TroubleandGrumpy

Thanks mate - much appreciated. Ever since that Covid disaster, Govts all over the world are looking for more money - and to pay out less. However, in order to make this happen, the Aust Govt would have to pass a Law that makes age pensions received by people who are residing overseas taxable. As it currently stands, the age pension is not taxable - even if it is over the tax free threshold. It is counted as income, but only for anyone receiving additional income beyond the pension. Therefore to make this happen, the rules/laws would have to be changed specifically for pensioners living overseas - that would IMO be discrimination and illegal. If this goes ahead, I can see a challenge being lodged to AAT, and then to the Federal Courts, and then to the UN under the International Social Security Agreement of which Australia is a signatory. Australia already reduces the amount of money paid to Pensioners living overseas, and further reduces that amount based upon the number of years that person lived in Australia, and only allows applications to be made by persons actually living in Australia at that time (most countries do not impose those limitations). IMO this would be a step too far and is legally doubtful under both Australia's existing laws and its international obligations.

That is a good idea. I believe that the previous 'management' actively seeded the political arguments and abuse by continually posting provocative news headlines - the worst form of click baiting. Yes - put all political stories in a politics subforum and keep it off the main pages.

No it is not too much to ask IMO - but that is up to that publication to decide. It is not Asean Now if you did not undersatand that - it is a publication that is not allowed to be referenced or mentioned on this forum. IMO they encourage that type of behaviour - click baiters for the advertisement money. Back to my point though - IMO criticism of Thai behaviours and norms is not racism - but abusive racially based attacks are and should be deleted. How and where that line is drawn can be difficult - because 'feelings' come into the matter. Some people get 'racially offended' far too easily, and some people are seemingly 'immune' to what they say and do not realise they are being racially offensive. Unfortunately there is no definitive 'this is, this is not' list - we all know the 'N' word is unacceptable - but there are people who take racial offence at any criticism (there is 'industries' built on that ability).

I agree 100%. When/if Trump runs for POTUS again - then we will see how much of a change that George has been able to make. I am not saying any 'side' in that coming debate is right or wrong - but several years ago it was extremely obvious which side of the political divide the Mods on TV were situated. And they were 'exploited' continually by toxic posters who would stir things up and then gang up on and report those on the other side, and Mods behaved extremely unfairly suspending and banning a lot of members. I was one of those banned back then - and many of you know who I am talking about. No names Charlie - that is understood. I do not seek retribution - all I ask is no bias from Mods and that in the future the 'toxic trollers and reporters' are the ones who are dealt with harshly.

Thanks for that - you are right. I have checked and Eritrea has indeed imposed what some are calling an 'illegal tax' to try and prop up a dictatorship. Eritrea’s ‘diaspora tax’ is funding violence and oppression | Opinions | Al Jazeera Likewise, the dictators at Myamar have also done something similar recently to try and prop up their illegal regime. I discount both of those countries as 'genuine' members of the international tax treaties that underpin the DTAs under which USA taxes its citizens no matter where they live in the world. But technically you are right - they are both technically trying to do what USA does.

Hamas sympathiser and apologist gets annoyed when asked to clarify his/her position - continues to deflect. And then her/his girlfriend also joins in and defends his/her honour. This is great and I would love to continue - but my wife is out of the shower and is ready for dinner. It is Friday boys/girls - make sure you get out and about away from your PCs/Phones - have some fun meeting new and interesting people.

Yes that is true - not an ideal solution if it goes that far. People should be able to disagree without going too far - but some cannot help themselves I guess - they take it too personally.

If that is the way you feel, then dont read the comments by Expats (mainly) on the website of the largest English publications in Thailand. I would say that you should just let it go and not seek to get anyone banned - put them on ignore and you wont see their rubbish - you can do that here - not on that place listed above.

My position is that you have an omnipotent impartiality towards what is happening in Gaza and are not taking any side. That is your right of course, but why dont you just come out and say it. Makes me wonder why you are posting so many comments on both the threads about the Israel Hamas war in Gaza.

Agree not all people you disagree with should be 'ignored' - but the vicious and nasty and trolls should be ignored (and hopefully if we all do that they will go away).

I think that a good new development would be that when/if you ignore someone, they cannot see your comments and posts (not just you not seeing theirs). I would rather they no longer see anything of mine, as well as me not seeing anything of theirs.

Mate - You asked for suggestions - I have one about something that has annoyed me for a while. When reading through a good/long post, when I see something I want to 'quote and respond' I cannot 'open in new tab' as such. When I right click on 'quote' the new tab is not that post - it is at the start of that page. Likewise, after I have posted a 'quote and reply' rather than take me back to where I was, it takes me to my post (the last post). Any chance of an IT Mod to allow open in new tab to work? Like when I right click on a notification - if I right click on 'open in new tab' for a notification, it opens that exact response message in the new tab.

Gen Z - not likely to have any 'contribution' to anything - exceptions always will - but as a rule - nothing there nor ever will be.

That is my read of your posts - mainly a Hamas apologist - not 100% but mainly. Come on then - just say it - what is your position?

Thanks Mike - much appreciated. Clearly he is thinking about someone working and getting a salary paid and taxed, when I am talking about someone that lives there 180+ days and is retired or married - like most Expats in Thailand that this change affects.

Cool - You and Morch can go have a lovely day - Hamas deciding to pay you both a visit aside (which I hope does not happen).

You remind me of what Paul Keating (Australian PM in 90s) said after being criticised by a political opponent in Parliament. "Mr Speaker, all I can say in response, is that it was like being slapped with warm lettuce."

Now why would you think that I care one iota about whether you are impressed or not. My 'side' is clear - I am on Israel's side and Hamas are murdering terrorists. What 'side' are you on Morch? You are more Hamas apologist than Israel apologist - but which side do you support.

I will say in response that obtusive arguments and refusing to do any research on an issue - that is my read of yourself.

Thanks - that will be interesting to see when it is finalised and changed. I am still concerned over what happens when they 'reject' an assessment and send me a tax bill. But actually I am more concerned about having to complete a tax return at all - hopefully Expats will be exempted.

IMO Thailand has zero chance of successfully taxing its Tax Residents and Citizens who are making money overseas. Only the USA has been able to get away with that for its Citizens - Thailand has no chance. There are so many reasons why - just to start all the DTAs they have in place preclude that being accepted.

You sound like an old spinster berating someone, or a young Karen going off about a random issue. Mate - go and do some research on the matter - it is very factual. I even gave you a suggested google search - which I do again. You dont have to come back and admit you were wrong or misinformed - but just go research it all. "Why is US the only country that taxes its non-resident citizens?"

Perhaps you need to take one side or the other (consistently) rather than sitting omnipotently on that fence.