TroubleandGrumpy

That is an excellent post - thank you for the detailed information - very much appreciated. I hope that your post has shown people how serious this thing could be. As I have said many times before - Al Capone found out the hard way just how serious the Tax Dept can be. I will however state that it was 'implied' in my statement/s that tax was due. Let me explain - which I should have done in my post more clearly. If someone (you/me) calculates that they have no income taxes to pay (savings, DTA, allowances, etc) and does not lodge a tax return because of that, BUT Somchai at the local TRD Office does a check and audits you and decides you should have paid income taxes - and you cannot convince him that you did not - there is serious fines and penalties involved. My advice is meant to say that this is a very serious issue - dont panic - but dont ignore it either. It is not a slap on the wrist like a traffic breach or an incorrect/missing form. When any tax office in the world looks into someone who they think did not pay taxes, they are not mucking around.

There is another option - get a new single or multi entry 12 month Visa to visit Thai family from Laos. https://aseannow.com/topic/1311768-multiple-non-o-marriage-visa-in-savannakhet-november-2023-report/ You will need certain things done, because you are starting again (bank, medical, police, etc). I am thinking about doing that every year myself, instead of the ever changing and complex annual extension process with home visit. But I figure they will eventually shut that Laos option down if too many Expats do it. But in your situation it seems like the way to go - take a brief holiday to Laos and get a new Visa valid for 12 months. Maybe do it again next year, or you can decide to do an extension at that time. One thing I would definitely consider is to change your Visa start date away from anytime between December and March. That is the 'peak' season and the Thai IOs are overworked and more angry than usual during that period. Maybe get a 60 or 90 day Visa to visit the family from Laos or Cambodia - and then decide which way to get 12 months - either a new Visa or an extension.

I know that my/our opinions about dogs mean nothing in Thailand, and that the problem needs to be solved. It was solved in Bali many years ago when rabid dogs with rabies were attacking tourists - they culled them - nearly all of them were put down. The dogs numbers came back a bit and so has the rabies (it is endemic there and also here). When the numbers reach a critical point they will do another cull in Bali. But that will never happen here and as far as I see the only solution is a lot more places like the soi dog foundation - a lot more.

I agree - as long as it does not include the people who broke laws about insulting certain person/family. That is a separate issue and needs to be handled with kid gloves only when things have become politically stable. Otherwise the risk is more riots and deaths, and then another Junta coup.

I am sure they will want that and will try hard - but even if it does get to stay, I doubt that the Senators will mainly be appointed by the PM (elected at the next elections?).

My understanding was that not lodging a tax return when a tax payment is due, is penalised in Thailand with a 2000 Baht fine per event, plus 2% per month interest charges for all unpaid taxes, and if they decide you deliberately avoided paying tax (tax evasion) the penalty is a 5000 Baht fine and 6 months in jail - per event. If you have some reference or link that officially states otherwise please let me/us know. If you Google 'penalty for not lodging tax returns in Thailand' there are numerous websites providing details - not all the same amounts (as usual in Thailand).

I did not expect any less - was hoping for more - but got back what was expected.

Agree - what Thailand wants and needs is no more Juntas - ever. It will take a while, but reform will come one day. Letting Thaksin out is a move towards that reform - keeping him locked up serves no real purpose. Dont let him run for office again, but let him influence - and let the people decide.

Yes - but they got close last time and with the Senate being 'removed' in May, it is likely the next election will be closer to what the people want (which IMO is no more Juntas).

Yes - but it will happen one day - so why not start now.

Hey Somchai - make it 100 Million ! OK?? Yes Boss - no pwoblum - we do - +50 laan baht in money pweese - khop khun khrapp.

What could possibly go wrong ..............

One day I hope you understand. But until then, I hope that you will learn that you should respect the beliefs of others. Under Islam is is critically important that the deceased's body is handled a certain way and that certain rites and proceedures are followed - that is why it is so expensive. Understanding and respecting does not mean you agree - it just means you accept it is that person's belief. Not everything is right or wrong - you dont need to take a side on everything.

I agree - let him out on parole - conditional. It seems to me he is not after 'revenge' and that is a good thing and will help the country move forward after all the military coups this century. Same for his sister - it was all political. Let the people decide who is in charge.

There has been a lot of discussion about if and when Retired/Married Expats (RMEs) have to lodge a tax return in this 'new tax era' of the Thai Revenue Department (TRD) IMO the vast majority will not need to lodge a tax return - but as always it is best to get your own legal/financial advice on this and any other taxation matter or opinion. I have been researching and discussing this 'new tax era' since it was first announced in September 2023. I am still extremely annoyed that Thailand could even think about taxing RMEs, but my initial thoughts that this would screw over all RMEs has turned out to be not as bad as I first thought. Firstly - all Expats who work or own a business in Thailand have to lodge a tax return - my comments below only applies to RMEs who do not work or own a business in Thailand. The reason I say most RMEs do not need to lodge a tax return, is because my read of the Thai Revenue Code, is that it specifically states that 'assessable income' means 'taxable income'. IMO assessable income is not all the money brought into Thailand, but it is the specific money brought into Thailand that is taxable - and there are lots of exclusions and exemptions. Therefore IMO if your pension is already taxed (enough to cover any Thai taxes) and/or it is not taxable under a DTA, then it is not taxable income when it is remitted into Thailand. Additionally, all savings from past earnings before 1 Jan 2024, are not taxable income as clearly stated by the Thai Revenue Department. However, IMO any income earned overseas after 1 Jan 2024, from sources such as property rental, investments, etc., is taxable income, and if you bring more than 120K Baht of that type of money into Thailand, then you need to lodge a tax return. That does not mean you have to pay taxes on that amount - it means you add it all up and then claim whatever allowances and deductions are available. In a separate thread it is detailed how a married Expat over a certain age can get about 500K in deductions - this is something that you must either calculate yourself (and keep records) or get a tax accountant/expert to do that for you. There is no advice yet from TRD about what happens when a person has non-taxable savings overseas and that money earns interest - and then a portion of the total amount is remitted into Thailand. Obviously it is not all taxable (only the interest portion) - but how much of that interest is actually remitted when only say 10% of the total amount is remitted. Likewise, there are many other 'complications' that until now was not needed to be clarified - which is according to many Thai pundits, why the original rule was in place for almost 30 years (too complicated). IMO this 'new tax era' is a broadening of the existing tax laws to catch out those people and businesses who have been making money overseas (that is taxable), and then bringing that money back into Thailand in the following tax year, when it is not taxable. Certainy that has implications for Expats whose money being brought into Thailand is from working/earnings overseas, but IMO for the vast majotrty it has no 'deliberate' affect - note the work deliberate. Aside from the potential to be 'audited' in the future, and then fined and severely penalised for not lodging a tax return when TRD thinks you should have, I have one main concern for those RMEs who genuinely believe (like me) that they will not have to pay income taxes. That decision is soley at the decision of the TRD, and if the TRD ever (now or in the future) decide you have to pay income taxes, proving that you dont will be extremely difficult and expensive. TRD is not the Immigration Police - they do not have decades of experience in dealing with Expats, they dont speak much English, they operate only in Thai when appealed/challenged, and they have just as many (if not more) 'diifcult' officials, and they are extremely powerful - they can get you arrested, detained and deported. While some people have had positive interactions, I personally know 2 people who were 'audited' by TRD (businesses) and it was extremely difficult - without the benefit of a Thai speaking wife/business partner they would have been in serious trouble. A I said right up front, the thing that really worries me about this new tax era is Somchai in the local TRD saying - 'you bring 1 million baht, you pay tax'.

There are pockets of locations where it is OK sometimes, and others that are always bad. If you stay indoors in a/c until late mornings it is definitely better - the local fires all seem to be lit at night. But when the fires in Myanmar and Laos get bad, the place can be a 'smoke hole' for days on end.

Mate - there is no place in Thailand without air pollution sometimes. We are currently in Rayong in a small village - OK air but we are thinking of moving. We like the big city stuff and miss it - long drive to Pattaya and I dont like that place either. Hate Bangkok, dont like Hua Hin, Phuket sucks, CM bad, Samui expensive/small - basically we dont like any of the tourist spots to live. Depending on how this income tax thing goes (if bad we will try Philippines - great air and much cleaner - but not Manilla), but if the tax thing is all good, then we will probably try an East Isaan city - the further west you go in Isaan towards CM, the worse the smoke season. But there is nowhere without bad air sometimes. Phuket is the probably the best overall in that regards, but it is a seriously screwed up and corrupt small island that gets 6-10 million tourists a year - great to visit a resort on the west coast - not a good place to live (for us).

If the Thai airforce using the NASA fires website to identify a fire, and then goes and drops huge amounts of water on it - great!! But anything else is a load of PR BS. We used to live in Chiang Mai and loved it - we left after 3 years because the smoke was unbearable on some days during the 'smoke season'. It got worse every year and lots of promises and PR BS announcements amounted to nothiong - so we left. Is the Governor of Chiang Mai listening () that is 1 million baht a year NOT being spent in your Province anymore. Nowhere has great year all round in Thailand - not even Phuket (90 now on IQair) - but Chiang Mai/Rai is a disaster. If the Thai Airforce water bombs the forest and farm fires - that would be very useful - as long as they do it all the time - day after day. Sure it will screw up a few farms - but screw them. And the mushroom hunters starting the forest fires can go fu...........

Ditto - Lazada works best for me - especially balls/tees etc. But for buying stuff like gloves I havent used before and clothes etc. for the wife, always best to try them on first.

Thanks mate - much appreciated. It always astounds me how poor Thai businesses are at marketing themselves - especially from the street level views. I have found their website - https://www.onlygolfthailand.com/ So far the only place I found with 'reasonable' prices is the golf shop at the back of the Outlet Mall. There is a 2 story mall in Bangkok dedicated to golf gear - but it is way over-priced. I was visiting Khon Kaen recently and the Sports Store in Central Mall had Pinaccle Soft and Rush on sale for 700 Baht (Box 12) and several other 'bargains' too.

Speedtest by Ookla is a worldwide accepted testing service. I am so sorry that you did not realise this is a forum where people state their opinions. Please insert IMO in front of any comments I or others make. Dont speak on other's behalf - how do you know he knows or does not know anything.

Test both services via a browser. Go to speedtest.net and find out how they both perform. My mobile network gets maybe 40Mbps - often less - and the ping test is about 40ms delay. My 3BB fibre gives me close to 500Mbps consistently and about 9ms ping delay. And I could pay extra and get 1GBps with 3BB fibre. Emails and Facebook etc - OK to use mobile. Movies and IPTV etc - fibre is the way to go.

I cannot resist one more post. NO it does NOT. Read the quote: (1) Income derived from employment, whether in the form of salary, wage, per diem, bonus, bounty, gratuity, pension, house rent allowance, monetary value of rent-free residence provided by an employer, payment of debt liability of an employee made by an employer, or any money, property or benefit derived from employment. FROM EMPLOYMENT being the key words. The Age Pension is paid whether a person worked or not in their lifetime. It is a social welfare entitlement paid to citizens of a country if/when they qualify through age and time living in that country (and maybe a few other criteria).

No mate - that is the wrong way to do it and I cannot participate on that basis. You may want to make an interpretation based on opinions, but in the absence of absolute proof I do not accept that is the right way to deal with this matter. All opinions are challengeable IMO and saying they are not is unacceptable. I will make my own decisions going forward on what is the right way for myself to deal with this important matter. When things become clearer and Thai RD provides its statements and advice in response to all the criticism, I will seek professional advice from a tax expert to make sure I am correct.

Sorry Mike - but I do not accept that as 'proof' at all - quite the contrary. I note you have added a few points to the list of unknowns - but I feel you are trying to push your views as facts and are missing the point about what this thread is all about and why Expats are sharing their opinions. Just because you file a tax return, for whatever reason, does not mean that all Expats must lodge a tax return. And whethr an Expat is from a DTA country or not, is irrelevent in regards to whether they have to lodge a tax return or not. I see nothing that states that a retired/married Expat who does not earn income from employment must lodge a tax return in any Thai RD document or Thai Govt websites that relates to Expats not erarning income from employment. The document you quote from is not relevent to Expats, unless they are earning an income from employment. Stating that something is 'understood to mean assessable income' as a fact, when it is your opinion, is not right. If the Thai RD has stated that as a fact in a document that is relevent to non-working Expats, then please provide it. Regarding those unknowns you listed I must say this - expecting to get answers to all of these things for every Expat from different countries and in different financial situations and then putting all that in one 'simple guide' is extremely 'ambitious' and a bad idea. My advice to you Mike, is to be very careful about stating as a given fact, anything that relates to this change in income taxation in Thailand (this new tax era) - unless you have that confirmed by the Thai RD, have a specific link to that confirmation, and are absolutely certain it applies to everyone. There is a reason why legal and taxation 'experts' do not give general advice - or if they do it is heaviuly subjected to caveats - they can be sued for giving false or incorrect information, that results in somone losing money or breaking the taxation laws by following that advice. Perhaps trying to create a comprehensive and all-encompassing 'guide' is not really the best way to go forward. I dont think it is realistic or that you have the ability to put together something that in your opinion answers all questions. That is what a tax expert is paid to do - and they have the training, experience and qualifications to provide that advice in response to any person's own personal financial circumstances.