jayboy

Thanks - very interesting and not a little confusing.There are some obvious issues to contend with here, most notably that a retrospective examination would show current income that should have been taxed but was not.Almost certainly not worth worrying about at all but for the record (1) If the tax authorities took a serious interest in the matter and (2) if some smart lawyers/officials were put to work on the matter, a theoretical problem could very quickly become a practical one. But it won't happen so we can all relax (I think). None of the many guides including PWC that I have seen make any attempt to explain the background.

If it's not too much trouble could you supply a reference.I've seen the point covered in advice from PWC and other such advisers, but have never seen a reference in Thai law or regulations.

I believe your summary of the overall position is correct.However, as a point of detail, for most retirees the reclamation amount of tax on savings accounts is so modest as to be almost negligible.If therefore retirees (or in fact anyone not generating taxable income in Thailand) are not already submitting income tax returns, probably best to let matters be. If the Tax Authorities turn their attention to expatriates overseas pension income (no sign of this yet) it could be problematic for those deemed to be resident for more than six months a year.Many rely on the advice that overseas income is only taxed if remitted in the year it is earned but is this enshrined in any Thai tax regulation? At present there are no checks of any kind nor would they be at all easy to implement.In short no need to worry now but it makes sense to be aware of the background.

I've never heard of anyone in any country on earth sending a wedding anniversary card.I'm sure the practice exists however - probably in the less sophisticated parts of the United States.

While I have great respect for the Founding Fathers, I'm not sure how you can make these comments with a straight face.The American Revolution was not specifically about rebelling against the Monarchy.However slavery remained in the new United States for another century whereas it was effectively made illegal in England after Lord Mansfield's judgement in 1772. "How is it that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of negroes?" Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)

Interesting article from The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/15/covid-19-coronavirus-us-surge-complacency My impression there is also complacency in Thailand with regard to the unavailability of bivalent vaccines.Unlike the US the responsibility lies with the government and the medical establishment, not the general public.

The PM does not sign off PR submissions as far as I know.You probably mean Immigration Department had completed its work and then signed off on your friend's application and it was then delayed before approval by the Minister of the Interior.

I'm trying to think of any occasion I've had to show my Red Book other than the usual annual (or so) ritual at Immigration.The only one I can remember is when I had to apply for an international driving license.

The mask slips. Not only is this person expressing an opinion (albeit a strange one) but undermining his shtick expressed at interminable length - with heaps of passive aggression - that he's just reporting the facts. No problem in his expressing idiosyncratic views but contrary to his protestations he has an agenda.

Thanks for keeping us up to date.We know now that you are just providing a public service and nothing should be read into the posts you make on this most interesting subject. I had previously seen a report of the royal punch up sand spent a sleepless night worrying about Harry's broken necklace.Perhaps a photograph will be included in the forthcoming 'Spare', Harry's brave let it all out biography - ghostwritten by someone else.What about the broken dog bowl? Was it beyond repair I wonder? I hate to think of Meghan's dog (or was it a bitch?) being deprived of its lunch. Anyway keep us posted.

It's a discussion forum in which stuff is debated. It's not a personal sparring place. I'm quite interested in how racism is deployed in modern times as shorthand word for all kinds of complex issues, and Meghxit is a classic instance.Yet not one credible example of royal family racism has been produced. Shall we leave it there?

They made lots of accusations.I'm not suggesting they are liars.People often attribute motives to other people when feelings have been hurt or where there are multiple sensitivities.I'm not trying to establish whether the racist charges are true or not.I'm just trying to find an example of one.To date nothing credible.

My objective was simply to demonstrate there is scanty evidence to suggest racism towards Meghan at least on the part of the Royal Family.

I don't know what you mean by 'reading concisely'. Who knows exactly what's behind Harry's and Meghan's unhappiness? Accusations in general have been made.What I'm looking for is a specific example and if I understand you correctly there may well not be one.That's all I'm suggesting - no example available. Sometimes plain ignorance of royal protocol is involved.In the Oprah interview they (H and M) appeared to complain that their children had been denied titles, with the implication of racial discrimination.This was simply untrue and since the accession of Charles both Archie and Lilibet can claim titles.Quite why H and M are so concerned at this piece of royal nomenclature is hard to understand given their dislike of the institution is quite hard to comprehend.

I've read it and assume you have too. Let's therefore recognize the failure to provide one example of proven racism within the royal family.Perhaps an example will emerge but so far nothing.

Please provide an example.

But you have not been able to identify any examples of racism in the royal family. Harry himself has given a full account of the reasons for leaving, as he saw them.These cover many factors other than racism - are these spurious as well? I am not sure what you mean by suggesting I read more concisely.

Not evidence I'm afraid - just accusations by Harry of unconscious bias.What's needed are actual examples of racism from the royal family not just generalized psychobabble. Now I come to think of it there is one example of Princess Michael of Kent (Princess Pushy, once described by the late Queen as "too grand for us") wearing a brooch which may or may not have been offensive, a Saracen's head or something like that. It's true that the British tabloid press is feral and I agree used racist tropes.But they are foul about many people.

Did they? When? I 'm aware there was a report about one member of the royal family speculated what the couple's first baby would look like.Details were very vague and Harry/Meghan contradicted each other on this subject when "interviewed" by Oprah. I find it difficult to get worked up on this particular issue not least because it's a conversation I have had with my own Thai wife - actually she in initiated it - about my first child.I suspect many members of the forum have had similar conversations. Racism is an easy card to play these days.Once dealt it lies there sizzling and any attempts to refute often just make matters worse.Take for example William's advice that Harry should take his time with Meghan - surely not racism but brotherly concern that a divorced American actress needed a bit of time. My hunch is that the problem was more about class and culture, and Harry's understandably thin skin about almost everything.

With respect, my belief is that Americans are the brainwashed ones - the absurd exceptionalism, flag ceremonies at schools which would not be tolerated in other Western democracies,obsession with guns and toleration of unimaginable violence as a result, religious dogmatism long abandoned by most civilized countries, adherence in semi religious way to an anachronistic eighteenth century constitution put together by slave owning country gentlemen (mostly of British stock), endemic racism etc etc. I admire the USA and certainly don't think the above generalizations apply universally.However before criticizing other countries for being brainwashed, probably best to reflect on these matters with humility. As to royalists in the UK they are in a strong majority, though less so with the young and ethnic minorities.Actually the monarchy has often been unpopular in history.Your insights and knowledge are obviously limited on this subject so I won't engage further except to note that the evidence for racism in the royal family is very limited.

Harry is a far more likeable and impressive person than his uncle Andrew.That's why the current standoff with his family is so sad.With Andrew there;s nothing to feel except contempt.

No he wouldn't. All of William's children would have precedence starting with Prince George.

Thanks.I wish I had thought of that.

I have a 2016 Macbook Pro which is working fine but the battery will need replacing soon.Is this a straightforward matter for Apple service outlets in Bangkok and how much approximately will it cost? Advice gratefully received.

Thank you.Existing stocks will presumably shortly be exhausted or time barred.Going forward, is Government going to require all vaccines (and improved vaccines) to be produced in Thailand and is there a domestic capacity to do so? If an awareness develops - as it has in the USA and Europe - that vulnerable groups need bivalent vaccines, it will be hard to resist pressure to import. Anyway it will be interesting to see exactly what the official confirmation says.