TroubleandGrumpy

Yes - that is exactly the issue - will I have to 'prove' the money I brought into Thailand was not income, and what will the Thai Banks do with those funds while I provide 'proof'. Will the funds be 'held' in an escrow type arrangement, awaiting proof? Will Thai Banks merely report the transfer and later the Thai Tax Department demands an explanation and requests me to come in and 'discuss' the situation? Yes I know, that is unlikely, but fining Expats 1900 Baht because a hotel failed to complete the TM30 happened to many people.

So far, from reading most of these posts and other internet opinions, it looks to me that the intent is to tax income brought into Thailand that was generated in previous Tax years, as opposed to the current situation where they taxed only the income generated overseas in 'this' tax year. Many people appear to have been 'holding' their income generated overseas in past years, and then bringing it in when it will not be taxed. That is not the issue for most Expats (eg. rental received from proprrty overseas). The question I have is - will my Pension and/or Savings be taxed when I bring them into a bank account in Thailand. I think this will be clarified soon enough - and I hope the answer is 'no' - otherwise we will be leaving Thailand. Another concern about this for me, which seems to have been overlooked, is will the Thai Banks apply the 'applicable' tax rate to funds received from overseas into the account of a non-citizen tax resident. Thai Banks do not pay interest to non-citizen tax residents on funds in their standard bank account, because of the taxation complications involved. I also am concerned about what Thai Banks might do with this 'taxation complication' when funds are transferred into Expats bank accounts from overseas. I assume until we get a formal/legal explanation of exactly what this 'rule interpretation' means, we are all in a state of limbo - and it is very serious, because many will leave if they do tax our pensions/savings. I am reminded of what happenned when the Junta decided to 'enforce' (interpret) the Immigration Laws a lot more harshly than they previously did. Their clampdown/enforcement of the TM30 rule (reporting overnight stays) was the last straw for me and we left Thailand earlier than planned (to get the Aust Pension). If this goes the way I am worried it will, then this time we will leave and never return (full-time). We came back after the Junta lost the election - I really hope that this is not the fire that we have jumped into (the pan was better).