TravelerEastWest

Good thinking and what if I didn't send it but my mother gifted the tuition to my kids?

Very interesting! Late now so I will think about this tomorrow. Another thought my main Thai expense is international school for two kids. I live on a simple farm and have an old car and rarely go out... What if I send money for school directly from America to the school? Just a thought...

OK another update from the visa guy who talked with the BOI today the Pension visa is only exempt for overseas income taht does not come into Thailand.... For now - who knows what will happen next year...!

Yes, he does not have many MacBook chips. You need to go to one of the small mac repair shops in town. It does not seem to be his main business to do repairs with his own used parts...

He is friendly and honest. You were smart to bring the part you needed installed - I had a computer that needed parts and he told me to try somewhere else - but he didn't charge me even when I wanted to pay him for looking at my computer... The computer ended up needing 4 chips from other old junked computers that someone else had on hand - works well now.

"subject the transfers to taxation" Everyone - agrees with you!

But these ladies make great mothers! ON to the LTR visa after more conversations with my agent the 17% tax rate is not available for the Pension version I am applying for. I have Thai income but not a lot so it is not an issue.

I am starting to think that we are foolish to even have conversations with COVID/vaccine deniers and flat Earthers... Either they truly believe and we won't change their minds or they are having fun with us?

My wife keeps me on my toes and my kids are in international school also - we have some things in common... I always thought that Thai wives listened to every word of their husbands but apparently the good ones are like a tough school teacher...

I can't give a reference today as I don't have my visa yet but here is where you start: https://ltr.boi.go.th/page/ca.html Ask the usual questions: Cost? How they operate? How many have you done so far? (and which type) it is difficult to find a good tax specialist in Thailand other than the large accounting firms (and some law firms) but for after you are dead to be safe I would find a Thai CPA that has lots of experience with your situation...

I am in the Thai tax system as I work full time here and I have a local CPA take care of all tax returns auditors etc - very easy... Work permits have always been easy and now will soon be easier. Sounds like being retired you have an easy life! In the future I will be there - maybe - my kids will go to university in America soon which is very expensive... My wife and I would like to do some interesting traveling and will not be doing it soon...

Sorry for any confusion in my post the quotes were from my Thai agent so may not be clear: 17% refers to Thai income in Thailand using a digital work permit. LTR Pension visa does not have a no work limitation apparently that is an misunderstanding... I understand that you would not use an agent but I am comfortable paying agents and accountants etc all the time to both get advice and free up my time. I am shall we say somewhat busy those with families and a lot of work will understand... Normally i save money by hiring professionals.

I prefer going through an agent as i am working more than full time and have a family so I am busy 7 days a week and the money is not an issue Also I am in the habit of using a an agent for my Thai wife visa as they did all the forms and made an appointment for me... But thank you for your advice! Recently my agent helped with a LTR pension visa and a digital work permit with 17% tax was allowed. But you never know things change...

"For the tax question, yes, you are subject to 17%. (Pension category) There are lot of misleading information online. And yes, the annual report can be done online." Confirmed above from BOI via my agent.

From a visa agency that is a certified partner with the BOI - but this is Thailand he could be wrong so I asked him to confirm directly with BOI... stay tuned for an update.

I heard today that LTR pension visas qualify you for 17% tax rates if you have Thai income. Also that the once a year reports can now be done online just like a 90 day report.

Vert good news that you didn't see anyone die in the village - people don't get COVID due to luck, being careful and thE virus not being in the area etc. You do know that lots of people in Thailand wore masks pre vaccines - correct? Not sure what your comment about people getting COVID means when as I am sure that you know that hospitals were overflowing with serious cases with people on ventilators and many dying. Or do you think that was a conspiracy and never happened?

Not unusual in Thailand i have stayed in a hotel paying by the week and was charged for electricity as used - water was not expensive and not charged.

I agree with you and I have cash and stocks etc here in Thailand for a sudden emergency. But my new insurance policy will cover accidents etc above 300,000 baht - my deductible. As i get older I will increase my insurance but not my deductible as I believe in insuring against a catastrophe not an inconvenience...

Thank you Sheryl, I plan to get a lowest cost plan with a high deductible and most likely will never use it. It is only for a ten year LTR visa good for $100,000. So a plan issued in Thailand may be OK? I think of it as a cost of the visa I will use Medicare in America in a couple of years from now. At the moment I will use a US based travel insurance when I visit my daughter when she goes off to college. A while ago you posted an American travel insurance suggestion and I will use that one. Although the name has slipped my mind...

If you already have a "case" that may be contentious, it's probably irrelevant what broker you choose and all a bit late as well. Case means in the possible future nothing today...

Red Phoenix, "So don't necessarily go for the broker that offers the cheapest policy, but have a personal talk/communication with the person that would handle your case (which can be different than the 'sales person'). When that talk/communication inspires confidence in his knowledge/abilities and the brokerage company he works for, that would be your man..." Good point about getting to know who would handle my case... Any thoughts between AA and Pacific Prime?

I have zero recent experience with brokers in America as I have lived in Thailand for almost 20 years and other countries before that. In America I usually got health insurance through work so no broker. I like doctors who have great bedside manner it is very important. Also they should be technically good not one or another. And they should stay up to date with new research... So back to my question do you have any suggestions for the best broker in Thailand? They should have a wide knowledge of plans and be able to help you fit the correct plans and explain them in detail and then if there ever is a problem with a claim they should help you...

Thai insurance broker - which is best? I am in Chiang mai and need someone who speaks English very well and provide support in the future in case of a claim... Thank you!

There are very few tax specialists inThailand the ones there are are mostly in Bangkok and will be expensive. Local Thai CPAs normally don't know much about advanced tax questions. Worse yet they tend to have friends in the local Revenue office, Those Revenue agents are normally not well trained and will give the governments side of the issue. Stay calm for now...