jayboy

4 minutes ago, nigelforbes said:

I do, not much but I do declare the income and pay. 

Interesting.If you don't mind me asking, is your pension paid gross (free of tax) from the country of origin?

On 3/16/2023 at 2:50 PM, federicoP said:

I simply show them my bank book with the foreign remittances deriving from my pension and only these are included in my declaration. 

 

And as a matter of interest do you pay Thai income tax on your pension remittances?

4 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Test it out, use a VPN for UK and try and do some transactions. Obviously will need your roaming set up for your Thai sim

I'm fairly sure a friend of mine based temporarily in the UK during Covid used his account with SCB to make transfers to Thailand and pay his Thai bills - utilities etc.I think he did it from his laptop and without a VPN.

39 minutes ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

I believe I have provided my blue house book at each update of my red police book.

I've always taken it along at the time of five year renewal but it's never been asked for.

1 hour ago, bamnutsak said:

Do you consume cannabis?

 

In my day. yes.Open to the idea of a modest re-entry.

1 hour ago, bamnutsak said:

Or are you proselytizing?

 

Do you know what the word proselyte means? Look it up and read my post again.It implied no position one way or the other.

1 hour ago, bamnutsak said:

I'd be more worried about confirming the proper location for the operation.

 

Still you have provided yet more supporting evidence that any enquiry on possible adverse effects sets many committed consumers into disapproval that even a question was raised.

A report in the Economist this week, quoting from a 2019 study, notes that patients who used marijuana on a daily or weekly basis needed up to three times the typical anaesthesia dose to stay under while in the operating room.The article is headed, "Waking up in the middle of a surgery is the stuff of nightmares." I have no idea of the credibility of this suggestion though The Economist has greater heft than most publications.For those interested  - eg smokers about to go under the surgeon's knife obviously more research would be advisable..

However as is so often the case, the comments beneath the article are equally as interesting.A common factor is the spluttering rage and indignation on the part of many when any suggestion is made that marijuana might not be perfectly safe.Most would accept that abuse of alcohol is more dangerous.But I can't help feeling that there are so many vested interests involved, certainly in Thailand, that getting a truthful response is unlikely.Can anyone point to a credible science based source of information on the medical risks of marijuana in general, which is not subject to unsound views from proselytes on either side?

The obvious answer to the anaesthesia point is that the patient should be upfront and transparent with his/her medical team.Tall them what your intake is and they can adjust the anaesthetics as necessary

On 3/3/2023 at 8:27 PM, proton said:

Did this once at Bumrungrad years ago, wanted 500 baht for iburprophehn, declined it and went across the road and got the same for 50 baht. Next time I'm going government hospital

Still common practice and at dental clinics too.It always makes me laugh - the sheer chutzpah involved.

15 hours ago, sandyf said:

Studies from the US would indicate it was a result of the pfizer vaccine.

Huh?

30 minutes ago, transam said:

My local Tesco has started asking for my passport to pay bills

Huh?

My Apple watch is tethered to my Thai mobile number.I'll be traveling to Australia quite soon and wondered, if I purchased roaming rights from the Thai provider, whether my watch will be fully functional overseas.

14 hours ago, JSLit said:

Whenever I go to a coffee shop up in the sticks, Ill occasionally meet a farang who introduces themselves only to tell me how much they hate Thailand, how Thai people are oblivious, etc...only to then tell me that they've been here for 30 years and plan on still being here. LOL

Slightly off topic but in my experience long term foreigners who profess to hate Thailand have only themselves to blame - whether having lost most of their money or chained to some unsuitable partner or isolated in some dull as ditch water Isaan village (or a combination of all three).

The other side of the coin are those who uncritically adore every aspect of Thailand and revile their home country.It's an attitude I prefer to that of the Thailand haters because it's more optimistic.But it's no closer to the truth.

The reality is that Thailand is a very attractive country with some deep seated problems - like anywhere else.I love it but recognize the issues.Those who claim to be uninterested in their home country seem not to realize they are simply confirming they didn't fit in - which is fine .But it's silly not to recognize that European countries are superbly livable - for the well educated, the better off and civilized.

3 hours ago, JSLit said:

Also I tend to break the rules, like if a waiter or a maid Wai's at me Ill return it back. 

It's not actually breaking any rule.I've observed high status Thais over several decades and most will wai a subordinate if the latter initiates the gesture. Thus for example on leaving a restaurant the high status Thai will often wai a waiter if the latter initiated.It will usually be rather perfunctory but the thought is there.

I don't think Thais of any rank care very much whether farang use a wai or not (very few ever get the nuances quite right) but it's certainly not a negative feeling.

13 hours ago, Keep Right said:

I purchased the 70mai A800 4K with Rear Dash Cam Kit from Lazada awhile back

Thanks and to all others who responded. I've ordered the same model from Lazada.

I've been looking for alcohol free gin in Bangkok without success so far.It's a surprising big market in the UK with both established players (eg Gordons and Tanqueray) and many newcomers.Any thoughts?

My HP dash cam has expired after 10 years excellent service.Any recommendations for a decent replacement.HP doesn't appear to be making them anymore and Lazada shows mostly unknown (to me) Chinese brands.Don't mind paying for quality.

On 2/7/2023 at 12:42 PM, Negita43 said:

Whilst important, weight is not the only factor to consider if you want to extend your life - for example excessive alcohol, no exercise, smoking, family history. All of these may also be factors what ever you do about your weight.

There's a medical consensus that the key issue in extending life when over 60 is not so much weight but exercise.This seems to be the case even when there are pre-existing conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.I doubt whether this is relevant in the case of morbid obesity but is certainly the case for most moderately overweight seniors.The surprising aspect for me is that only about 150 minutes per week (of fast walking for example) is necessary.My hunch is that with this level of exercise, restricted carbs, no smoking and limited booze - seniors should easily exceed 70.But there are also genetics to be considered - and not much one can do about that.

Incidentally I don't think there are many intrinsic factors that prevent seniors from losing weight.I've often seen success stories in those of 70 and above, in all cases the main factor being eating less.Exercise is important for health - but of limited value when losing weight.

Can anyone recommend Medconsult, the clinic run by a British but Thai qualified doctor? I'm inclined to try it as an alternative to the hassles of visiting hospitals - at least for minor ailments.It would be good to have a British style GP to consult.I notice they also do vaccinations which is very useful.The reason I ask is that I've had slightly mixed reports, not so much about the quality of treatment but more about disorganized and slightly scatty management.Any views?

On 1/24/2023 at 1:20 PM, swm59nj said:

Unfortunately the new generation vaccines are not available at this time. And there is no information when or if they would be available.  The information is from Bumrungard Hospital doctor who I see. 
And if it does come here you might have to pay for it.  You can’t always expect to get “freebies “ in Thailand all the time.  Thailand is not responsible for you.  If a person moves to another country.  And expects that country to give them free things.  That would probably make that person be viewed as a free loader.  So start saving those pennies. 
 

That (the lack of any plans to import bivalent vaccines) is my understanding also after talking to a number of qualified Thai sources.I believe Sheryl has also confirmed her understanding of the position.

The Thai medics I spoke to - off the record - were however highly critical and thought the government was being almost excessively complacent, given the scientific evidence (particularly the US CDC recommendations) that bivalent boosters were needed for vulnerable groups.I was unable to get any sense from speaking to the major Bangkok hospitals - your discussion with an individual doctor is more effective

if there is a change of policy it will come from the educated Thai professional classes lobbying since they will want to protect their elderly relatives.

I don't see any point in discussing whether foreigners would be charged.That is surely the least important aspect.

I will get it in the UK next month.But I would still like to see a clear statement from the Ministry explaining why the best international practice is not being followed, particularly as Chinese tourism picks up.I may be wrong but I suspect there's a view Covid is all but over so they can get away with it.

42 minutes ago, wordchild said:

Fwiw , in the distant past, I  had parts of the  law translated line by line and explained to me by a Thai tax lawyer and, unfortunately,(as far as I remember)  there is no single passage that one could quote that makes the exemption on (prior year) overseas income clear and explicit.

As was explained to me then,  the reason such income is not taxable is because it falls outside the definition of what constitutes Thai taxable income. Also some  of the subtlety (of this definition) gets lost when translated from Thai.

 

Income earned outside the Thai tax system in prior tax years is not regarded as income ,that could  be taxed , rather it it is regarded as now being capital that was earned in the past ie so no longer subject to current year taxation.

 

Actually  it is in the countries interest that this capital can come back into Thailand rather than being held offshore.

 

Also remember it is not just a narrow group of expats who have benefited from this treatment: major Thai corporations and wealthy Thai individuals also benefit from the treatment.

 

There are plenty of excellent summaries of the situation by the likes of PWC et al.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

3 hours ago, nigelforbes said:

Yes, it is enshrined in Thai tax law.

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.

On 1/18/2023 at 5:22 PM, nigelforbes said:

Their message to me was crystal clear, if I want to reclaim tax paid on savings interest at banks, I need to file a tax return and in doing so, I'd better declare all my income received in Thailand that year, including overseas pensions.

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.

9 hours ago, Walker88 said:

The US specifically rebelled against monarchies and those granted respect and authority merely by birth, having achieved nothing but been whelped. Every human everywhere has benefited from that belief in equality. Though far from perfect, the US does try to promote human rights for all, no matter the circumstances of birth.

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)