I found this article in the Post. I'm confused. Nothing I've read prior discusses 15% vat. It's 15% income tax .. the article even mentions this but does not clarify
This is huge and raises cost of living for foreigners by 8% PLUS (worldwide income tax) new income tax - which I doubt Thailand will be happy when many claim tax treaties, etc ... So, plan on paying something there imo.
Finally, what are we getting from all this taxation? Not even a multi year visa for families.
I'm not leaving tomorrow, but I will definitely be looking at third country options and even returning to US.
Thailand will always be less expensive (cheaper) overall, but the lack of insurance, medical double pricing, skint one year visas, bureaucracy, inability to purchase land (home).
Medical costs here are very much headed upward. No malpractice insurance or ethics to rectify medical issues.
I think we have crossed the Rubicon insofar as cost vs value in Thailand with these horrendous tax increases.
It seems the current government is completely on board with tax in the hell out of everyone so they can turn around and give the money away to the poor in exchange for votes.