TroubleandGrumpy

Australia the same - I get an annual statement and advice that I do not need to lodge a tax return because I am below the tax free threshold. However, I do on on-line for both myself and the Wife, so that I have an Annual Tax Return Statement that can be used for whatever purposes here in Thailand - they just love their paperwork here.

Agree - however, the 'professional' advisers here in Thailand are still in the dark too. Until TRD releases their '2024 tax guide' and details of how to lodge a tax return, then it is all speculation. It would be foolish to think that any advice regarding DTAs given in Thailand is absolutely correct. Unless tested in a Tax Court, all interpretations are not definitive (including TRD) and under this system here, it is known that both TRD and Another Party will seek a Court's advice on an interpretation, rather than TRD deciding, the Party appealing, and the matter going on and on. If things do go pear-shaped, I would also seek advice from professionals in the home country regarding that DTA - it is a Inter-country Agreement - it is not 'owned' by Thailand. Therefore, what certain Clauses and Words may mean, is not at the sole discretion of TRD. If tax officials from the other Country believe it means A but TRD states it means B - then they have to sort that out (not us).

Geraldo is the resident 'Democrat' on the Fox network and has been a Dems supporter for many years. That he thinks it was a disaster speaks volumes.

Here is more assessment - and this from a Democrat supporter. It was a disaster 'hail mary' that failed - only done because she is dying in the polls.

ROFLOL - unbelievable.

I also love Trump because he will end the war in Ukraine. Zelensky has just give a madness speech, saying that the only way to beat Russia was to give Ukraine full NATO membership and to allow them to launch long range missiles deep into Russia. This tin-pot madman is prepared to start WW3 in order to enslave Eastern Ukraine. It is not so obvious what Trump will do when POTUS, but he will de-escalate and then end the war in Ukraine. Most people in EU have had enough of this fake war and so has those in USA who are sick of funding it. The war was started by a dictator who saw no alternative to what was happening in Ukraine. If Trump was POTUS at the time IMO it would never have started. This territorial dispute could lead to WW3 if both the dictator and the tin-pot madman are not put in their places - and Trump is the man to do it. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd0z8gg5v14o

Nothing that you would understand or be able to accept with your cognitive bias.

No they will not get to anywhere near a million as they claimed. And that right there is the huge difference between western people and Thais - we remember those claims when it was launched (well many of us) - but Thais cant remember what they had for breakfast yesterday. The result is that they see/feel all these 'good news' stories, but they never remember them and challenge that the claims are all false. They think everything is great because they only remember the 'feel' from all the BS stories they are fed. They halved the LTR application fee and the result was SFA. They would definitely have to drop the bar a lot lower for the vast majority of interested people to apply. I mean a wealthy pensioner with $80K USD annual income - when the average Pension income in USA is under $30K USD and in both Australia and UK it is under $20K USD. Why would a retiree with an annual income over $80K USD come to Thailand - other than a holiday to one of the islands?? WTF would they live here full-time, when for that sort of money they can live full-time far closer to home and travel to wherever they want. Why not Singapore or Japan if they want to live in Asia - even Malaysia and Indonesia have better options than Thailand for that sort of money. The Thais are truly delusional - I agree with being Patriotic, but there is that and then there is simply delusional. The vast majority of retirees who come here do so because it costs a lot less to live here than back home - and the weather and people are much more friendly. We put up with all the BS and the corruption and crime etc etc etc., because we weigh up the pros and cons. Why would a wealthy pensioner come here full-time - other than someone that is a wealthy family member who wishes to remain citizen (Chinese?) - or someone with plenty of money to come and go as desired (criminal and/or tax evader).

Pardon? Dont understand.

True - but there are a lot of high end condos not being bought (demand is down). Plus they are not talking about how many wealthy expats have taken up the LTR (or highly paid Executives etc). Speculation is that they have been a failure, or they would definitely be doing what TAT always does and be claiming the wins. The Thai Elite Visa has also gone cold - ever since they upped the prices - IMO because they have no exemptions from any taxes that will/may be implemented. And of course the absolute disaster after the election, the MFP being disbanded, the PM being sacked, etc etc etc. Thailand is throwing away a lot of things - and this time the Chinese aint coming to save them because they have enough problems of their own.

If 50+ and retired and you have over $80K USD income the year before apply, or $40K USD and spend $250K on bonds or property in Thailand. Not many fall under that bar - and that exemption is likely to be challenged/checked in Court by TRD once global taxation commences in a few years.

You mean like the Dems and Biden-Harrris did in 2020? Weaponising the DOJ and FBI against Trump and any of his Allies they copuld nail for any charge. Like they did in NY and DC with those Kangaroo Court trials? Yes he will and yes he will nail their butts to the wall. Just remember - your team started it - so get ready.

Dare I say it - they will be coming after all to pay more taxes - including us - but the wealthy elite will duck and weave their way under, over and around it.

Wow - you remind me of Kamala - that was one big word salad. I am sure you believe it - but it aint right - none of it. And no I am not going to 'prove' my opinion with a Harvard sanctioned research study - they are too busy planning protests after Trump wins.

Yes there is - you obviously have no idea how Constitutional Law works. The 2022 challenge resulted in the ruling that there is no provision for any particular Health services in the USA Constitution. In order to change that back, it would require a legal issue that challenges that interpretation of the Constitution. Do you know that Dobbs was a Govt employee that refused to allow an abortion under that State's Laws and was taken to Court by the Planned Parenthood abortionists - it sure did not turn out the way they wanted. The SCOTUS ruled that it was a State right to control Health issues, as per the Constitution. Everyone got 2016 wrong - a bookie in UK paid out before the election date. This time around they have learned not to read the tea leaves with such 'certainty' which also means Trump is actually well in front. A lot of people voted for Hillary as a means of supporting her to win, because they thought it was a 'good bet' - they have also learned their lesson too. What is irrelevent to some is value to another - Pigs and Pearls - One man's meat........ etc etc etc..

There is the abortion issue - perhaps Harris is saving that for last. She will need it as a last desperate move to get more female votes. But the truth is that the intelligent females on both sides know the POTUS cannot change the SCOTUS decision, and that it can only be overturned if it is challenged under the Constitution, and that all the SCOTUS did was to return the issue to the States where it belongs because it is a Health issue, not a 'rights' issue. But the stupid ones? They are voting Harris anyway. Polls under reporting Dem votes would be a new one - it is usually the other way around. Certainly not impossible, but that is why IMO it is about the betting where real money is on the line. If Trump wins the bookies will be paying out big, but if Harris wins they will be making a big profit. But in politics 24 hours is a long time - anything can happen and some things will happen - but time is running out for Harris. She is so desperate she wants the Fox controlled debate - but Trump knows he does not need it - she does, as a 'hail Mary'.

And still no proof he said it - and where that was and when it was. But I think he will certainly halve it and quickly within his term as POTUS, from the peak level it was under Biden-Harris. BY the way what was that peak level for gas in USA under Biden-Harris? Yes we all have our retarded cousins we dont associate with. Like those demonstrators for Gaza, and all those radical Trans nutters, and all Pink/Blue haired nutters, and other very 'undesirable' people, who will be voting for Harris. I think that they will cancel each other out and thus the real/normal People will decide who becomes POTUS.

Trump opened up a 10-point lead in the Real Clear Politics betting average on Sunday, his largest lead over Harris and the largest lead any candidate has enjoyed since the former president’s 10-point lead on July 31. Trump opens up largest betting lead since days after Biden dropped out | Fox News Within that article is a snippet from CNN with an election 'expert' who notes that Trump has a far higher than history vote level within Black and Hispanic groups, while Harris has a far higher than history level within College graduates. I would say that will play out that way as the liberals (especially women) will support Harris no matter what. But will if be enough - I think the betting polls show that most 'ordinary' people will be voting Trump and that will overcome Harris' woke liberal female College students/grads. The people who demonstrated in favour of Hamas will not be voting for Trump - we all know that.

True - but when a western man comes to Thailand and lives with a girl for 12 months, they are not technically married under Thai law and she cannot sue for divorce and get a chunk of his money. Likewise, if he comes here and marries her and they are together for years, the marriage laws are clear - they both keep what they started with and the rest is 50/50. That changes if any of his kids are involved - but not if they are her kids from a previous marriage/relationship. The marriage laws here are very much more fair to men, than what we have to suffer in our home countries. And most of us have suffered, and that is one reason many are here.

Yes we should both write a letter to the Bangkok Post and complain - that will make a difference and get things fixed 😁

I feel no disadvantage not knowing what Thais are saying - I am not paranoid and I do not need to know. I only utilise the professional services of those Thais that can speak English (Doctors, lawyers, etc etc) and most can. If you noticed, your wife's ID card and Passport and most road signs are in Thai and English and it is everywhere in this country - it is the official second language of Thailand, and the unofficial main language of the World. I do take notice of what Expats say - especially those that have been here much longer - might not agree with them, but I do take notice - there is always something to learn here. I trust my Thai wife 100% and know she will always do what is best for me and us - sounds like you do not. You clearly have a problem with men who trust their Thai wife and do what they say in public - get over it. English is the easiest language to learn (look it up for why) and Thai is one of the hardest for an English speaker. Yes I know a lot more than hi/bye, and Thais do appreciate that, but your reasoning is flawed and dare I say - paranoid.

I agree - it has been artificially high for a long time, and even more so since the Junta took over in 2014. IMO it is long overdue for a large correction, and that it is due for a big fall. Currency Peak>2000 Sept 2015 Sept 2024 Now USD 45.6 36.3 32.7 33.3 EUR 52.6 40.5 36.1 36.3 YPN 0.40 0.31 0.22 0.22 GBP 75.2 55.1 43.3 43.5 AUD 32.9 25.5 23.2 22.4 AUDTHB Australian Dollar Thai Baht - Currency Exchange Rate Live Price Chart (tradingeconomics.com) (Click on 25Y and that gives you a 25 year summary) (Enter USDTHB in the search bar above chart - and click on that 25Y comparison.) Certainly it wont go back down to its peak value post 2000, but there is a correction coming and despite the elite/wealthy wanting and pushing it higher by whatever means they can, it is due a big fall - 15-20% I would say. IMO the longer they delay the fall, the quicker and greater the fall will be. BOT should be managing the decline, rather than holding it back. With regards to 'interference' with the BOT, there is some argument that any Govt should not interfere with the decisions made by the Central Bank. But that only holds water if the Central Bank is not corrupt and being 'manipulated' by others. IMO that is not the case with any Govt organisation in Thailand - and I have no reason to think the BOT is also not being 'encouraged' to do what the wealthy/elite want. IMO the PM should also take that view, and therefor sack the BOT Board and appoint Members to that position who will 'do as they are told'. I say that because the Govt is accountable to the People and if they get it wrong, and if the economy goes the wrong way, they will be 'punished' by the People. The BOT Board are unaccountable, but I have no confidence that they are not corrupted, or that they are only doing what is best for the People. Certainly the Govt must not interfere on a daily or monthly basis, but if the BOT is directed by the Govt to lower interest rates and to also lower the Baht, then they should comply - their discretion should only be by how much and how quickly.

I had to replay it a twice before understanding what they said - distracted for some reason. Yes their speaking was not clear, but their skin was very clear white and nice 😁

I can see what you are saying and understand. Definitely in the west they are more that way than they were in the 60s/70s. However, IMO many dont start that way - they get 'influenced' - and that is what screws them up. Here in Thailand the good ones seem fairly impervious to the self-centred feminism driven BS. They want to look slim and healthy with a nice face and with good figures. That wish for beauty has been mostly driven out by the fat ugly feminists in the west who portrayed that ideal as exploitation of women driven by the patriarchy who want them to look 'young and attractive' (and men now win beauty contests). Same with prostitution - they blame the men and say they are exploiting the women, when the truth is it is the other way around. A good looking guy can stand on walking street all he wants, but the only 'attention' will come from the gay men. Women exploit men's desires for financial reward - that is the reality - always have and always will - and that is the way it should be - to say it is anything else (slaves/kids aside of course) is feminist BS. I say congrats to those males who left that cesspool of feminist driven BS and travelled to those places around the world lik Thailand, where their money is not exploited by feminists who marry them, and where they can use that money to be with young attractive girls/women who are feminine and lovely. There are a lot of men who would rather just suck it up, than do something about it - well done to those brave enough to 'quit'. I know one guy that was married 4 times and 'financially raped' each time. Now he is living tough on the Pension with SFA to his name, and the kids he 'paid for' rarely ever make contact with him. I knew another one that was totally loyal and after retiring he and the wife were basically their kid's baby sitters - and he thought it was great ( we agreed to disagree - he was a good bloke). The wife divorced him suddenly a few years ago and he was shattered - ended up living poor and died within a year - broken heart and alcohol does that to a man. And I have quite a few other stories too - I was involved with Lone Fathers Association - and not one of them is a story where the woman was being screwed over by the system. Question for all the male feminists and pretenders here - Why is it that when a woman divorces a man she 'contributed' to his wealth and deserves to be 'compensated' for the rest of her life - but when she divorces a criminal (or he is caught and sent to prison for life), she had nothing to do with it and is in now way involved or accountable?? The answer is obvious to those that have 'seen' the truth - and it happens a lot - a lot lot more than you think. Men dont go on tiktok and complain about things, like women do. Wake up boys.

When in a mall or a petrol station or any other pubic place it is obvious where the men's toilets are - both by the signs and the people walking there - and I have no fear about going around the back. When in someone's house I ask them or the wife. The Thai language is extremely difficult for anyone to learn who grew up using an European language - the tonal nuances etc etc are extremely difficult to learn and say (like rice and eleven and 's' to them). Sure we can learn some phrases to get by (where toilet etc.) and learn the numbers, but learning to speak Thai so you can talk to Thai strangers - extremely difficult. I was starting to learn when I met an Expat in CM who said 'dont do it too much'. He said that when you understand what they are saying to each other it will be both frustrating and annoying. They talk absolute immature khrapp and they often talk about the falang assuming that you dont understand - he wishes he could turn it off. Good advice IMO.