scottishjohn

http://absolutehairstudio.com/Site/Absolut...Chiang_Mai.html

You could try Shampoo Salon on Si Donchai Rd opposite Chiang Mai Plaza Hote. The speak engilsg, have maile and femail staff and use scissors.

Poo is a very good hairdresser who is fully qualified and trained. He has taken part in a number of Asian Hairdressing Olympiads, coming in 3rd on one occassion. He me be a bit pricey for some of the posters but you do get value for money.

Hi all,

Can anyone recommend a specific outfit in Computer Plaza, Panthip etc that can take a look at my Canon printer? After 2 years of faultless performance, it now seems to have decided that at least one cartridge is not installed - even though I'm using genuine Canon cartridges (amazing, I know ).

This is a fairly high-end A3-capable model, so it should have plenty of life left in it - and I don't want the guys in the shop just trying to sell me a new one unless 100% necessary.

Thanks in advance.

Steve

As you have a high end Cannon printer I assume you would prefer a proper repair. An official Cannon agent (so they say and I believe them!!) is the first shop on your right as you enter Computer Plaza. I only ever used Cannon printers and had to use this agent twice. Well pleased on both occasions, good info (no bull****), confirmation phone calls (in good English) before repair carried out, reasonable price etc. Highly recommended.

Generally, the state pension is almost the same as the personal allowance (which still applies if non-resident) so tax on that in the UK will be minimal. If you have a personal pension the government thinking is that you have made payments from the UK and had tax relief on them and now have to pay tax on them even when non-resident.

However, if you have yet to take your personal pension there is provision to allow you to move that pension to the country in which you are now resident. However, it is not possible to move it to every country without incurring a charge and they may in certain circumstances take forty percent off the total, so you have to be very careful what you do.

If large sums are involved it might be an idea to move to a third country for a year to gain residency there and then move the pension there before moving back to Thailand. If you have a private company pension but have not yet taken it, you can move it to a Self Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) for more flexibility in the future and the ability to move it to the country where you are resident.

That is the basis of what you can do, as I am some way from using my own SIPP I do not yet know the details about moving it to Thailand, and/or which third countries would be ideal from a tax point of view (the revenue ban countries where the pension can simply be converted to cash, BTW).

Sounds complex but if large sums are involved, worth looking at as you can avoid 40 percent tax in the UK and local Thai taxes as well by having it paid out in a third country but pretending to the Thais you are living off savings.

Also, as far I know Thailand does have a tax treaty with the UK and I am sure I have read about some expats getting a tax rebate out of the Thai system as you don't have to pay tax in both countries.

And on the original topic, if you are UK non-resident you do not pay taxes in the UK on offshore accounts (my accountant just writes non-resident in the relevant section rather than giving details).

But be aware that the 90 day rule alone is no longer set in stone and even if you obey that and the revenue thinks you are visiting the UK habitually (as in having a wife/house there and coming every month for a couple of days, say) they may decide that you are still resident. Eventually, if Brown and Co have their way they will declare you resident in the UK if you have any property there even if rented out - that is my guess anyway! Worth bearing in mind as property prices peak and rental yields fall off in the UK - ie good time to sell now! Capital gains tax on property is not payable if you have been non-resident for more than six years.

Any chance of sticking to facts/rules. I have provided the HMRC link, why not read it, then make an erudite statement, if possible!

From the Scottish Sunday Post Today. Was it in the local press

22 April 2007

THAI HORROR

EXCLUSIVE Drink-drive Scot under house arrest for killing binman

By Norman Silvester

A SCOTS drink-driver is under house arrest in Thailand accused of crushing a binman to death while four times the limit.

Gordon McCarry, 24, piled into the back of a refuse truck in Pattaya at high speed, severing the 50-year-old worker's legs.

The man, who had been standing behind the truck picking up a bin, died in hospital 24 hours later.

Holidaymaker McCarry was held in cells overnight before being released on bail. He has had his passport confiscated and cannot leave the country.

He has admitted drink-driving but may face further charges over the man's death.

McCarry, of Partick, Glasgow, had been in the resort with his twin brother David and was staying with relatives. Last night his mother Rona Griffiths, 55, said he faces months of uncertainty before finding out what he is charged with.

She added: "Gordon has pled guilty to the drink-drive part of the charge and been fined around £70 but we do not know what is going to happen with the other charges.

"He says he wasn't drunk the night the accident happened but had been drinking the previous day. He is not a drinker normally.

"He had gone for a holiday with his brother and decided to stay on because he was enjoying himself.

"He is on bail but has been told he cannot leave the country. David has since come back and is in a daze over what has happened. Gordon himself can't take it in and finds it difficult to talk about what happened.

"My partner Chris and I were due to go on holiday to Spain this week but had to cancel because of the uncertainty over Gordon.

"It is difficult to get answers from the Thai authorities because things move so slowly out there.

"We are all beside ourselves with worry. Our worse fear is that the Thais will send him to prison."

McCarry was cruising around Pattaya in a hired Honda Jazz car when the fatal crash happened in the town's Jontien Beach area on April 1.

His breath test reading was 211 milligrams - more than four times the legal limit of 50.

A witness said: "The driver came at high speed as if he did not even see the truck. It smashed right into the rear, which had this man standing behind."

A Thai newspaper report claimed McCarry was initially too drunk to give a statement to police, who were alerted by staff at a nearby store who saw the crash.

It's understood the car was a write-off but McCarry only suffered minor cuts and bruises.

Police in Pattaya last week launched a crackdown on drink driving following a spate of incidents involving drunk tourists.

Penalties have been increased - in future first time drink drivers will be given community service and probation rather than just a fine.

SUNDAY EMAIL

What a lot of nonsense has been spoken by a few on this topic.

Most British expats living abroad have absolutely nothing to fear. There has been, and will be, no change to the way the UK treats earned or investment income.

The only Brits here that should fear the current crackdown (notice, I said crackdown - it's not a new law) are those who do not want the UK to know they are non-UK-resident. Who might that be? Women over 60 and men over 65 who are currently in receipt of index-linked state pensions. And why don't they want the UK to know they are not non-UK-resident (ie why do they want the UK government to believe they are still resident in the UK?)? Because their state pension will no longer benefit from index-linked rises - the rate will be frozen (ie their pension payments will never rise whilst they remain non resident in UK).

Who else should fear the crackdown? UK-residents (people who LIVE in the UK) who are hiding their undeclared earnings overseas in bank accounts (earning untaxed interest), etc., and who have therefore been breaking the very old and still current law.

Forget domicility (I could go into this but it would only confuse those all too willing to be confused) - it doesn't matter in this regard.

I could make this real complicated, and start to talk about number of days, etc., but I won't. I closed the door to my past life in financial services quite some time ago and have no interest in reviving it. I just can't ignore the drivel I'm reading here though.

'Khonwan' is quite right in many aspects. What the tax department is looking for is big fish, as usual. Almost everybody has a small tax sin, an small somethinbg forgotten, an inexistent expense.....the tax department have no time and resources to go for "all" taxpayers evading tax.......

This has nothing to do with "BIG FISH" please see my earlier entry and go to the link. ALL UK offshore banks MUST report ALL UK address to HMRC.

I have just received the following from my BOS Isle of Man. “HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have served notice on (the bank) under section 20(8A) of the taxes management act 1970 etc. Although confidentiality is of utmost importance to us, the notice means we are legally obliged to provide HMRC with certain information about the account(s) listed above. We have no choice but to provide this information. This includes your name, UK address, date of birth, balance and annual interest from 5 April 2001 to 5^th April 2005.

HMRC have announced an offshore voluntary disclosure initiative. Etc……”

(please note the dates above. My account was opened well before 5 April 2001 and I am “resident abroad for tax purposes”. I hope the following may help. https://disclosures.hmrc.gov.uk/oaics/InteractionMgr?interactionmgr.interaction=MN_01&action=goto&destination=FQ_01

Example FAQ

I am considering whether to make a disclosure. Is my domicile status relevant?

It may be. Your domicile can affect your liability to pay UK tax on overseas income or and gains. If you are UK resident but not domiciled here, the only offshore income and gains you usually pay UK tax on is the amount that you bring or transfer to the UK. So, if you have not brought or transferred any income or gains into the UK, you may not have any additional UK tax liabilities to disclose.

However, even if you are not domiciled in the UK, you will need to consider making a disclosure if:

• you have any undeclared income arising in the Republic of Ireland, whether or not you have brought or transferred it into the UK (because different arrangements apply for the Republic of Ireland)
  
• you have brought or transferred income or gains from overseas into the UK without declaring it and paying the appropriate tax
  
• the offshore account includes deposits of income or gains that arose in the UK that you have not previously declared to us.
  

From

Getting back to the original topic, the following web site and one FAQ may help

https://disclosures.hmrc.gov.uk/oaics/InteractionMgr?interactionmgr.interaction=MN_01&action=goto&destination=FQ_01

I am considering whether to make a disclosure. Is my domicile status relevant?

It may be. Your domicile can affect your liability to pay UK tax on overseas income or and gains. If you are UK resident but not domiciled here, the only offshore income and gains you usually pay UK tax on is the amount that you bring or transfer to the UK. So, if you have not brought or transferred any income or gains into the UK, you may not have any additional UK tax liabilities to disclose.

However, even if you are not domiciled in the UK, you will need to consider making a disclosure if:

• you have any undeclared income arising in the Republic of Ireland, whether or not you have brought or transferred it into the UK (because different arrangements apply for the Republic of Ireland)
  
• you have brought or transferred income or gains from overseas into the UK without declaring it and paying the appropriate tax
  
• the offshore account includes deposits of income or gains that arose in the UK that you have not previously declared to us.
  

From scottishjohn

My accountant took this up with Inland Revenue based on the date I left the UK it took 8 months but eventually I got a rebate from the Inland Revenue, and now I do not have to pay tax on my income/pension

Could you confirm if you pay tax on it in Thailand?

As i have very little wish to pay tax to a morally bankrupt Scottish Mafia (otherwise known as the "Noo Labour" government) when i finally make it over to LOS towards the end of the year, this is the kind of info i like to hear

I am NOT against paying taxes, but, given the choice of paying it to UK or Thailand, then i would prefer to pay it to Thailand.

Penkoprod

I am also moving over this year, i think i will have to pay a little tax, as renting a property out in UK, so unearned income, anybody know about this, i am 43, also i am still going to pay my stamp, volentary contribution, so i can get a full pension when i am 65, thats if there is any money in the labour pot.

The point here is "residence abroad" as a UK citizen. YOU must tell the UK authorities (including your local UK mainland bank) that you are "resident abroad for tax puposes" (there are forms for this at your bank and tax office) and must fulfill the qualifying period before you qare excempt. These rules have been in force for decades for those living/working abroad who have declared there residency status. The comments above are the same as some Thai "new immigration rules" which are just old rules being enforced. UK residents are NOT entiled to tax free earnings.

I have been informed (maybe 2/3^rd hand?) that ex TRUE BLUE was reopened the other day as FARANG bar. Does anyone have any details?

Scottish John

A quick apology. In my last post I thanked some people by name for helping me out. Some of my (ex) staff have pointed out to me that they were given a lot of help, especially from ex customers, and to those un-named persons you also have the thanks of myself and the staff you helped.

I would also like to thank all those who have posted or sent me messages of support.

I hope to see you all in the not too distant future.

John Whiting

Scottishjohn)

Just a short message to let those who have expressed concern that I am well and currently back in Scotland. There is only two people who can say "What really happened at True Blue"! I am one and the other is EAK (and his cronies ) the ex Manager.

I had to return home very urgently for personal reasons (and not a dead Thia wife or a mafia run out!) and as I have done in the past when going on holiday prepared the books & cash etc for the manager to take over. All H**l broke loose as I discovered that the bills for the utilities and non cash on delivery bills had been faked and accounts ripped off, nor to mention as it now transpires my car and a "mafia loan" that had nothing to do with me. The saga of the electricity bill is weird. It appears to have been paid three times yet the elec coy won't admit it even though I was there with one of my staff for one of the payments!! Lesson pay by bank. I still had to go home for what I thought was only a few days and could sort it out on my return having borrowed electricity from the bar beer c next door. Unfortunately I will not be able to return for some time.

Within only a few days the vultures were in full flight overhead TB and even the landlord decided to join in by taking back the property even though the building was occupied and the rent had (and still has) been paid till mid August. He has now stated that it will never be rented out as a bar/restaurant again. Hence everything having to be sold bit by bit.

May be the comments re banks etc are not far off the mark.

In finishing may I say Thank you to those who contacted me direct and a special thanks to Kevin (Red Lion) for all your help acting for me back in CM and for looking after BOY and FREDDY, to David (ex Good Morning CM) and John (Pom Pui) for trying to find jobs for the staff and a big thank you to BOY and FREDDY for the hard work you have done in selling every thing and cleaning the place up before handover to the Landlord.

To the vultures I hope you enjoyed your pound of flesh

To those who made comments that I owe the staff money, please ask them yourself not third/fourth hand. To the best of my knowledge I owe no money to anyone, in fact I am owed money. If anyone thinks I owe them money please post your claim here with PROOF.

Just to refute some things: Staff wages had been falsified so some staff (F&B)were owed money as I left. Kevin H at RL fixed that and many other things TA

I never had a Thai wife either dead or alive

I did and do have a work permit

the rent was never 5 months in arrears - it could not as it is paid one year in advance (mid Aug) so they owe me

I had no known dealing with the Maffia, although it seems I did sign one of their documents thinking it was to do with my car.

And last of all to the sicko who claims I have a dead Thai wife (and no WP) go get a life and get your head back down from being either in the clouds or up you're a**e

John Whiting