TroubleandGrumpy

Good advice - except there is no need to use their cloud services. I have never let either Google of MSoft control and own my data. I back up all info to my local drive and also to an external drive - and that includes all kept emails and files and photos and vids etc etc etc. That is the only way to ensure someone else cannot deliberately or accidentally delete all my documents and files. If anyone seriously breaches their rules, they can and will cancel your account/s and delete all your files - legally they are not yours - they own them when you use their cloud services (in the Ts & Cs no one reads).

As we say in Aussieland - you Lucky Bugger - well done mate.

Agree. Plus put 20-50K aside each year and build up a pool of funds. Before long you have enough to cover most things - or at least a big enough deposit to cover an emergency, while you pull more into Thailand to pay it off. 50K a year sounds great - but the premiums go way higher as you age - and if you make a claim the premiums accelerate even more. PS - get a newer bike/car and get 1st class insurance with medical coverage (max 200K for a bike) in case of an accident - way cheaper than standard medical insurance and more likely to be what you need an emergency hospital for anyway.

Sad to know that some Expats are in that situation and have no cooking facilities - but I think most just dont want to bother and stick to buying because it is easier.

Buy the ingredients and cook it yourself - or get cooking lessons - or hook up with a Thai girl that cooks it for you. Best food I have ever eaten in my life - fitter and healthier than ever was when eating that fatty carbo loaded western sheite food. Last time back homer ordered a salmon meal - 2 of the friends also had it and they loved it - the Thai wife and I were very polite - but later we both said it was sheite.

I tend to agree with you overall, but most of the Expats I know in Thailand are not in that position. They are living in a house they bought (for wife) and enjoying life as much as possible given their health and financial siuation. They recognised long ago that the 'George Best lifestyle' never lasts - there is more to life than just alcohol and sex when one gets older (if they want to get older). Some of us are in a position of being able to go back home when the health and/or money become an issue - but some of us are not - but either way life is short, and you are where you are for many reasons (so own it).

Agree 100% - But an edit if I may - Perhaps, though, these types might not end up living in Thailand in their old-age. Perhaps, though, these types might not end up living alone in Thailand in their old-age. Some blokes were so financially wrapped that they decided to never let it happen again, which meant saving up money and retiring early to live in a country with marriage laws that were not written by woke feminist gender studies beetches and designed to allow women to financially screw over a man with impunity.

And keep it in a Super account, and the return is about twice that amount in a savings account - and tax free too.

The OP is right - and you just proved it (me too).

As always many of the posters here have no idea exactly what they are talking about. As usual I should just shut up and ignore them, but today I have decided to respond. Firstly - I do not like the Shins. I think all Thainese mega rich families in Thailand need to be reined in and also stopped from being in politics. The Junta Govt that many hate overthrew Yingluck and hit her with a BS charge and she was found guilty by those they appointed to the roles (they are mostly still there). Putting aside the issue - the core matter is that Yingluck as PM was responsible for a 'vote buying' scheme that ended up being a disaster and cost the country a lot of money. BUT she did not personally gain anything (other than votes) - it was a terrible idea that some of her underlings took advantage of - as they do here. She was not found guilty of corruption and receiving any financial gain - she was found guilty of a very bad decision done for political purposes. If all politicians are later charged for any decision they make that ends up costing the country money - then politicians will not make any decisions at all going forward. There are articles in both Khaosod and Bang Post criticising this decision because it sets a precedent that in the future those responsible for creating the 10K Baht handout could be charged and fined billions if it is found out that the handout was a waste of money and there was corruption and the scheme had a bad outcome.

They are all beholding to and/or members of rich Thainese families

Well I dont fully agree - but unlike those with the more severe second bout of <removed>, at least he does not make it all about Trump. I sometimes wonder if they know how close they are to being gender studies women? They use their cognitive bias and blame men Trump for everything !!

I could not have said it any better - so I will just add :- Slim attractive feminine women everywhere No fat ugly aggressive feminist women everywhere Tradesmen not great, but they are very very cheap Cheap movies in theatres without annoying loud Gen Z morons on their phones No need to drive a car with your eyes locked on the speedo in case you go 3-5Ks over some BS speed limit Makro and Markets - mostly good quality and very cheap Police that can and will shoot criminals who resist - complaints by criminals ignored Police that can and will take a 'quiet tip' to forgive a traffic violation Doctors willing to prescribe what they think will work - complaints it did not work are ignored TV/Movies advertisements that are normalising the lives of 'alternative' people as a 'message' TV/Movies that are not full of 'other cultures' and no DEI BS - only Thais Cheap airfares around the country - cheap hotels - cheap taxis/ubers Overall a great sense of 'freedom' to live my life the way I want to live my life (within reason) No Nanny State and No Welfare State Free hospital treatment (for wife and her family)

Went to Pattaya a while ago and most of the single old men walking around looked like their Mother and Dog had just died. I also see that in many Expats in other places too - not so many is one spot though. I think they are just unhappy and grumpy - glad I will never be that way - enjoy life I say, before you know it one day .............

Try again. Tax Free ........... in Malaysia. You want to avoid all income taxation world wide then I suggest you move to Monaco.

Read it again slowly. Malaysia does not hit the money that retired Expats bring into Malaysia - they extended that deal for another 10 years earlier this year.

Yes indeed - Thailand is not Robinson Crusoe in that regard. Played golf last year with a couple late last year who were in the process of moving from Spain to Portugal (used to live here and visiting old friends) because Spain decided to change their Immigration Rules from this year, and also dropped many of the benefits of the Visa that they had enjoyed for a few years. Portugal responded by saying to Brits and Others - 'you and your money are more than welcome here' - so they started the process to move. They are AOK with moving - they have a place in England the kids are currently looking after - they smelt of money and moving was clearly easy for them.

Never having transferred 20 Million Baht before myself - so like 99% of Expats I have no idea.

I know one and he says there are others there, and they aint coming back - Thailand blew it and now it is too late. His point is why come back and only have the same sort of sheitee happen in 2 years. Life is too short. No 90 days in Philippines, no Tm30, can leave and come back anytime, and they say annual renewal is a doddle. And much more Philipinos speak English than Thais. Has a bit of a Yankie feel to it too - like Chiang Mai and somewhat Udon Thani.

Ask your tax lawyer - 20 Million Baht (450 GPB) to move around and you dont have one? Sure mate.

You the third person to say about the same thing on this forum - The Philippines actually welcomes Expats and makes them feel welcome. I knew two blokes who moved there many years ago and they warned me Thailand would be 'trouble' - they were right. Thailand is overall better than Philippines, especially for us that have a wife and house here, but as somewhere to spend most of the year and visit Thailand for under 180 days, it is one of the best options in SEAsia. Malaysia is also good to Expats - but they set the bar a bit higher. Cheapest is probably Vietnam - but only if they ever go ahead with their Retirement Visa (Golden Deal or whatever).

Right now it seems we have 2 years to wait and see if/when a global tax system starts, and what it means for Expats. Until then, anything about what they will do or will not do is speculation - OK to plan ahead, but yet again, wait for the details in the land of ever changing hubs and harebrained ideas.

That is their plan - as stated by a senior TRD Official in a recent youtube video. But will they get it completed and implemented by then - who knows. Clearly their decision in late 2023 to tax 2024 remittances with 3 months notice, was a stupid and (as usual here) ill conceived and thought out. A huge amount of remittances did not happen last year and earlier this one - so now they are offering a 2 years 'freebie' because they desperately need the money coming into the country. Jan 1 2027 start of the tax year is their plan for a global system - but that is a long way away time in Thai politics and I doubt they will get it finished in time. If you have money that you can bring into Thailand this year and next year, then (assuming this applies to all Tax Residents) then make hay while the sun shines IMO (once passed). It might still be shining in 2027 and beyond - who knows. Hopefully, they will also recognise that people looking to bring their money back into Thailand, want a far better exchange rate than at present - therefore maybe they will 'encourage' the Baht to drop in value. Who knows what these clowns will do - but I will wait for the Baht to go down before bringing any larger amounts into Thailand in 2025 and 2026 - if/after this new decree is passed.

Blocked - life is too short

Doing banking without smartphones is easy - card, ATM, cash etc (and secure) - no problemo with or without. Getting the news without smartphones is also easy - no problemo with or without . Stopping the negatives of Social Media - that is a good reason to get rid of smartphones. But it aint gonna happen.