jayboy

I'm just surprised the New York Times, an excellent newspaper in many ways but captured by right on young journalists, published the article at all.

Actually I knew pretty much exactly what the accountancy/tax infrastructure was - as would anybody with decades of Thailand business experience. I admit to being sceptical about firms that emerge out of nowhere and are mainly focused on retirees.Some may be okay but much care is needed. Sorry, don't really understand your point here. Can't comment on ExpatTax without further knowledge/study but seems on basis of website to be well organized (though not entirely encouraging to see. - " If you have foreign-sourced income, you must obtain a tax ID number and file an annual tax return" - prominently displayed.

I don't disagree with any of this.The comparison with the home country is however rather misleading as there is an established architecture of reliable accountants/tax specialists which does not really exist in Thailand.I would still recommend anyone with complicated tax issues to use an internationally credible firm in Thailand. The example you provide of a relative newcomer is interesting, and reassuring given the relevant background of the Thai staff.I would definitely want to know exactly the past experience and qualifications of the farang in charge. Sparing your blushes, given your posting record, you have the sophistication to apply some decent due diligence.But many don't.

It's not that hard.Advice provided by recognized accountancy and tax specialist firms can be regarded as credible.The large number of dodgy Thailand based advisors generally cannot.These shysters have clocked there are many foreigners concerned about tax matters and are looking to feed off those concerns.It's not that they give poor advice - although sometimes they do - but they are not professionals, the very type that used to sell double glazing door to door.

Exactly.I would be amazed if she had entered into a contractual agreement or even had informally agreed.My guess is that it's just wishful thinking nonsense as you suggest. She is a global megastar, the only one that Thailand has.

Thanks.One wonders why consumers would buy the more expensive brand names rather than the generic variety when the product is identical in every way.I did for many years so I suppose the answer is habit/inertia.

There are several brands available in Thailand.I formerly used Sandoz 20 mg though at my pharmacy availability is less certain than before.It's now available again after an absence. My question is whether there is in fact any loss of benefit in switching to a cheaper brand of generic eg Xarator 20 mg which I've been using recently. I'm not concerned to find the cheapest alternative, more interested to know whether there is a difference in quality or efficacy.

I'm afraid this confused rant simply confirms my original impression.

You don't speak for Kiwis - and you Gllipoli reference is irrelevant.

Your comments and questions were asinine and reflect poorly on your character, intelligence and education (and gullibility given your absurd golf club anecdote).They don't represent the views of most Australians.The ambition for a Australian republic is entirely understandable and will in my view come to fruition in my lifetime, and will be arranged in friendship and good will. And for heavens sake learn how to spell Haig's name correctly.

You speak for yourself not most Australians.

Australia has been independent from Britain since the 1901 Constitution.Until at least 1950 the majority of Australians considered themselves British, though entirely independent of the UK.The link has inderstandably weakened in the last half century with most new immigrants less influenced by cultural ties with the UK. The ANZACs of whom Australians are justly proud would have no time for your attitude and the boorish way you express yourself. The royal link will be terminated at some point which is entirely natural.But with most Australians it will be done with respect and affection.

Wrong.The distorting factor in movies over two decades has been catering for the China market.

Are you sure the lifetime nature of the pink card isn't because of your age (over 60) rather than because you hold PR? At least that's what I was told.

No you don't.It may be the same number but you will still need to apply for a TIN.

That is probably the reason.In days gone by it was quite a common reason for landlords (who tended to be upper class types) being reluctant to rent apartments to single foreigners (and I mean respectably employed businessmen not sexpats).

There are penalties for non filing, some of which are severe but all depend on evasion of tax and the assumption tax is actually due.If no tax is due I'm not sure anything will happen if one doesn't file.Of course one needs to be sure of one's ground and have records to prove it if needs be..

Thanks.There have however been reports with the opposite message.It seems to depend on who one speaks to at which office.Perhaps there will be a clear ruling which will settle the matter once and for all. Don't forget there are millions of Thais with no assessable income who never file tax returns (as well as many Thais who never file but do have assessable income!!) There are no special requirements for foreigners as far as I know.

Didn't seem to address it.But never mind - not important. You will be better informed than me so I will defer.

And your point is? I think JackGast was saying that getting a TIN is relatively simple and that one doesn't need to be a tax resident to do so.My understanding is that possession of a TIN does not compel one to submit tax return even as a tax resident if one has no assessable income.I freely admit I may be wrong about the latter part,

Most of them are.Once again - at the risk of repeating myself - I'm not making any moral judgements.Aristocrats often have very entertaining and energetic sex lives. My observation is essentially one of aesthetics.There can few more horrible groups to behold than British Pattaya sexpats with their beer, football, ugliness (bodies, faces and voices). and most comically of all their "gentlemens clubs"

Beg to differ.Look at them.Listen to them.

Missed the point.There is no question of moralizing as my post made very clear.The attributes simply identify the sexpat type as a stroll in Pattaya,Upper Sukhumvit and their other haunts will quickly confirm.Essentially it's a question of class.

You completely miss the point.There never was any problem with expatriates taking full advantage of the sexual delights that Thailand had to offer.We remember the 1960's and 1970's with pleasure. The term "sexpat" arose in the 1990's to describe a particular type of foreigner.Distinguishing features (not always present in same person) : ill-educated, obese, culturally deficient, tattooed , fat, ugly provincial accent, football loving, beer swilling, Pattaya obsessed. Sound familiar?

I wouldn't dream of using a mechanism as you have described to avoid paying Thai income tax. Not only would it be a criminal offense (I think), but it would also be clear tax evasion, and would open one up to blackmail in some circumstances.However my particular point here, as previously suggested, is that there is a spectrum of risk from the unacceptable to the mildest/non existent.Of course the main concern is what is correct procedure by Thai tax law but I don't think we should arbitrarily dismiss discussion of ways to mitigate tax. The foreign credit card example is significant because it is not even clear whether it's use breaches any tax regulation.The hypothetical situation is that a foreigner who is a Thai tax resident pays for overseas airfares on an international web site with a foreign credit card and then settles the subsequent bill with offshore funds.