jayboy

Oh

No comment.

Oh dear

Don't want to buy it online but where would be the best place in Bangkok to buy a Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II? Not looking for cheapest but it has to be that specific model so really asking for recommendation for place with full Canon range.

Actually the sites I have looked at (all top tier accountants with tax practices) are mostly absolutely clear that, having summarized the initial announcement on 2024 changes, the implementation details are not known and that there are many unanswered questions. I have also seen at the scummier end of the scale many of the usual bottom feeders offering advice/webinars etc.Ignore them:they know no more than you.Wait until the details are known - I don't see there's a rush.

Far from it: it could be a simple sense of duty which in some ways I admire but it's a personal decision to voluntarily pay tax when the authorities do not in practice require it to be paid.However there are plenty of laws in every country on the statute book which are not enforced. Let's see what 2024 brings.

The existing regulation isn't enforced nor do the Thai authorities expect foreign residents or Thais to pay tax on overseas non current income streams.That of course may change wef 2024.Let's see.If I am required by law to pay more tax, that's fine. For those who pay tax unnecessarily I can think of several adjectives - public spirited, hopelessly naive etc but 'good' doesn't really come to mind. Those foreigners who have a desperate need to pay tax regardless of whether it is required or not can always write a cheque and send it to the Thai Ministry of Finance.I'm sure it would be welcomed.

I think the Thai media could take a lesson from the British satirical magazine Private Eye.Something like this perhaps - Dear Chinese Embassy, We have considered your request carefully, and after much deliberation have reached the following conclusion, "Go **** yourself" Best wishes etc

I agree completely.It is a matter of shame for the Thai government.It would of course argue that discretion is best when negotiating for the release of hostages through back channels (not that I believe this for a moment).Personally I feel the lack of interest in the media and among the Bangkok middle class more keenly.We've seen it before of course - the disdain for unimportant agricultural workers. Have I got this wrong? Is there even one prominent public figure who is speaking out?

It's already a requirement for tax resident foreigners to file.I very much doubt whether 1% non working retirees actually do. As noted elsewhere implementation of requirement for tax certificate on exiting the Kingdom would do the job.

Tax clearance certificate seems most likely as the statutory requirement is still on the books.The practical implementation was phased out in the 1980's.

Perhaps but I don't see how it would be enforced.

Er, actually it's quite easy if we are referring to immigrants from the same stock/cultural background as the majority population - think Ukraine compared with Libya. It's a sensitive and complicated area of course.In the UK Nigerians, South Africans,Australians and Indians for example tend to fit in well because they share cultural characteristics including language. Educated immigrants from anywhere tend to fit in and adapt.Uneducated and religious zealots tend not to.

Yes there's an irony there if one believes those who voted for Brexit were essentially racist in motivation.They didn't get the immigration system they wanted - though to be fair I don't think there is much prejudice at all to immigrants from the countries you mention. In all these matters there's a need not to jump to simplistic and intellectually lazy responses (Not accusing you of that!).

I have no reason to believe this poll was not done properly though the sampling is rather small.However the extract omits a key point which is given in the Guardian article, namely that 2/3 respondents still believe it is a bad idea for immigrants to be of a different ethnicity/culture to the majority population.

Not necessarily.Since you seem to be unaware of it most middle class UK pensioners - even those you describe as Mr Average - have additional pension support in addition to the state pension.This could be a company or government pension, and/or a personal pension built up through savings/investment over a career.The state pension is in these cases a very small part of overall pension income. Schemes of this kind are I agree beyond the scope of those completely dependent on the UK state pension.I would go further by arguing people in these restricted financial circumstances should not be considering retirement in a country like Thailand.

In view of the possibility resident expatriates remittances from overseas will be taxed with effect from 2024 (details still vague I know) how will transfers of this sort be treated I wonder? In other words transfer of substantial amounts derived from savings to purchase high value items such as a condo.Surely this kind of transfer will not be taxed but I don't see how the Thai Revenue Department system will be able to differentiate from it from investment income etc

And that in a nutshell is the issue with the Pink Card. Having said that I have had no problem in using the Pink Card to book into 5 star hotels.But in any kind of transaction with banks such as opening accounts it's probably sensible to take the passport along as well.

I understand that a Thai national's Tax Identity Number is the same at his/her 13 figure national identity number as issued by the Ministry Of Interior. For foreigners with PR I wonder whether the same applies - ie the 13 figure number on the tabien baan/driving license/pink card etc - or is there a different method used?

A clear indication of who is the puppet and who is the puppet master.

No problem with number 3 at all. But it's absurd to put him in the same category as Heinecke and Link.The former two are $ billionaires for a start and extremely well connected.

Agreed, agreed and are you having a laugh?

I have been thinking about these issues too, but surely it's the case that we just don't know enough of the detail at this stage to make specific arrangements.I don't object to paying Thai income tax if fairly implemented.I do object to Thai income tax on inward remittances on sums which are from savings not income, and in my case have in part already had Thai tax paid on them years ago. Be that as it may some possibilities come to mind: - paying school fees directly to the school from off shore - using foreign credit cards for Thailand expenditure - hotels, flights etc - ramp up cash/bank holdings in Thailand now and of course reduce remittances to Thailand as far as possible.

Dream on.These are as rare as dragons teeth these days and certainly not available to Thai expatriates who deign to return unless they have some highly marketable skills.Most end up working for the family firm. I have interviewed quite a few of these people in my time.A key impression was how dreadful (not personally but in terms of being employable) were the alumni from second rate American universities.The best of them with advanced critical thinking faculties wrote their own ticket. The main problem even high flying Thai expatriates experience on return to Thailand is the lack of a personal network.Obviously this will vary depending on the length of absence.

I have no recent experience but decades ago (I'm talking 1970's and 1980's) in Bangkok bars and nightclubs there were some great girls, sweet natured, well mannered and beautiful - but they didn't last long because they were snapped up quickly and installed as mistresses by well off farang and Thai guys.There were a few places attracting both foreigners and Thais where these diamonds might occasionally be found.There was no real mass tourism at least in the 1970's and the expat residents were generally a classier (not better just posher) lot than the current typical Pattaya farang.The likes of Dan, with his distinctive gor blimey accent, were not a significant element.