TravelerEastWest

1 hour ago, DrPhibes said:

He probably did not have the chips in his junkyard of computers.  Your spot on with being friendly and honest.

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...

59 minutes ago, DrPhibes said:

Just a positive review for Be-fixed.  Took my 2018 Alienware 17 R4 laptop in when the LIPO battery started to swell (actually was starting to bow the computer next to the keyboard) battery is buried deep in the guts of the laptop so pressing on main board and such and alot of of disassembly to get to.  Took it in (already bought the replacement battery to install) and wanted guts cleaned and CMOS battery replaced.  Told him 2-3 days is OK, had it done in 3hrs.  500 baht.  All checked out OK after pickup.  A very good experience.

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.

5 minutes ago, eisfeld said:

Well lucky that you don't know anyone who died. A family friend lost both parents to Covid-19. So go ahead and stick your head in the sand as much as you want. Wont change reality.

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?

49 minutes ago, SHA 2 BKK said:

Apart the missus keeping me on me toes it's very good to live here and have done so for 8 years.  It's a good base to travel (In Australia half the trip is just getting out of the place).  My kids go to International school here and we have seen much of Asia.  Good luck for your travels mate.

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...

27 minutes ago, Ben Zioner said:

Could you PM the coordinates of your agent?  Even if we remain tax free, I'll need to find ways  to minimize tax(es) for my Thai wife after my demise. She'll get half my pension (monthly) and my savings. So the tax changes definitely affect us.

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...

20 minutes ago, SHA 2 BKK said:

Understand matey.  I did my whole family online.  Finished in two weeks! 
 

But I don’t want any work visa in Thailand.   Retirement now and live off my pension and investments.  
 

Personally I’m kind of happy not to be in the Thai Tax system (yet)!  

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...

9 minutes ago, SHA 2 BKK said:

No.  The Pension LTR is Tax Free on Foreign Remittances (as long as earned the previous year)

 Highly Skilled LTRs pay 17% tax on income earned in Thailand.  I don’t think they can claim the tax free for Overseas Remittance.  
 

This is from the BOI to me.  I wouldn’t use an agent personally. 
 

“

Thank you for your inquiry. On the note of the recent Revenue Department announcement on the new conditions for oversea income that generate from business/ asset or work abroad to be subject for personal income tax. 

 

We would like to address that for the LTR tax benefits: the revenue department has already announced a royal decree to exempt the LTR- Wealthy Global/ Wealthy Pension/ Work from Thailand from paying the income tax derived from oversea business/ work and assets. Therefore the change in conditions will not effect the exemption of the LTR mentioned group. 

 

Therefore, we can assure you that the incentive of the LTR visa is still the same. We also believe the revenue department will shortly give an official clarification also as it is their main responsibility and we will work with them to get the procedure for future assistance i.e. to address when you wire in the money that it is from the work remotely (same as in LTR application)- the revenue can cross check with us if they want, don't worry. 

 

If you have any further inquiry or find any obstacles, please let us know so we can address the issue with revenue department on your behalf.”

 

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.

28 minutes ago, SHA 2 BKK said:

Don’t use an agent.  Just go through BOI.   Yes no 90 day report just annually if you don’t leave the country.  I only stayed one year and that during COVID. 
 

0% Tax on remittances from Overseas (as long as earned the year before) for three types of Visas.  
 

If you work in Thailand as a Highly Skilled LTR 17% Tax.  
 

Some “chicken littles” saying the Government is going to get rid of this Visa but I think after Farangs stop sending so much coin after January 1 they wont dare.  Time will tell.  
 

Anyway it’s far better than the Elite Visa (I had one before this). No 90 reports.  
 

https://ltr.boi.go.th/

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...

1 hour ago, Pib said:

Heard where/from who?   Maybe got a weblink?  Thanks.

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.

5 minutes ago, Stevey said:

Where are you getting you info that everyone is dying of Covid ? In the 2 1/2 year stint did 5months ago I never heard about 1 person dying of it. Also the villages of Isaan , PhonPhiSai Nong Khai  were stacked out with old people when I arrived in Early 2021 that I’d seen the last time in Jan 2020  as talk of a deadly virus started. Everyone was still alive when I arrived in the village. How had they survived it with no vaccine rollout which did start a few of months into 2021. I’m amazed every time I look some one in the eyes  in my travels currently in the UK when the discussion ever turns to Covid and I ask them “ Look you survived 2020 with no vaccine and you even told me that you got Covid also …. So why did you queue for a newly made Jab ? “ Every last one of them just looks at me with a look of gormlessness, confusion and shame and admits “ ……… I don’t know “

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?

On 10/2/2023 at 7:58 AM, Middle Aged Grouch said:

Yes I understand what you mean, but the rent I was referring to where they were charged for stay and separare bill for electric and cleaner was a hotel style rent scheme of pool villas in Hua Hin. Imagine you going in any hotel in Thailand and they charge you separate...it would lead to an uproar all over social media and give bad publicity one the visitor is back home.

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.

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

If you only want to meet visa requirement and won't use it then doesn't matter what policy you get.

 

Just make sure you can easily and quickly handle hospital bills of 3 million  plus baht anytime while here in Thsiland as that is what something major can cost. Being healthy now is no guarantee and certsinly doesn't render you immune to accidents which are common here due to terrible and reckless driving. Even as a pedestrian, you can get mowed down even in a crosswalk  (as I was). 

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...

On 10/9/2023 at 7:06 PM, Sheryl said:

AA is good if you are going to have a a Thai issued policy (which I definitely do not recommend). They cannot handle intetnationally issued expat policies (which is what I recommend). For that a broker headquartered in either your home country or the country where the insurer is based is preferrable and make sure they have experience with international expat policies.

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?

31 minutes ago, retarius said:

I love these. How much experience do you have of brokers in your home country. Most people pick one and then tell everyone they are the best, then tells everyone they are useless when a claim gets denied.

It's like doctors, I worked in healthcare all my life and I hear "oh Dr XXXXX is a wonderful doctor" and I think too myself what criteria are you using to determine he or she is a great doctor.....it's usually whether they are nice to you or not ie bedside manner. I don'[t care about bedside manner, what I want is a doctor who diagnoses ailments correctly.....which most of them can't.

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!

Good points!

Thank you

On 10/6/2023 at 11:17 AM, Sheryl said:

Any regular insurance policy that includes cover for the USA will be prohibitively expensive

 

I suggest you keep this separate and take out a travel policy for your visits.  One specific to travel to the US would be best e.g.

 

https://www.imglobal.com/travel-medical-insurance/patriot-america-plus

 

As a diabetic, you will find getting a regular health insurance to be difficult. If you can get a  policy at all, it will have broad exclusions (though not literally everything but an accident. Cancer for example should still be covered. But cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, vascular disease may all be excluded....IF you can get cover at all, which is iffy). If you cannot get cover at all, there is an option of a USD $100,000 deposit instead. (you should in any case have at least that set aside/ readily accessible if paying for health care here out of pocket).

AXA seems to cover everyone for small plans what do you thinK?

https://direct.axa.co.th/HealthOnline/EasyCare/CoverageOptionPlan?utm_source=Partner&utm_medium=Affiliate+&utm_campaign=Easycare_LTR_StarVisa_JUN23

8 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Any regular insurance policy that includes cover for the USA will be prohibitively expensive

 

I suggest you keep this separate and take out a travel policy for your visits.  One specific to travel to the US would be best e.g.

 

https://www.imglobal.com/travel-medical-insurance/patriot-america-plus

 

As a diabetic, you will find getting a regular health insurance to be difficult. If you can get a  policy at all, it will have broad exclusions (though not literally everything but an accident. Cancer for example should still be covered. But cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, vascular disease may all be excluded....IF you can get cover at all, which is iffy). If you cannot get cover at all, there is an option of a USD $100,000 deposit instead. (you should in any case have at least that set aside/ readily accessible if paying for health care here out of pocket).

I agree travel insurance will be short tern.