samtam

Tax Exemptions Deductions Allowances (TEDA)

I don't know whether it still applies, but does one/can one book online for a renewal of a 5 year Thai Driving Licence at Chatuchak DLT office? If so, does anyone have the link? In a previous thread it was suggested that I can apply within 12 months of expiry; mine expires on 30 April 2024.

Now I'm confused again! What is "it" that changes?

I am agreeing with @Guderian because this is true. What alters it is the allowances and deductibles, to the tune of THB500,000 per single person over the age of 65. My UK State Pension, and income derived from investments that are brought into Thailand in whatever form, (use of foreign credit cards, ATM withdrawals from overseas accounts) are not taxed at source, so are all taxable in Thailand. So yes, the entire income is assessable for Thai tax, but not all of it is subject to tax, after deductions and allowances. As a single person (in Thai Law), but with co-mingled funds outside of Thailand entirely from joint accounts, both myself and my partner (foreigner over 65), will benefit from a THB500K deductible, (total THB1m), as we shall submit separate tax returns, which will reduce the tax bill.

That's how I read it too.

Hardly a ringing endorsement. Based on her own words in the interview, Srettha is the only one to keep the coalition together, inferring that she could not? If the coalition fumbles over much more of its completely altered election promises there may be a few members of that who peel away. (Well that assumes any of them have any integrity, rather than devotion to the spoils of being in government; nah, forget that.) Today's ruling by the Constitutional Court on MFP may upset the whole applecart, which ever way it goes.

Yes. It's truly sad that this is the benchmark for tackling the problem: Let's make sure it's good for tourism. No consideration for the poor (and rich) citizens of the Land of Smog.

Here is the context, for those who missed it. His RD office is Pak Chong:

Agreed. The Cyclist has already done this. As I'm in Bangkok, I'm obviously interested in anyone's experience here.

Where is your local RD?

Yes, Pita's days as an MP might be very short indeed. If MF is banned there may well be trouble.

This lot:

Like the RTA?

Yeah, that's the problem. I exercise my mind on this issue frequently, and I think have substantially concluded that if you're going to live in Thailand, (a developing country), you need to live in Bangkok, which is as good as a city in the "first world"; (they all have issues).

Yes, they, (the government) care about tourists/tourism more than anything else in this country. God forbid the health and well-being of the citizenry should factor in. And I imagine they rather think it's not a problem for them, in the their airconditioned, air-purified ivory towers and motorised conveyances. But, like covid, it affects everyone living in the country. Every single person, rich or poor, hiso or loso.

Yes, isn't it strange it has never been discussed, and no plan put forward over the past 9 or so years the AQI has drastically deteriorated. It's not as though the problem just happened this year.

I used my lawyer. Can't remember how much it cost. I was also applying for a Blue book, (I don't know why, as I'm not Thai), and a Yellow book. The whole process took about 2-3hrs, and I had to sign about 20-30 pages of what, I know not. My amphur is Thungmahamek, (Bangkok). I could not have done either on my own, (B&Y books & ID).

Oh well, that was easy. Problem solved then! Just like Thaksin with Bangkok's traffic. And just like that...

"....this fee is designed to offset the processing costs associated with international cards and is not intended for profit..." I'm sure credit card companies like VISA and MasterCard will be delighted to have their business. Presumably there are no processing costs for locally issued credit cards.

Per Grab's response to me today: We would like to inform you of an important update regarding payment policies effective December 7th 2023. Starting from the mentioned date, consumers utilizing an international card for transactions will incur....

When it's good, it's very good. When it's mediocre, it's a rip off. Unfortunately Grab do not seem to take criticism of their less than 5 star ratings with any degree of seriousness, despite their auto-generated blurb. But I agree that it is nicer to avoid some of the truly awful taxis. But in their defence, the low flag fall is only ever going to produce sub par service, or worse. That too is by no means universal. Sometimes I've had better service from a taxi than from a Grab Premium ride, (the difference in car notwithstanding).

Thailand's business model. OK for the very big boys. Suffocate potentially good business.

Yes, agree! No enunciation. As others have said, when regional English accents are used, the audience must be very limited. I'm British, but I have to put on subtitles to understand what is being said. Also dialogue very often includes very local phrases. In an attempt to be authentic, they have lost a large audience. But I dare say the same is true when you are in UK, the variation of accents is difficult to comprehend. American English has similar issues. It's subtitles for everything for me now, which proves some of the jargon, (when you see it written) is very specific to a very limited group of people.

Ever since Grab took over Uber it has dramatically increased its prices and in the case of Grab car, removed the points (unless you pay), added in a new 3% "foreign payment" fee, (a charge when the card you have registered is not issued in Thailand). It seems obvious to me that the Grab car sector of their business is not really of interest to them, having demolished the competition. The usual business model, I suppose. What I find objectionable is that changes only manifest themselves when you spot a change in billing or activity, through a plethora of information. All rather sneeky. Sometimes the quality of the car (in Premium) is so dire, it's just not worth it. They ask you to rate, but "this is certainly not the Grab experience we want you to have!" when you provide the reason for not giving 5 stars, I'm sure it goes straight into the file marked "bin". Such a pity. Businesses thrive on a good reputation, but cynical loyalty programmes are a complete con. Rant of the day.

I have three "Christian" names as they used to be called, "first" names now. Back in the day I used to buy tickets with the name I am called by which is the second of my 3 Christian names + surname (or "family" name in today's parlance). All my airline memberships were also in this one name + surname. But now I have changed everything to my 3 Christian names + surname (as shown in my passport), with some difficulties with airlines making the change. It makes for some silly reproduction of the passenger name on tickets either self-print from online booking or boarding pass, so that the three Christian names are combined into 1, (no capitals), plus the surname. I imagine it must be a similar issue with long names, like Thais have, or Middle Easterners.