ballpoint

I don't blame those who do it. They found an empty table and are making sure it will still be free after they've bought their food. When with my wife, we will look for a free table before buying the coupons / cash card, and then one of us will sit at it while the other buys them and gets the food. I see no difference between leaving a person at the table, or placing an object on it to "reserve" it. I usually avoid food courts when I'm on my own, however, as I never have anything I can leave on a table that I don't want stolen, or doesn't look like rubbish that will be thrown away or ignored. For that reason, I've always thought that when you buy your coupon / cash card you should get some sort of place marker that you can leave on the table indicating that it's taken. The same goes for fast food restaurants when they're busy. Grab a place marker by the door and put in on a table before ordering your food. If I had a baht for every time there's been plenty of empty tables when I go in, but by the time I've been served, they're all taken, so I'm left walking around with a tray of food asking people if I can sit at their table, I'd have sagging pockets.

So far only Reuters are claiming this in the last few hours, and other agencies have got the story from them. Somehow, I don't think they'll take his offer, even if it is confirmed. "Vladimir Putin is ready to halt the war in Ukraine with a ceasefire that recognises the current battlefield lines, four Russian sources have told the Reuters news agency... ...according to two of the sources who spoke to Reuters, Mr Putin thinks recent gains in the war are enough to sell a victory to the Russian people. " The sources also claim that Russia could carry on the war if they wanted to, but that would involve another mobilisation, which Putin doesn't favour. So all would be forgiven and forgotten, and they'll be friends again? I have a bridge to Crimea for sale to anyone who believes that. Vladimir Putin ready to 'freeze' war in Ukraine with ceasefire recognising recent Russian gains, sources say | World News | Sky News And straight from the Reuters mouth here, including this summary: Exclusive: Putin wants Ukraine ceasefire on current frontlines | Reuters

Not necessarily recommending this one, but just to show they are available. 25mm diameter about an inch: BAI WEN 350mm SDS Plus Hammer Drill Carbide Cross Tip Rotary Tool Drill Bits & Chisel 14 inch SDS Plus Bits for Concrete Masonry (10/12/14/16/18/20/22/25mm) | Lazada.co.th

Hi Mike, I appreciate your posts on these threads. In reply to your questions: "1. I believe the exemption on "Mutual Finds" is for Thai Mutual Funds, assuming yours are not in Thailand I don't think you'll get any relief for them" Yes, that's my belief too, which is why I said there was only slight hope. I think they're referring to things like Thai infrastructure funds, which are tax free for at least some of their term and do fall under the definition of "trading activities that affect public safety and welfare". However, in places like the Bangkok Bank investment site they do place managed funds under the heading "mutual", which is where the "hope" part of "slight hope" came from. Either way, I'm not banking on it, but will get advice. "2. The < 180 days in Thailand will work, but there is an outstanding question around whether income/gains accrued whilst you're Tax Resident in Thailand, will be taxable even if remitted it in a year where you're not Tax Resident? If they are then the 6 months out every 3-4 years would only work if you accrued/remitted all of your income/gains in the year you were Non-Tax Resident." I can't see how they'd enforce the bit about overseas income made during a tax resident year being taxable, even if remitted during a non-tax resident year. Unless they come up with a new law stating everyone making a remittance in any year, whether a tax resident or not, must file a tax return for that year. There is currently no necessity to file a return for any year you are a non-tax resident. In any case, that's speculation about what might or might not be okay, which is what I was trying to avoid in my post. My words were "sell and remit enough funds during that (non-tax resident) year". I do not realise any income from my funds until the year I sell them - all annual distributions are automatically reinvested, therefore, until the outstanding question has a definite answer, I would sell and remit them in the same year. "3. Have you considered the LTR Visa? - $80K of income pa which can include Capital Gains or $40K pa income (again can use Capital Gains) plus a $250K investment & you get exemption from Tax on remitted overseas income." Yes, I've gone through the thread on that, and looked at their website. My problem is I don't sell $80k of funds annually, so can't show that as regular income. I do make more than that most years in gains, but spread over a number of funds, and then immediately reinvested. I suppose I could sell $80k for a year or two to build a record of it and then reinvest the excess, and do the same after five years when they check again. Going the other route, I do sell more than $40k per year, but tying up $250k of capital in Thailand is an issue. As is, now, bringing the money into the country to make the investment. I need to know for sure just what my tax bill will be, and weigh that up against potential loss of investment income by fulfilling the LTR requirements. Unfortunately, even the big tax accountancies don't seem to have the full picture from the Thai RD at the moment. Most of their work is for expats employed by multinationals, who are unaffected by the new directive. When I was working here, my employer used PwC to file my taxes, and the question of remittances didn't even come up. Wait and see I guess. Trouble is, it's more wait and less see at the moment.

Seems to me that this thread has more discussion on "I think this and that are okay, but I'm not sure, and if I go ahead and do this or that, what are the chances it will be investigated?" rather than "this will definitely work, so I'm doing it". From what I've read, the ones who plan on limiting their time in Thailand to under 180 days per year periodically, and remitting money during that year, seem to be the only ones actually following the title, though I may have missed something. I am retired, under 60, have no pension, and never will. My regular income is from various managed funds, with a few other eggs in other baskets for a rainy day. I pay no capital gains tax on sale of the funds, so can't show any evidence of taxes paid to the Thai RD. I have some (slight) hope from section 42 of the Thai Tax Code: "Section 42 The assessable income of the following categories shall be exempt for the purpose of income tax calculation: ... (23) Income from sale of investment units in a mutual fund. (24) Income of a mutual fund. ..." Section 38_64 | The Revenue Department (English Site) (rd.go.th) My funds are classed as "mutual" in the "Western" definition, but the Thai RD has this to say (from the same source): "Section 39 In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: ... Mutual fund means a body of persons who participate in a fund that is established and operated by an investment management company for a project under the law governing the control of trading activities that affect public safety and welfare. ..." In any event, I'll be consulting a reputable tax advisor before selling and remitting any more. Last year I remitted enough non-assessable income (under the old rules) to live on this year, and have enough in an otherwise untouched offshore account for two more, so it won't be till late 2026 that this bridge will need to be crossed. I'm also planning on remitting around THB500,000 of assessable income per year - which is right at my taxable threshold, over the next few years, and file a return each year declaring that amount in order to form a pattern of small annual remits in case they're needed in future. If, as I expect, the Thai RD pooh pooh the idea of my managed funds falling under their definition of "mutual", and until they present a definite position on gifts and use of overseas credit cards, my options are: - Spend less than 180 days in country every two or three years, and sell and remit enough funds during that year to last until my next semi exile. People are talking about spending six months away at a time, but I would do it more on a rotation basis. A month here, a month travelling in Vietnam, a month here, a month travelling in Cambodia, a month here, a month in my home country, and so on, making sure the days spent here numbered less than 180. - Cut my spending here. Not likely. - Just go ahead and pay the tax. I currently remit around THB 2M per year. My tax calculator shows THB 328,750 to pay on that, which is affordable, but I'd instead bring in THB 2.46M, pay THB 459,500 tax and have THB 2.0005 in the hand. To be honest, I'll probably give the monthly holidays method a go, but if that becomes a drag, then I'll just go ahead and pay the tax rather than downgrade my living conditions or put myself out. Nothing will be done until I consult a reputable tax advisor though.

They could offer relaxing advice while doing it. Stem sell therapy.