jayboy

3 hours ago, Bangkokhatter said:

You seem to have a problem with No.3 why can't you just ignore all the nonsense posted on his social media like most of us do ?

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.

1 hour ago, Goat said:

When I think of successful expats who have really made it here in Thailand, three people come to mind.

Agreed, agreed and are you having a laugh?

22 hours ago, Metapod said:

So from all of this, my take away for my situation is to simply remit less money into Thailand and pay tax on what I remit. I had planned to make some more investments here but I'll be parking that money abroad and investing outside of Thailand instead. I'll also consider any large purchases or plans domestically as well if it will cost me an additional 30% to do it locally. I travel abroad frequently, so I'll do my major shopping in other countries and things like elective surgury for LASIK etc will just be done elsewhere.

 

 

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.

On 10/24/2023 at 4:49 PM, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

a position with a large multinational firm that would give them a generous expat package

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.

2 hours ago, In Full Agreement said:

And I'll bet you totally avoid Pattaya at all costs.

Not really.The top resorts are an excellent and convenient escape from Bangkok.

2 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

The last question “which will pair watch with Iphone?” I don’t understand.

Not a question, just an observation that the watch will be paired with my Iphone to share a number.

Thinking of buying new Apple watch.Should one buy from Apple store online (as I have done before) or via a local provider (AIS,DTAC etc) which will pair watch with Iphone?

41 minutes ago, SingAPorn said:

The new tax rules aimed on foreigners

There are no new tax rules, just broad policy directives which will eventually result in specific changes.

In any case they are not "aimed on foreigners." Although one would not realize from the multiple and often hysterical posts on this thread, they are aimed at Thais with foreign assets/investments.Foreigners who are 180+ residents may obviously be obliged to pay whatever additional tax is required but they are not the main target.

I have had my eyesight checked at a top Bangkok hospital, and am therefore with records of the "medical'"side of my eyes.However as the next step I am now seeking a good optician who is familiar with contact lenses, spectacles and all related issues.Any recommendations?

On 10/10/2023 at 8:27 AM, Crossy said:

Don't panic (yet), it's only money brought into Thailand that's taxable and you may be protected by the Thai-US double taxation agreement.

 

I wonder who is going to police this.Consider the example of a resident 180 day+ foreign pensioner has never submitted a Thai tax return but in future intends to use a foreign credit card to cover as many Thai expenses as he can, eg hotels, big ticket purchases, ATM cash etc. His objective is to reduce remittances from overseas through the banking system to a minimum just in case he is required to pay Thai income tax.

But how exactly will he be compelled to submit a Thai tax return and join the Thai income tax net? Is it voluntary - if so not many takers. I don't see how this will work.

On 9/20/2023 at 6:04 PM, zzaa09 said:

What we should be paying attention to is the growing influence of BRICS and the ever present and real downgrading of the U.S. Dollar as a standard currency reserve the world over......all of which is being fast degraded as we speak. Things are changing quickly to the detriment of the traditional Western/Anglophone influence....perhaps for the betterment of the real world.

Nonsense.The addition of Saudi Arabia gives BRICS a boost of sorts but is accompanied by much dirty baggage.China is facing a financial crash and Russia is a stumbling mess.South Africa is. ...well, no need to elaborate.Brazil is globally relatively unimportant and the rest of the new recruits don't amount to much even though Indonesia has long term potential.

The U.S Dollar is not even threatened, let alone replaced .Still the currency to hold when times are hard.

It's true that Western influence is declining but it is a remarkable exercise of moral inertia to suggest this is for the betterment of the real world.

On 8/28/2023 at 12:17 PM, qualtrough said:

This is akin to a white person in Kenya getting upset because Kenyans didn't regard him/her as belonging to one of the tribes that compose that country.

It's not quite akin.Kenyans are comprised of many tribes but all - stretching a point - have an origin within the country.Despite the propaganda Thailand is by no means ethnically homogeneous and is made up of different "tribes" many with origins elsewhere, some having more influence than others.One tribe dominating many sectors of national and commercial life by and large pitched up in Thailand as relatively recent immigrants.Of course the authorities here over the last century have successfully built up the image of one big Thai family (I'm not knocking this - it's an important achievement)

I've known several farang who have obtained Thai citizenship.None found it particularly difficult, just a bit of a slog.As to whether they are regarded as fully Thai, my hunch is that they are.They wouldn't have made it to citizenship if they weren't fully integrated.

America is different because the US is a nation of immigrants.

My Apple watch is paired to my Iphone with a local provider (AIS). If I purchase AIS roaming for my forthcoming trip to Europe, will my watch still be paired when I am there?

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Where do you get your insider wisdom from? Or is it just in your imagination?

 

It's called local knowledge, long experience, a diverse Thai network, wide reading and respect for expert opinion (and a willingness to challenge one's own prejudice)

You should try it sometime though I appreciate the lazy, half thought out approach is easier when confirmation bias is in play.

On 8/26/2023 at 9:49 AM, mark131v said:

Waffle, waffle, bs, nowt wrong with the malingering bastard but then again unless you are a complete retard we already know this, bought and paid for....

If only he had legislated long ago for a retrospective pardon for all his crimes, like another person I can think of who should probably be in the slammer.

50 minutes ago, damian said:

The truly insulting thing about this story is that those who made it up believe that we will believe it.  

 

Yet still, some will gather at the hospital forecourt to hold vigil and present flowers and get well soon cards. 

 

Weapons grade pathetic.

I think you make a key point.Nobody believes a word of this.Those who propagate the lie know that nobody believes a word of it.Yet they don't particularly care.This is a situation built on lies.But I believe there is a fear lurking - which relates to what the Thai people might have to say at the next General Election and the sham democratic Constitution may not save the day.