TroubleandGrumpy

Yes it is clearly the right decision for you to take. I just dont know why you keep having to prove that to me. For me it is not the right option - yet.

We are referring to Baht.

Yes - the issue was tax havens that do not tax their tax resident's incomes - I was only talking about countries who are 'tax havens'. There are many different taxation systems - those 10 are the tax havens (no income taxes). If you look at the list in the link below from Wikipedia, the vast majority use a residential based system, and the majority tax global income. There are over 25 countries that tax locally earned income of foreigners, but not their foreign income (with some catches and gotchas). Thailand is the only one in that list that only taxes foreign earned income when it is remitted into Thailand.

If Thaksin does not return before the court case and he is found guilty, then he will not return and it is just a matter of time before they fade away because PT will be destroyed at the next election. If he comes back and is found not guilty, he and the family will remain a thorn in their sides. The Shinawatras have a lot of axes to grind after 3 direct and 3 indirect PMs they put in place were removed by Courts/Coups. IMO the best thing for the country is for Thaksin to stay away and for the family to focus on their businesses and wealth generation. Speaking of the next election, IMO it will become more of a 2 Party system going forward. Anutin will form an alliance between Bhumjaithai with the Monarchy and Military Parties, and over time and several elections Bhumjaithai will 'absorb' those other Parties (Formal Coalitions) and they will become the main 'conservative' Party. Peoples Party will dominate at the next elections, and over time they will do the same and absorb PT and others and become the main 'progressive' Party. IMO at some time in the future, like most western democracies are now, it will become a choice between two basic options - the Conservatives and the Progressives. Thaksin and PT will be a distant memory.

Ditto - I left and came back on a 3 month non-immigrant type O Visa to 'visit family' - then 12 month extensions ever since. The only downside to O Visa is the 90 day reporting and the annual extensions which can be a serious pain in the butt. This year I am converting from marriage to retirement - I do not want another effin tinpot general coming to our house and giving me a 15 min self-important lecture on how lucky I am to be able to live in Thailand - in Thai (translated by Wife). Yes - up here in KK they visit the house for a marriage extension - a Expat in the Office while I was waiting said they do every year and another one confirmed it. That was the driver to looking into the LTR Visa - everywhere else I have lived in Thailand they have never visited the house and given me a lecture - it was unbelievable. The Wife said later she was worried I was going to tell him to eff off.

Best to ask BOI those questions - they are good and will answer via email within a day or two (want the business). Go to their website and contact section - fill-in the online enquiry form and 'send'. They dont like receiving emails, so if you have follow ups you need to do that via the online website way again.

Yep. But only an idiot would do it that way. The wife buying things in the wife's name is the key - house, car, furniture, expenses, etc. You still have to bring in your own money and be able to account for spending it. But as any fool would know - the TRD would be asking the Wife questions - because the money came into the country in her name and into her bank account/s.

Thanks - that is very interesting. So the insurance is not global insurance from here in Thailand, but from in Europe. Does that mean you have a European address and obtained it while there or visiting? I did not know that someone in Thailand could get global health insurance (not travel insurance) from a European office - I assume you must have an address in Europe. Unfortunately, I only have an Aussie address and insurance companies in Australia only provide health insurance within Australia - anything outside Australia has to be travel insurance. The Govt controls pricing and availability, and that is why it is only available within Australia.

You quoted me out of context - I was explaining what that would mean from my earlier statements. But yes I should have written if/when like I have on many other occasions. But it is coming IMO - unless you have a royal decree that states they never will, then they can - and IMO they will. Yes there is absolutely no guarantee Thailand will implement a global taxation system. But IMO it is not wise to only plan based on what has been presented for Royal Approval. There is a period in between when something is 'coming' and IMO it is coming. Yes I could be wrong. Thailand has implemented a 15% Global Minimum Tax (GMT) on multinational enterprises (MNEs) from January 2025, aligning with over 130 countries. This is just part of the changes to their taxation system that Thailand is implementing. Thailand Global Minimum Tax In 2025 | Acclime https://thailand.acclime.com/news/global-minimum-tax/ Proposed Taxation of Worldwide Income in Thailand | RSM Thailand https://www.rsm.global/thailand/news/proposed-taxation-worldwide-income-thailand Recently, the TRD announced in a newspaper[1] that they are preparing to amend the law to adopt a new rule to impose personal income tax on all worldwide income accrued by Thai taxpayers. This new rule would allow the TRD to collect tax from any Thai tax resident who derives foreign-sourced income, even if they do not bring such income into Thailand. Tax Alert: Proposed Adoption of New Overseas Income Rules | Grant Thornton https://www.grantthornton.co.th/insights/tax-alert-proposed-adoption-of-new-overseas-income-rules/ Now please dont accuse me of scaremongering - you stated that it does not happen until it does happen - I am stating that IMO it is happening (TRD is working behind the scenes as the TRD Officer said).

You been here long ?? The Thai Govt is always backtracking things - everything - including taxation rules. Check out their backflip when they decided to tax all remittances after Jan 1 2024 - the disaster we all predicted happened and they canned that rule change. If you are actually asking about the LTR Decree that holders do not pay income taxes on income remitted into Thailand, then that is not changeable because it is a decree - unless they make a decree to over turn that decree (very rare). However, the issue is not that decree, it is that the decree is for 'income remitted into Thailand' under the current Taxation system. Thailand does not currently tax the income of its tax residents that is earned overseas - only when it is brought into Thailand. A global taxation system taxes all income earned globally, whether it is remitted or not. No one knows for sure if that same LTR exemption will be extended to include income earned overseas that is not remitted into Thailand. If that is the case and the BOI/Immigration get that approved - Thailand will become another tax haven where Thai tax residents can earn money world wide and not have to pay any income taxes in other countries - for a one off fee of 50K Baht for a period of 10 years. There are 10 countries that currently do that - Kuwait, Monaco, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Bahamas, Bahrain, Brunei, Cayman Islands, Qatar, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Maldives, Oman, Turks and Caicos, and Saudi Arabia. Perhaps Thailand is going to try and join that list?? But I dont think they will 'give it away' for 50K Baht. However, as one poster says - maybe get in now before they do, after which the LTR price goes way up.

Yes - been through all that. All Government provided Pensions are not taxable in Thailand. This was confirmed by a TRD Officer in an interview based on the fact that all Govt Pensions that Thais receive are not taxable income, and all tax residents are entitled to the same benefits, allowances, deductions and exemptions'. She further stated that is why TRD has never 'pursued' Expats because they know they mainly receive Government Pensions. But it is true to state that this is only an 'opinion' and there has been no decree one way or the other.

I am not saying anyone who has an LTR is wrong or that no one should get one - I started another thread to ask questions about LTR and it spilled over into this one. I have had the 'gift' situation confirmed in writing by a legal firm - as long as the money is not then given to me. Many wealthy married Thais do it every year - it is one of many ways they get their overseas investment returns into the country tax free. The 'fears' created by that tax rule change was the main reason incoming remittances dropped by billions in 2024 - not because of Expats like some silly people think. The LTR is great - being able to currently remit large amounts into Thailand tax free is great - so is no 90 days and just an annual conformation of address. But for me the health insurance is not good, and I dont want all my financial records held by Thai authorities. If under any new global tax system (if/whenever started) holders of LTR Visa pay no income taxes on global money whether remitted or not (unlike at present where it is remitted money), and the health insurance is sorted out, then I will probably get an LTR. But by then another more suitable Visa might get released - they seem to do new ones every year or two. They may even drop 90 day reporting and make annual extensions much more easy and fair - and pigs might fly.

I am NOT making false claims - you did. I said there is no guarantee LTR holders will be exempt under any new global taxation system - might be and might not be. And that is but one of the many reasons why at this time I am not applying. I am not saying others should not apply, or were silly to apply and get one. I started the post asking questions and provided my decision and reasons. What you do is up to you. PS - I am not and never was a public servant.

No it is not taxable upon withdrawal. The money in super earns tax-free at a high rate, but if I put it in a savings account (at about a quarter of that interest rate) that money no longer becomes tax exempt - the income is counted, and there are taxes to pay on it at top marginal rate because I am living overseas, the pension is affected because earnings are 'taxable' income' and that reduces the pension amount, and if/when I return to Aust my 'social welfare' benefits get changed (including medical services and costs). That is not all the issue - but take it from me it would cause too many problems - putting it in Thailand would not, but that means SFA interest - and all the other downsides.

@Middle Aged Grouch IMO that is not true. LTR visa holders have no tax on foreign earned income that is REMITTED into Thailand, under the current taxation system. Under the current Thai taxation system, money earned overseas is not taxable unless it is remitted into Thailand (plus other rules regarding year in which earned). That could all change when Thai TRD implements a global taxation system under which all income, remitted or not, is taxable income. This is the same tax system that the vast majority of countries utilises - all income earned globally by all tax residents is taxable income whether remitted or not. Thailand is moving in that direction - global income will become taxable for all tax residents - with all the allowances and deductions and exemptions to be determined. That will not affect the vast majority of Expats IMO - but those earning global income (investments, etc) which are the people likely to qualify for an LTR could be affected - could be the operative word. No guarantees.

I am 'active' in two posts about LTR - maybe I explained all that in the other one. Having 100K USD money in a bank account (besides getting minimal returns) would have taxation, Pension and Superannuation problems for me. All good - mine is mostly pre-2024 and current non-taxable returns in Super plus untaxable Pension too. But why risk being asked to 'explain' the large transfers into Thailand in the future, when I can send millions to wife and manage things that way. New car next year (probably) - send extra money to wife - buys it in her name - no tax issues ever. Not 'justifying' - answering comments and questions. In fact I am finding a few people saying they have an LTR are the ones 'justifying' their decisions. But maybe I am just a little 'sensitive'.

His Dubai 'doctors' will probably provide a medical certificate that he is unable to travel for say 7-14 days. Then if the Court case outcome is he must serve time in jail - IMO he will not return and will stay with his Sister. The Shin family as such will remain in Thailand and continue to make money, and his network of 'underlings' will continue to be 'supported' to ensure regulatory and business 'compliance' to grow the family wealth. Same as all wealthy Chinese families - they take the long view and are all about growing the family wealth and power. Anutin's family are about to get a huge boost.

I agree 100% - and as stated before I figure BOI (and most Thai Govt Authorities) have SFA understanding of global finances. I actually asked that question to BOI - What sort of 'wealthy pensioner' would deposit 100K USD in a low/non-interest earning savings account. They did not answer.

That is an excellent point - and one that I have added to my planning. The ability to travel to any other country/s and not spend more than 180 days in Thailand is the only way to avoid global taxation if/when it comes. Unless they do exempt LTR Visa holders from income taxes on global income. If the BOI were to somehow get that approved and stamped off, there will be a big increase in LTR Visa holders, because Thailand will become another tax free haven. With that LTR Visa you stay more than 180 days in Thailand and you are a Thai tax resident and as long as you dont stay too long elsewhere, your global income will remain untaxed. Nice.

I just realised something when checking out things regarding Americans and their health insurance - besides their acceptance of high premiums. In Australia you cannot get Health Insurance that includes overseas countries. Health Insurance in Australia, and in a lot of countries especially Europe I believe, is controlled and managed by the Government, and I think one of the main reasons is to ensure we dont have the same premiums that Americans pay. In Australia the only insurance available for overseas countries is 'travel insurance' - and BOI will not accept travel insurance to meet its requirements for LTR. You Americans who have global insurance from home are in a good position for the LTR. Over here getting that is very expensive - probably more than you are paying in USA.

There are 'complications' if your annual taxation and income statements dont line up with the Thai tax year. I bet you are American right - Jan to Dec taxation year - same as Thailand. In Australia and a lot of countries our 'Fiscal Year' does not start Jan 1 - ours is July 1 to June 30 - and all financial reporting, including tax returns, lines up with that.

True - that was confirmed by BOI. It is like the old Retirement Extension - if you left and re-enter within the first 12 months, you got another 12 months extension of permission to stay. The LTR for wealthy pensioners is like the old O-X system that they created years ago - but with some changes as per BOI requests.

Sorry - see my previous comments. The LTR income tax exemption only applies to taxable income remitted into Thailand. When the Thai TRD changes to a global taxation system, and the BOI/TRD issues advice that LTR holders are not subject to income taxes on their global income (remitted or not), then I will look again at LTR. I do not mean to cause concerns - but people asked me why not get LTR due to 'taxation concerns', so I answered.

No - no income taxes payable on money remitted into Thailand as per the current Thai tax system. That could change. Yep _ I get the same - because with Thai wife we come through together. Yep - winner - 90 day is OK online - but a pain if have to visit (quick and easy though). No dependents Seems a lot of LTR holders have global insurance from home country - you American? You forgot annual extension process - simple with LTR (but in Bangkok). And you forgot multiple leave and entry.

It seems quite a few people on LTR have this - global insurance from their home country. Maybe I should take a trip back to Australia and get that sorted before returning here. In Australia medical insurance is very cost effective - unlike in USA where paying large amounts of money for medical insurance is the norm. Could I ask - any LTR Visa holders here who do not have global insurance from USA.