TravelerEastWest

Update - my money was returned to my Schwab account and I was able too end a wire - cost $15 to Scwab and a small fee to BKK. The Ameritrade merger is moving along and soon Schwab in theory should be able to do I ACH transfers...

Charlie, Thank you for moving the post!

Bangkok Bank US Int ACH transfer -how many days? A few years back I used to ACG bank transfers from America to Thailand via Bank Bank New York - then it became difficult so i switched to wire transfers from Schwab. Ended up being very quick and about $15 a time - usually $10,000. Recently Schwab started doing Bangkok Bank Int ACH transfers again. I sent one a few days ago which has not yet arrived. Anyone know how long till it hits my local Bangkok bank account? Thank you?

Celtic Boy, Dr Bernstein is an amazing person and doctor (I have his book) - he has a method of dealing with type 1 diabetes that is very precise and can work although seems difficult to do. Dr Cyrus Khambatta also has a system that works (he is a type 1) the difference is that his system is easier to do and healthier long term... Read the book - Mastering diabetes and watch the videos.

The best thing would be to find a really good doctor - I have found none in Chiang Mai that really understand how to treat diabetes there should be a few in Bangkok or you can combine local tests with telemedicine. You need to cut refined carbs and sugar. Basically no junk food no smoking or drugs, daily exercise. Professor Roy Taylor is very good: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/reversal/#publicinformation Read his book and watch his videos to get started Mastering diabetes: Dr Cyrus Khambatta Again read the book and watch the videos.

Almost 20 years in Thailand and I also am frustrated as I have a work permit and pay taxes etc. But to be fair locals get a discount in many places worldwide... In america I think it is more of a state thing not based on nationality. So someone from New York will often pay more in Hawaii than a local but move there and show your Hawaii state drivers license and you get the discount.

Most people believe that modern lifestyle meat alcohol little exercise etc is OK - I understand that earlier really believes what he wrote and meant well - we will have to agree to disagree until all the MDs and scientists agree... One thing about carbs is taht junk food carbs are bad for you. And too much of anything is bad for you including water...

High carbs and junk food carbs raising glucose levels are symptoms of diabetes; high fat is the cause of most cases of diabetes. High fat consumption clogs up the insulin receptors which causes insulin resistance and then things get worse over time...

I agree with you. One addition - in may be hard to find really good tax advice outside of Bangkok - so get references and check the experience of the person that you hire. I had an experienced local (English speaking, small firm -not Bangkok) CPA who went to a top university in Bangkok give me wrong advice on worldwide business income - I was told it was taxable on my Thai corporate tax return - when it was not.

Sounds about right...

Actually the Thai tax system is very similar to the US tax system - some small differences such as different depreciation rates and years and they have a simple system for some small businesses where you don't need to do much bookkeeping - they give you a set percentage of revenue as expenses. In the US we don't have that but instead we have things like S corps which do away with taxation at the corporate level. Probably a wash in the end... But both systems overall are very similar. You are correct that there is a big difference at the country level more VAT and less individual taxes. I have never worked with European taxes but I think they are similar to Thailand in terms of VAT type taxes. As for one bad experience, no more than that but I don't let it bother me as I am trained in taxation and understand how to look at tax issues. Unless you are trained in taxation how would you know if you have had a problem in the last 20 years in Thailand - note I am not being rude with the question I am actually very curious... A small Thai CPA firm - not large CPA firm as in your example (note I am not against the large CPA firms and worked in the tax department for one right out of business school a long time ago), is not expensive and if you have a small business here in Thailand is normally a very good idea for more than one reason. Example they know more than almost all non CPAs about taxes and that includes Revenue staff and can save you money - more than you pay them. Many other reasons... The above is my opinion after almost 20 years in Thailand running a business and filing both personal and business tax returns. I am trained as a professional in American taxation and would never consider doing my own taxes here as I would lose a lot of money.

Do not rely on the Thai Revenue department to look out for your best interests. Find a good Thai CPA and have them guide you and file your tax return - not expensive at all. I remember when I first moved to Thailand the local Revenue department manager tried to tell me all my income in America was taxable in Thailand. I tried to explain to her that I had no same year income in Thailand - she did not understand - or want to ? In America it is the same, IRS agents are not trained to help you and most of them are not highly trained. You also often can't trust IRS publications they interpret the law in their favor; a good tax accountant will often see the law differently and win when you are audited.

I love these agricultural fairs. I go for hours and fill my car up with new plants!

We are in Mae Rim and have some Lime and Lemon trees around 6 feet tall which are in full sun with limited watering year round they seem to do fine fruit most of the year and not dying. We have normal high clay content soil and rarely give any fertilizer. In general the first five years fruit trees like to have some care but after five years they tend to do well on their own.

I have only been here around 20 years but basically agree with you. Around 30 years ago I visited Chiang Mai and there was lots of traffic and tourist then also...

Much of the above does not match my experience with Thai CPAs. We meet with our Thai CPA once a year for less than an hour for tax planning and exchange a few emails now and then regarding our annual audit. We do our own Social Security and wage withholding filings. But even if your CPA does the work normally you just supply them with the basic information not much interaction. Audits are normal for corporations once a year - have never heard of one every six months - maybe for very large public corporations? I am not certain if the accountant can also be the auditor normally there is separation. Yes, they can help with other matters but my experience has been that unless they do it every day they are not a good choice for help with work permits..

As a company she can deduct rent. As a sole proprietor (depending on the business type) she does not need to track expenses and gets a set percentage of sales as expenses - this is very easy to do do and probably better for her have her ask her CPA. Note CPAs are not expense here and will be very helpful and in teh long run save her money.

Not much that you have to do. Sometimes a shop license from a local office whose name I forget - anyway very easy to get and not expensive - ask your accountant...

A strong yes. He is funny

When I was young I had a job that required me to drive a van at 4 in the morning - I drank strong coffee...

You are correct! Better yet take a nap and then drive fully alert...

You are basically correct many people need to stay liquid with their investments - but some people mostly live off of income and rarely sell anything. When my kids inherit my estate they can decide then what they want to do, But I am happy with an income to live a simple life. Good stocks don't normally stop paying dividends - I like to buy stocks with solid dividend payment records of at least ten years. Combined with diversification all is well.

So a poor total return. If you plan to never sell the income is OK

Immigration offices haver different rules - so ask them... In Chiang Mai currently only two photos are needed - front gate and living room.

Good return for probably the safest investment there is...