TroubleandGrumpy

The issue is if Somchai in his new Ford Ranger going at 100+Ks and with some alcohol in his blood can see you. The reason why all Police cars worldwide are light coloured (usually white - except Thailand sometimes) is because that is the best colour for visibility by others - especially pre-dawn and at dusk. Bright yellow is good too 🙂

I knew a Kiwi once - he would always ask people he just met and told them his life story - "So, I have done all of those things and achieved all those successes in my life, but do they call me John the Builder?, or John the Kiwi Rugby player", or John the Lawyer? or even John the Father? - No!! But you fu** one lousy sheep and they never let it go."

Yes mate - they dont call it 'dope' for no reason.

It always amazes me how ignorant some people are about the facts - and how they usually resort to insuklting others that they disagree with because they have no logical argument based on facts - they tend to be all emotions. Which aboriginals are you talking about exactly - which one of the 300+ separate tribes with different languages and no written records and buildings and no roads or paths and no villages and no crops or any other form of civilisation - before those evil white people arrived. The first waves of aboriginals were wiped out completely by the second wave (save for a few left in Tasmania). The aborigines used to start fires that raged across the country - go back 20-30K years ago and the flora right across the country was vastly different before that last wave of genocidals arrived - which resulted in the plague of Eucalyptus trees taking over most of the continent. Those same last wave of genocidal aboriginees made extinct hundreds of species of larger animals across the country - look it up. I was born in UK and had no choice about living in Australia - but that does not mean my last 15-20 has to be there - I would much rather live with my lovely Thai wife for over 10 years and share her country with her. You can go visit the girlie bars and enjoy yourself mate - stay away from me thanks - enough said.

Nah mate - it is the Kiwis who are sheep shag****s.

Something for Smiley to talk about when meeting Putin 🙂 But it sure made a lot of people from other countries ask the same question - why not us? Thailand has decided to drop tourists from the West - China, India and Russia are very welcome. What could possibly go wrong with that strategy? Only time will tell I guess.

Only live in Thailand 179 days each year.

Yes and No - we are what is called 'in conflicting agreement'. The kids are the most important thing right now, but in 15-20 years they will not be. They will hopefully be healthy stable adults and will have their own lives to live. That is my point. Sure, absolutely make sure the kids are fine now and until they are able to live their own lives, but also at the same time make sure you will have a reasonable comfortable life in retirement - do not focus 100% on them and not think about your future after the kids. Far too many blokes forget that the kids will grow up and leave one day, and then it is far too late for themselves to prepare for their own life after work/family. Absolutely agree with you - the OP should make a legal separation agreement and let the wife go back to Thailand - if there is zero chance of saving the marriage - and if the Mother wants him to keep the kids. Win/Win.

Thought so - lucky bugger 😉 The rest of us are in limbo until this is clarified. It can be a pain having to pay taxes to USA when not even living there, but as this issue shows, having the 'big boy' on your side can be a huge advantage.

Yes - many times. Answers are everything from 'totally exempt' to 'potentially taxable income'. Reality is that the Thai RD will soon? release details advising what is and is not 'taxable income' as far as they are concerned - which pending any Court over-ruling that decision, is what matters. I understand that there are a few Thai people/companies currently developing appeals to the 'Tax Court' - but they may not be lodged if the Thai RD delays things for a while. Their main reason for appeals is that to change 30+ years of an accepted and ratified in Court method is both wrong and unfair (no time to adjust financial planning). That is the main reason Malaysia delayed this change being implemented for 5 years. IMO they are all waiting for PM Smiley to return form his business, trade, junkets and place some attention on this issue - besides being PM he is also the Finance Minister. Dont worry - but stay across the issue - maybe do some reading.

Again - what you are deciding is 'applicable' or 'taxable' under any DTA is exactly that - what you have decided. What matters is what the Thai RD decides - and they have not provided that information or details.

That is not your/my decision - the Thai RD is the sole arbitrator of what and what is not taxable income. If you disdagree with their decision you can appeal (must be 100% in Thai) and even then take it to Court (also 100% in Thai). One last time - BUT - if you are a USA Citizen ....... , then your income worldwide is taxed in USA, and the IRS enforces (imposes) that arrangement very strongly on all other countries (do not tax our citizens or else). This does not apply to citizens of any other country, that I am aware of. So you are fine (assuming you are American), but all other DTAs are not structured the same way (that I am aware of).

You have misunderstood how the Thai tax system works - it is not simply a matter of you deciding anything. IF you decide you are exempt and do not lodge a tax return - the Thai RD has the right and can review that decision - and they can do it going backwards for many years (7 I believe, but maybe more). IF you decide to lodge a tax return and IF the Thai RD does not agree with your 'decisions', they may decide to check further and review the matter - they could either let it go, or they will calculate what they think you owe, and either send you a bill (maybe), or request more information (more likely). From there it would be wise for anyone to seek legal/tax advice before responding. Under most tax laws, in most countries (not USA), a tax resident living in any country full-time is required to pay taxes on any earnings they have received anywhere in the world - using the DTAs to offset taxes alreasdy paid on earnings received in the source country. You can say 'but I did not bring that part to Thailand' , but that may still be liable to be taxed, and/or the Thai RD can decide 'no - you pay income tax'. Like yourself, I have a private source of money - savings and private super/pension fund. I will be seeing how things go going forward - and it could go either way. But I do know that it is not my decision - it is the Thai RD's decision. And right now, according to most pundits, any remittance into Thailand could be viewed as taxable income - and where it goes from there with the appliucation of DTAs and clarifications and exemptions is anyone's guess.

True. But it is an artform here in Thailand 🙂

I hear you, and I may have missed a few things, but I mainly disagree with you. The main thing going forward IMO should be himself, then his kids, and then maybe the wife/family. As I have said, in this situation, far too many men think of the kids first, second and third, and they do not think about themselves, and they sacrifice themselves and their future lives (Pattaya etc. is full of them). Women (the vast majority and definitely this one) think about themselves first and then the kids - and they do not care about the man - but they will not sacrifice themselves and their future life for the kids - they believe the kids are better with them no matter what they decide for themselves. owever, having said that, if it is clear that she does not want to save the marriage and that going back to Thailand would definitely not acheive that, then I agree do not do that. Likewise, if she does not want the kids to live with her but wants to go back to Thailand by herslef, then he should make a legal separation agreement which would include 'paying her off' so she can go back to Thailand.

I hear what you are saying, and I agree this is all about what could be happenning - not absolutely 100% what is going to happen. But, you are very wrong about the 61 DTAs - if this goes ahead in its current form and all money remitted into Thailand is taxable income, unless proven otherwise. If you think Thai RD will automatically not apply this new rule/interpretation for any money brought into Thailand from thos 61 DTAs then you are very wrong - obviously (tax avoiders will just use those countries). If you think it will simply be a matter of you/I saying 'IMO this is not taxable under DTA' then you are very wrong. How the DTA works is that when compiling our tax returns, we have to claim a 'credit' for taxes already paid in our DTA country - and substantiate that the tax has already been paid. The DTAs are created for businesses paying taxes, and for the people who are paid by those businesses - it is an extremely complex and difficult matter and not designed for people doing personal tax returns. I posted details all about DTAs (including websites and Thai RD rulings) a long long time ago in this thread, and I know a little bit about what I am talking about - as does several other posters here who know more. The issue now going forward is not about DTAs, it is about how this new rule/method will be implemented - if it goes ahead. As a few posters have said, if the Thai Govt does not delay implementation, this will be subject to a Court appeal. The current method has been ratified in the Tax Courts for over 30 years - Captain Smiley Picard cannot merely say 'make it so'. Please continue to 'debate' - this is a good thing because it is very much being 'noticed'. Imagine if after this change was announced, there was zero social media feedback and criticism by Expats. That this topic is getting so much interaction (clicks) on Asean Now (and others), means it is being noticed by a lot of people in the tax 'industry' in Thailand, and that is a good thing - the squeaky wheel and all that.

That is logical. But this is Thailand, and they will blame everything from gun killings, to boat disasters, to weather events, to global warming, to slow world economy, to slow China economy, to high Baht, to US China disputes, to Ukraine Russia war, to Israel Palestimne conflicts, to everything and anything - but they will never never ever blame themselves or their decisions.

If/when you move to Thailand - then I recommend you do the same - use cash only. Here everyone takes it and some places (vendors, markets) just dont use cards. Just be aware that an ATM withdrawal at any other bank outside your Province will charge 15 Baht, so make the withdrawal a large amount (same fee no matter amount of withdrawal).

Not for me thank you - hordes of noisy if nice people, heaps of traffic, no parking, ripoff prices - that is not my cuppa. This is my preferred type of location.

When transferring money over to my bank in Thailand, I am asked by Wise to declare the 'reason'. I cannot remember all of them, but it appears on the Thai bank statement/book as 'Foreign TT'. I always keep the amount under US$10K because that is the amount that triggers some 'reporting' requirements (post 9/11).

Story about an old mate -he married a Thai and took her home. After about 2-3 months they went to a big BBQ Thai event and there was a lot of 'single' Thai girls there - girsl outnumbered the blokes by 3-4 times. His wife was having a great time aughing and talking (in Thai) with many of the girls. While talking over a beer with a bloke he found out that all but one of the girls was married and had divorced their husband after living in Aust for 3-5 years - they all kept the kids and the house and most of the money - jackpot. So I will leave it to you to guess what happened to my old mate 3 years later - despite all the warnings. Yes there are very good ones, 3 mates of mine are very happy with their Thai wife after 10+ years, but they are not in the majority - they are not even close to half/half. It is all about good decisions/choices and luck - which is all about did you select the 'right' sort of person. I do hope you made a good decision and you are lucky. BUT please do have a Plan B - just in case - if it happens then you are prepared. Get legal advice and plan for it - that is best decision I ever made when I realised (from a mate) that something was wrong with my first marriage. Years later I 'escaped' with a much better deal that many others over the years - because I had prepared and was ready. Anyone saying dont go back to Thailand is wrong. If that is what she wants to do - then do it. If it makes her happy and makes your relationship get better - then do it. If it still fails, then your divorce (financial rape) in Thailand will be no where near as bad as in the west - you will be able to start again. If it aint broke, then dont fix it - is good advice. If it is broke, then fix it - is even better advice. If it cant be fixed, then either replace it or go without - best advice ever.

And that is exactly why it is probably so 'dangerous' for Expats - if they do it - because they will screw it all up. They will attempt to get that additinal money, and they will completely stuff it up, and some Expats will get caught in the net, and they will not be able to 'get out' - or at the very least they will have a lot of trouble and expenses and risk jail and deportation. Almost 50% of the Thai economy is 'black' - and they are desperate for money - they are very likely to screw it all up. Malaysia is far more 'organised' and when they implemented this same rule change back in 2021, then delayed implementation for personal income taxes for 5 years (2026), while they work out all the details and exemptions. Will Thailand clarify details before 2024, or delay implementation - I dont know. But if it goes ahead as is and with no more details and exemptions, then I can assure you that the Thai RD in 2025 will be seeking details from all banks about any account or person that transferred over XYZ Baht into the country in 2024. If they see anyone's account and no tax return, they will not hesitate to start asking questions - including for Expats. They will probably create a whole new team of Thai RD 'investigators' to check incoming remittances against tax returns - and just like the BS fed from TAT - they will justify their additional expenses by nailing as many people as they can - including Expats. My plan is to bring forward incoming remittances to this year, and then bring in the absolute minimum in 2024. If they declare that Expats must all do a tax return - then I will submit one claiming all the exemptions etc. If they say I must pay income taxes on the money brought in for 2024 - then I will pay, and then we will leave.

Yes they are very short sighted - both literally and figuratively. Hopefully someone in Thai RD and/or Cabinet will realise that 100,000 Expats bringing in an average of 1 Million Baht EVERY year, equates to 100 Billion Baht - or to put it another way - that equates to 2 Million 'high spending' Chinese Russian tourists they love so much for their money. But according to some sites there are approx 200,000 non-working Expats living in Thailand (they dont keep official numbers), and that equates to 4 Million 'high spending' Chinese Russian tourists - which they spend a small fortune through TAT to get - and they welcome with open arms, and 90 days exempt Visas, and the PM saying hello, etc etc etc. Meanwhile, in return for our 1 Million per year, we are all forced to 'report' every 90 days, complete TM30s, request 'permission to leave/re-enter and pay, request 'permission to stay another year. AND now it could be (not certain) that we are going to be forced to pay income taxes, unlike the Chinese Russian guests - but in return we get zero benefits or rights above what a Chinese/Russian tourist gets while they are in the country. Yes Thailand is short sighted and ignorant. Meanhwile Malaysia and Philippines (and other countries nearby) are offering me so much more. They dont all do all this following list, but they all have no income taxes, no 90 day reporting, no annual begging to stay (auto renew 5 years, plus another 5). Many of them also offer - customs duty exemptions on stuff brought into country, min sales tax on a new car, and a few others - and ............... wait for it (some countries) ............. the right to become a Resident and to buy a property with land (minimum value). My Thai wife has made it very clear - we are not going to pay close to 2 Million baht in income taxes over 15 years to Thailand for nothing in return. We will go live in a country nearby that gives me/us benefits in return for us living and spending all my money there. Or we will return to Australia and suck it up and just ignore all the woke left greenie crap. Although things may have started to turn in Australia - they just voted 'No Way' to giving the local Aborigines additional rights and benefits in the Constitution, despite all the MSM and all the woke lefty companies and organisations supporting it. Maybe we will go back earlier than planned.

Thanks - I always suspected that. If anyone thinks that the Thai Govt is not going to see that and try to get additional taxes from all tax residents in Thailand, to pay for all the election promises etc., then they are very much mistaken. This new change is a step in that direction - and if any Expat thinks it will absolutely 'not apply to me', then they are very mistaken twice. Only if and when the Thai RD issues clarifications and exemptions that specifically state that money brought into Thailand by long-stay Expats is not taxable income (given certain conditions), such as Malaysia and Philippines and others have done, then it would be wise not to ignore this matter and assume it will go away. Hopefully the Thai RD clarifications and exemptions will be issued soon, or they delay implementation like Malaysia did, but until then IMO it is best to 'watch this space'.

Ditto my last comment - stay away if this bothers you - it is totally voluntary to participate. But I think maybe you like being ............... difficult.