thaibreaker

Your reality. The Scandinavians I know, bring more to Thailand than the average Brit I know, or most others for that's sake. Pensions in for instance Norway, are pretty darn good. You are dreaming.

This is just one of those "why don't you follow the rules, as all of us others have to do" posts. First of all, using agents are completely legal. You'll get a real stamp, from a real immigration officer and office. If anyone has doubts or any reasons not to put 800k in a Thai bank, and wants to pay 20-30k to get it all done, completely hassle free, then why not. It's up to each and one of us which way suits our situation. I doubt those who use agents are spending any less money in Thailand, than these posters, or those with 800k in a Thai bank. I also know people with the required amount in the bank, but still use an agent for the hassle free extensions. To each their own.

All those cheap Scandinavians? What are you on about?

You are aware that pensioners over 65 years of age get a deduction of 190.000 baht? Include that, and your 216 USD a month tax will be considerably less. There are also other deductions, if you have a wife, kids etc. Scandinavian pensioners have been paying these taxes in Thailand for many years already. We really don't see what the fuss is all about.

Non-O visa based on retirement, extended once? He is 63 years old. What is the problem here?

Good for travelers of course, but remember that Thailand has made their stricter rules into a huge business too. Doing what Malaysia or Singapore already do, will make Thailand lose a very lucrative income.

That is obviously not what he meant... Not which country you must be from to get 90 days in Thailand, but which countries YOU get 90 days visa exemption entries at. Malaysia, Japan and Singapore are 3. It's not that hard, is it.

He can indeed apply a second time, in which he will be granted 7 days ( to leave the country). If 7 days is all he needs. Doesn't sound like it though.

Fyi, a 100k baht disability income is quite common in Norway. If this looney has it though, who knows.

You are getting wrong info here. If you do not have the 20.000 baht when you are trying to leave the country, you will be detained, and brought to IDC. There you will appear before a judge after a few days, and get a fine of 3000 baht. You will no longer have to pay the 20k fine. Then you will be further detained until you can pay for a ticket home. When you are able to, you will be brought to Suvarnabhumi, and led to the desk for boarding. No fine to pay there. Been there, done that.

There was a guy on here with 11 years overstay some years ago, just before the severe penalties came into effect. He got his sheet cleaned, and was back the next week. What the record is, Buddha knows. I have no doubt it is more than 2 decades, maybe even 3 or 4, never caught.

Banned for life may not be a problem. He will probably just go back home, get a new passport, and do the same in another Asian country. Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, take a pick. Might even be a blessing for him to change ground. The question is how did he slip away from all checkpoints, registrations and hunting all this time. Laying low, hiding in plain sight seems still possible. I doubt he was hiding underground for 8-9 years.

Right. And Immigration also cannot make a requirement to a Thai spouse, she is not asking for or need a visa. In addition to that, many Thai wives are working, and adding to that 40.000 baht requirement for the husband. Many, and maybe most, married couples have then two income sources. I see nothing strange about this at all.

Come on, let him stay! He love Thailand too mutt!

1. Deja Vu (Denzel Washington) 2. Seven pounds (Will Smith) 3. Man on fire (Denzel Washington) Honourable mentions: 1. We bought a zoo (Matt Damon) 2. The Equalizer (Denzel Washington) Favourite actor? Yep, you guessed it.

I am of course talking about those who actually know what they are talking about here. You know who, I suppose. Separate those from others. I got the answer I needed from one of those persons on this forum.

Thanks. But that's another topic, and has nothing to do with my question.

Thank you, just as I thought. Most appreciated.

I was asked by a friend yesterday if there was any 180 days limit a year rule for tourists in Thailand. My answer was no, there is not. Based on years of experience, you can certainly stay a longer period than 180 days a year, through a combination of tourist visas, SETV or METV, visa exemptions (30 days plus 30 days extensions) or visa on arrival (VOA). You can even get a maximum of 267 days on a METV alone, extended before it expires. Yet, I now see this misinformation is spreading at certain communities online, on Facebook and even on youtube. I understand that certain consulates, like the one at Savannakhet, might be imposing such "rule", but that doesn't mean there is an official rule, or that you can't obtain entries legally at other borders, by land or air, which give you extended days, weeks or months of stay (incl. two times by land). There sure are a lot of people currently on longer tourist stays this year alone. I do understand that anyone might be denied entry, based on their history, at the immigration officer's discretion, but I can't find this "rule" anywhere. I believe it was once an immigration rule, a long, long time ago, but it was quickly scrapped. Aseannow has the most qualified people online to answer that with certainty, but I'm sure I am right. A confirmation here would be most appreciated. Thank you.

Seriously, it was you who took it for granted that I lived in Thailand. I never said I did. I do balance my days well, spend months at the time in Thailand, but pay taxes in Norway, and have my home address there. For now. That might change, I will see. Again, my original post had nothing to do with you, it was a comment to the Brit, as I have stated. I asked him a question, and got the answer I needed from him. Then you came rushing in. Then I was only explaining to you how small the tax percent is in Norway for a 250k income. You did not seem to know. Zero percent. It is a reason every link and website does not include the trygdeavgift into the tax percent they present, as it is not considered a tax in that form. More of a membership of Norway, with all benefits, like free health care. There has been no fault in anything I have posted. If I strike you as not serious, you strike me as not a pleasant person. I did not need the lecture, nor did I ask for it. I am perfectly aware of Norwegian tax rules, and everything you have written. None of it was news to me.

It's 5.1 percent of pensions, not 7.4. I never said I was living in Thailand. I wrote I was living in Norway. For me it's not a problem to balance the days between Thailand and Norway, so I won't miss out on the membership of Folketrygden, free health care and such. It's too valuable to miss out on. My original post was aimed at the Brit who got a pension from Norway. I got the answer I was looking for, so I'm all good. Move on.

The percent you pay as a member of Folketrygden, called trygdeavgift, is not 7.4 percent for pensions. It is 5.1 percent. This is not included in the zero tax graphics in the link. The tax is zero percent up to 250.000. The trygdeavgift of 5,1 percent is considered more as a membership of all the goods Norway offer. ????That membership, I will personally do everything to keep that. It's voluntary if you live in Thailand, correct. It secures free health care and a lot more benefits. Btw, I am sure you know a lot about taxes. I have never said different. But I found your first two post very condescending, and also not entirely correct in my case (with low income). There are more people who knows a thing or two. Just saying.

Lol. It's you who don't know about taxes for lower income in Norway. Get down from your high horse, and read up. Start with the link above. It's never too late to learn something. In fact, a 65.000 baht pension income in Norway, equals to about 235.000 NOK. After all normal deductions everyone get is made, that will equal to zero tax in Norway. Zero. Of course I'm a "member" of Nav. I live in Norway. In Thailand I will have to pay taxes from that, based on the same numbers and deductions. I'm not even 65, and don't get the 190.000 baht deduction. That is, if this change will be forced upon us, which so far it hasn't. That 180/183 issue you are trying to make a number of, seriously.. It was a typo. And you jumped all over it. Don't be that guy, fellow Norwegian.

A better link for you here. Updated, and it shows 0 percent taxes up to 250.000 NOK pension, for 2023. 65.000 baht a month should equal around 235.000 NOK a year. That's my reality, as well as others with similar income, for me by choice (from 62 years old). Thailand can't compete with that. https://www.smartepenger.no/skatt/1905-skatteprosent-pa-pensjonsinntekt

Do that, and your marriage might not be so happily ever after.. Just sayin'.