cshort64

This is comical, the Russians complaining about safety as they are the worst pilots and aircraft mechanics on the planet. Their safety record is appalling in their country. Please boycott Thailand there are too many Russian that have caused problems, we constantly read about so called Russian Mafia in Pattaya and in Phuket. I for one would like to see less of them visiting us here.

Thank you LopBuri3,

I assume that I must submit before noon and then come back the next day, or do I have to submit sooner than noon? Since there are no early morning flights to Laos, I have to fly in on Monday night, go to Embassy on Tuesday morning and plan a flight back on wednesday afternoon.

Bummer looks like two nights unless someone has another option.

regards

C

Good Afternoon.

I am about to run to Lao for a Non-B visa as well, have secured a new job and need to get a new non-B visa. I have all the documents I am more concerned on the time it takes. Can this be done in 1 day, for example fly in on a Monday night, submit paperwork Tuesday morning and pick up the visa Tuesday Afternoon for a return flight Tuesday night or do I need to spend 2 nights in Laos for this?

Thank You in Advance

C

Good Day;

Quickly, my situation is changing from an employee to consultant, for the past 4 years I have paid my taxes and taken my legal deductions such as children, LTF, RTF, Insurance for Mother in-law, family deductions, etc...

Now with my new situation, I will be working for a firm as a consultant without taxes being taken out every month for me, so I must pay my own tax bill. Do I have any additional benefits that I can achieve by doing

this, such as I pay my own health and life insurance now, can that help reduce my tax burden? If I work from home can I take some of my rent, anything like this? I assume I need a good tax accountant but I was

hoping some of you may have some insight to share before I go to the accounting firms?

Any cautionary tales to share or advice is welcome.

Regards

CHS

Good Day;

I would like to see about getting family health insurance coverage here in Thailand. I am an American, married to a Thai with 5 children, however, two of them are over 21 but they are still in school. (4 of my children and my wife have Thai passports, if that matters) I am curious what options for medical coverage I have, I have been reading this forum and there are loads of comments but no clear winner.

I'm looking for the use of the major private hospitals here.

Thank you

CHS

Hi All,

My question is on a similara vein but with a twist, I am a Thai Perm Resident, been here for 5 years, paying Thai taxes working for a multi-national. I am contimplating taking a 6 month assignment (contract) in Australia. I am curious about Tax situation in both places, will I be required to pay taxes in both Australia as well as Thailand? I assume there a few Austrailians here that may read this and will be able to share a bit on this one?

Any thoughts on this one would be most welcome.

Thank You

C

I would like to offer up the Marrriott Hotel and Resort's rice barge dinner cruises. I have been several times, they are a bit smaller, maybe 15 couples or tables, the food was excellent, the service very good as well. Traditional and entertaining.

Price a bit more, close to 2,000 baht per person, but very enjoyable for a special occasion.

Enjoy!

C

I too can't see why so many are jumping all over the OP on this one, nobody likes to be offended and there are some things that most of us still find offensive. We all come to Thailand for various reasons, some like the differences between the societies we came from and this one, some like the culture, others like the wild night life. I don't pre-judge why people come here, as for myself, I am here to stay, love the place, warts and all.

I too though find public displays like this very offensive, every hotel on Sukumvit will have a bathroom available, any pub will let you in and after releaving yourself sit down buy another pint from the bar-keep to thank him for the use of his toilet and move on. Just because the city is dirty in many places and the local poor have no where to go at times does not mean we need to contribute to the problem, TheLaughingMan, I can relate to your feelings of discomfort and distain for this behavoir.

C

Hi. I have lived in Taiwan for a few years before moving here and you should have no problems at all. There will be a security checkpoint to go through but it is usually fast and you'll be on your way. They shuttle train runs very often as well so you won't be waiting around long. I still go that way to the US sometimes on China Airlines or Eva Airlines, both work quite well.

Cheers

C

I was told it was to open this August 12th as well, let's hope that this time they mean it.

C

Thank you for the feedback this has been helpful discussion. I understand where you are coming from and I don't wish to put myself in any 'iffy' position with the Thai governmnet, I guess I will stick to the tax adjustments they give us to work with, it is unfortunate to loose 50K baht per month.....oh well.....

Thanks again I appreciate the information.

Cheers

C

<br />

if I was to be paid into a bank in Singapore for example, or Hong Kong, where the tax rates are lower than here, I would be able to eliminate by tax burden here in Thailand or would I have to pay taxes on money I wired in from my bank overseas?

<br /><br />-if a part of your salary is paid into a Singapore or Hong Kong account and you are a resident of Thailand neither Singapore nor Hong Kong will levy any taxes.<br /><br />-if you transfer in 2011 money from abroad which you have earned (or claim you have earned) in 2010 no taxes due in Thailand.<br />

Hmm, sounds to me like an opportunity for tax free living....or am I missing something........

I am glad to hear these folks getting caught, that is great indeed. I do often wonder about the tip the police are getting , these tips come in bunches and rather mysteriously. Naturally the police will not give our sources and I'm not suggesting that they do, but my curiosity is peaked when I hear about these tips, do the Thai Police have that good of connections in Nigeria?

if they do, kudo's to them!

Again, very pleased the drugs are off the street, just interesting.....

Cheers

C

Thank You, your information is quite helpful, I will have my HR department check with SS department for Thailand and see how I can do as you suggest.

Regarding your point about being paid overseas. Just to be clear, if I was to be paid into a bank in Singapore for example, or Hong Kong, where the tax rates are lower than here, I would be able to eliminate by tax burden here in Thailand or would I have to pay taxes on money I wired in from my bank overseas?

Cheers

C

Good Morning All;

As it is tax season again here in Thailand it is time to be shocked at what I have paid or will need to pay to the local tax establishment. I have a couple of questions and am hoping for some advise.

Background: American living here working for multi-national married to Thai national with 4 children.

1. We have just had our 4th son, I heard some talk of a 20,000 baht tax credit for new baby born this year, is this correct?

2. Are any hospital or medical bills tax deductable as my insurance did not cover the birth and hospitalization?

3. I have heard from my employer only 3 of my children are deductable, is that accurate, we get 17,000 per year for each child now, do we get more or can we deduct anything for the 4th?

4. I have a RMF and Provide Fund payments, parental deductions, medical insurance or wife's parents, these all reduce tax, but is there more I can be doing?

Any suggestions on reducing the tax burden would be helpful. I could purchase a condo or home and deduct the interest but that is only 100,000 baht per year I believe (correct me if I'm wrong)

I look forward to any suggestions.

Cheeers

C

There is no logic for such a wild purchase, sure some things make sense but Tanks, come on there is no need for that level of support. I like the idea of retiring 2200 generals for maybe 200 of them, that would make sense, there is no need for any Army to have that many generals. Puchasing parts and/or aircraft to make pilots safer and more modern sure a good purchase, bullet proof vests, again, I can go along fine with that. But there are far more trying issues in Thailand that the military spending this crazy amount of money.I do not hold out much hope though that clearer heads will prevail, I suspect that the military will get what the military wants. The Reds and the Yellows don't even have the clout to change this one, it is a foregone conclusion I'm afraid, they will get the money and then the tanks, just like the airship and the aircraft carrier, which are both so vital to our protection.C

Education must be the key. So many people I run into in the Northeast can't read and write thus it does not make much difference. I am quite sure that my wife's family take their 200 to 500 baht and then ask for someone to check the box or fill in the name, as neither of them can read a newspaper. So it does not matter who you want if you have to ask the person giving you the $ or the 'village boss' to help you the vote will be cast for whomever THEY like, as there is no way to verify.

So he will have to leave a second time to get the ED visa?

The school won't give him the ED Visa paperwork until he passes the exam, which is basic english and math but still he must take it. Thus I could be out two airplane tickets...

Hmm, this is unfortunate......

C

Hello All;

I'm off to Taiwan on business next week, it just so happens I also need to get a new Visa for my son, has anyone had experience with Visa Operations in Taipei before? Easy? Hard? just looking for a 30 or 60 day visa and then will convert to an ED Visa once he arrives back here an passes his school entrance exams

Thank you in Advance.

C

Most of us who have been in Thailand for some time are well aware that even if the election is held next year and all signs look good, if the those working behind the scenes do not like who was elected by the people of Thailand they will do what they wish to change the election results to a government that is more favorable to their liking, if too many rules come into play to stop the corruption, the political election process will be moved up sooner. This is life in LOS.

I may like to complain and write from time to time about the corruption, politics, and other issues that plague this beautiful country but like many of you, I'm staying, this is home for me, I cannot vote, I can't change the system directly, I can only do a little bit by raising the 5 thai children I have to be responsible citizens and do the right thing when they grow up......Avoid Policitcs.....

C

I will add my 2 cents here and say that ending or even limiting corruption is an outstanding idea. There are far too many people looking for an easy way to make some extra money, however, there are also too many individuals that believe it is their 'right', since they are in a position of authority to be able to have something given to them for their influence or their 'guidence' in specific situations. Consider it a consulting fee or a facilitation fee or simply a sales bonus but it has been part of the society for as long as anyone can remember. The village boss' get something to help you when they co-sign a loan for a poor citizen of their village to buy a car, they are given a 'gift' to help sort our a problem between families or business'....it is all corruption.

That said, I'm not advocating giving up, if this body can get 1 or 2 areas to start to be cleaned up, this would be a huge step in the right direction. Maybe start by not allowing police officers to 'collect' fines on the street, we know they are just trying to save you a trip to the station house, , it is awefully kind of them, but maybe this practice should end. Also, when govenment contracts are let, the 'consulting' fees should be ended. I'm sure there are 100 other things we can do but I offer up two items just fo conversation.

Cheers

C

It does appear that going to Manila for a visa is a bad idea, at least from these two posts. Anyone have some experience here? If not I may not take the chance and make a run to Hong Kong or Laos as one author posts.

Where would you'all suggest?

Regards

C

Good Day All;

I am in need of getting a 90 day visa for my son, he will be going to university here and will get the ED visa when he returns but his current Visa runs out before the school year begins in January. I was thinking of sending him to Manila for a couple of days for a new Visa, any experience with the Embassy there? Would Hong Kong be better?

I am open to suggestions and experiences.

Thank you

C

Thank you for the clarity here, it is interesting that the PAD wishes to keep the 'military' constitution. These are also the same group that wanted to limit people's right to vote, especially those from the rural areas, if I remember correctly.

Changing the constitution will not make much difference in the day-to-day lives of the millions that feel disinfranchised by the PAD elite leaning tendancies.

Food, Clothing, Work, Education, these seem to be what the masses need, another change the charter that will not directly assist the masses, does appear to be a bit of a waste of time. I do hope, at least the changes being proposed will allow for more inclusion and more clarity in the government process.....

This is Thailand however.......

Thanks Again.

C

I'm not sure I'm clear on this point. Why does do the PAD feel that the constitutional ammendments are 'military backed' and why do they only benefit the politicians?

I can make some assumptions naturally, but what is the correct version?

Thanks

C