TroubleandGrumpy

Small Toyota or Honda - best value and most reliable.

Buy a cheap old used phone (small one) - they have audio player app inbuilt and plenty power. Delete all apps that you dont need - turn off most settings - dont connect a SIM - download MP3 files to it using laptop/usb. MP3 players are expensive these days - everyone uses their phones.

Agree - it is just people sharing their opinions and ideas. Those complaining about all that 'noise' should just bury their heads a little deeper and cover their ears, and stop complaining about our discussions. Tax Certificate at Immigration - that comment was also made by a tax consultant on their website (forgot which one - too many). They said that if/when the Immigration Dept asks for a 'tax certificate' (or something to show a tax return was completed), then we all know that it is 'game over' and all Expats on long term Visas will all have to lodge a tax return every year. That IMO is the critical nexus point - Will the Thai RD state that Expats are exempted on the basis that the money they bring into Thailand is Pensions and/or Savings (yeehaa) - or will they state that Expats must lodge a tax return and prove to their satisfaction that the money they bring into Thailand is Pensions and/or Savings (bugger) - or will they continue to say nothing and continue to leave us in the dark and waiting. As that recent good article in the Pattaya Mail about Thailand becoming less of a popular places for Retirees states: "That’s no way to run a taxation system or to market a country to the outside world." Thailand’s popularity as a retirement destination nearing crunch point - Pattaya Mail

Arrive and stay at one place for 2-3 days and walk to mall/beach - great. Drive there and park in standard hotel and then get around for 2-3 days - not great. Maybe next year.

Hit the golf ball further and straighter - and sink more putts - same as every year.

No. Except for cars - I have level 2+ and that includes medical costs in an accident (me and others). Medical Insurance in Thailand is IMO too risky (payout) and too expensive (especially after 60 and then it goes up and up). We self insure - have a separate bank account with money in there only for a medical problem - plus use that for the annual renewals. Put into that account every year about the same that insurance would cost. If in 10 years we have never used it, the money is still ours to do as we wish.

Back to the topic at hand:-

Ring the Thailand Embassy in whatever country you are located, and/or want to go to next, and ask them can you get a 60 day Visitor Visa there (say you are staying there). I am sure both Indonesia and Malaysia will be able to do that. When there extend stay by 30 days at Hua Hin Immigration Office, 3-4 days before it expires.

Ever since I first visited Thailand in 2010 there has been many Govt people say that they will address this inequity bla bla bla - the latest one being a bloke at TAT. Nothing ever happens because the entire Thai bureaucracy has the 'Picard Syndrome'. They all think that by saying the matter is going to be fixed (make it so) the problem has been fixed. There are far too many Generals and Chiefs in Thailand who talk about it, but no where near enough people who actually get things done. Richard Barrow actually lists them all - he has been campaigning agianst this for years. Home | 2PriceThailand

Yes - that is the rules and yes a tax consultant will tell you that you must lodge a tax return (with them). Until this current rule change, in Thailand the same thing applied, but retired Expats we excepted. How to Retire in Indonesia - SmartAsset | SmartAsset Indonesia are currently in the processes of making that standard approach (not taxing retired Expats) official - as per those links I sent. But yes, right now 'technically' the rules are not that - just the precedent - so I guess you are right 'technically' and I am wrong.

No person in Indonesia under their Retirement Visa has ever been charged/required to lodge a tax return for any money they brought into the country. I hear you and understand that 'technically' they have tax laws that could be interpreted the way you say, but I understand that the Indonesia Tax Dept previously stated (over 10 years ago) that Retired Expats who bring money into Thailand do not have to pay income tax. I have given up trying to find that - but when I was comparing Retirement Visas for Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia back in 2010, that was the case back then. Since then Malaysia has implemented these tax changes, but have also excluded Retired Expats in their MM2H Visa. Thailand has implemented these tax changes - and the issue is - will they exclude retired/married Expats or not - because if they do not then we are included. The Philippines has not implemented these tax changes, but they have stated in their PRA Visa that retired Expats will never be taxed on money they bring into the country - I think that is as good as you are going to get to show if/when they make the tax changes they will exclude retired Expats. Thailand never specifically stated that retired/married (non working) Expats on long term Visas were excluded from income tax - it was just a matter of 'precedence'. But now they need to state it, because if they do not state it, that means they will apply income taxes to all money Expats remit into Thailand - unless that Expat can prove the money was from a source and/or in a form, that is not taxable. Until the Thai RD provides clarifications on Compliance and Enforcement as far as this change effects retired/married Expats, then that means that we are liable to pay income tax on money rtemitted into Thailand. While I almost agree with many people who say they will, I am not making my financial decisions for 2024 based on that hope. I will not be bringing into Thailand during 2024 the amount of money that I normally do each year (I have already brought in extra money this month). My Pension payments will be remitted into Thailand in 2024 but nothing else - and I will see how that pans out, before deciding whether to stay or leave before July 2025. If the Thai RD during 2024 releases clarifications that mean retired/married Expats brining money into Thailand are not subject to income tax, then all will be good.

Fair enough - my bad.

I understand what it meant - all good.

Yes that is a serious problem as far as I see it - the costsd and problems of lodging a tax return to prove that the money I remit into Thailand is not taxable - and then WTF do I do if the Thai RD decides I do have to pay iincome taxes. And therein lies the 'rub' - as things stand right now (no clarifications or execemptions) until I lodge a tax return and get the Thai RD decision, I dont know if I will have to pay income taxes on the money I remitted into Thailand during the previous Thai tax year. Only after March 2025 I will know if the money I brought into Thailand in 2024 will be taxed. Uncertainty at its extreme - hope at its utmost. Plus of course - if I do pay income taxes - what do/will I get for that?? Answer = ZERO.

So you think that when someone agrees with you they are 'right' and that is the way things really are? Interesting. Yes - go back to doing things like riding a bike without a helmet, and not thinking or planning ahead. No - because other people take things seriously and plan ahead just in case everything is not fine, does not mean they are wrong. Enjoy your life - but please leave me and the others here out of it.

Just looking at those last few posts - I must admit I have no idea why I talk to dheads that in a pub/club I would never go anywhere near. Problem solved through the use of the blocking service. Some people just cannot agree to disagree.

They did tighten things up - not quite as much as that, but definitely tighter. However, you are right - this is the 'danger' of living overseas in another country - and ait is lso why it is wise not to buy a property but to rent.

If you are not worried about this new rule, then perhaps you should be. The reality is that for many years the Thai RD did not want Expats to lodge tax returns because under the previous rules they were probably tax exempt and they (like all Thai bureacrats) did not want all the extra work. However, there has been a few (very few) retired/married Expats lodging tax returns -= if you believe their posts in this thread. However even with all that, the new rules, and current lack of clarification regarding where long-term retired Expats stand, means that all Expats who bring money into Thailand will be required to either pay income taxes, or prove that the money was earned before 1 Jan 2024. Not lodging a tax return in the past was OK, because that was the Thai RD decision, but under this new rule that may not be the case after 1 Jan 2024 - we do not know. But I do know this, you do not screw with the Tax Dept in any country. If all Expats are supposed to lodge a tax return if we remit money into Thailand and we dont, that in itself is finable offence. Then there is the 2% interrest per month on any money we should have paid in income taxes, plus whatever other penalties the Thai RD may throw at us. And the Tax Dept could go back in time many years (to 1 Jan 2024) if they wanted to - so in 2030 will we be 'caught' and nailed to the cross? Who knows what will happen, because the Thai RD has not yet stated whether retired/married Expats are required to pay income taxes on the money they remiot into Thailand (or do we have to prove it is not taxable). Not saying it will definitely be a problem - but as it stands today - it very well could be and remaining across the issue would be wise.

Indonesia has been making changes recently and they dont tax the 'imported' income of retirees - as it stands they dont require retired expats to lodge a tax return and although they technically could impose taxes on Retired Expats - they do not. Indonesia plans sweeping tax reforms for 'expatriate' income, dividends, penalties - Business - The Jakarta Post Income Tax For Foreign Retirees ? - Living In Indonesia Expat Forum (livinginindonesiaforum.org) One thing to keep in mind when researching all this stuff is that a search for Expats Tax - even Retired Expats Tax - will give most responses targetted at Working Expats (either employed or in a business) because those companies pay Google. Retired Expats are a completely different kettle of fish - their Visa prohibits working or running a business so they dont earn money in any country and are therefore 'excluded' from having to lodge a tax return. But most websites offering advice and services refer to 'Expats' when in fact they are only talking about those who work or have a business - who do obviously have to pay income taxes.

Malaysia did it a few years ago - they delayed implementation for a few years for personal income taxes (not businesses) and they made an exemption for many people, including retired Expats living in the country. I previously posted in this thread all about that a long time ago (last month?) - sorry aint going on another hunt to find all that again (should have kept links I know).

Another troll - mate of lou or same bloke - either way, go troll someone else - and get a life. If both of you are reading this - look up cognitive bias - you both (or one and same) dont listen - you think what you think is correct and nothing will 'correct' that - like a woke teenage girl.

Wrong - but I have said all I will say in last reply - go troll someone else - and get a life MATE.

Obnviously I was referring to residential banks - like ther banks in Thailand I/we use - which is what the OP was talking about. Go away and troll someone else - and get a life mate - try marrying a Thai girl - far less frustrating than buying it.

ROFLOL - Your are serious arent you?? Go use Google young man - all will be revealed. I aint your nurse or nanny. Look at the Bangkok Bank website in USA - or any anywhere else. Come back with proof if you find they have full unrestricted banking licences for residential banking business - offering accounts to US Citizens and all that. If you do I will accept that and stand corrected. Now - did you read those articles in Asean Now. Did you Google the other websites for similar stories. I bet not. Prove me wrong. Tomorrow anytime is fine.

I agree - the announcement 162/2023 was released probably to ensure that those who had investments that earned interest in 2023 would not have to pay taxes when the money was remitted in 2024. I hope it applies for all money before 2024, but maybe not. The Condo purchase was an example to show how uncertain the current situation is and unless that is corrected and clarified, what Expat would risk bringing in money after 1 Jan 2024 to make a large purchase. Yes - if I wanted to do it I would do it now and not later - but doing it in 2024 or any future year under the current uncertainty is unwise. And IMO not planning to be able to leave Thailand if/when it all goes to khrapp when they completely stuff thisd all up is also unwise. The Philippines Retired Expat Program guarantees that they will not tax any money you bring into the country - and you dont have to report to the Police every 3 months etc etc. Malaysia and Indonesia also have reasonable Retired Expat programs, but they aint for those living only on a Pension. Being close enough to be able to visit, but not long enough (<180 days) to have to pay income taxes on money remitted into Thailand, is definitely an option. The Philipppines also has very good air quality compared to other SEAsian countries. Bali in Indonesia and Penang in Malaysia are OK too. Cambodia has some Expat Visas now, and given how cheap that place is, spending 180+ days there and under 180 in Thailand in any calendar year, is an option for many of those on a Pension. Surely the Thai Govt will realise they risk losing a lot of money from Expats, both those here now and those not coming, unless they address this matter positively. Surely they see that it is stupid to offer Expat Visas to come live in Thailand, but then to tax the money that they bring into Thailand. But as the great man said - 'I have no idea, and dont call me Shirley'. A bloke in Aust said on one of the Aussie forums, that he asked the Embassy if the 800K he had to place in Thailand bank account would be taxed by the Thai RD in 2024 - he was advised they did not know and that he would have to ask the Thai RD. Surely or Shirley - no one knows what they will be doing.