TroubleandGrumpy

I like the option of moving the gear into a place you are renting - storage fees here are often very high and not so good (damage from weather and insects/mice etc.) Yes removalist companies exist here - I have never used one so cannot recommend anyone.

Thailand is caught between a rock and a hard place. Their current low interest rates which are about half the global average is not attractive to foreign currency investors, hence why more currency is leaving Thailand than is entering. However, the very high Public and Govt Debt to GDP ratios, means if they upped interest rates, this would have a very negative impact on economic growth. Probably the wisest thing for BOT to do is stay still and wait for the world rates to drop.

Yes indeed - once they start getting 'rowdy' the best course of action is to finish up and quietly leave. Dont just move tables - that can easily be taken the wrong way.

Just nod back and all will be good - and do the same when you walk in front of somone (but just a nod). Thais do that because that is how the social system works here and you can either go along with it, or get in there and get involved. Fascinating people - both their good points and their bad ones too.

Excellent - I think the latter. Their self-doubt means that having someone attractive to others will be a negative.

Very interesting - no wonder you know a bit about tax laws. Tax returns in 3 countries - how is that done. What I mean by that is - how easy or hgard is it to do them. I lodge tax returns in Australia - but the ATO (Tax Office) has all my financial details and each year they send me out a pre-filled tax return with all the income that I have earned from various soiurces. All I have to do is advise of any others and claim deductions or alloowances - which I never bother to do because the total income is under the tax-free threshold or is not taxable income (like Pension).

Nah - hate it - gets too hot - clothes, cars, driveways, etc. Much prefer white.

That is an excellent analogy - never thought of it like that - but it sure fits.

True - but not as much as Thailand and other SEAsian countries like Japan and Korea.

Good advice mate. Many Expats have been doing the wrong things and when they get into trouble, some wai wai and 'payment' will often make the problem go away. The Thai Tax Dept will not be doing that for 'ordinary' people (only the big boys down at the Amari hotel). The Thai RD is not like the Immigration system - and it is full of Officers willing to look the other way and make exemptions etc. There are no 'Agents' as such, who can 'grease the wheel' and make things move in Thai RD. The best you can get is a Thai certified tax accountant - but just like for ordinary people, if they break the rules and get caught, they are severely punished (their career and business is over). That was all explained to me by a Thai lawyer some time ago. Yes he was drumming up business - but nothing I have seen or heard since back then suggests that advice was wrong.

Correct - me too. I also get newsletters and emails from lawyers. I figured a long time ago that I had no rights, and it would be wise to learn and understand all the laws here. But I was not referring to his advice about whether the income tax rule change will mean Expats will have to pay income taxes as claimed in many media stories. I was referring to the vlog he made a while ago that explained how the Thai legal system works - especially its ignoring of legal precedents.

That is fine and it is up to you - and anyone else can do the same if they wish. But since you made that public announcement, let me say to you and everyone reading this, why that is very 'dangerous'. Failure to lodge a tax return when lodging one is required, is a serious fine for each and every year, plus you must pay all backdated taxes they calculate, plus it involves backdated interest charged on any amounts deemed that should have been paid. It will involve your Passport being blocked to stop you leaving the country, can result in immediate detention, can result in criminal charges and Court appearances and jail time, and it can result in deportation for Expats. Unlike most other things, were being 'caught' means a punishment of that occurence (like not wearing a helmet), not lodging tax returns and not paying income taxes, is an extremely harsh punishemnt - and they will go back over every year since 2024. TRhis is not like staying illegally in the country (no Visa extensions etc.) and the information is available on the net. If that is your plan over the next 3-5-10 years, then that is up to you - but now you know what the downsides are. That is all I am doing mate - pointing out things that I am aware of - learning things I am not aware of - contributing.

Good luck to you - I hope that never changes for you.

Saw a bloke yesterday walk up to am ATM - he pressed a few numbers and then showed a screenshot to the ATM camera - money given. Now you may say what you want - that is inherently far more of a security issue than an ATM card that has a 'security chip' in it - phones dont. There are lots of similar situations I have either observed or an aware of - I stay involved and am across most of the issues. When people who work in roles that requires TSPV clearances use smartphones in their jobs, then I will know you are right. But that is up to you - and yes there are many mitigating things you can do - especially on iPhones. I am referring to people like the woman that was in the bank screaming at them that their App had 'taken all my money' and that the bank was at fault for allowing that to happen - totally ignorant of everything. Seems that like me you are aware of and understand what the risks are and do things to mitigate them - most do not - and are not told.

That is the only thing that will work - people refusing to buy the products at that shop. That is why they have such massive discounts on some products every now and then. The scammed so much that no one bought the stuff anymore - and they already made massive profits - so they just clear out the stock.

There is that

Sure - if I remember Will make an OP about it maybe.

Last two items we purchased were both free delivery, and the 39 baht fee was deducted in final step before placingorder. And I must say Lazada is very good in Thailand - I once ordered something on a Saturday and the guy delivered it on Sunday. They always deliver within a few days and it is so easy compared to anything like this in the West (like EBay). No payment required until it is delivered - not available back home.

Yes indeed - on a personal level I have never experienced anything like this too. I have had a few 'dark looks' - but I know that is jealousy over the size of my ........ wallet. Thais are very 'nationalistic' - not so much racists - they do not 'like' the things some 'Aliens' do. And if you think they are weird - just remember we are extremely weird to them and often offensive and dirty. Personal clealiness and appearance is extremely important to Thais - whereas too many of us dress like vagrants.

After you have found and listened to that lawyer explain the system here

If this is all too complex and/or boring for you - I suggest you just stay out of it. Legal technicalities are extremely complex - and in Thailand they are massive - because of the lack of a 'common law' foundation - and I find them fascinating. In the West - stemming from UK Laws that go back to King Henry - Precedents are everything (Google quote): "According to the doctrine of precedent, a court is bound by the decisions of a court above it and, usually, by a court of equivalent standing. Superior courts have the power to overrule decisions of lower courts and in certain cases to overrule their own decisions." That statement above does not apply in the Thailand Legal system. There is a Thai lawyer (USA bloke - now Thai Citizen) who has a youtube channel and in one of his vlogs he explains it all in detail. Not sure if he is 'approved' on this forum - but if you look for the words 'lawyer integrity thailand legal' you should find him. It was a while ago - but if you are interested in this area then it is worth the look. If you are not at all interested in this stuff - then see sentance one above.

Actually she has always done that when also visiting family. But years ago she did ask (called) the local Transport Office when we were in Chiang Mai, and they said she must go back to Roi Et. But we had a trip planned anyway and the Roi Et Office said she could do it then - which was well before it would expire (cant remember how long it was).

Good Question. Ignore the ignorant comments from people who have no idea about the intricate technicalities of Laws - especially in Thailand. As we all know, many things are done and not done in Thailand that are not 'technically compliant' with the Law. Just get to know a Thai Lawyer and have a chat - they will tell you of many examples. Unlike in the West where the legal system is built on precedents and interpretations, that 'rigour' is not undertaken in Thailand - often including if the matter goes to the Thai Supreme Court. Speaking in legalese - just for the brain experiment - I would say that the Thai technical definition of a tax resident in Thailand Law is specifically referring to the Residents and Citizens of Thailand that that are residing in Thailand for over 180 days per year - thereby excluding those Thai Residents and Citizens that live (and work) in another country for more than 180 days in a year. Further, I would say that anyone residing in Thailand who is not a Resident or a Citizen, and does not have a Visa with a Work/Business Permit, cannot technically be a tax resident. IMO this would especially apply to those on a Retirement Visa/Extension, because that Visa excludes them working or earning money in any form. Likewise, those with a Marriage Visa/Extension are also exlcuded from working or earning money in any form, unless that apply and get a Work/Busines Permit. Interesting question - next time we talk, I will ask my Thai lawyer contact what he thinks, and if he is aware of this matter having been tested in a Court before. Although I would say it is very likely that it has not been tested, because it would be vcery difficult for an Expat to have legal standing in regards to such an issue, if it had been then tested and rule upon then some Expats would know about it. I would say that only the Thai RD would have had the legal standing in the past to lodge such a court matter. However, if an Expat is formally advised in writing by any Thai Authority that they are required to lodge a tax return and are liable to pay income taxes, then they would have standing in a Thai Court (maybe). Either way, if not already ruled upon, it would probably take years for a decision to be made.

Up to you. But if you do walk down sidewalks in Thailand you better stay vigilent and be constantly on alert (and watch your head)

My wife had to go back to Roi Et to renew her driving licence - she does that every 5 years. But as I said - ring the local Office and ask.