ballpoint

Fair enough.

When I lived and worked in Malaysia for a couple of years I, and my wife, were both issued with an "i-pass", a plastic card similar to what the op is referring to. They were valid for the length of my employment pass (we were issued with new ones after the yearly extension), and were a form of ID, as well as allowing priority queueing at the airport, plus the option of not getting a stamp in your passport when entering and leaving (very handy when I was going through a passport every 2 - 3 years due to them filling up with stamps). They could not be used to get the local rate at attractions though, that required a "MyKad", which only citizens get. (Malaysia being even more xenophobic than Thailand, even against its own non Malay citizens). I'd like to see a similar card issued to long term visa holders here (minus the lack of local discounts), but can't see it happening. I don't carry my passport with me (but do have a laminated "micro copy" in my wallet, with photo page on one side and current extension on the other), and have never been asked for it, but I imagine a drivers' licence or even pink card wouldn't fit the bill if asked, as they give no indication of your visa status, other than you had a valid permit to stay at the time they were issued.

I think Ricardo has a point though. The income you earn over the four years when no remittance is made is not liable for Thai taxes. And you are not a tax resident the year in which the remittance is made, therefore, (in theory) that remittance is tax exempt. Looking at the Thai Revenue Department's definition of a "taxable person" "Taxpayers are classified into “resident” and “non-resident”. “Resident” means any person residing in Thailand for a period or periods aggregating more than 180 days in any tax (calendar) year. A resident of Thailand is liable to pay tax on income from sources in Thailand as well as on the portion of income from foreign sources that is brought into Thailand. A non-resident is, however, subject to tax only on income from sources in Thailand." I suppose "A resident of Thailand is liable to pay tax on income from sources in Thailand as well as on the portion of income from foreign sources that is brought into Thailand" could cover income earned while a resident, but remitted when not, but that could be countered by the next sentence. You are a non-resident that year, who is bringing income into Thailand, therefore it is not subject to tax. The only thing we do know for sure is that, if you are a Thai tax resident the year you bring in that income, no matter what year it was earned, you must declare it for tax purposes. There is also (currently) no mechanism with which they can tax remitted funds from any source if the remittance was made outside of Thai tax residency. Changing this would require a major change to the definition of "taxable person". Maybe if enough people actually start carrying out the year's non-residency ploy they will get around to changing that definition, but, in the meantime, it appears you are quite within your rights not to file a return for the year you were non-resident. Having said all that, if I do go with that method, I would sell and remit funds during the same year I was non-resident, thus removing any ambiguity. (Although then it could be argued that I am selling capital gains made, but not realised, while I was a resident. As far as I'm concerned, however, I only earn the gain when I sell the funds. And I'm sticking to that).

I was in a restaurant earlier when a group of electricians came in. The waiter asked if they wanted a starter. But they went straight for the mains.

I went to the observatory to see Orion's Belt. It was ok. 3 stars.

My neighbour just walked past with two dogs. I said to him, i didn't know you had any dogs. He replied, they're not my dogs, they're my sisters. I said, "Wow, your sisters are really bloody ugly."