PPGuy

https://youtu.be/drISPotbfiY?si=MkN8zwxhbnXM401Q

New service from Bangkok to Samui. Looks good.

Who said Finns don't have a sense of humour.......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We5S2JoVS70&t=254s

This is a link to a recent TNT youtube local news video. Tim Newton, the presenter, confirms that he knew of the guy, who called himself Peter Smith, and he had been working in Phuket for a number of years.

For  those interested, he will be giving more info on his Saturday video.

Seems like a posters request for a follow up has been answered.........

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/russian-tourist-on-pha-ngan-island-accused-of-pregnant-woman/

Maybe they were past members of the Queen's Own 'Cameroonian' Highlanders.......

There have been previous reports that those in receipt of pensions from Norway, normally taxed in Norway, can have this tax waived if they can show they have declared this income in Thailand and paid paid any Thai taxes due on that income, even if the Thai tax computes to less than the calculated Norway tax. That is under the terms of the DTA between Norway and Thailand.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1047340-is-retirement-income-subject-to-income-tax/page/2/  (post near top of pg2)

I recall seeing comments from those in receipt of pensions from Norway who do file their tax returns in Thailand showing pension income.

No idea if this applies to pensions paid by other countries.

3 hours ago, Digitalbanana said:

 

Does this not seem a little ridiculous to you? How can the pair of you get a loan on land that is already collateral for another loan? Normally any loan would include a lien of sorts to ensure this nonsense doesn't happen would it not?

Property loans are easily transferred between loan companies by way of updating chanotes at the Land Office and concurrent settlement of outstanding loan balance. The Land Office has to be fully satisfied before they will agree to any updates on the chanote, with the agreement of the original loan company, and no loan company will agree a loan if they don't have sufficient collateral, or full title if on a Kai Fak basis, to cover their loan. Very simple process.

15 hours ago, AsparrownamedJack said:

Thanks. 

This is just the type of loan I was expecting to get, if anything at all. We're both well aware of the risks and have every intention of repaying on time which would remove that particle hazard. 

I should explain in more detail:

My wife already has a government loan against the land. Since we took out the loan, my income has since been hit hard meaning we couldn't make the repayments. We've since moved out of Bangkok to slash our overheads and can balance the books again, but the government guy (sorry, I don't know the terminology) has already started legal proceedings. We have a month to find the outstanding money or the land will be sold, which is problematic for my wife considering it was passed down by family. 

Oh, and even though my income has taken a hit, it's still a reasonable amount. 

Bit of a pickle, but there may be possibilities of a refinancing deal although the ongoing legal action may make that problematic. Updating the chanote / exchange of funds is a simple process at the Land Office so, provided the Government Organisation gets paid in full, including all costs, and the legal action is confirmed as discontinued, it may be possible.

My family has used this finance company for a recent refinancing:

https://www.thaicreditbank.com/th

We found them reasonable to deal with but they did need full financial info/pay details, which seemingly may not be an issue for your wife. Obviously the current legal action may be a show stopper but worth a try, i would say.

There is the Kai Fak loan arrangement - this is a sale with right of redemption. An explanation can be seen here:

http://www.globalmortgagefinance.com/kai-faak-or-kai-faaq.html

It can be considered as a risky loan to take out as these finance companies tend not to request info on ability to repay the loan in the agreed timescale as a default suits them better by gaining assets at lower than market value.

If you do go down this route just be very sure you can repay the loan within the agreed period.

i have used Fry Group on pension related matters and been satisfied with their performance. They have a Singapore office but are part of a UK organisation that also offers UK tax advice to expats.

Making initial contact with their Singapore office may be a way forward.   

Its the wrong type of snow........

3 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Wasn't successful searching for.

Do you have one typical link?

 

Look up PattayaWatchdog in FB.

Biggest ever swing in By-Election? Nope. Not even close.........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_by-election_records

25 minutes ago, Digitalbanana said:

Nothing appeared for me about virtual cards. If I click on cards same old message not available in TH.

Yup, same with me. I believe the OP is based in a part of Thailand that is 'forever England' 

52 minutes ago, BritTim said:

If they become really serious about collecting tax from foreigners, it will be done by requiring a tax clearance before leaving Thailand if you have spent more than a specified number of days in Thailand. This was the system about 30 years ago. If staying long term in Thailand, you needed to visit the local tax office where you were interrogated and, once they were satisfied, given a stamp in the last page of your passport allowing you to leave. It was way worse than any of the other bureaucracy I have ever needed to deal with in Thailand (and I was not even living in Thailand then). The system was abolished during the short lived, foreigner friendly, technocrat government led by Anand Panyarachun.

I was in Thailand for an extended period in 1990. Was between contracts in Egypt and Malaysia and only found out about the need for a tax clearance certificate from a travel agent when I was booking a flight out. This despite not working in Thailand, but being in country for periods that. in total, exceeded 180 days. Of course there was no easy access to such info way back then. As part of their service they offered to do the necessary. Paid, I seem to recall, about Bt2,000 and had the receipt stapled in my passport. Can't recall if the IO even looked at it on departure.

I don't believe it was actually abolished, just placed in abeyance and could, potentially be resurrected without the need for new legislation. I recall a thread created by 'Jayboy' some time back that had details on the relevant connected tax law and confirmed that Anand was indeed the PM when the need for tax clearance was dropped around 1992. 

19 minutes ago, bradiston said:

Update! The money arrived in my Wise £ account yesterday at 1622. Men. It can be done!

Rather mealy-mouthed comment on DM exceeding their normal transfer timings. Especially after all the 'what a joke' ramblings despite the advised timings matching with their terms.

i have used DM a number of times and found their service to be very efficient. Usually transfer afternoon for next day credit. But, when I have set up transfers to UK just prior to 9am Thai time, the funds are sometimes in my UK bank same day. Not too shabby. 

Signed up even though chances are remote, at best.

Also signed up for the overseas vote, which appeared as an option on one of the pages.

Was interested to see that, if asking for a postal vote, you are required to fill in an application form which needs to be sent to the applicable UK local council. This form is sent out by email and can also be returned by email. So, why is a similar routing process not possible for the UK state pension Life Certificates? Hmm.

The Fry Group has had previous mentions concerning providing advice on pension matters. They are UK based but do have an office in Singapore. May be worth a contact.

As ever, caveat emptor should be to the fore.