oldcpu

Thankyou for your post. From the "Notification of the Director Gerneral of the Revenue Department Regarding Income Tax (No.427) it is clear that LTR visa foreigners under categories Highly Skilled Professional, Wealthy Global Citizen, Wealthy Pensioner, and Work-from-Thailand Professional (who are eligble for income tax reduction or exemption) MUST comply with rules and conditions on the LTR Visa as prescribed by the BOI. Further, it notes foreigners under section-3 (LTR-Highly Skilled Professional) and section-4 which again refers to LTR-Highly Skilled Professional) as defined in the Royal decree, must file a Thai Income Tax return. It does not state whether foreigners under section-5 (Wealthy Global Citzen, Wealthy Pensioner, and Work-from-Thailand Professional) need to file an income tax return. However it does clearly state (again) that all LTR visa holders MUST meet qualifications and comply with rules, procedures, and conditions as prescribed by the Director-General of the Revenue Department. So what rule might these be? How about the rule where if one is in Thailand >180 days one may need to file a tax return? Note also the wording is clear, that the Wealthy Global Citizen, Wealthy Pensioner, or Work-from-Thailand Professional are granted a Long-Term Resident Visa under immigration law are exempt for foreign assessable income. ... i.e. this directly refers to foreign income that IS assessable, but then it is considered exempted. It is not made "not assessable", it is not defined as "not assesable", but rather it is made "exempt". Does that wording matter? I don't know. So as I posted previous, for me that begs the question, is "assessable income that is exempt" from income tax clause identical to "non-assessable income" in all respects? IMHO the question is important in regards to any need (or NO need) to file an income tax return. I prefer the explanation that 'exempt' is identical to 'not assessable' and hence "NO NEED" to file a tax return answer - but honestly I don't know. I prefer not to speculate based on my preference/hope. Anyway - my hope is to eventually get a direct answer from the Thai revenue department on this question, rather than to try to dig up an answer from the BoI (where I suspect (but again I don't know) that any Revenue Department ruling may take precedent over any BoI statement). Which is not to preclude obtaining BoI answers - but I would also prefer if this was made crystal clear from the Thai Revenue Department. I am still waiting for the Thai Revenue department to call my wife back, where we used the application of a Thai Tax-ID for me (with me being an LTR-P holder), as an approach to try to obtain the maximum amount of clarity on this question. Perhaps I won't succeed here - but I am trying.

I was unhappy with what I learned from my wife (and posted above), so I decided to ask my my more questions to see if she left out any details ... and of course - she did leave out a LOT ... and I mean a LOT . < sigh > "Drilling down" for more details is always a bit risky from a happy marriage perspective, as it highly irritates my wife. Anyway, the Tax official she talked to was from the Phuket branch of the Thailand tax department. Apparently the online application went to the central office in Thailand, and they in turn passed the application to the Phuket branch of the tax department (as we live in Phuket). The Phuket tax official asked my wife, how long do I stay in Thailand and what was my income source? My wife advised I am in Thailand for >180 days per year and my income is from foreign pensions. My wife said she then added a quick comment that I don't bring my pension into Thailand. This is 'currently true' as at present any money I bring in is from savings from over a decade ago - long before 1-Jan-2024. However my wife did not say I am living off of savings nor did she state that I do bring that savings into the country on the odd occasion. The Phuket tax official then said if I don't bring in any income into Thailand, then I do not have to file a Thailand tax form. The official added if I do bring foreign "income" into Thailand, then I should then apply for a tax ID. My wife then asked, given I am on a LTR-Pensioner visa, which by royal decree states assessable income as tax exempt for LTR-P, am I still required to file a tax return? and am I required to get a tax ID? The Phuket tax official noted they had never heard of an LTR visa. They would have to check. .. < sigh > ... The devil is in the details. I have learned nothing from the above that I did not already know. Hopefully when the tax official calls back, I will obtain more answers. I am trying to 'prep' my wife as to what she needs to find out, but that is difficult, as she has her own view on these things. If I learn more, I will post - and my apologies for my quoted post on this, which is a bit misleading IMHO (but it IS what my wife initially passed on to me).

My Thai wife submitted the online application for a Thai Tax-ID for myself (a foreigner in Thailand on an LTR-WP visa) , where that included uploading copies of my pink-ID and Yellow Book. She gave her phone # as the contact number. Today she received a phone call from the Thai tax department, advising her, given I had no income in Thailand, that I did not have to obtain a Thai tax ID, even though I am in Thailand for >180 days. My wife asked that some sort of official document be sent to her (and me) to record that. The person on the phone also purportedly told her that while a pink-ID card's number can be a foreigner's tax ID, it needs to be activated by Revenue Thailand before it becomes active as a Thai Tax ID number. My wife advised the official on the phone that I obtain interest from Thai banks (which have a withholding tax amount) and also interest from a Thai bond (which also has a with holding tax amount). My wife asked at what point do I have to obtain a Thai Tax ID if that interest exceeds some TBD financial level. The official advised my wife she would call her back later after researching answer for the two questions (ie (1) my wife asking for an official record that I don't have to ask for a Tax ID, and (2) when do I have to ask for a Tax ID due to Thai interest reaching some TBD amount of money). Frankly - I don't know if this was good or bad news - I was kind of left with a fuzzy feeling that the official may not be up to date with the latest Thai tax laws (but they should be) ... so I am most curious as to what the answer will be when my wife is phoned back (which IMHO could be a week or more).

You ARE required, as a non-resident to Canada, to file a tax return on any Canadian sourced income (such as interest from a Canadian bank account one might still have) if you are in a higher income tax bracket (due to your global income outside Canada) which results in the withholding tax being insufficient. And no, I did NOT choose to report under section-217. If one does not, as I noted, one will be fined and pay interest on the tax due. Every year !!! (since Revenue Canada caught up with me) I receive (very late given how slow postal mail is between Thailand and Canada) a package with the Canadian paper income tax return to be filled in. That just is the way it is. One needs to be VERY careful in reading Canadian tax documents as there are all sorts of almost hidden aspects ... It can be very complex. Again ... why do I know? Because as an expat (with a letter from Revenue Canada saying I was not a tax-resident) I did not file a Canadian tax return for years. When I started receiving my Canadian OAS (Old Age Security) - which I get for working in Canada for 1/4 century before becoming a non-tax resident) I filed a tax return, and Revenue Canada then 'hit' me with a bill for unpaid "DELTA" amounts (above the withholding tax they already deducted) from past taxation years when I did not file a tax return. Further, they also DEMANDED I file a tax return for those past years. Be very careful when you read those documents. There is more to this than 'just meets the eye'.

If you receive any income from Canada (such as interest in a Canadian bank account), no matter how small, they want an income tax return. No. Anyone who gets ANY income from Canada, is supposed to file a tax return. And in that tax return, one is required to state one's global income, and state the global income of one's spouse. I received a letter in year 2001 from Revenue Canada, confirming I am not a tax resident. That still does not exempt me from filing a Canadian tax return and paying tax on any Canadian income, regardless as to how small (unless it is a big ZERO). ONLY if I had no Canadian income, could I then not have to file a Canadian tax return That's just the way it is. As long as the 'withholding tax' (from one's interest in Canada) is greater than what the tax would be if one filed a tax return - then if no income tax return was filed, then there is no fine for not filing a tax return. But if because one's global income drives one to a high tax bracket (which eventually became my case), such that one would owe more tax than the withhold tax rate ( ie tax on one's interest from assets still in Canada) then one runs into issues for not filing the tax return and for not paying the extra tax (due to being in a higher tax bracket from global income). Note as a non-resident to Canada, one does not owe tax on the Global income outside of Canada - but the global income does drive one into a higher tax bracket. I should also note that if one has not filed a tax return (because their Global income puts one in a high tax bracket), then as a minimum one will pay punitive interest to Revenue Canada (at a very high interest rate) and worst case one will also receive a fine that has to be paid (with interest accumulating on any unpaid fine amount year after year, until one finally settles their tax account). That also is just the way it is. How do I know this? I've been there. Done that. Paid the interest & fine.

Interesting. " ... and passport " ... Interesting. Yesterday my Thai wife submitted online an application for myself to obtain a TIN. In the online form she was allowed to select what form of ID, and she selected the entry that allowed her to use my 'pink-ID'. She also needed to use my Yellow Book (she stated the form asked her to provide residence proof where a house book was acceptable for such). The 'online' application form had no way to upload images of copies of Yellow Book nor Pink-ID, and instead one is then given an email address where copies of these are to be sent by email. She forwarded the email (with the pink-ID/yellow book copies as attachments) on to the Revenue Department email address and she received an an email back acknowledging receipt of her email. My assumption is acknowledgement is not the same as acceptance. She did NOT (at least not yet) send a copy of my passport. She stated to me such was not asked for a passport in the online form (if Pink-ID submitted as identity proof). I find that I bit difficult to believe, but we will see if the Revenue Department gets back to us and asks for the Passport copies. I am in no hurry to get a TIN, so if not sending the passport copy slows down this process, then that is fine by me.

Currently - even thou I am applying for a Thai-Tax-ID, I may not submit a tax return for tax-year 2023 (nor possibly tax-year-2024, 2025 ... ). This is something I am reviewing for myself and I am not yet certain. My details: I am no accountant, nor financial tax advisor. I am definitely not a tax expert. I only try to look after myself in terms of my own obligations and risks. I note the Thailand tax rules on foreign-sourced income changed per Por 161/2566 on 15-Sep-2023 which were subsequently officially recorded in the Royal Gazette on 6-Oct-2023, giving them the force of Thai law. Under the new regulations, any individual who spends 180 days or more in Thailand within a tax year, is considered a Thai tax resident. This interpretation requires Thai tax residents (which can include foreigners) to pay tax on foreign sourced income in the year in which it is brought into Thailand. A further clarification came out on 20-Nov-2023 (P162/2023), that this is not effective for assessable income arrising before 1-Jan-2024. The VAST majority of my savings, are from long before 1-Jan-2024. And while I do obtain pension income (enough to qualify me to be an LTR-WP visa holder), my pension income is much less than the money I have in my overseas bank accounts. So obviously, I am trying to see how the Revenue Department tax interpretations may apply to me as a holder of a LTR-Wealthy Pensioner visa. I have not brought any money into Thailand in 2024 (I brought some in to Thailand in 2023), so at the most, from what I can read, I have no assessable income (except for small amounts of local interest in Thai banks/bonds) for the 2023 tax year. Hence even thou I have applied for a Tax ID number, I likely do not need to file a tax return this year, for tax-year 2023. However next year (in early 2025), even if I bring money into Thailand via bank to bank transfer, if that money was in my foreign bank account from before 1-Jan-2024, it may not be considered assessable income because that money dates back to my foreign accounts going back more than a decade. This is independent of me being an LTR-WP visa holder. Hence that makes me think - at present, that I won't have enough assessable income to file a Thailand tax return, even if my assessable income was not tax exempt due to me holding an LTR-WP visa. But I am an LTR-WP visa holder which I suspect makes me tax exempt and it even less likely for me to need to file a Thai tax return. But again - I don't know for certain, and for myself, and my financial situation, I will continue to try to improve my own understanding.

Thanks. I have never seen that document before. When reading that document, it notes foreigners who are eligible for tax reduction or exemption under Section 3 and Section 4 of the Royal Decree (no.743) must "File a personal income tax return (P.N.D.95) for a tax year in which income tax reduction or exemption is applied within a period of time prescribed by the law or an extended period of time". So next I looked at the Royal decree to see which LTR visas are listed under Section-3 and Section-4 of that Royal decree. Section-3 is "Highly Skilled Professional". Section-4 is a foreigner whose income is withheld for income tax at the rate of 17% of assessable income under section-3. Not mentioned is Section-5 in the Royal Decree which covers Wealthy Global Citizens, Wealthy Pensioners, and Work-from-Thailand professionals. So as near as I can tell, that document does not clarify whether Wealthy Global Citizens, Wealthy Pensioners, and Work-from-Thailand professionals need to file a tax return. What concerns me the most is the wording in the Royal Decree that notes all the LTR visa holders (ie those under Section-3, 4, and 5 in the Royal Decree) must meet qualifications and comply with rules, procedures, and conditions as prescribed by the Director-General of the Revenue Department. And with that in mind, I note Thailand Revenue Department now wants foreigners who reside in Thailand for >180 days to file an income tax return (at least that is my current understanding). Hence I am concerned (and I could be VERY VERY WRONG) that it may be necessary to file an income tax return if on an LTR-Wealthy Pensioner visa. But I don't know. And I don't want to base my 'actions' on hope. Its quite possible nothing is required (in terms of tax return), and the opposite is also possible (maybe a return will be wanted). This is Thailand and for me that often means things are not always what they seem. I am also curious if any on an LTR Wealth Pensioner, Wealthy Citizen, or Work From Thailand Professional have filed a Thai tax return.

Online application for a Thai Tax Number submitted. It was all in Thai language, so my wife had to do most of the work filling in the on-line form, translating for me when I asked. She entered both my ID # (from my Pink-ID) and also a house number (from my Yellow Book). The form also asked for my spouse's name. As part of the application (since online webpage could not handle such) she needed to email to the Revenue Department a copy of my pink-ID, a copy of the Yellow Book pages, and also a signed form (which we scanned into a PDF for uploading). She was provided the Revenue Department exact email address as part of filling in the on-line paperwork. If this application is rejected - I won't mind at all. I might even say I would be happy. I can say I tried. I suspect it could be some weeks before I find out if such was successful. And again - my hope is that this is totally unnecessary for those on a LTR-Wealthy Pensioner visa. .

Preferred lines at airport: I am on an LTR-P (pensioner visa), and I have used the multiple entry (and kept Visa) and also obtained faster lines. In my case I entered (and departed) Phuket airport, where the nominal foreigner immigration lines are full of tourists and very slow and crowded. So I was able to use the Thai citizen lines (as Phuket does not have a 'fast track line' for LTR visa holders). I was worried about being stopped and being sent to the massive tourist lines, but that did not happen. Financial requirements & Health Insurance: On the 10-year LTR-P visa, one needs to prove to the Thailand Board of Investment (BoI) that one meets their financial requirements (including health insurance meeting their requirements), where the financial requirements are significant if compared to the Non-Immigrant Type-O/OA visas. Further, when on the LTR visa, at the 5 year point one needs to once again prove one's finances/health-insurance (but no extra $ needed as the 50,000 THB is good for the full 10 years). One needs to report to Thai immigration once/year (where exiting/entering the country counts as a report to immigration). In contrast, the Non-immigrant Type-O Visa (not the Type-OA visa) is a pretty good deal ... as the financial proof is MUCH less than the LTR visa, and further for the Type-O there is no proof of Health Insurance requirement. One only gets 90-days initially on the Type-O visa (if applying inside Thailand), but after that one can obtain 1-year extensions (one after the other) to make up the 10 years. Each year one has to go to immigration to prove one's finances. And every 90-days one is required to do a 90-day report, either on-line, or by postal mail, or in person at immigration. But the visa financial proof requirements are significantly less (than the LTR). The Type-OA visa is sort of similar to the Type-O, except I believe it must be applied for from outside of Thailand, and further if one does not have a Thai spouse (and is applying for reason of retirement as opposed to reason of marriage to a Thai citizen) one must show health insurance requirements that meet Thailand requirements, which nominally in the case of the Type-OA visa means the health insurance MUST come from the Thailand branch of a Health Insurance company (and superior insurance from outside of Thailand is typically not accepted). One note is the health insurance proof requirements of the LTR visa are superior to that of the Type-OA visa, in that for the LTR visa health insurance plans from an Insurance company branch from outside of Thailand is accepted, and further with the LTR visa, if one has significant cash in a bank account anywhere in the world, one can self insure. Taxation: As for tax ? There is a new tax interpretation (by Thailand revenue department) and a lot of rumours flying on possible future changes (based on statements of officials from the Thailand Revenue Department) so its not clear what will transpire. As it stands today, due to a very recent change, it does read that foreigners in Thailand >180days in one year may need to pay Thai income tax on income they bring into Thailand (although if one has already paid tax on such income in a foreign country with a Double Tax Agreement (DTA)) with Thailand, then that may only result in a paperwork exercise to possibly have to file a Thai tax return. < unsure > The LTR visa was granted tax exemption for assessable foreign income (by a Thai Royal Decree), but there is a caveat to that Royal Decree that the rules of the Revenue Department still need to be adhered to, which could mean this tax exemption status could be affected. Currently there is massive speculation as to what this could mean, but no clear cut answer. I like both the non-immigrant type-O visa and I like the LTR-P Visa. I recommend you consider both and choose one.

The "why" is a good question. I note Canada has required a tax return from me for decades, even thou I am a non resident to Canada, and the withholding tax I pay for years on minimal ban interest exceeded the tax owed in a tax return. Canada didn't care. They wanted the tax return. If I didn't submit they would fine me. ... So IMHO it wouldn't surprise me for a second if counties such as Thailand adopt a similar approach. ... Now I hope the LTR visa holders who have next to zero Thai income won't have to file a Thai tax return, .. but I won't let my "hope" inappropriately drive my assessment as to what may be needed.

With respect, the Royal Decree does not state the foreign source income is not assessable. Instead, it states it is exempt. Is 'exempt' and 'not assessable' the same? If it was the same, why does Thailand have a form specifically where one must list their 'tax exemptions' as part of a tax return? I am no tax specialist, but I am not convinced what you believe is correct, nor am I convinced it is wrong. Further this has NOTHING to do with growing a set. Very bad form having to state that to justify your opinion IMHO.

I think I confirmed my pink-ID can not be used as a tax-ID until further registration is done. My Thai wife went to the internet location where one can submit an online tax ID. She entered my pink-ID # and immediately obtained an error that it was not recognized as a tax-ID. So - without further application - it appears pink-ID # not accepted as a tax ID. My wife then noted one can apply for a tax-ID online, and we are now investigating that. I still do NOT know if this is necessary for an LTR-WP visa holder.

Looking at the tax form, the only fields for filling in an income, are "assessable income under section 40" of the income tax act ... with different areas for different subsections. But in the case of an LTR-WP Royal decree No.743, it states (translation) "Section 5 Income tax under Part 2 of Chapter 3 in Title 2 of the Revenue Code shall be exempted for a foreigner categorized as Wealthy Global Citizen, Wealthy Pensioner, or Work-from-Thailand Professional who is granted a Long-Term-Resident Visa under immigration law for assessable income under section 40 of the the Revenue code derived in previous tax year from an employment, or from a business carried on abroad, or from a property situated abroad, and brought into Thailand". So the tax is exempted by Royal Decree. Given the tax is exempted, does that mean it is not assessable income? I note there is also an "Income Exemption Entitlement Form". The first two entries in that 'Exemption form' are #1 - salary, wage, pension, and field " #2 -Less exempted income ". I assume one puts one's pension in field #1, and in field #2 one's pension again (as it is exempt under Royal decree No.743). Resulting in 'zero' "Balance (1 minus 2)" in the exemption form, where the 'zero' income is then copied to the "90" main tax form for income in entry #1. I am guessing here. I assume then one has to also enter their (almost trivial) amount of interest from Thai banks/bonds in other aspects of the #90 form, and also record elsewhere the amount of withholding tax deducted. It reads like a lot of effort to fill in a form for no tax due ?? But maybe I am missing something?? If someone on an LTR-WP visa has submitted a tax return (whose income is pension income) I would be most curious as to what fields one filled in one's data in regards to the LTR visa exemption. As it stands now, I think the return would basically only show one's trivial (already taxed) bank interest income on the Main (#90) Personal Income Tax Return form, and show one's LTR-WP visa exempt income on the 'Exemption' form. But that is my speculation at this stage.

Like many others with the LTR visa (in my case an LTR-WP), who stay in Thailand more than 180 days, I do not know if a tax return will be required, even if one's income in Thailand is 0 baht (but one's income comes only from outside of Thailand). What, shall I say 'concerns' me, is the statement that "otherwise it'll come to SECTION 7 that you benefit will be suspended in that tax year". I think we all hope a tax return is not required but a more definitive (YES tax return is needed, or NO tax return is not needed) answer for "ALL" LTR-visa holders in Thailand > 180 days, with no Thai sourced income, would be helpful. I am starting to look at the Thai Tax return form, which I have never looked at before and its not (yet) clear to me how to fill in LTR visa relevant information - even if such a return was required. In case any are curious, here is a link where one can obtain the Thai tax forms: https://www.rd.go.th/english/29040.html I think the "e-Form (Fillable Tax return)" > "Personal Income Tax" link is the one to select. The 'for translation purpose only' link did not work for me. After clicking on "Personal Income tax" note the "Please Select Year" where I believe for last year one should select "2023". That then brings one to a page where one can select the 'personal income tax return' forms ... and I am currently trying to sort which forms are the best form(s) (possibly more than one) to download as an LTR-WP visa holder. And as noted, this may not even be required. (I hope it is not required) If I do submit a Thai tax form (using my 'pink-ID as my TIN') it won't be the 1st time in my life I filed a tax return that was likely not needed. I recall the German government sending me a letter asking me to stop filing a German tax return (unless my tax situation relative to Germany, should change). I am not even certain my 'pink-ID' is appropriate as my 'TIN' despite a quarterly letter on my Thai bonds having my pink-ID # in the tax-ID # ( ... where I note that I have never applied for a TIN and I do not know if this is an automatic assignment of TIN as pink-ID # ) , ... I note that I gave the bank my pink-ID # when I applied to obtain a Thai savings bond for the LTR Visa, and perhaps that is how this is appearing in the quarterly bond statement as my TIN). But each to their own here as what they will do. As for myself, I am undecided as to whether I need to submit a tax form to Thailand due to my having minimal Thai sourced income on an LTR-WP.

Phuket.

This is Thailand and what works one time, may not work another time or not work in another place. When I went to renew my Thai driver's licence in Phuket a few years ago, I used my yellow book/pink-ID combo instead of a residence certificate from Thai immigration in Phuket. It was accepted for the renewal. I was a "happy camper". A short time later, I mentioned such to a Phuket based foreign friend, and he was surprised, as he had tried the same a couple of years prior, and the yellow book was not accepted. So maybe I was just lucky, with the right person on shift at the licence bureau at the right time. There appears to be no consistency - which is not a surprise. Fortunately the amount of money being mentioned in this thread for a residency certificate (from 0 to 800 THB) is not large.

They can say what they want. I did such. I changed my career 4 times ( and changed my work continent 4x) before settling down in the job that provided superb insurance. ... and I would have changed again had it made sence. No. You are just wrong.

No. I kept my eye on the job market the entire time I was employed ... and compared my benefits and salary to what was available elsewhere. Your generalization (?) view there, in the case of my employment and the experience of others I have talked to, could not be more wrong. .

Indeed health insurance does tend to go up for most when one gets older - but not for everyone. As has been pointed out, the knowledge that health insurance costs nominally go up is the reason why some of us, when we were much younger (and not in our 70s like myself now), when we went job hunting, we found a job that provided subsidized health insurance as part of a pension plan. In my case the job may have not had the best salary (at the time) but that subsidized health plan that came with the job was great (where in my case the rate does NOT go up when I get older). That assurance that I could have subsidized health insurance for the rest of my life was worth a lot to me - and after I spent a LOT of time cranking the numbers (decades ago) I came to the conclusion that it was worth taking a small salary cut to work for this organisation where they would subsidize my Health Insurance when I got older. I think that is something for those in their 30s, and 40s to take note of, is keep the possibility of a subsidized Health Insurance in mind (one that one can keep and still be subsidized when one retires), as a hiring 'perk' , when you go job hunting.

I suppose another risk, is that the "powers that be" might decide to crack down on the Agents and the IOs who together work to approve retirement extensions of a person who does not actually have the 400k (married to a Thai) or 800K, in the bank. I do believe there is a risk, if that happens, then in addition to going after the agents, and the IOs, they could go after the foreigners who used same agent's services. I recall back in the late 1990s, it was possible on a 30-day Visa-exempt status to never leave Thailand, and simply pay an IO (who one would meet discretely after office hours, in some location outside of immigration), to take one's passport and get the necessary entry/exit stamps for one - and do this every 30 days ... every month, month after month after month. However eventually, after some time, this was stopped. The IO was in a LOT of trouble, and the entry stamps in the passport were very slightly different such that it was detectable that such an illegal service was used. Anyone showing an IO their passport could land themselves in trouble if those stamps were spotted. Some foreigners discovered with those stamps in their passport, upon discovery, they were in essence made personna non-grata to Thailand ... I don't know for how long a period of time. Often those who used such an IO passport service (to stay in Thailand), immediately reported their passports lost. As soon as they obtained a new passport, they destroyed their old passport. This required a lot of paperwork, etc ... but it avoided being personna non-grata. Of course back in the late 1990s, there was not as much computer system tracking. So my view is there is always a risk, when trying to work around the system, that it could bite one in the end. That monologue of mine is NOT to say I think agents are bad. I have elderly friends who ALWAYS use an agent. They meet all the requirements but they find using an agent is much easier for them, and they don't mind one second in paying the money. So I fully believe using agents is suitable for some who also meet the requirements. Also, I (for one), am glad that the current approach works for you, but please do be aware it does carry some risks - if not now - then potentially in the future. Best wishes.

I note your points, but I don't believe either of us actually KNOW the financial average of statistics of those who applied for LTR-WP. So I dispute that a bit. In my case it was for an 40K pension (and NOT 80k) and a condo that mostly made up the $250K investment in Thailand. In fact my condo would have MORE than made up the $250K investment, but the condo was in both MY name and my wife's name, so I could only claim 50% of my condo's value. I suspect it is quite possible more than 50% of the LTR-WP are going the $40K passive pension route, as they, have a condo in Thailand worth $250K. After all , this is a "Wealthy Pensioner" LTR visa. It stands to reason such could afford a condo. But like you, I do not know the statistics here - we are both speculating. As for the comparison with nomad lifestyle vs TH. That is YOUR comparison. Fair enough. But it is NOT my comparison. I suspect it is NOT the comparison of MANY others. Please NOTE that I replied to a very specific quote of yours stating a LOT of people seemed ok ... you did NOT restrict it then to ONLY those with a nomad lifestyle. IF you decide to amend such and now restrict it to those with a nomad lifestyle, then possibly the LTR concerns you raise may be less OK to them (especially if they have managed their finances NOT to pay income tax anywhere in the world (to which I note good for them !! ) ), ... although even they, if over age-50, are likely considering a non-immigrant type-O or type-OA visa - dependent on how any possible tax changes may , or may not, pan out. .

I think almost everyone is watching this, but I think there are a few reasons why everyone is not overly excited about this: (1) this is not yet law - so far this is what? one or two Thai officials stating this 'their' plan? A lot can change between now and the implementation, and (2) I suspect most of us on an LTR-WP visa, already paid foreign tax (in country of source) on our income (pensions) and we are covered by a Double Tax Agreement, so the impact of any such law, IF it comes to pass, could be non-existant, and (3) even if such a possible change to taxation is implemented (AND even if LTR visa impacted), if one compares a LTR-WP to a non-immigrant Type-O/OA (for retirement extensions) the LTR-WP is still preferable over the Type-O/OA, even if taxed, and (4) given the Royal Decree backing the LTR Visa, it simply could be the LTR Visa will not see any such hypothetical new tax implementation, IF (note the IF) such is implemented. The above is not to say those of us on the LTR Visa are not watching this. I think clearly we are watching such, but there are reasons why we are not overly excited about such a prospect.

I don't think the vast majority of LTR visa holders on the forum are pensioners, but I note from the BoI website most recent statistic, they (the pensioners) are the largest group (if one ignores 'dependents'). There are 1,260 LTR-WP according to BoI (at end of May), and ignoring 'dependents' the next largest number is 922 highly skilled professionals, followed by 634 work from home professionals. The 'wealthy global citizens' are relatively a very small number, only 197. I also suspect the number of LTR-WP, whose passive income has not yet been taxed outside of Thailand, is relatively small. Yes, I know some have managed to legally work for employers where there is now no tax on their pension (and thats good for them !! ) , but I suspect that is a relatively small minority, and most LTR-WP holders have already paid tax on their pensions and are covered by a Double Tax Agreement (DTA). Still having typed that, I think most of us are very interested to learn how these tax implementations will 'pan out'. .

I think for an individual going for Health Insurance, that is a valid concern if forced to change insurance companies. I suspect thou there is a good possibility that the existing insurance company would still renew one's policy, BUT they MIGHT put a new clause that a new 'precondition' will not be covered. I am not 100% certain that would happen, as the pre-condition developed while one was under that Health Insurance company's coverage , but I guess such is possible. Someone who knows more about Health Insurance than myself would need to chime and and confirm that such is a BIG and VALID concern. It could very well be. Also whether or not a developing pre-condition creates a Health Insurance issue (with ones finances, or one's Visa approval (if one has a Visa requiring health insurance)) is not something I know. In my case there is no issue if I were to develop a pre-condition, as my insurance is part of a group package of possibly more than 1,000 people, and I have been on this insurance plan for over 20 years. I had no preconditions at the start over 20-year ago (nor since), so anything that develops now, that insurance company is obligated to cover (if they want to keep their +1,000 person contract). The biggest thing I have noted - as I mentioned, is the Thailand private hospitals, after a medical, will come up with all sorts of recommendations of extra examinations and tests so to make more money for the hospital. One needs to make a good assessment as to whether such recommendations are really necessary (ie go for a second opinion where possible) - or if one's insurance company covers it all and one is not worried about a renewal with the Insurance company, then I suppose one could go for the Thailand hospitals' possibly unnecessary recommendations.