PPGuy

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.

I came across this story of the York Roman soldiers a few years back. Not totally convinced but it is rather intriguing.

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1977/01/19/Ghosts-of-Roman-soldiers-haunt-ancient-city-of-York/6631571073639/

On a separate note.

Thai TV5 had a ghost programme running for a time where folk would recant their personal ghost stories. Unknown to me my family home in Pattaya was the subject of one of these stories. After a TV studio session with my Thai/UK son and his girlfriend the TV crew pitched up and did a tour of the house. This caused quite some excitement in the village and gawpers were out in force.

As usual, I was unaware of both the 'sightings' and the TV interest. First I knew was being advised to look at the TV5 facebook page and be prepared for a surprise!!

Anyway, no obvious outcome except a vague suggestion that a picture of the wife's long departed mother was involved in some way. All has been quiet since then, but the wife keeps the spirit house well stocked and the small garden bungalow has been repurposed with Buddha related ornaments and such like. 

This thread, initially rather confusing, refers to a poster who has applied for a US passport ID. It does take a bit of reading but the later posts may assist more.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1300949-passport-stuck-at-embassy-as-checkin-nears/#comment-18217978

13 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

I heard that unused land is being taxed. Where I live quite a lot of undeveloped plots around Na Jomtien/Bang Saray have been cleared and planted with banana trees/coconut/cassava to avoid the tax.

Is it possible that this is what's happening ?

I see exactly that in the East Pattaya location where I stay. A couple a large tracts of land have just been cleared and one is currently being planted and the other is being walled in and will likely have a similar outcome.

Initially I was concerned that they were being cleared for some entertainment purpose which would certainly mean the end to a rather peaceful 20 year existence. But that has likely been just delayed.......... 

1 hour ago, couchpotato said:

Darkside---all normal with 3bb and True.

Also on Darkside. Now fine, but the grandkids were complaining about 3bb being off this morning. I use True so had no problems. When I eventually checked on their 3bb connection it was working ok so thought they were joking but I see now it was genuine.

Am based in Pattaya and used Key Visa in early 2021, primarily due to covid transport restrictions. Took about 7 weeks to process and all went smoothly.

This was before Darren passed away but have not heard of any problems stemming from that sad event.

This video gives some info on the bus. A bit pricey though.

On 8/29/2023 at 8:51 AM, Purdey said:

Why doesn't the article give a reason for the departure of senior executives? Retired? Incompetence?

Listed companies really should explain themselves a little more clearly. 

Their hugely loss making investment in Stark has likely been a major reason for these management changes. This has impacted heavily on employee bonus projections leading to many unhappy campers.

https://www.kaohooninternational.com/markets/525506