TroubleandGrumpy

There is a Doctor in Bangkok very popular with Expats - Dr RTobinson and she runs the MedConsult Clinic. I am sure they do wart removal - but call and ask. I have used her medical services several times in the past - very good. MedConsult Clinic | International Medical Clinic in Bangkok (medconsultasia.com) If they dont provide that service, then ask where you can go to get it done. I would be careful of any non-qualified 'medical professionals' in Thailand operating in a local Mall/Clinic.

For those living in Thailand, I agree it is best to avoid Immigration as much as possible. The OP visits Thailand for 3 months every year - he is better off (now) getting a 60 day Tourist Visa from home and then one Extension when here.

My past dealings showed SuperRich to offer the best rates - things may have changed since Covid, but maybe the same.

Great first post - and totally 'on point'. 14 Likes, 2 Loves, 8 Thumbs Up, 8 Thanks, 25 Agrees = 57 Supporting. 11 Confused, 12 Sad, 3 Laughs = 26 Against. There you have it - there ARE many more rational and logical Expats on Asian Now. The short-term memories and the emotionally foolish ARE loud and get angry - but the vast majority are not so inclined. That is a WIN for AN.

Invite in free of Visa all the people in a country with known 'problem people' - what could possibly go wrong?? Tourism Tourism Money Money.

SSDD

Yes I have heard the same from several sources. Never tried it myself but I do believe that BOT very much makes it very hard to transfer Baht overseas. Next tiem the OP visits Thailand - take it out in cash - get currency exchanged to UK Pound in BKK - keep documents and bank statement (print out the book so up to date) - take the cash back to UK (declare at airport if over limit UK Immigration imposes - show the documents/book).

Come as a tourist and then extend. Check again next time to see if it has changed back. When dealing with Thailand always tak the simpler/easier method - never look for logic or reason (it will drive you insane).

I would stay across the research being done about 'long covid' and then try some of the studied 'remedies' to see if it works for you. The covid virus and/or the vaccinations (please dont start on that) may have caused the many unknown reactions that have been evidenced in some people. No one really knows what causes what, but IMO it could be a simple matter of trial and error to see what works - stay across the research. Sometimes these things just resolve themselves - we know a lot less about how the human body works, than what some people claim. Sleeping Disease (Encephalitis Lethargica) was catagortised as a form of encephalitis. It was first diagnosed in 1917 and is thought by some to have been a result of the Spanish Flu virus that killed many millions. Some people were 'asleep' for decades - totally amazing and never fully resolved.

I can see what others say about you being 'argumentative' - perhaps you thought I was criticising your words. Not intended - I was merely providing an alternative opinion with reasons. Examples: Australia does not have laws in place like Thailand to prevent foreigners purchasing land. Whislt a foregin company/person company can own the land - it is Australian land title and the property can be resumed at any time. Australia does not import as much food as otherwise could happen if the local farmers were not supported. Australia is a very pro-free trade country - it is to Australia's benefit not to gave trade wars (protection wars). It would be foolish for Aust Military to pay 20 million for uniforms made in Thailand/India - or 50 million made in USA/Australia. I can ssure you NOTHING possibly impacting the Aust military performance of their duties is purchased from China. Australia is extremely pro-active is ensuring that no infrastructure is purchased in Australia that could impact its national security (such as Chinese made telecommunications equipment).

As you can see from above 25 year charts, the USD-THB is not related directly to the AUD-THB. The USD is the most traded and the AUD is the 5th most traded - they are related. The THB is a separate matter and it is not directly related to the AUD-USD excchanbge rate. All currencies are affected by the USD - but your assertion is false.

Me thinks that the current fall of the Baht was driven by the anticipated lowering of interest rates by BOT. It will probably fall again when/if they do lower them on 10th April. Hopefully, over the next year or two the Bajht will fall such that the AUD is back to where it should be - 26-28 Baht.

I hear you, but the global economy and massive changes in global transportation made it unecobomical to make many things in Australia that were made tghere in the past, but were basicvally being protected by use of taxpayers money. So Australians were paying more for the product and their tax money was also paying too. Cars are a classic example - the old Ford versus Holden duopoly was doomed in the 70s. The Aust Govt will continue to support the local farms, because if things go pear shaped we will always need control over food production. But not a lot of other industries are really imperative should say WW3 start - most other things really needed we can and will get from our Allies. The Aust Military can survive for many years without imports, but most others can be 'assisted as/if required.

Well said mate.

Actually that 179+ days only means that you are 'qualified' (obliged) to pay income taxes in Thailand on applicable taxable income. If you are under 180 days then you are not 'qualified' (obliged). However, if you work in Thailand and earn money in Thailand, then it does not matter how long you stay - you pay income taxes on the money earned here if only here for 1 week. The 179+ day qualification only comes into it if/when other conditions are met -= including those under a DTA Where there is a possible different interpretation of a word/definition used in the DTA, and where there is no definition stated in Clause 3 - General Definitons, or is not specifically defined in anotjher Clause, then what applies is the definition of the State where the money is earned (source) or located (bank accounts etc). The DTA is not Thailand's DTA, it is a joint agreement between Australia and Thail;and designed to avoid double taxation of businesses, the people who work for those businesses, and other persons as defined. Under the DTA there is no specific coverage for Australian Citizens receiving Government Pensions and living in Australia - they can be deemed to fall under a specific Clause or a combination of several - but it is not Thailand's decision where anything is not clearly stated - or where it has not been separately agreed between Thailand and Australia. Plus in the DTA it states very clearly that where possible a person can choose to adopt whatever rule bests suits their onw circumstances. And as I have said before a few times, IMO there is no way that the Aust Govt would agree to pay the Thailand Government the money of taxpayers in Australia (which is the source of the OAP). Yes it is possible that in the future Australia will change the OAP qualifications to only those in and resident in Australia. However, under the International Obligations that Australia signed up to, it is not possible to change the conditions upon which a person has been granted OAP payments in the past and then apply them unilaterally to all people receiving the OAP who are residents overseas. If you did not know, there are many people living overseas (especially Greece) who are receiving the OAP under the same conditions that they were entitled to at the time it was first granted (lucky bas*****). Those additional conditions, such as 40 years living in Australia, do not apply to those who had already been granted the OAP and are an overseas resiodent. Under the Social Security Act a person approved for a payment continues to receive that payment - that is why each 'decision' CLink makes is so technical and at times difficult. Decisions made by ATO affect all applicable persons and companies immediately - CLink's apply to each person and only to that person. That isd why there are qualified tax experts to enbsure you minimise your taxation, but there are no qualified experts to ensure you recieve the maxium social welfgare payments. If the OAP is ever made to be for those 'resident and present' in Australia only, or any other such draconian change that affects overseas residents, then make sure you never return to Australia - once you return any new conditions can apply to your ongoing OAP payments and qualifications.

You are clearly a rabid nutter far-left extremist. My rational logical and impartial statements are attacked like a dog with rabies - you have no ability to differentiate facts and think logically. I will now prove that easily - and ignore all of your further comments. Stalin and Mao killed between then 50+ million people - they are NOT far right - they were far left. It is estimated that Socialism and Communism have killed over 100 million people. 100 Years. 100 Million Lives. Think Twice. | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson (thecrimson.com) Now go away (blocked).

I preferred it when you said you would be ignoring me and 'not playing'. I dont mind a debate and an exchange of thoughts and ideas - but immature insults and antagonistic comments, plus no rationale or logic behind those thoughts provided, is preferred. State your case and back it up with some thoughts, comments and links/pastes with thoughts and comments. A cut and past with no comment does not cut it. Try to remember that this 'converation' is not just between or about me or you - others are reading. I have provided cut/pastes and links, AND my thoughts and reasons for the decision I have made on the wordsa in those links provided. My decision is that the OAP is not taxable income in Thailand before or when remitted into Thailand - I will now furtehr expand on why. Interpretations of written Contracts and Rules and Regulations can be a very 'flexible' matter. Topical example is that in this case TRD has decided that their interpretation of the Rule/Regulation has changed - no new Law has been passed. Their new interpretation is that 'earnings' made overseas from investments and salaries and investments, are NOT tax free (any more) when remitted back into Thailand in a year later than in the year in which that earnings was received. It was tax free if an investment realised, an earnings was received, and income was received, if remitted into Thailand in a following year ONLY because the TRD interpreted the applicable Cluase/Section that new way. Going forward, because of all the complications this change is going to be making in their administration of the income tax collections, TRD is likely in the future (if Govt directs them) will just tax all 'earnings' of all Thai tax residents made overseas - whether remitted into Thailand or not. That will take some new Law/s, but that is a lot simpler than only taxing the remittances - and it is the way this new 'global taxation system is moving all over the world - very much like the USA tax model. You have quoted Article 18 and 19 of the Aust/Thai DTA - In particular ARTICLE 18 PENSIONS AND ANNUITIES 1. Subject to the provisions of Article 19, pensions and annuities paid to a resident of one of the Contracting States shall be taxable only in that State. And you are referring not to the 'Annuities' part but to the 'Pension' part. A pension is "a regular income paid by a government or a financial organization to someone who no longer works" (Cambridge). I will point out that 'pension' does not mean the Old Age Pension (OAP) - it means and refers to ANY regular income paid by any GOVERMENT or FINANCIAL ORGANISATION. That clause is not just about the OAP, it covers a multitude of possible regular payments from both Government and non-Government sources. Regarding the literal interpretation you imply - that some people have read that clause to mean that if you get a Pension and are a resident of a State, then you pay taxes in that State you are a resident of. That is clearly wrong IMO and is not what the Clause states at all. Before I show why I think that, I will firstly point out that interpretation and application of the whole document to any individual requires that the whole document to be applied, not merely one Clause. You can be applicable in a clause and excluded in another - who/what decides? Well in Thailand it is you - it is a self determined system - the TRD does not opertate like the ATO who determines exactly what income taxes are applicable for every person and company - and publishes complete and detailed regular guides, assesments and provides training and certifications. TRD uses self-determination system, and only gets involved if/when there is some reason to believe that a tax resdient has not lodged a tax return and should, or has lodged a tax return that is wrong. I have already shown how under Articles 3 and 4, part or all of a tax resident's earnings can be excluded. That definitely applies to myself at this time, because I am still a tax resident of Australia (will be for at least 2 years - and hope to remain that). I will now provide my interpretation of that Clause regarding pensions and annuities - as it applies to anyone/everyone. IMO Clusae 18 means that is a person is receiving a pension from one State then that pension payment is only taxable in that State. Taking Government Pensions as a separate issue from say investment pensions/annuities, the issue of differentiation realtes to the issue of 'resident'. In order to get an Old Age Pension you must be a Resident of Australia. Unlike other countries where you can apply from overseas, you must be both in Australia and a Resident and meet defined criteria to be approved to get the OAP. Once you are reciving the OAP there has been made a determination, in with International Obligations, that allows under certain very limited circumstances for a recipient of the OAP to move and reside overseas either short term or indefinitely and keep the OAP payments (albeit reduced). That does not preclude or exclude the fact that the recipient of the OAP living overseas is technically a resident for the purposes of receiving the OAP because the only people whoi can receive the OAP in Australia are residents. They can be temporarily or indefinitely living overseas in one or many countries, but they are still a resident under the OAP rules and regulations and can return to Australia at any time. The next issue as it relates to paying income taxes on the OAP in Thailand, as per the DTA, becomes a matter of 'domicile'. If any person receiving the OAP who lives in another State (any) renounces their Citizenship or Permanent Residience, they will immediately lose their right to receive the OAP. Continued receipt of the OAP when overseas, means that the person has the legal right and could at any time return to Australia. How that relates to the domicile issue within the DTA, and in genral, is that in order to be permanetly domocile in another country means having a 'permanent abode'. That is not the case for the vast majority of Expats living in Thailand. We are required to apply for and get approval to remain in Thailand for another 3 months. Plus we are required to apply for and get approval to stay in Thailand up to another 12 months, but only on the basis that we apply for and receive approval to remain another 3 months. At any time that approval to stay in Thailand can be removed at any time for any reason. I will not go into all the other facts that would prove I am not domicile and will never be domicile in Thailand - this is long enough already. I will state that the DTA with Thailand very much echos the same (almost exactly) as Aust has with many other countries. There are many other countries in the world whereby I could live and be domicile long term - particlularly in Europe (and that includes both the right to live permanently, and to own land, etc etc etc.). Suffice to state the fact that I am legally a long term Tourist in Thailand and under that fact along, let alone all the other Clauses/Sections in the DTA, I am not domicile here and am liable to pay income taxes on the OAP - no more than any other Aussie on the OAP who visits Thailand for a holiday for 3 months or longer (after approval). If I was to make money in Thailand, then yes I am liable to pay income taxes. If I was residient more than 180 days and was earning income from overseas (such as a Youtube vlogger or any other online job) then I am liable to pay income taxes in Thailand, but only when that income is remitted into Thailand. IMO I am not liable to pay income taxes in Thailand on that part of the OAP that I remit into Thailand (nor on any part that I dont remit into Thailand). That is my 'self determination' and being well versed (trained and practice) in Contract Laws I am certain my read of the Clauses/Sections in the DTA is valid.

Most small infections in a tooth can be sorted out with antibiotics. I played soccer with a bloke and he was my dentist for a few years - he said it is usually unecessary and is 'old school' mentality toi immediately undertake that proceedure. Only absolutely needed if the tooth nerve canal has become seriously infected - which can only really be seen via high quality imaging (\- not the crap old xray devices most dentists have in Thailand - I have been in one clinic where I they wanted me to go into an xray room and wear a lead cover jacket! (I smiled said sorry and walked out). Look at their chairs - is it modern and have an imaging device and does the chair/room have computer screen/s.

And this one will be 'gone' soon enough too - bad for toursim 🙂

Clearly they are worried about the negative impact of all the crime and corruption in the media right now, and its impact on future tourism - plus also the lack of the $billions they predicted from the tourism surge they tried to create by giving away 'open entry' to less than desirable people from dubious countries. Phuket has always been an awful place full of corruption and malaise - I could not give a rat's rear end about their problems. It makes me laugh at all the BS they have done over the last 10 years to get 'quality tourists' and now it is a rampant swarm of the 'less desirables' - does not bode well for future 'quality' tourism IMO.

Very true. And in most cases am older person is far better off in the long run with an implant than getting root canal which comes back later, especially if not done well and if the damage to the tooth causing the infection is not repaired completely. And in my experience, Dentists in Thailand clinics will want to do a root canal for the smallest of reasons - not just for massive infection and tissue damage (more money). These days a course of appropriate antibiotics can heal a minor infection. Root canal therapy is something that really is less and less needed as you get older - someone in the 20s 30s should generally try to save the tooth, but someone in the 60s 70s should generally remove and replace it. I was diagnosed with Sjrogens very late in life (50s) and that causes teeth decay no matter how good you try to look after them - it is very prevalent in western causcasians (UK etc.). I have had a huge experience in dealing with dentists since I was a boy - in my 50s a new dentist (good one) after hearing my 'stroy' suggested I get tested for Sjrogens. IMO most Dentists are making money by doing treatments that results in repeat business.

Well said, and yes in Thailand they make it clear up front that they exect to be 'financially rewarded' and they dont think the sun shines out of their rear end (and front) and a man must reward them with most/all their wealth if they decide to leave. Maybe you will find a good Thai girl and 'settle down' one day - there is many advantages to being in a good relationship for a bloke - and here in Thailand you can just walk away if it turns out later to not be so good (just dont ever get her prgnant - get a vasectomy).

"Refused abortions" and "voting rights for minorities" clearly shows your extreme left wing ideology - I wont bother trying to correct your views. But for those that are genuinely not puppets of the far left Democrats in USA and those other mad left Govts all around the world (like in Scotland) I will offer this link - try to read it impartially and not from a viewpoint of cognitive bias. Was Hitler Really Right-Wing? | Mises Institute The essence of right wing is personal freedoms and accountability with minimal State control of the people's economic and social lives - Reagan was classic right wing. The essence of the left wing is moderation of personal liberties and freedoms though Government intervention and the control of most aspects of people's econoomic and social lives - Clinton was classic left wing. Progressive and Woke is the left - Authoritarian and Freedoms is the right. Left is about equality of outcomes - Right is about equality of opportunities. When you view those ideals, it is clear that a bit of both is the ideal balance, and that is why we basically have 2 parties in many western countries. Hitler's political ideologoies were the worst of the far right and the far left. To state the Nazi Party did not start as left wing and also keep those centralised controls over the people's economic and social lives is delusional - as is it delusional to also state that they did not adopt the worst of the far right. Right-wing politics - Wikipedia Take a read - it is interesting read and could enlighten some people. Everyone that does not agree with lewft wing political ideologies is not a far-right Nazi, but that it is much used criticism thrown by the left wing these days - especially when criticised with facts and logic about their latest silly ideaology which they want to enshrine in laws - which in Scotland right now they have done and called them 'hate speech laws'. Have you not read 1984 or Animal Farm? Perhaps you did not learn the lessons on offer. Big Brother is very much a left wing construct.

Yes they do and in Aust it is systemic. There is a lot of men now 'going their own way' these days - and there are many 'Passport Bros' like me that left the west and went overseas for fun and maybe to find a girl that cannot financially rape me and take all the money I have earned in my life. The growing trend now in the west is for young men to avoid long term commitment and relationships with women in the west - because of the financial downsides. Check out MGTOW - despite what Wikipedia and other feminist organisations and people say (Men Going Their Own Way is an anti-feminist, misogynistic, etc etc etc bla bla bla), it is real and it is a growing movement - I wish I had known about it all over 30 years ago.

I read what you mentioned in more detail and I think I now know who you are referring to - that bloke with a beer name? That is not me mate - not by a long way - my answers can be 'long winded' at time, but my excuse is that I did long winded Government Tenders as part of my job for over 20 years so I am used to writing long detailed replies to questions. This is another one because I have decided to supply to you and others my reasons - clauses from the DTA agreement and my explanatons are below. Article 3 - General Definitions Where under this Agreement income is relieved from tax in one of the Contracting States and, under the law in force in the other Contracting State a person, in respect of the said income, is subject to tax by reference to the amount thereof which is remitted to or received in that other State and not by reference to the full amount thereof, then the relief to be allowed under this Agreement in the first - mentioned State shall apply only to so much of the income as is remitted to or received in the other State. What that means is if an income from one State is exempted etc. that same exemption etc. (relief) is applied in the other State when the money is transferred to the other State. The Pension is tax free when it is paid in Australia - that exemption/relief applies in Thailand. That should be enough but I will go on - as I am want to do. Article 4 - Residence: (c) if the person has an habitual abode in both Contracting States, or in neither of them, the person shall be deemed to be a resident solely of the Contracting State with which the person's personal and economic relations are the closer. In my case I have both (still) and am far 'closer' economically and personally to Australia (kids etc.). In Thailand I am a tourist on a 12 month Tourist Visa (non-Immigration) that is only extended past 90 days upon application and approval and I have no 'right of residence', and that is only extended for another 12 months vailidity upon application and approval. If you read further down under the Article 5 you will see that the DTA is written for organisations and people who work for those organisations - it was not written for people who are living in Thailand as a retired person. Article 6 - Real Property 1. Income from real property may be taxed in the Contracting State in which the real property is situated. That should alleviate those worrying about extra Thai taxes on the rent received from property in Australia - only payable in Australia. Article 11 - Interest Under Australian Tax Law 'interest' is defined as follows "Under the general law, the term "interest" signifies "a sum payable in respect of the use of another sum of money called the principal". IT 2468 (Addendum exists) | Legal database (ato.gov.au) Superannuation Growth or Decline in value does not constitute 'interest' and is not considered by Australia as 'taxable income' and is therefore not taxable income in Thailand. We have to go out for a while (wife is reminding me right now 🙂) - I will finish this off at a later time.