at 1:21 PM, BritManToo said:

One of his staff blabbed.

Thais can't keep a secret.

you reckon selling online had nothing to do with it then?

1 minute ago, Salerno said:

 

True, but there have been reports of refusing cash withdrawal on debit card (in some cases being pointed to the ATM outside) but willing to do it credit cards.

op didnt specify over the counter withdrawl, but that would make more sense. 

I Have US and UK currency debit cards I get paid on, and I have never had an issue with either.

more likely to have my bloody bangkok bank union pay or pseudo "mastercard" rejected.

4 hours ago, AlfHuy said:

You have quite a knowledge about this stuff????

sadly, no, he doesn't.

Furthermore he lacks the ability to read. The amount is clearly stated as tablets not grams. 1 tablet or dose, if it were particularly high quality may contain .1 of a gram, but likely significantly less.

 

18 hours ago, Don Chance said:

Marijuana is an addictive drug and it confuses the mind. This is the perfect example. The good news is that it only take 6-12 months to reset from marijuana addiction. People say marijuana is not addictive, what they really mean is, it is not *that* addictive.

 

If this guy wasn't addicted would he have taken such foolish risks?

your ignorance is more overwhelming than a good bong hit.

 

I must say i generally like the changes on the computer screen, however for mobile use in chrome, the fonts are too small and my eyesight isnt that bad.

9 hours ago, Mavideol said:

maybe not, I am going with @Crossy comment, there's a catch 22 somewhere, they always have a catch 22

I think you should revisit your understanding of the phrase catch 22.

Crossy did not say catch 22 he said there is a catch. Different.

3800 baht is cheap as chips if it buys me time to get a different visa sorted in country.  i also wouldn't want to have to catch a flight anywhere during covid christmas

7 minutes ago, 2530Ubon said:

You can apply for the 60 days now. Costs 3,900 baht. Different IO's require different documentation, but it's nothing difficult - you do not need an embassy letter just the usual things e.g. photo, proof of address & passport copies. UK and US embassies are not issuing embassy letters anymore:

 

https://th.usembassy.gov/covid-19-faq/)

Last update; October 13, 2020:

"non-Thai nationals can visit any Thai Immigration office to request a 60-day extension of stay.  Thai Immigration will not require a letter from the Embassy as part of the extension request, so the U.S. Embassy and Consulate General Chiang Mai will no longer provide letters of support for Thai visa extensions.  For more information about applying for Thai visa extensions, please visit www.immigration.go.th or contact the Thai Immigration Bureau"

 

You'll get an under consideration stamp and a return date for the 60 days stamp. This extension type may be done TWICE ONLY. This is according to Ubon immigration office. So you can hold off on the non o until Feb. By then, perhaps the COVID situation will be different.

ta muchly

ta muchly

Hi i have looked everywhere and cant find what the requirement actually is.

Has this 60-day extension been documented?

i have the ability to arrange a Non-O but would rather avoid the whole process for now if a Nov 30 extension until end January is at all possible.

On 10/18/2020 at 8:29 PM, PatrickC said:

 

Correct - recently.

The medical clearances were a nuisance, but do-able. The 2 week quarantine was boring, but also do-able. Not sure what the point is?

 

Life goes on. 

 

What makes you assume I am a libertarian? I'm neither left wing, ring wing, libertarian or any other label. I've no interest in politics - all politicians are the same, just in it for themselves.

I have about 4 friends who have flown in over the last month. all of them said the same thing, quarantine was dull but comfortable and they got alot of work done

13 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

Life goes on?  Thousands can't get back to their homes here in Thailand.  For a variety of reasons.  Thousands of us are stuck here because if we leave, getting back in is difficult and expensive.  An expense some can't afford.

 

Hard to live life normally right now.  I do like your comment about politicians.  Sad so many believe what they say.  Stick with the science and you'll be OK.

then there are those of us whose life hasn't changed much. work continues apace wherever we have our laptops and we plug on doing what we do. the only difference is i haven't been able to visit folks in neighboring countries.