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J Branche

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Everything posted by J Branche

  1. As stated Read your home country DTA Double Tax Agreement. For income from rental properties in the US and from stock, bond, ETF investments were that money will be transferred into Thailand Our tax situation is different. We should speak with our accountant to understand, plan or make any changes for the desired performance of our investments. Understand You may have to keep, present, and prove the source of your income that is transferred into Thailand No matter what your situation. This clerical burden is your to complete.
  2. Some tips I've seen that may help. Indicate with your hand up, maybe moving it around, look for a lighted part to cross, obvious but cross with others. Go during daytime. All the rest of the 11 point checklist before crossing the road. If it was like someplaces this holiday weekend is it better to order Grab, Bolt, Lineman or do it another day. Agreed we start anticipating what drivers will do and let our guard down some. You only need to be wrong one time.
  3. Focus on your tax strategy. Understand that if you have a partner (Each) is allowed the same basic (Single, Married, Health, Life Ins (Thai Comp) deductions. Your income is Not combined for tax determination. (You start at lower tax bracket when income is more equal) Focus on reducing your foreign income (non retirement, pension, social security)brought into Thailand. (If you are close to the next tax bracket (5%)increase, strategize ways to meet the lower tax bracket amounts. Review your countries dual tax agreement. A tax resident is allowed deductions, (single payer, health insurance (Thai Comp), life insurance (Thai Comp), some gifts to (Education)certain people) Verify with Thai Tax Expert Discuss if Business deductions (expenses) are allowed for foreign sourced income. If I am a US citizen and I am able to equal the tax rate paid in US or reduce the foreign income to only pay the additional tax rate to 5% the Thai Tax changes become less concerning. From what is Currently being interpreted for Foreign sourced income, a Foreigner, bringing foreign income into Thailand may not be a tax resident until residing for 180 days. Transferring income by end of 2023 is important. The Wealthy Thais are paying experts to strategize to reduce their Tax burden. I believe their will be more answers in the Jan, Feb 2024 to help navigate the tax laws Before the 180 days in Thailand (Tax) Residence is met.
  4. I think sometimes we waste to much time on finite details. Focus on what are your deductions, what expenses can you deduct. Rental property deductions and expenses. Get professional interpretation of Gift Tax (I believe this only benefits the receiver of the gift)(Education was an option) If you have Health or Life Insurance with a Thai Company you can deduct up to a certain amount. Talk to highly respected Thai accountant to understand your potential tax bill. The income tax rate table (brackets) are based on Thai not Foreign Income. If your girlfriend can work and contribute they will usually pay less tax. Each tax payer is allowed the deductions and the Thai worker will usually be in the lower percentage tax brackets 5%, 10%, 15%. Foreigners may reach the 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% brackets because of the foreign pay rates and sources. Focus on if you have ability to grow and earn money in your home country. I believe Thai Tax law is only for income brought into Thailand. If you need X to live a year, transfer X to Thailand, invest in your home country and let it keep compounding. There are many options available to be in compliance with Thai Tax Law. I discourage posting on a public forum any options that may fall in a grey area. I have heard a creative idea or two from others since the talk of this foreign income tax.
  5. The Dental Design Center next to Central Mall did a root canal on my girlfriends tooth, did a couple of fillings 18 months ago and she is happy with the work. The prices are a little more than some places but they have advanced, quality equipment and do great work. As for implant depending on your jaw bone strength and thickness will determine the cost. If needed they may recommend PRP or Plasma Rich Platelet surgery.
  6. Bought the girlfriends daughter who is a teacher some English lessons. She is doing well and can read and speak good. Her son stays with us on break and I make him do 15 minutes of learning games to try to help. I think we all want the best for the children and future of Thailand
  7. Girlfriend just bought some new mosquito nets for her family. I was getting bitten on our recent visit. Happy to buy them to help out. Regarding travel insurance some are comprehensive. You can usually find a travel medical policy that is cheaper. Hope he gets well soon.
  8. No. Who will make sure no one steals the sofa. But joking aside this is up to the individual. Some have no problem working and keeping busy a few others will be on the phone constantly and expect you to make all the plans.
  9. Here's how it would play out. They say they gave Breathalyzer to person. Bars says, person was Okay and must have stopped at another bar and consumed more alcohol. Actual events, once patron is out of money stop serving him and throw him out.
  10. Our condolences to the families. Most here have taken a Minibus Once. Reckless driving, speeding, following to closely, crammed to max capacity. Rolling coffins looking for their final resting place.
  11. Do Not Intervene in Thailand. Take small video. Call Police, stand back enough to not be seen as being involved or object to release anger on. This is Thailand, learn, observe and how Thai's act, they are actually a little predictable.
  12. Thaiger story read like normal Sick Buffalo money requests. Surgery, Money for School, etc. No disrespect but if I am paying any concerning amount I am going to require proof. Even ask for receipt photo. 3.5 million is a lot of money to many Thai people. Hopefully he finds trusted friends or resources to use to help guide and avoid these types of situations in the future
  13. With a Behavioral Psychology and having lived in Thailand long enough. They do appreciate the gifts but the giver is believed to receive good luck in return. Also Thai people are generally more introverted and so less dramatic outward appreciation. Lastly, Thai people do not have strong math or Value of money abilities. From some regions of Thailand parents have not taught them how to plan, save, budget or how to avoid the psychological marketing appearance of value. Buy 1 Get 1 but the price is higher on the 1 item than it's original price. Buying small gifts for their family that they need or makes life easier for their parents seems to make my girl happy.
  14. For those looking for a Thai friend or relative I have found success talking with Thai people (Building Security, Cleaning People, Massage Workers, Motorbike Taxi drivers) These are generally rooms in buildings mostly Thai's reside, no view of water. Make sure to ask about parking or if it has air conditioning or fan.
  15. FYI Check if they are familiar with shipping to Thailand and watch out for DHL. There is an Import tax and a certain tax to be prepaid. I've read customs will pick any price off the Internet if the receipt and/or value is not declared. You buy something on Sale they may want Full Retail tax on item.
  16. Biased and Flawed Poll. People are individuals. Your selections are limited to group answers. No one who responded could answer the question. They would need to talk to many different Thais in many different regions. How about anyone who has studied psychology (Behavioral), speaks fluent Thai and is foreigner or Thai's who speak good English. Ask. What behaviors and qualities do Thai's appreciate from foreigners. What behaviors and qualities do Thai's dislike or causes Conflict (state of disharmony or disagreements).
  17. You do know you can make copies of the TM47 and sign the pages. About 3 minutes prep and work to stay up to date. It is funny you created this topic and typed your rant in the same amount of time it would have taken to complete your 90 day report. You do realize that this is not the contact page for Thai Immigration to inform them that you are not happy.
  18. Just in time for high season. I'm sure the tourist will still find something to complain about even if the bars are open until 4 am and ladyboys are hiding.
  19. I used a folding solar panel and plugged it into a portable solar charger or battery and did this. The bonus of the solar battery for reserve is if it's cloudy for many days and /or power is out you still have the battery.
  20. Yep, submarine is total waste for Thailand. No disrespect but who is going to invade this country? It would have to have resources that are rare or something of great value or interest. I can almost guarantee they would have hit something in the submarine or some critical systems would fail due to lack of maintenance and we would be reading a very sad story about the crew
  21. Any competent locksmith could have you in there within 10 to 15 minutes. Lockpickinglawyer from YouTube could have it open with a plastic pen cap and gummy bear in under 2 minutes.
  22. What are you on about high quality corporate debt is some of the safest investments you can make besides CD's which offer half the return. You want to stagger the maturity dates over many years as the burn rate will start pulling down your asset value. Set up transfer on death and a will in US.
  23. I understand your objective there are some challenges though. If possible Best invest in high grade high yield corporate bonds. That expire in at different times, this would allow the money to grow, be taxed and theoretically last approximately 7.5 years at a 400,000 baht a year burn rate. I can count on one hand the people I would trust with any larger sum of money including lawyers, accountants and such. I would not mess with index funds as the market could sell off for years and they would not see a return possibly. There are some oil bonds Valero, etc that have 10% yields make sure you look at YTM yield to maturity percentage as that is what you receive. Good Luck.
  24. Probably waiting for taxi to push the automatic open/close button for the door and decided to catch a snooze. I have heard that in Japan after a night of drinking they sleep it off on a bench or somewhere before making it back home.
  25. Some good info here. I've looked into and one mentioned the person should have "No ties" to the US, friends, maybe, Boyfriend or Husband. Key points I've read most places here are the same. Finances in the bank Solid Job or Business in Thailand to return to Family, Children still residing in Thailand Previous travel (probably past 5 years) to other countries. The persons Age was mentioned here but not heard that before. I've read to the paperwork, visa expense, US Embassy visit make it challenging for someone who just wants to visit for a couple of weeks. Funny, US let hundreds of thousands walk over the southern border. It would be amazing if they had a better system, that was a better balance of allowing tourist but reducing the human trafficking aspects.

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