jayboy

20 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Toxicity in the body is an invitation to all of those culprits. In my opinion, a lack of a booster shot or a mask is very minor in comparison. 

Nobody would suggest it is not sensible to keep the immune system in the best possible shape.It is however absurd to argue that Big Pharma conspired to minimise the dangers of obesity and unfitness .That's exactly the kind of conspiracy theory that was prevalent among some during the pandemic, many of whom put their deluded ideas (no vaccinations, no mask, reliance on natural immunity, lots of junk drugs like ivermectin) to the test and are now very physically diminished or dead.

18 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

I've had covid a few times. My immune system does the work. Get covid and get natural immunity.

Sure it does

People who had more than one COVID-19 infection were three times more likely to be hospitalized and twice as likely to die than those who only had one infection. Those with multiple infections were also more vulnerable to other dangerous conditions; they were 3.5 times more likely to develop lung problems, 3 times more likely to have heart conditions, and 1.6 times more likely to have brain changes requiring care than people who had only had COVID-19 once.

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Not gonna happen. I rely on my healthy immune system, good diet, exercise, state of mind, and not on constant vaccines and masking. I do not and will not live in a state of fear, despite what the authorities want. 

A sentiment quite often expressed during the Covid epidemic, (often accompanied by praise for the drug Ivermectin - now proven to be useless). Many of those propagating this nonsense  - relying on immune system, state of mind etc - did not live to tell the tale because Covid killed them.

All the evidence fortunately suggests the latest strains are less dangerous - but caution should be advised.

If I exchange Baht for foreign currency at one of the exchange bureaus in Bangkok do I need to show identity - passport or similar/

7 hours ago, Chassa said:

the prime minister had bought out of his own pocket a large piece of Mudmee fabric for 6,000 baht from an OTOP store in Sri Boonruang district of Nong Bualampu

 

We all must pay for goods purchased.

 

Paetongtarn, daughter of de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict at large Thaksin Shinawatra

 

Description of her is not necessary.

Rules on this kind of gift should be followed though the value is of course very small.

In the catalogue of crimes committed (eg grabbing the country by force of arms) over the last 15 years it is perhaps not worth getting too hot under the collar.

16 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

The original report I wrote to start this thread made it clear that the current levels of new COVID hospitalizations -- 500+ per week -- remain well below the 3,000+ per week peak in the wake of this year's Song Kran period. Context is important.

 

But the original report also made it clear that the current numbers are the highest in the past 4+ months, and now have risen for 6 of the past 7 weeks... So there's definitely an upward trend occurring that warrants monitoring, and taking precautions as warranted.

 

The trend is clear.Covid cases are ticking upwards not just in Thailand but in the US and Europe.It is recommended by the authorities there that most people should have one of the updated vaccines.Yet here in Thailand there is silence on the subject and as far as I know these vaccines aren't available.There certainly isn't a publicity campaign.

40 minutes ago, ArnieP said:

How can you tell that a planeload of Brits has just landed?

Because the whining continues after the engines are off!

Yup, that's even better

19 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

What's the difference between a Brit and a 747 ?

 

The 747 stops whining when it gets to Sydney.

Nah, this version is better.

What's the difference between a 747 and a plane load of Poms?

The 747 stops whining when the engines have been turned off.

1 hour ago, Goat said:

Very interesting take from famous Pattaya Vlogger, tech guru, love matchmaker, historian and businessman Dan Cheeseman.

He's an interesting guy though I can't work out his motivation.This particular video is ludicrous focusing as it does on Pattaya sexpats breakfast sausages.That is the joy of Dan's videos - the juxtaposition of vaguely philosophical pondering and the absurd reality of his Pattaya life.He's obviously a good man and a responsible father.I think he also has a genuine entrepreneurial instinct.What he needs to do is get away from the scummy Pattaya environment and move up a few notches.How embarrassing it must be to be flogging those horrible Pattaya condos and third rate restaurants.Maybe some elocution lessons too as that sarf London accent is going to put a lot of serious business people off though probably not in Pattaya where it is pretty much the norm.

10 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

So no, you don't have to convince the RD before hand

Thanks for useful response which has helped clarify my thinking.

I wasn't however thinking of convincing RD beforehand, more of contemplating the complications in submitting the return if remittances had to be differentiated ie whether sourced before or after 2023.If the situation of savings/investments made prior to 31.12.23 becomes crystal clear (ie remittances not subject to tax), I'm not completely sure they need even be included.Anyway my attitude is the same as yours - if tax is due, I will pay it

1 hour ago, Mike Lister said:

You still have file a return to account for the funds, the source and origin of those funds is not relevant.

I can see that a tax return may be required in respect of the remittances to Thailand.But the source and origin of those funds is surely extremely relevant since we have been advised they will be tax exempt (because all pre-2024).

The question I suppose is how to convince RD the funds are indeed tax exempt.It might require some kind of detailed statement of investments as at 31.12.24

I have a feeling I'm missing something so perhaps someone  could help me out. Consider the following scenario which I will keep as simple as possible -

I have a company pension and a UK state pension paid monthly into a Jersey bank account.Up to now I have transferred funds from this source to a Thailand bank account to meet my living expenses.

I understand that from 2024 I will be taxed in Thailand on amounts remitted from this source.For reasons I need not go into the company pension is paid - with HMRC approval - to me free of UK tax (so DTA is irrelevant.)

But what is stopping me simply accumulating pension in my Jersey account and relying instead on transferring investment funds all accumulated prior to 31.12.23? Does this take me out of the Thai income tax equation?

I think I would still have to submit a Thai tax return.All speculation of course but a few may also be in the same boat.

3 hours ago, billd766 said:

 

It costs about 50 or 100 baht.

I've had both my doctor and dentist sign these off.Neither would accept payment though I offered.The dentist said "it's part of the job".

21 hours ago, Bangel72 said:

it can be achieved on very different basis from one person to another depending on which category they are applying with.

 

Actually it's the opposite of what you suggest.The criteria are virtually identical in all categories.

22 hours ago, stratocaster said:

I have always been under the impression that to apply for PR you must have been working for a minimum of 3 years at the time of your application. Have the rules changed? I have just watched a you tubers video in which he claims that his lawyer told him he is 'entitled' to PR. He has lived in Thailand on retirement extensions as he freely admits. He is in the process of brushing up his Thai for the exam which he seems to think is the main requirement for PR. He does do an amount of charity work in the community, is this method a back door way to PR. Normally I would not comment but already people are messaging him for the name of the lawyer to inquire about PR, so getting their hopes up. Or is as rumours abound, a backdoor way to PR with a 'good' lawyer.

It's almost certainly b******t but let's see the video please so we can be sure.

15 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

No - social media complaints and media stories can and do.

I don't think so in this case.It's been a theme for successive Thai governments to upgrade the quality of foreign tourists and residents, specifically discouraging the indigent and encouraging the wealthy.I can assure you that the concerns of some foreign residents fretting about paying a limited amount of income tax will not weigh heavy with Thai decision makers - however many whiny social media posts are made.

2 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

all the Thai partners complaining that their Farang is going to leave Thailand is a good thing.

Yes, that should change the policymakers' minds.

9 minutes ago, Metapod said:

It is a remittance and would be assessable income. Transferring money or withdrawing from ATM is essentially the same here.

How would it be assessable income if someone in Thailand used an ATM to withdraw cash with a card issued in say London or New York? Who would know? Likewise any expenditure incurred in Thailand with such a card would not be known to the Thai authorities.Of course an upstanding paragon of virtue such as myself would declare such expenditure in my tax return but some would not.