JontS

1 hour ago, treetops said:

 

I deliberately avoided saying that and was giving a general warning that these guys often get things wrong.

 

However, in your specific example it's probably not black and white.  If the money is in a simple bank account and you have a statement from 31/12/2023 showing a balance, then that balance should not be taxable if brought into Thailand.  If however that money gets added to in any form (interest, further deposits etc) it could get messy.

 

If the money is held in pensions, stocks or other financial instruments then all bets are off, and given what we read or watch the taxman could claim some of it.

 

I'm a firm believer that the taxman is not interested in us run of the mill foreigners living here on retirement or marriage extensions, but that could change down the line.

Thanks for the input. Yes, it is not black and white, but there is no way the Thai authorities are getting any of my savings that I already paid taxes on. I'm happy to pay taxes on my income that I earn while living here and bring into Thailand. The tricky part is how to separate my savings and my income, interest, stock gains etc.

6 minutes ago, treetops said:

 

Don't believe half of what you read on these expat tax charlatan's websites.

Are you being serious? You really think the Thai tax authorities have the right to tax my savings from before I even move to Thailand?

9 hours ago, jojothai said:

Added comment.

Ensure that you have the full details for end of 2023 before the remittance rules changed.

Thats where there could be big complexity. Try to figure out how you can show it is was income before then and not afterwards.

To avoid remittance potentially being classed as income subject to tax.

I think you are misunderstanding how this works (fortunately :)) - Thailand has nothing to do with my income earned (and taxed) before living in Thailand. I moved to Thailand in April 2025. They can only claim taxes on income earned after I become a tax resident. Have a look at this article, the section "Income Earned Prior to Living/Retiring in Thailand" explains it.

https://www.thethailandlife.com/expat-tax-thailand#Income_Earned_Prior_to_Living_Retiring_in_Thailand

One thing I still haven't figured out is how the Thai tax authorities view accrued interest in e.g. IBKR, that is left in that account and not remitted into Thailand. Money that I remit into Thailand comes from savings, so as long as I leave the interest and gains in the IBKR account it won't be taxed anywhere? Sounds almost too good to be true.

This can be a bit tricky. I just recently moved here from Denmark and by moving away from Denmark, the authorities there no longer consider me a tax resident for future income.

Soon after I made the move, the 4 banks that I had in Denmark, and Interactive Brokers, started asking for a tax ID. I then went to the authorities here in Thailand only to find out that they will not issue one until after at least 6 months, or when I am due to pay taxes.

It took a bit of back and forth, but they all accepted my explanation that I couldn't provide at tax ID at this time. I was even able to open an additional account at Interactive Broker using the same explanation.

2 hours ago, jimn said:

I am hearing that Bangkok Bank have now stopped dealing with agents for retirement extension renewals as per my topic a few months ago, including Maneerat. Has anyone heard the same. This is very recent.

Not true. Used them about a month ago for my visa, no problems at all getting an account with BB.

Just signed with Pacific Cross using Macallan as a broker. 46k per year with a 20k deductible and inpatient only. Only exclusion is hyperlipidemia and both Jack at Macallan and another broker at AA ensured me that heart attack, stroke, etc. would be covered as it would be very difficult for the insurance company to proof that it was caused directly by the hyperlipidemia. I tried to protest to the wording in the exclusion, but went along with it eventually.

I see the insurance as an emergency situation help and I might cancel it at a later point when it becomes to expensive, e.g. after 70 or if I have a big claim at one point, cancer or something that would make my premium skyrocket. 

On 4/30/2025 at 7:19 PM, rw100 said:

Thanks Dinga 

 

for any one else who may have issues

 

Seems to have now been sorted , sent messages to them via every email I could find , finally got a " details updated " message back

I'm in a similar position, just moved here on the 26th and getting hammered by my danish banks, and Interactive Brokers as well, to provide tax information. I have Saxo in Denmark, but not sure I will continue using them because of their ridiculous fees (at least compared to IBKR), as well as two other danish banks. Santander asks specifically for a tax ID number.

Did you end up getting a TIN?

13 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

This will be year 3.  No, one of their selling points is that premiums are fixed unless you make a claim.

Thanks, that's good to know 🤗

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

 

 Personally, I've been happy with them, although I signed up via a broker.  Of course, I haven't had to make a claim yet!  They were very responsive when I asked them to clearly show the medication I take for mild hypertension and slightly raised cholesterol, and their assurance that I would be covered for related illnesses.

How long have you been with them and how has the premium progressed during that time?

Anyone used them as a broker for health insurance and can share their experience?

Thanks,

Jon

20 hours ago, Merrill said:

I am moving to Thailand this year lock stock and barrel do I need to pay tax on the money I have for the purchase of a House in my son's name he is a Thai citizen. second do I pay tax on my UK pension? Cheers for any advice

I'm in a similar situation and this is probably the most helpful article I've come across...

https://www.thethailandlife.com/expat-tax-thailand#Income_Earned_Prior_to_Living_Retiring_in_Thailand

Took 3 days for me here in Denmark, can't complain either 🤗

Thought I'd give an update after having used BIC Flex 5 for a while now. It's actually much better quality than Gillette Fusion 5. Better durability as well. Will definitely try the other options from BIC once I'm in Thailand.

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

That statement should read "Airlines will ask for the details....."

 

They will check the e-Visa print out carefully.

Also immigration when you arrive. 

Make sure you present the e-Visa along with boarding pass to immigration 

 

Will do, thanks for the helpful advice

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

For anyone interested as to advice re onward tickets etc may find this guy's blog a good read.

https://backpackbob.com/thailand-return-ticket/ 

 

Thanks. Would be great if there was any official information available online, but there does not seem to be.

When filling out my visa application I was asked to enter a departure date as the visa is a 90 day visa. This is a bit confusing and can lead one to believe there is need for a ticket out of Thailand. I opted for the single entry as I figure I can change this when I get my 1 year extension. The email with my visa does state "Airlines may ask for the details of this e-mail so they can carry out checks to allow you to board the plane", so that in a way indicates that an onward ticket is not needed.

Ok, thanks for your input, but I'm not sure a second call would help much. Plus it sounded pretty random what she was saying, so I wouldn't trust it unless I had it in writing.

5 minutes ago, timendres said:

Thai immigration does not require the onward ticket for Non-O visas.

However, it is possible that some airlines may request it.

I would ask the airline just to be sure.

You obviously didn't read what I wrote...

Thank you Jack 🤗

Got my O visa approved, have a one way ticket for next month, but I find conflicting information online on whether I need an onward/return ticket or not?

Called Thai Airways and the person I talked to was about as useful as having a conversation with the wall.

Saxo bank, serviced from the Singapore office. That is what I'm planning to use when I move to Thailand next month.

Great thread, lots of good information.

This link has helped my understanding, thought I'd share it here.

https://www.thethailandlife.com/expat-tax-thailand

27 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Buy a Mr DIY shaver for 39 Baht will bring down the USA economy ?

A brilliant example of MAGA logic 🤣

1 hour ago, Trakk said:

...You realize MAGA hates Gillette right?  You're boycotting exactly what they boycott lol.  Guess you missed the news a few years back where they lost $5 billion in a quarter due to their #metoo commercials.   MAGA appreciates your crusade  🙂  

The target is the American economy.

19 minutes ago, khunPer said:

Especially for us Danish citizens, we can have a general letter from our tax-office, which states that we pay tax of retirement pension in Denmark, and furthermore a letter for each inbdividual tax year. Danes can read more about Thai tax-rules here, where you can see examples of such statements from the Danish tax office...

https://samesame-butdifferent.dk/doc/flytte-og-bo/Skatteguide.php

 

In general: Any funds/money transferred into Thailand that has not been income taxed in one's home country – or is proven savings from before 1st January 2024 – shall be decleared in the Thai tax return-form, if you are tax resident in Thailand (the 180 days rule). But check with eventual DTA what the specific rule is, it might even be an advantage to pay Thai income tax, like it is for us Danes with dividens from stocks.

 

You can find all the Thai DTAs in English language here:
https://www.rd.go.th/english/766.html

 

 

Thanks Per, very good info (especially for me :))