oldcpu

IMHO thats an important note from DrJack54. Some years back, I found out this the hardway (when on a Type-OA). Shortly after entering Thailand on my Type-OA (originally granted for reason of retirement), the new health insurance requirements were implemented. So I decided for my 1st extension on my permission to stay in Thailand to do so based on a reason of my being married to a Thai. That was WRONG planning on my part. Phuket immigration refused, telling me I could not do this for my first extension (as my original Type-OA was for reason of retirement). I ended up (for that 1st extension) going with an extension for reason of retirement (buying double health insurance for that first extension, as my superior European health insurance was not from a Thai branch of a Health Insurance company). A year later for my 2nd 1-year extension (on my type-OA) I was able to switch to an extension based on marriage to a Thai person (with no requirements for health insurance proof from the Thai branch of an insurance company). But in Phuket, the paperwork (and very long time to get approval for an extension based on marriage (long as it is sent out of province)) was a bit unsettling for me, ... so I decided NOT to get a re-entry permit on that extension of my permission to stay, and the next time I exited Thailand I deliberately let my Type-OA be invalidated (and I subsequent re-entered Thailand visa exempt and successfully applied for a Type-O). Some times, if one has not this planned in advance, it can seem a bit convoluted, to legally weave through the different immigration regulations.

Even thou the 60 day VE entries are purportedly unlimited , it still comes down to the individual Thai Immigration Officers (IOs) whom one must meet at Thai immigration counter when one enters Thailand. If the IO observes (in one's passport or on their computer system) a massive number of back to back border hop re-entries under the new 60-day VE, I will wager that they will be concerned the foreigner is illegally working in Thailand, and they may deny entry - despite the public statements that may state VE is 'unlimited'. It boils down to the IOs at the border, and they have full power to implement the immigration laws as they see appropriate. I believe that this (denial of entry on VE) will feel as being unjust to some, but as has been stated many times on this forum, This is Thailand. I believe we will need to wait and see over the coming months, at which point in times IOs at different border crossings start denying entry to those trying to do multiple VE entries.

Is the Thai Banking app 'linked to the model phone' or to the 'sim' (with its associated phone #) in the phone? I have not tested this for different banks (except being forced to do so for Bangkok bank), but I suspect it is 'sim' (with its specific assigned phone#) dependent and not 'phone model' dependent. My Xiaomi phone died some years back, and I replaced it with a Samsung (transferring the Thai sim from my Xiaomi to my new Samsung) , and I don't recall any issues using the Bangkok Bank app on the Samsung (with the old Thai sim). I note thou - I was in Thailand at the time. I do not recall having to go to Bangkok Bank to make it work. That is why a (more expensive) VOIP approach (with a Thai phone #) could work.

In regards to this old thread, I think kuzie57 was thinking of VOIP and not VPN. I have not researched this, but I suspect one can obtain a Thailand VOIP number that includes SMS functionality (albiet one needs to pay extra for such service). This will give one a Thai phone number (which can be SMS capable for even more cost) that one can use anywhere in the world. One not even need a sim in their phone to use the VOIP. Then when outside of Thailand one can then run a VOIP app on any mobile phone (with a sim from a completely different country, and even without a sim in one's mobile phone, if one has WiFi) and as long as one has the correct username and password, one can then access one's VOIP phone number, and then use one's mobile phone with the Thai phone number provided by the VOIP service. I suspect (but do not know if the case) that Thailand banks would not even be aware one is using a VOIP #, and even if they were aware, since it is a Thai phone # they may not care. However the VOIP # would have had to be used when first setting up one's mobile banking. Having typed that, I do not adopt that approach. Its extra money and extra inconvenience. Typically a VOIP app running on one's mobile phone drains the power on one's phone 2x the normal speed and not so pleasant. Typically each use of a VOIP # (for voice or SMS) costs one money (in addition to any monthly charge). And I find in launching the VOIP app there is typically a lag when using such. But it is a possible approach for one who does not mind those limitations.

Indeed. It does thou have me pondering - if the LTR visa ends up having its 'no taxation on foreign income' benefit rescinded (which I do not believe will happen), but to SPECULATE, if rescinded, what is the approach of the different countries around the world, if one spends less than 180 day in each country? ie say 175 days in Thailand, 170 days in country-A (which taxes residents who are > 182 days in country) and 20-days in country-B (which taxes residents who are > 182 days in country) . In such a hypothetical scenario, none of the 3 countries is one present long enough to be considered a taxation resident. For those who structured their finances/income sources, such that that they have minimized their taxation, is that a viable approach? I suspect in such a hypothetical scenario, one needs to specify still, the location of one's country of residence for various forms when applying for various items (maybe obtaining Visas and such), and one could still (in any such forms) state Thailand is one's residence (for living in more than other countries) but for taxation, Thailand may not be one's tax residency. This does not apply to me, as I am pretty much covered by Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) for my foreign sourced income (and I still have faith in the LTR), but it may be approach for some who don't obtain a benefit from DTAs (who are concerned the LTR could be impacted).

I think many of us (who were on type-OA visas) had different circumstances than yourself. Many of us, due to our age, could not get a throw away health insurance as inexpensive as you can get. Further, as you point out, over time, after a number of years of purchasing a throw away health insurance , the amount of money adds up. So for those of us with far superior non-Thai branch provided Health Insurance, (while on Type-OA visas - where such not accepted in Thailand by immigration) we either switched to a extensions based on marriage (as we had a Thai wife) or we simply exited Thai to invalidate our Type-OA visas (and re-entered to obtain a Type-O, per the OP's post). Unfortunately, the Type-OA visa , for Health Insurance proof, does not adopt the approach of the LTR visa, where self health insurance (from large deposits in bank accounts either in or outside of Thailand) can be used in lieu of Health Insurance proof.

A caveat (?) I would apply is getting a Thai TIN is not always so easy. My wife tried for me (online application) some months back, and thus far this has failed. The online application for the TIN goes to the Bangkok office. The Bangkok office passed it to the Phuket office. An official from the Phuket office called us (talking to my wife on the phone). The official asked, why did I want a tax ID? My wife replied that it was because I was thinking I may need to file a Thai tax income return. The tax official asked what was my income source, and was I bringing that income into Thailand? My wife noted my income was foreign pensions, and that while at present I was not bringing the money into Thailand, I was thinking to bring some in to Thailand in the future. The official replied if I was not bringing the money into Thailand, then I did not have to file a tax return. My wife noted I had a Thai Pink-ID, and was that an acceptable Tax ID? She noted that she had tried to use that Pink-ID in the online tax submission form for Thailand, and the Pink-ID was rejected. The official replied for the Pink-ID to be used as a tax ID (online) it needed to be activated first (as a tax-ID). The official repeated I did not need to file a tax return (nor need a TIN) if I was not bringing money into Thailand. My wife went one question further (not so relevant to this Aseannow thread), noted i was on an LTR visa, and if on that Visa would I need to submit a tax return if I brought money into Thailand. The official replied he never heard of an LTR visa. My wife also asked, if I earn money from interest (bonds/bank/mutual funds) in Thailand, given there was already a withholding tax, at what amount would I be required to file a tax return? The official replied, he would check and call my wife back (re: LTR visa and also filing a tax return for foreign/Thai amounts of income). He never called back. Clearly he was not in a hurry to give a foreigner a Thai TIN. So while waiting for a phone call back, that will likely NEVER come, I, like everyone else, will watch to see how this plays out in the coming year. I did come away with the sense that (1) Thai tax authorities are not keen on receiving a bunch of new paperwork (with more tax returns) and (2) Thai tax authorities themselves don't know yet the impact of the new tax interpretations, and (3) it is NOT always an easy process for a foreigner to get a Thai tax ID. At present time, its looking to me things are "in flux" and very few (anyone?) know for certain the outcome of the possible changes.

It can be interesting to speculate on such. I believe both immigration and the foreigners would appreciate not having to process/do yearly extensions, with the required time and paperwork. I am a bit skeptical thou such would come to pass with only a demonstrated monthly income of 50,000 THB/month. That is a big drop over the current 80,000 THB for only 1 year for reason of retirement (for a current Type-O/OA). Also, in addition to the proof of monthly income, there is no amount written in that link as to what qualifies as "proof of funds". I also don't believe such until it appears in the Gazette, ... I do though also believe it would be nice to see such. Further I suspect if it comes to pass, the eligibility criteria will be larger than that in the noted OPs link.

Thats fair . If one has structured their income outside of Thailand, such that their foreign income has minimal to no tax obligations, then as you point out, for all Thai visas the possibility of these new tax changes can be of concern (although I believe the LTR may have less of a concern due to the LTR Royal Decree). I assume in the case of concern over paying taxes in Thailand (for income from outside of Thailand), one needs to start researching one or more places in the world where one may wish to spend 185 or more days of a calendar year outside of Thailand. There would most likely be a lot of effort involved there with such research (to do so in detail, cities, neighbourhoods, rentals ... etc ) , unless one has family or friends where one can stay for long periods of time (outside of Thailand). All of this effort to try and save Thai tax on TBD income. My own view is most of us (even with substantial investments) are already covered under Double Taxation Agreements (DTA) and that most of us were not able in our lifetime to structure our financial earnings in a minimal tax environment. In my case, my wife is Thai and after living outside of Thailand for 20 years (married) its now her turn for us to live in Thailand. I already had an adequate investment in Thailand (condominium ownership) that helped contribute to me meeting the BoI LTR visa criteria, and most (possibly all < unsure > ) my foreign pension and investment income is covered by a DTA, so the new tax laws are something I watch, just in case the Royal Decree is superseded, and just in case so I don't make a mistake. Just in case! Just in case???? At present time thou ... this is a LOT OF SPECULATION re: any Thai income tax on foreign income the LTR visa holders of Wealthy Global citizens or Wealthy Pensioners may (or may not) have to be concerned about. My main interest thou, is to be certain I do not need to file a Thai tax return when on the LTR visa (as I have insufficient Thai income from interest in Thai sources, but clearly I have a lot of assessable (but exempt) foreign income) - where at present I do not plan to file such a return.

That being the case - are you now considering the new Visa Exempt or DTV visas? < my speculation > Even if staying in Thailand less than 180-days per calendar year (but still come for almost 1/2 year, every year), then if one has the money, that one can prove (to meet the constraints of the BoI criteria), then I believe the LTR has significant advantages over the Type-O and Type-OA visas. I listed them above. The LTR visa 50,000 THB is actually less expensive (as I pointed out) than what one would pay for the Type-O / OA visas with a multiple-reentry permit (if one comes to Thailand every year, with a few trips in/out but spends less than 180-days in the country per calendar year). I believe only the new DTV and VisaExempt changes possibly provide other possibilities - but I do suspect on the VisaExempt, if one starts staying some # of days (maybe 150 days or more in a calendar year < my speculation > one could run into an IO (who woke up on the wrong side of the bed) that when one is entering Thailand, that IO may take exception to one spending so much time in Thailand visa-exempt. That sort of experience (being denied entry, or questioned like one was working illegally when was not doing such) could spoil one's travel a LOT.

You made your point very clear, but I think you will find massive disagreement from many of us, who already decided we were going to live in Thailand long before the LTR visa, and in fact even more so ? it was relevant to those of us living in Thailand long before the LTR visa. When I applied for the LTR visa, the taxation aspect was the LAST thing on my mind. The LAST. At that time, these new tax interpretations and potential (not yet) new tax law were not even talked about. I think that is clear. The taxation aspects only came out later and now those planning to be in Thailand > 180days in a calendar year are starting to have concerns (on all visas). In my case, the taxation benefit of the LTR visa was an aspect that I did not think important when I applied for the LTR visa. So if tax not an issue, why then, apply for the LTR visa? 1. Its cheaper than a type-O / OA visa over a 10 year period if one considers the included multiple re-entry. So LTR is superior financially. 2. No need for 90-day reports. Instead yearly reports, and for those of us who travel internationally once/year, possibly NO reports dependent on our departure date. So LTR is superior in terms of reports. 3. Instead of EVERY YEAR (on a Type-O/OA) visa, having to prove one's financial status, one only has to prove such every 5 years. That is a big convenience for many of us on the LTR visa (in particular for those who have the money). 4. Access to FAST TRACK lines which is very useful for those who do not fly business class and who also do not have a Thai spouse and who are also not considered a senior. That is a BIG benefit for those who travel through crowded airports. 5. Self health-insurance is possible with the LTR visa (for those of us who have the money), as compared to the Type-OA visa where one has to obtain health insurance from the Thai branch of a Health insurance company, or (for those on a Type-OA) be forced to dump their Type-OA and go for a type-O. In fact the LTR will even allowed health insurance from a non-Thai branch of a health insurance company (if one can show the necessary paperwork, which some users have been able to do). So the LTR is once again superior there. So UNLIKE yourself, many of us DO get benefit, independent of ANY tax considerations. Frankly, your tax concerns apply to ALL OTHER Thai visas, even more than the LTR visa, if one wishes to stay in Thailand >180days per calendar year. A great thing (IMHO) about Thailand is it has many different visas, and we each get to choose the one is best for us.

I think good advise was given with Onward.com. But if that makes you nervous, you can spend a bit of time looking at cheap one-way flights from some international airports out of Thailand to a foreign country that is near by. You need to pick a date in the week that has the cheapest flights. Consider for example (where I looked just now), a one-way, Phuket to KL (1300 THB) or Krabi to KL (1,162 THB). Far more expensive than Onward.com, but it is an actual ticket that could be used (not that you want to - as you will throw it out afterward).

Phuket immigration used to do this (for example they did this when I was on a Type-OA going for an extension based on marriage). After I deliberately let that Type-OA expire (by exiting Thailand without a re-entry permit) and re-entering Visa Exempt to subsequently get a Type-O for reason of retirement, in my subsequent Type-O extension (for reason of retirement), Phuket immigration instead of a home visit, required a video tour with the IO (using the "Line" application), where I had to walk to the front door of my condo (showing myself and my condo door # in same video scene) and then walk to the street by the condo complex sign, and again in same video image show myself with the condo sign. The IO was noting over the phone they were taking screen captures at appropriate times. I don't know the current status of extensions for reason of marriage of the type-OA. Possibly they have stopped doing house visits, and have switched to the "Video" chat like extensions for reason of retirement - and possibly not. Someone who is currently getting extensions for reason of marriage in Phuket will need to answer that - but in the past, the home visits were always required (at least in my case). .

I had a DEFINITE preference for going the 'reason of retirement route", having had both extensions for reason of retirement (on type-O) and for reason of marriage (on type-OA) to a Thai. Money in the bank was NOT an issue for me. I had all the paperwork for an extension for reason of marriage in order, yet still, in the case of the Phuket Immigration office, the extension for reason of retirement (in the office) was handled much quicker than that extension for reason of reason of marriage. Not to mention a lot of time (couple of hours) having to wait at the City Hall to get the updated KOR-22 which is needed for reason of marriage. Further, after all the time spent in the immigration office (short for reason of retirement, longer for reason of marriage), I had to come back in a second visit to pick up my passport at the office. The passport work for an extension for reason of retirement was done within a couple of days, while the extension for reason of retirement took more than a couple of weeks. This is likely immigration office dependent, but still, having the extension for reason of retirement was MASSIVELY easier in my case.

If the article I read, is the "newspaper which cannot be mentioned" that you refer to, I suspect the Royal Decree which makes foreign income tax exempt for LTR visa holders will take precedence". ie no affect (which is my speculation). If this is changed, then it might be changed with a grandfather clause for the LTR Visa, protecting those who already have the LTR (that is also speculation by me). Or if this is changed such that there is no such protection and if the Royal Decree is amended or superseded with regards to LTR tax exemption (that is also speculation by me - which I also speculate won't happen) then there are other considerations. For example, I suspect for most (not all) of us on an LTR visa, our foreign income has already been taxed in a foreign country covered under a Double Tax Agreement (DTA) with Thaliand. So even if the LTR tax exemption were to be removed, many on the LTR visa won't be affected (other than perhaps to have to file an income tax return). Again - speculation. And also, given the LTR tends to appeal more to those who already have the money, and given the official Thai government past clarifications were that Thai resident's money from outside of Thailand prior to 1-Jan-2024 would not be assessed as taxable under the recent interpretation/changes, then likely many of us on the LTR already have enough money saved out side of Thailand, so to be able to live in Thailand for the remainder of our lives. We just then need a confirmed record of the amount of money we had as of 1-Jan-2024, and keep a running spreadsheet(?) record/ track of only that non-taxable (by Thailand) money being brought into Thailand. Of course that is speculation too. But you asked for the "latest thoughts" and I believe such can only be speculation at this time.

It depends on the type of account. Typically fixed deposit accounts offer MUCH higher interest than daily accounts. And after a fixed deposit period expires the rate can change drastically. Honestly - I don't bother looking anymore at the rates for Thailand banks as they change. Yes, I have US dollar accounts in Thailand banks, but compared to the amount in US dollar I have outside of Thailand, these amounts are relatively very small. In fact 'relatively' is the important word here. What is very small to me, could be massive for someone else. And what is very large to me, could be very trivial for someone else. The wealth between people can vary drastically. ... And honestly, in public forum, I prefer NOT to get into numbers. So my apologies, but I am not the one who can answer your question if "interest rates" is your criteria to consider for accounts in Thailand banks as I do not track it from month to month. I spend my attention on my overseas accounts (mostly trading with some savings) where most of my money is located. In regards to Thailand banks, I only deal with Krungsri and Bangkok Bank. If one wishes to change between currencies, Bangkok Bank is FAR superior to Krungsri, as one can do it on line and have the currency be exchanged FAST. In contrast, for Krungsri, one has to go to one's branch IN PERSON to have the currency exchanged (say from USD to Thai baht). NOT so convenient for Krungsri. HOWEVER, if one does not want to keep too much money in a Thai bank, then in terms of perks from the Bank (such as VIP priority service, use of bank lounge for VIP customers, free passes to health clubs, free passes to airport lounges (and some other perks I don't use so I can't think of them off the top of my head), Krungsri is superior to Bangkok Bank. One needs far less money in Krungsri to be a VIP as opposed to Bangkok bank. In regards to this LTR thread, for LTR Wealthy Pensioners, and/or LTR Wealthy Global Citizens, who presumably have the money and are not just barely making the LTR (wealthy) category, then I believe it useful to investigate the perks that the banks have. The perks can save one time and energy, where such time and energy is something as I get older I find very valuable.

And I do agree with him that it would be better to keep most of one's USD in the US earning a lot more interest than in a Thai bank (in USD). "most" is the operative word here. My point is I prefer not to keep all of my USD in a US bank. I want some money in Thailand, immediately available - and I do not want to keep my 'immediately available' money all in Thai baht. When I was a type-OA and later type-O visa, I had requirements to maintain the equivalent of 800k THB (or greater) in a Thai bank. That did not need to be in Thai baht. If one has a certain amount of money in some Thai banks (and it need not be in Thai baht) one gets certain perks, such as priority at the bank when one shows up, access to a VIP sitting area at the bank, a limited # of airline lounge access for free, health club access for free and some other perks. If that money was in the USA, those perks would not be provided. And in the mean time that money, in Thailand, can be converted to Thai baht in minutes, and not in days. Again, its not all one's USD (as most is OUTSIDE of Thailand), but it is USD in a Thai bank. Having in USD helps ensure only a restricted amount of one's assets is in Thai baht. Going back again - to the original question - why do some want a USD account in Thailand? I think I answered that question why some do. Clearly not everyone agrees, and clearly this is NOT the approach for many, and that is perfectly fine, we all have our own way of doing things.

I suspect a lot may depend on what sort of tax obligations you have from your home country, and whether it has a double tax agreement (DTA) with Thailand. If you come from a job (where such jobs exist, but IMHO are difficult to find employment in) that had no (or minimal) tax obligations in, say, your home country, then you may wish to limit your stay in Thailand to 179 days or less, as things seem to be changing in Thailand with regards to foreigners and taxes (impacting those, for example, on the Type-OA visa). This may or may not be relevant based on the DTA one's home country has with Thailand. There is hope that the LTR-WP (wealthy pensioner) and LTR-WGC (wealthy global citizen) visas, may mean one on those visas may not need to restrict their stay to 179 days in Thailand (for taxation reasons), even if their overseas money has had minimal tax applied in their home country. As you probably already know, a Thai Royal Decree states those on the Thailand LTR-WP & LTR-WGC are tax exempt from out-of-Thailand income, brought into Thailand. That's nothing special perhaps for those whose home country has a DTA with Thailand, but not all will find the DTA helpful. Those not on an LTR visa will need to pay careful attention to any tax obligations if their stay goes up to 180-days in Thailand. Still, one great thing about Thailand is it has many Visas to offer. While visa exempt has been increased to 60-days for many country's citizens (for a permission to stay in Thailand), and a 30-day extension on that 'visa exempt' is possible, ... and further while visa runs can give one another 60-days ... its not 100% clear to me one can be assured of getting 60 days (initial visa exempt) + 30-days (visa exempt extension) + 60 days (another visa exempt after a border run) + 30 days (another visa exempt extension) for year after year after year. Possibly one or more Thai border crossing IOs could be concerned one is working in Thailand for 50% of the year, and start denying entry. If you are on a Type-OA visa for reason of retirement, I would suggest you look to change from a Type-OA to a Type-O visa, as the Health Insurance requirements for the Type-OA visa can be annoying (and more expensive) to meet - especially if you have superior health insurance from your home country that will cover you in Thailand. The chances are for extensions of your permission to stay in Thailand, your home country health insurance will not be accepted in Thailand for a Type-OA visa. That could force you to change to Health Insurance from the Thai branch of a health insurance company (which may not be as good as your health insurance from your home country) or you could be forced to get double health insurance just to get a visa extension on the Type-OA (for reason of retirement) if you do not wish to give up your (hypothetical) superior home country health insurance. Of course if you are always applying for a new Type-OA visa every year from your home country (as opposed to going the 1-year extension route) then these Health Insurance considerations for the Type-OA visa are less significant. Currently there are no health insurance requirements for those on a Type-O visa.

I suspect none of us can know ... and that includes whether the Thai baht will always remain between 30 and 35. I was here, in Thailand from 1997 to 1999, and I saw the Thai baht fall, far far FAR (very very FAR) out of that 30 to 35 range that appears to give you much confidence. Fortunately back then, my money was not in Thai baht. ... I did have faith in the baht then only AFTER it dropped to VERY low levels, and at those low levels I was buying as much baht as I could then (at a pretty good price). Each to their own - as we noted. I have been an expat for close to 40 years ... and I prefer to have my money diversified in different currencies. and the question ... that started us off on this discussion, was why do some wish to keep funds in a Thailand bank in a different currency such as USD? Why? I think I have answered that from my perspective. Many may disagree - and IMHO that disagreement is fine. Each to their own. My approach has worked well for me for close to 40 years ... and I suspect others with a different approach believe their approach has worked well too. My view? All the best wishes to them and their approach. But for me as an LTR visa holder? I still prefer diversification.

As you say (and as I said) each to his own. I have a massive disagreement with you in regards to the FX assessment. For me it makes NO SENSE to have too much in Thai baht. I already have a condo in Thailand (ie can only be liquidated initially in Thai baht if/when time comes) and other Thai baht based investments. Why overload in Thai baht? Is that what you prefer to do? And if I need to keep large amounts in cash to satisfy BoI (such as self health insurance) or satisfy Thai immigration (for when on a Type-O/OA visa) why overload and have such in Thai baht? Why overload in Thai baht when already I have a lot in Thai baht? I can keep such in a foreign currency (such a USD and diversify). Sure - I concede - that may be how you like to this , but for certain, it is NOT how I like to do it. As noted - each to their own.

Why USD in a local bank? It can typically be converted to THB and accessed almost immediately. USD outside of Thailand in a bank, can take hours to days or more to transfer to Thailand - where 'your mileage may vary (YMMV) dependent on the amount of money and the transfer method to Thailand. And YMMV as to how urgent one may need money at any given time. And YMMV as to whether one is in a financial situation where one needs to keep relatively large amounts of money in cash (example: to satisfy immigration, BoI (self health insurance) or other requirements). Aside from immigration and other needs to have relatively large amounts of cash, as to why keep money in USD? Some of us see the Thai Baht stronger than it should be at present, and speculate (where speculate is the 'operative' word) that the Thai baht will eventually fall vs the USD. The downside ? Interest in a Thai Bank USD account is likely less than interest in a USD account in some other countries. I keep USD in accounts in Thailand, and also in countries outside of Thailand (in addition to keep some other currencies). And I have other much much larger investments than simply cash. Its really up to each person as to how they wish to keep (and invest) their own money, and how much money they want locally (and in what currency) for any urgent needs (or whether any money is needed at all). Some of us have different needs than others, and I fully believe for others the considerations I noted above makes absolutely ZERO SENSE for them. Every one is different and I wish all the best in the approach they adopt.

I don't dispute what you posted. But I add to that, (and I have typed this before) that the translation for Royal Decree 743 (on the LTR visa) states "Governing Reduction of Tax Rates and Exemption of Taxes". Note the word "exemption" . It does not translate to "Non-assessable for taxes". It clearly does NOT translate that way. Then read the text for Royal Decree 743 (on the LTR Visa). Section-5 for the Wealthy Global Citizen and for the Wealthy Pensioner, and for the Work from Thailand Professional, translates to state they "shall be exempted ... for assessable income under section-40 of the Revenue code derived in the previous year from an employment or business carried on abroad, or from a property situated abroad, and brought into Thailand". Note the word "exempted". The points people make here in the Royal Decree 743 are: (1) "exempted for assessable" income may not be NOT the same as "not-assessable" income. If it was not-assessable, why not simply state "not assessable". Instead "exempted for assessable" was translated. Was this something lost in translation? Typically if an item has tax exemption, it is listed on an income tax return, and then subtracted from the assessable income. The Thai tax forms have a specific form where tax exempt income is to be listed. (2) also, in the Royal Decree note the words "income ... derived in a previous year ... and brought into Thailand". Some are worried that it is written that way with the intent to force those on the LTR (WP and WGC) to bring their income into Thailand in the year it was earned (so not to pay tax) ... with a concern that in the future, its possible foreign income earned abroad and not brought it, could be taxed if one a Thai resident. That is NOT the case today, but the head of the Revenue department has stated that is what he wants to implement. However, as I noted, a discussion my wife had on the phone with the local Revenue Department official was that even as a resident, if the foreign income was not brought into Thailand, it did not have to be taxed in Thailand and an income tax return not needed. Hence for the moment, I think there is no concern there (if foreign income not brought into Thailand) - but it is something to watch carefully. Further, the Royal Decree 743 section 6 states "A foreigner .... must meet qualifications and comply with rules, procedures and conditions as prescribed by the Director General of the Revenue Department." I believe nominally, the section-6 " rules, procedures and conditions", together with one having an income over a certain amount of money, together with one being a Thai resident (by staying >180 days in Thailand) means that one may need to file a Thai tax return. Again, I note LTR foreign income is to be 'tax exempt'. However the LTR visa does not clearly state "not-assessable" income. I think those on LTR-WP/WGC visa all hope the Thai to English translation "exempted ... for assessable income" means "not-assessable income" - but we are dealing with translations and different words - where words can have meanings. So, NOW, another point ... further, on Royal Decree 743 section 7, the translation states "In the case that a foreigner has applied tax reduction or exemption under this Royal Decree, and later does not comply with rules described in Section-3, 4, 5, and 6 in any tax year, benefits will be suspended in that tax year." ie. what some of us are watching, since the Royal Decree 743 states those on WP/WGC are tax exempt but does not state "tax not-assessable" will we need to file a tax return? (even thou we will pay no tax? ) . The risk is if the Thai RD assesses a tax return is still needed, and we don't file a return, then Clause-7 implies our tax exempt benefits for a given tax year will be lost. I don't know the answer here. This is something we all need to watch. I set up my finances such that I can go for more than a couple of years in Thailand and not bring in any money, and by then, I hope there will be more clarification for those of us on the LTR WP/WGC visa. Further, I was required by a couple of Canadian institutions to provide a Thailand TIN. One even froze one of my Canadian trading accounts (that had a very substantial amount of money in it). I was able to unfreeze it (for the moment) by providing my "pink-ID" number with a caveat that the TIN was not yet activated by Thailand. And my wife had that confirmation (that my pink-ID not activated yet as a TIN) over the phone when chatting with a local Thailand Revenue Department official - who even questioned why I wanted a tax ID. I still have not resolved whether I will get an activated Thai TIN. The local RD official was to phone my wife back, and he has not done so. Every few weeks I check to see if my pink-ID has been activated as a TIN, and it has not. Depending on what I read (or do not read) on this topic of tax returns, I may in February fill in a Thai tax return in mid-February next year, and hand deliver it to the local Thai RD office. I have not decided yet on that. I may not do that. I will be out of country in March/April, so February is my only opportunity to do such - and I have not decided on that. My hope, like I think 95% (my figure) of others on the LTR-WP/WGC, is that no Thai tax return is needed, as it is just a bunch of extra possibly needless paper work for everyone. Needless paperwork for us, and needless paper work for the Thai RD.

Phuket's International airport does not have a fast track lane. But my experience (with the LTR visa, and also I am age-70) is I have been able to use the Thai lane. Further I usually travel with my Thai wife, so that also gets me through the Thai lane. The last time we left Phuket, the line up for foreigners into the immigration security area was massive. So I went through the Thai line. My wife was ahead of me and she did not say we were married. But I was still allowed in the Thai line, either due to my age (70) or due to my LTR visa (or the person doing the entrance screening speculated we were together). Once inside the security area, there were a few people lined up to go the the Thai immigration booth and no one in the line for Diplomat/officials/airline staff immigration booth, so I went to that later line and they processed my exit to airside. Over a month later, on the way back to Phuket, I again went through the Thai line, ending up in a different Thai booth from my Thai wife. Again I was accepted, this time likely as I had an LTR visa or my age (as my wife was in a different Thai line). I do note thou, it took a bit longer for the IO in the booth to figure out what to do with my LTR visa as I suspect they do not see such often in a Thai line. They enlisted help from an IO in another booth. Possibly a similar approach to Phuket will be seen in Suvarnabhumi Airport ?

I can't speak for the specifics of any immigration office, but my experience is typically one only needs to show the TM30 when one needs to visit some (not all) immigration offices. Even thou one does not plan to visit an immigration office, sometimes fate can throw a curve at one, and an unexpected requirement to visit immigration (however remote) could occur. Its when that happens that one may (immigration office dependent) then need to scramble to produce a TM30. Hence I typically have my Thai wife do a TM30 for me all the time. As to checking past records for TM30 - if one creates the TM30 over the internet, I assume then that TM30 record is kept in the immigration system. But if one does such by postal mail (?) or in person at immigration with the filled in form ?? I don't know if immigration will put such in their computer. I suspect they should. If one is traveling and staying with friends, I think would think it pretty difficult for Thai immigration to keep track of whether TM30s were submitted. If however one stays in a hotel, then the Hotels (using one's passport information) are supposed to do a TM30. Hence immigration could then see a record of of a TM30 in their computer database for such a hotel stay. Will they then check to see if there are more TM30s after than one hotel TM30 ? I don't know. They could. But it would take time, and if an immigration office is busy, I suspect they would not bother to check the past. I suspect there will be others on this forum with a superior view/assessment here.

Have you considered the new DTV (Destination Thailand Visa)?