chiang mai

Why are they not operational, is it because the TRD says so or does immi ignore them? And are they not operational for all visa classes, in all provinces? Since TRD has not changed the Tax Code to say they are no longer operational, does that mean they could be operational tomorrow and if so, will they let us know before hand? And if we ask TRD if they are required, how will they answer? You have jumped from the TRD Code saying they are required, to them mot being required by anyone here, simply because you haven't seen it reported that they are required and you think my language is unsafe!

I would advise not to pay for tax advice, until more is known and the TRD releases the new forms and instructions, November or December seems about right to me.

If you think that's wrong, provide proof from the TRD that it is. Section 4 of the TRD Code applies: https://www.rd.go.th/english/37695.html

The 2019 UN Migration report said their were 162,000 foreign skilled and professionals working in Thailand, that's not a handful! Each would need to obtain a Tax Clearance Certificate from TRD, before leaving the country. https://thailand.un.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/Thailand-Migration-Report-2019.pdf

Maybe the issue has already been covered but not everyone needs to file a tax return because they already have enough money in country and their pension payments are exempt. How do those people prove tax compliance for visa purposes, simply they cannot.

True, but it will be a face saving option for them and also allow them to wield their authority on foreigners, something they like to do from time to time.

Yes, that is true.

If you have enough money in the bank and you're well known to the bank, they will approach you and ask you if you want one that isn't secured by deposits, the key is they have to see a track record. I'd been with UOB for seven years before they asked me and I said yes. I only use it a few months each year, mostly it's for emergencies or balancing cash flow and the interest rates are especially poor. Still, it's nice to have a credit line as back up. I don't have a work permit, am retired.

Expect away, it aint going to happen.....get used to it.

I'm as clean as a whistle, all above board, even the State Pension people know where I live, how sad is that.

You couldn't make this up if you tried.

It's somewhat ironic that the previous mantra was, only bring into Thailand the money you can afford to lose and, it's not safe to bring money here. Now, everyone's trying to figure out how to get money into Thailand by the most cost effective method. 🙂 I feel very fortunate that I brought over large amounts many years ago, and guess what, I've still got it. :))

Yes, sorry, Mrs CM just translated her gobbledegook which turns out to be Chiang Rai, not Chiang Mai, she's easily confused....big sigh.

Mae Sai is almost completely under water, Chiang Mai Muang has started to flood. I'll be very surprised if Chiang Rai escapes.

Blah blah blah, all true but not remotely relevant in the example being discussed.

Nonsense, not even a remote factor, unless you're trying to connect unrelated factors for political points!.

That 3% is not being chased off, AN polls have already confirmed that less than 5% of of members will leave as a result of the tax rule change. There's a lot of chest beating on this issue by foreigners but that's just noise. Most have either not done their sums on this or are just making noise out of frustration and anger. Younger guys who are highly mobile may reverse an earlier decision to live here but so what. The settled guys with homes and families here aren't going anywhere, neither are the pensioners.

This change to the tax laws is not aimed at you or other paranoid foreigners, you are collateral damage and nothing more, get over yourselves, you're not that important to the Thai economy. Some foreigners seem to think they are one of 300,000 rich people living in a jungle of 70 million poor people which is not even close to reality.

Nonsense! USD value is driven by the Fed and interest rates, Baht volatility is a consequence of that, nothing whatsoever to do with US politics.

That's nonsense, no taxation without representation refers to one country being governed and taxed by another, that is not the case here. Everyone pays tax where ever they live and work, Thailand is no different. And there's no reason to expect benefits in Thailand which are driven by the Social Security system, to which expats don't pay (except those with work permits). A country's GDP is the sum of all money spent or earned so yes, that 65k - 150k a month spent locally is a part of GDP, of which foreigner contributions are minimal.

As a percentage of total Western expats here, how many people are going to make several hundreds of thousands Pound profit and retire to Thailand, in the majority it's doesn't attract that level of wealthy person. Anyway, I'm pretty certain we'll find that house sale proceeds will not be taxed at 35% and that exceptions or other rules will apply. EDIT TO ADD: or, as another as said, remit those funds whilst not tax resident and life is sweet.

Mine do, everything is paid directly to Thailand. I only use my UK account to receive monthly rent payments from my agent and pay HMRC any tax due,

You are not typical or average of the Western expat community.....you're special. 🙂

Didn't we say the same thing.

Spending by Western expats is miniscule by comparison to the larger picture, many have an unrealistic view of our worth. By various estimates there are around 300k Western expats in Thailand as well as 2.7 million other foreigners, mostly from neighbouring countries. Some seem to think that just because a foreigner spends 100k a month and their Thai neighbour earns only 35k a month that it makes a difference to GDP or the national economy. At best that impact is only 3% of GDP and that is if all 300k leave tomorrow. Those people living in tourist ghettos such as Pattaya probably don't see that because they think they are in the majority, elsewhere the picture is very different.