samtam

Given the reports of higher incidents of 'flu cases in some countries in the region, (e.g. Japan and Hong Kong), with recorded higher severity and deaths (primarily amongst the elderly), I decided to book a 'flu jab. The various hospitals I checked with for over 65s "extra dosage" were quoting prices of THB2,200 to THB4,000 (including all the bells and whistles these establishments add on). This seems excessive, and another gripe related to the proposed taxation of retirees, many in this age group, who would be receiving this at reduced cost, or free in other countries. I don't especially want another one, but covid vaccines are also doubtless very overpriced, and, as far as I can gather, not suited to the new variants BA.2.86 or EG.5 or XBB, take your pick.

Except 90% who fall into this category, (say a maid who earns THB12,000 per month, or THB144,000 pa) does not pay a satang, because she gets it in cash.

This one?.....

This one?: Just got back, with a Tax ID, same number as on my Pink Card. with assurance that, in my case, transferring 40k per month = 480k per annum, after 190k + 60k + 150k all at 0%, I shall have to pay Bht4000 for the year. There was some mention of 100k being deductible for expenses. As we are not married, I cannot claim 60k for my Mrs, but possibly some for the school fees I pay for my Mrs's son, he will let me know. Where the money comes from, pension, interest, sister's immoral earnings, is of no matter. It is simply how much is/will be transferred from UK to Thailand in the specific tax year. As I am only getting UK State Pension @ £170 per week = £8840 and a small one from Norway, my total UK income is £10400, below the Tax Free Allowance, so no tax due in UK either. I am happy with this.

I don't know why, but I misread one of your earlier posts that seemed to suggest that over 65s had a threshold of THB150k PLUS THB190k PLUS THB60k.

I used the word "partner". We are not married. Overseas income is joint and in joint accounts. We would therefore have to file separately, but how co-mingling of funds on receipt overseas would be viewed is another hurdle that I expect is not addressed in the RD manual. We certainly don't make any distinction on who is the "owner" of the funds, however they came in.

You experience, as I said, is very interesting. I presume you are a regular Thai taxpayer. My own situation is more complicated by the fact that although over 65 my partner is also a foreigner, over 65 too, but we share all our finances and any monies brought into Thailand are from a joint account overseas. Therefore we would get 2x times the allowances you breakdown, THB150k + THB190k +THB60k, or a total of THB460k @ 0%. Trying to go through that with an RD officer would be an excruciating experience, dividing up which income is from whom, and how that is assessable.

Fungible. "Assessable", not accessible, I think. An excellent point. Any other country making such a dramatic change would have of course made the clarification before the extremely unclear new interpretation. Thank you for letting us know of your experience; not sure whether this interpretation it will be universally applied across all RD offices. Where is yours?

The Central Administrative Court orders the revocation of the EIA report of the 125 Sathorn Project https://www.thansettakij.com/real-estate/578097

I don't know many people who go to Hong Kong to visit the airport, as outstanding as it is, 25 years after opening. I'm a bit confused by all these road shows by Srettha. He's touting for investment in Thailand from all his manic travelling, but on the other hand casting huge doubt on the efficacy of anyone investing in Thailand by a tightening tax regimen. You can't have it both ways. Hong Kong is one of the most liberal tax centres in the world. It would have been better to have clarity at the outset whether Thailand is going to become a high (or at least highly complicated) tax centre, or before reeling in investors. There is nothing that puts off an investor more than uncertainty in the market in which they are investing, and the regulatory systems in place. Also, the treatment of Hopewell by the Thai courts is not an incident that has gone unnoticed.

I was so blown off course by the sartorial delight that I missed the hilarious blurb in the piece. I think TAT (no pun intended) might have a hand in this.

Of course if you live in Thailand for 180 days you are a tax resident of Thailand, whether or not you state otherwise. I have right of abode in two other countries, but I have been living in Thailand for more than 180 days, therefore I have to declare Thailand as my tax residence. If the RD's new interpretation of the law requires me to pay tax in Thailand, I will choose to live in other residences, one of which does not impose tax on income derived from pension and savings.

I refer to the parts of your post which I have made bold. I am not aware of how much Thais get in deductions, allowances or expenses, but I suspect that many receive more than the minimum net income of THB150,000 pa and very few of those pay income tax, especially if a lot/all of that income is paid in cash. On a very simplistic basis, THB150,000 is THB12,500 per month, and, as I stated, although I am not aware of deductions etc, I pay my maid around that per month, in cash, and she probably earns as much again from other part time work. For sure she doesn't pay income tax, and neither am I suggesting that she should. So I have no idea how RD is going to enforce extracting tax from this segment of the population, but presumably it is in their sights, rather like Mars through a telescope. Not a vote winner, I suspect.

The level of knowledge and service at Thai banks is abominable. I received an SMS to go into U*B and register my banking app for facial recognition, and to bring my passport to facilitate this. Initially they said my passport did not have a chip, so it could not be done. The passport was issued last year, and had the chip icon. I Googled and explained that to them. 4 staff faffed around with the passport being "scanned" to find the readable chip. 45 minutes later this was achieved. In the meantime I was told utter nonsense by staff who did not know what they were doing, and who became more hostile as the proceedings unfolded. It boggles the mind how an institution can introduce a new system and not train their staff on how to make it work. It boggles the mind how a so-called service industry cannot train their staff to serve their customers. Whilst all of this was going on, the clerk at the desk left to consult another colleague, (I was the only person in the branch). In doing this she left her computer (tilted towards me), with some customer's details private information completely visible to me. It boggles the mind that data and security and customer privacy are not paramount in a bank's training of its staff.

HSBC UK (onshore), and I also have HSBC Expat (offshore).

No, as a UK citizen I have a non resident account(s).

Contradictory, moi?

Thanks. Have done that several times. It's off. I put it on, then turn it off. Still locked.

I have very little wriggle room for the washing machine, and not much more for the dryer. Both fit, and do not damage the counter or the dividing wooden strip:

I have Googled and followed the instructions on how to unlock my locked keyboard scrolling facility, to no avail. I have a small HP that has no ScrLk button, so I used the virtual keyboard. It's not locked, so I lock it, (blue) and unlock it, but still not able to scroll. I can operate by using the touch screen, or by jumping using the touch pad, but not by putting the cursor on the scroll bar. What am I doing wrong?

....and sometimes even with a red or green light, when you wave/hail them, they switch the light off. No Uber in Thailand for 4 years - Grab took over their business.

Just seen this on X, so I guess it's still bad: https://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish/status/1695657515495944479?s=20

What are recent experiences of check in time before departure at Suvarnabhumi for an international flight? Emirates are recommending arrival at check-in 3 hours before departure. I normally travel Business, but am travelling Economy, so will not have a quick check in experience or "Fast Track" at Immigration. Flight is 14.05 on Sunday 3 September.

...allowing Prayut to control the military reshuffle...

1/ 2/ 1/ & 2/ If Thaksin is really really ill, (as in shuffling off this mortal coil), then PT's potency in the coalition, (of which they are a minority), will be diluted both within government, and by the further drop off from their supporters, (and voters). It's somtam all round; the silent coup has worked to retain the military in power for the next 5 years. The Royal Suite, Room 1404 on the 14th floor of Mor Por Ror Building, of Police Hospital Overlooking Lumpini Park.