Jingthing

Russians like that don't call themselves draft dodgers. Why should they?

Younger Russians not as much. It's impossible to have objective surveys in a society where speaking against the war invites prison. There is always the threat of more mobilizations. Putin loves to mostly get cannon fodder from far provinces (poorer and more minorities) in order the reduce visible funerals in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

The one year required service (with exemptions for health, going to college, etc.) is a totally separate thing from being in the war. That one year under Russian law does not include going to war. The actual fighters have been gathered other ways, there was mobilization before, others threatened, high paying contracts (basically bankrupting Russia the idiots), out of prisons, persuading people in trouble with the law or in debt to go to war instead.

Let me check ... They don't want to die for the stupid cause of a vicious dictator?

Yeah sure, I thought it was implied that CASH balances in a bank account or as part of an investment account are both CASH. But of course it's good to get into details.

I think the NAV on that date is irrelevant in the case of stock capital gains. Beyond that, it's an accounting question which is probably addressed best by accountants.

I think this example is already clear. Say you own 100 shares of Dildonex stock and have owned them for 10 years. You sell the shares anytime starting Jan 1. 2024. If there is a loss -- nothing accessible in Thaiand. If there is a profit the portion that is transferred is tax accessible as capital gains PLUS you can apply your double taxation agreement as a credit (if applicable). For example if your home country tax is higher and there is a DTA for your country, no Thai tax, but I still think supposed to be reported. So yeah things can get complicated. I predict most people (if this is enforced) will end up spending more money on lawyers than the actual tax, if any. Very annoying of course.

I can't answer that but definitely at least that. The complications come into play when you're MIXING the type of money in the source accounts. My understanding is that FIRST IN. FIRST OUT is accepted.

Investments implies NOT cash. But getting into the weeds, I really don't know how things like CDs and related vehicles would be considered. This is why people should look closely at their specific sitation as we all handle money differently.

It's not really correct. Let's say you have brokerage account of stocks and bonds with a value of 100K USD December 31, 2023. That would not be covered at all.

No! Not your investments. Money in the bank only.

OK. Money AFTER that date can be complicated even very complicated if any of that money is classified as tax accessible by Thailand if transferred in. Many lucky people only have non accessible sources and those people once they determine that can really forget all about this (except to keep documents if audited) unless there is a major change later like global taxation. So I think it's worth it to learn the details because for many it really will be very good news. Not bothering to explore this and just worrying in ignorance would then be just silly.

Money in the bank regardless. But that does NOT apply to money in the bank AFTER that date. Going forward starting Jan 1 2024 you need to know the actual source and be able to prove it. That does get complicated. Well you need to know if you're audited. Or you can just hope you're never audited. The way I'm dealing with this is that i plan to transfer in the exact amount that was in my transferring account December 31, 2023. That seems like the cleanest way to start fresh.

Money in the bank that you can document was in the bank December 31, 2023 can be transferred into Thailand ANY TIME going forward regardless of source. I don't understand why that part of it is that complicated.

I've been back and forth on this taxation brouhaha but I finally decided it's worth it (at least for myself) to dig into the actual details of the situation. Then I can make more informed decisions about whether and when to take any actions. and even do the best I can to do some actual tax planning. I am very annoyed that now on top of US tax planning (remember the US IRS never lets us go) I have to combine that with Thailand tax planning and things do get complicated. So I did my research, I will do more, and I'll probably eventually meet with a Thai tax lawyer (some offer free consultations). So far knowing more has helped me. I will have zero chance of any issues for this tax year, not needing a TIN, not needing to file, and not needing to pay tax. For next tax year depending on my actions, I still probably will be in the same boat. But the year after that, based on what I know now about my own specific income sources that I plan to transfer in, then I'll probably need to be in the system. The beauty of my delayed strategy, is that by the time I may need to be in the system, we'll all know much more about how this is being enforced (or not enforced).

Less time to worry about running out of money?

Bottom line is the government of Thailand wants them here as long as their trashed currency still has any value. What we as foreigners think is irrelevant. Why so many Russians? The usual reasons to escape harsh winters to the tropic and not so long a flight especially from Siberia and the Russian far east. Since Putin's war of choice, yes a lot more draft dodgers, and whether they're just cowardly or are actually against the war is between them and their dog. It's really none of our business. Keep in mind there are very few countries that are desirable to travel to now that Russians can actually easily enter. Thailand has decided to be one of those countries and I respect their decision and if I didn't, it wouldn't matter anyway. I didn't move to Thailand for it to be exactly like my home country.

Putin started it.

I love Russian draft dodgers. Think of them as an employment program for North Koreans.

Fascists of a feather flock together.

The Radleys. The premise is great. A family of vampires who have abstained but then everything unravels. The reveal to the children that they are vampires reminds me of the Russian spy family in the wonderful series The Americans. The Radleys has many funny and enterertainimg moments but overall felt kind of flat. More meh than wow. But don't miss The Americans.

Heck NO!

Well it's another sign that the US political process isn't working.

Nobody including me should be endorsing assassinating people but hostility towards the US health insurance Industry is well understandable and very widespread. Personally issues with that Industry drove me towards expatriation so I'm not sure if I should blame them or thank them.

Yes, and?