Foreigner Buys 56M Baht Home, Claims Tax-Free Living in Phuket

16 minutes ago, kuzmabruk said:

If you are a tax resident of Thailand you must file a tax return with the Thai Revenue Department. It must include your global income, not your assets (capital), your income from all sources. You must pay Thai income tax on 100% of that income. Or you can file an incomplete return and play the “I won’t get audited lottery”. Probably good chance you won’t be called up ,,, but if you are, the penalties are serious. Including time in a Thai jail.

A scaremongering post with no details re exception rules/local office comments re "no need to file" etc!

"most people assume only Dubai , Cayman islands or Monaco are tax free" Most people never give the matter a second thought

12 hours ago, BuffaloRider said:

This was a perfect clickbait article for the xenophobic Thais, it was written by some degen half thai half swiss ''journalist'' from thethaiger. Foreigners living in our country tax free? Who they think they are? Not realizing the entire part of that their economy heavily depends on it, that we bring in foreign currency and spend it directly, while already having zero rights, no job chances etc etc.

As wel that the entire reality to begin with is that foreigners not pay tax here, since decades, that is the only thing that makes Thailand still to be worth looking at to begin with too lol. Delusional, as always, pathetic.

I'm pretty sure they not know too that one could live in Singapore with even the first years business visa fees just costing 20K baht ish at most, while effectively just paying 5-7% taxes on up to 10,000 euro a month income net. Even the first 3 years just 3-4% while one could start new companies after each 3 years too. Thailand has zero to offer or compete with except for bar girls.

Most people I know including myself all do this already since they started ping ponging these tax news things. I even am able to get credit in a few years to get a mortgage. All banking sorted out, good global reputation and standing, can even use it for visa's in other countries as income proof. They even made me feel home from day 1, for the 3 months a year i spend there now too, maybe soon 6.

Thailand is not an economy built only on foreigners, bars, and nightlife.

When I first came to Thailand in the 90s, the country was getting about 3 million tourists a year, yet it already had a broad and active economy.

Thailand has major manufacturing, exports, agriculture, logistics, and domestic industry. My company moved me full time to Thailand in the early 2000s because of the amount of work being done for manufacturing companies. Tourism is important, of course, but Thailand clearly does not survive on expats sitting at beach bars.

Thailand has long taxed Thai-source income. The more recent change has been about how foreign income remitted into Thailand is treated for tax residents. That is not the same as saying foreigners were simply “tax free for decades.”

Singapore may be a better fit for some people, and that is fine. But saying Thailand has “zero to offer except bar girls” is not serious analysis. It is just a cheap insult dressed up as economics.

If someone’s entire view of Thailand begins and ends with nightlife, that probably tells us more about their itinerary than it does about Thailand’s economy.

5 hours ago, TimBKK said:

The Common Reporting Standard (CRS) is a global framework for the automatic exchange of financial account information to combat tax evasion. It requires Reporting Financial Institutions (RFIs) to identify the tax residency of their customers and report specific financial details to their local tax authorities, who then exchange that data with the account holder's home country.

There was a lot of CRS discussion in the tax frenzy period of 6 months, maybe a year ago.

That's the one, yes.

4 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

Any farang lawyer is operating illegally if giving out tax advice , I would take anything any of them say with a large pinch of salt.

4 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

Any farang lawyer is operating illegally if giving out tax advice , I would take anything any of them say with a large pinch of salt.

It was a large reputable law firm in BKK so i'd be surprised at that.

Why is it illegal?

2 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

It was a large reputable law firm in BKK so i'd be surprised at that.

Why is it illegal?

because the alien employment laws have deemed it illegal for farang lawyers and accountants to offer advice on taxation. there is nothing new about this, just like cutting hair or driving a bus it is a prohibited occupation for which work permits are not available and never have been

Even watching their videos can result in prosecution,

2 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

because the alien employment laws have deemed it illegal for farang lawyers and accountants to offer advice on taxation. there is nothing new about this, just like cutting hair or driving a bus it is a prohibited occupation for which work permits are not available and never have been

Even watching their videos can result in prosecution,

2 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

because the alien employment laws have deemed it illegal for farang lawyers and accountants to offer advice on taxation. there is nothing new about this, just like cutting hair or driving a bus it is a prohibited occupation for which work permits are not available and never have been

Even watching their videos can result in prosecution,

With all due respect i'd expect a lawyer to be more familiar with what he can and cannot do more than you but i may be wrong...

The BOI's Wealthy Pensioners don't pay tax on income remitted to Thailand (pensions investment income bank interest etc). Doesn't matter whether they live here 1 day a year or 365 days a year. However, if they live here more than 180 days a year and have "Thai" sourced income (they rent out condos, they play the SET and profit, etc.), then they pay tax on that to Thailand like anyone else. I 'guess' BOI Wealthy Global Citizen category is similar to that.

30 minutes ago, ericthai said:

Thailand has major manufacturing, exports, agriculture, logistics, and domestic industry. My company moved me full time to Thailand in the early 2000s because of the amount of work being done for manufacturing companies.

You are right, of course, Thailand does not rely of foreign tourism. I think it's about 10% of the economy. Agriculture remians a strong exporter. But Thailand is in a pretty big hole when it comes to manufacturing, as it still relies on cheap labour, often not even Thai cheap labour. The world of manufacturing has changed dramatically since 2000. Massive investment in modernization could help it compete with China and Vietnam, but that would likely lead to even greater unemployment and household debt. A strong Thai baht certainly doesn't help any of that. Also, the investment climate is a mine field here. You can't do business in Thailand without 'partnering' with one of the oligarch families. And many will be aware of how deeply disadvantaged the foreigner is if there is ever a dispute with the wealthy Thai partner. In summary, Thailand is at a cross-roads in manufacturing.

Putting all that money into a dead property in Thailand is madness.

He will have as much right to stay here tax free as someone on a year by year non O extension with just 800k baht in the bank, the rules and governments and attitude towards farangs can change at any time there are no guarantees.

It is easy to buy a property here but when it comes to selling that is another story, there is no quick turn around like in the UK for instance I know people who have been trying to sell a property for years here.

I live in a three bed two bath house in Phuket but there is no way I would buy one here, it is best to leave my money in property in the UK and received rent as I know it is mine 100% and it is safe.

I am not being negative about Thailand as I have lived in Phuket for four years (visited for 30 Years) and it is great, I am just being sensible.

And who is to say the claim about this property is real, anybody can make a claim to have done something on YouTube etc.

My experience of people with real money is they are careful with it and do not risk what they have for no reason, they did not become rich by being foolish.

12 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

I saw this guy on X. I think he moved from Dubai or something with some African women with a shaved head. I think it was a condo technically even which is even more absurd than the African girlfriend. Really stupid story from a foolish man with too much cash to burn.

Thats exactly what it is...

A 56mil condo as people on x recognized the place

They had to be some deal when he brought it,but don,t brag about it now.The gov can still take it away if they want

21 hours ago, ronster said:

He obviously didn't earn that cash through business as he can't even spell Phuket !! 🙄🙈

You clearly not know a lot about business or have met many business owners, in your life.

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15 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

And who is to say the claim about this property is real, anybody can make a claim to have done something on YouTube etc.

My experience of people with real money is they are careful with it and do not risk what they have for no reason, they did not become rich by being foolish.

Yes, just the bad use of English (in the social media post) raises questions. And as you say, (most) people with money keep their heads down - except for some groups like younger middle easterners, where their aloofness in big cities like London is almost a cliche.

Sure, he is bringing money to Thailand and definately will not burden the public funding schemes...so Yes, these quality foreigners deserve tax free. I am absolutely not jealous like many.

22 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

You are right, of course, Thailand does not rely of foreign tourism. I think it's about 10% of the economy. Agriculture remians a strong exporter. But Thailand is in a pretty big hole when it comes to manufacturing, as it still relies on cheap labour, often not even Thai cheap labour. The world of manufacturing has changed dramatically since 2000. Massive investment in modernization could help it compete with China and Vietnam, but that would likely lead to even greater unemployment and household debt. A strong Thai baht certainly doesn't help any of that. Also, the investment climate is a mine field here. You can't do business in Thailand without 'partnering' with one of the oligarch families. And many will be aware of how deeply disadvantaged the foreigner is if there is ever a dispute with the wealthy Thai partner. In summary, Thailand is at a cross-roads in manufacturing.

“Crossroads” is fair. “Big hole” is a bit much.

Thailand absolutely has challenges: bureaucracy, debt, competition, and the need to keep upgrading. No argument there.

Actually agriculture is not that big, Thailand is still a serious manufacturing base and still attracting foreign investment.

Thailand’s 2024 investment applications rose 35% to a 10-year high, with strong projects in electronics, automotive, and digital infrastructure.

The idea that you cannot do business in Thailand unless you marry into an oligarch family is too broad. I own 75% shares in our Thai company, I used the US Amity whereas A U.S. citizen can use the Treaty of Amity and can hold up to 100% ownership of a Thai company in many cases, there are restricted sectors.

Also, BOI-promoted projects can allow majority or full foreign ownership, depending on the activity.

So yes, Thailand has real issues and it’s not perfect, but it’s also not an industrial retirement home.

I've spoken to allot of guys over the decades and most believe Tourism is what keeps Thailand alive.

So just as an FYI here is the GDP breakdown for Thailand.

(Note: Tourism is not an actual sector so not listed, Tourism number are pulled from several sectors)

• Manufacturing: 25.8%.

• Wholesale & retail trade; repair of motor vehicles: 16.3%.

• Financial & insurance activities: 7.9%.

• Information & communication: 6.5%.

• Agriculture, forestry & fishing: 6.4%.

• Transportation & storage: 6.0%.

• Accommodation & food service: 5.5%.

• Public administration & defence: 4.9%.

• Real estate: 4.2%.

• Education: 3.2%.

• Electricity, gas, steam & air conditioning: 2.8%.

• Construction: 2.7%.

• Human health & social work: 2.6%.

• Professional, scientific & technical: 1.9%.

• Mining & quarrying: 1.6%.

• Administrative & support services: 1.4%.

• Other service activities: 1.3%.

• Arts, entertainment & recreation: 1.0%.

• Water supply, sewerage, waste management: 0.6%.

• Private households with employed persons: 0.2%.

On 4/22/2026 at 4:08 PM, kuzmabruk said:

If you are a tax resident of Thailand you must file a tax return with the Thai Revenue Department. It must include your global income, not your assets (capital), your income from all sources. You must pay Thai income tax on 100% of that income. Or you can file an incomplete return and play the “I won’t get audited lottery”. Probably good chance you won’t be called up ,,, but if you are, the penalties are serious. Including time in a Thai jail.

LTR visa holder like this gentleman from OP is exempted from paying income tax on global income according to the royal degree.

He will pay zero tax on his global income earned outside Thailand.

"Section 5 Income tax under Part 2 of Chapter 3 in Title 2 of the Revenue Code shall be

exempted for a foreigner categorised as Wealthy Global Citizen, Wealthy Pensioner, or Work-

from-Thailand Professional who is granted a Long-Term Resident Visa under immigration law for

assessable income under section 40 of the Revenue Code derived in the previous tax year from

an employment, or from business carried on abroad, or from a property situated abroad, and

brought into Thailand."

https://ltr.boi.go.th/documents/Royal%20Decree%20issued%20under%20the%20Revenue%20Code%20No.743%20(EN).pdf

On 4/22/2026 at 5:38 AM, kuzmabruk said:

If you are a tax resident of Thailand you must file a tax return with the Thai Revenue Department. It must include your global income, not your assets (capital), your income from all sources. You must pay Thai income tax on 100% of that income. Or you can file an incomplete return and play the “I won’t get audited lottery”. Probably good chance you won’t be called up ,,, but if you are, the penalties are serious. Including time in a Thai jail.

Sorry, that’s not the rule.

Thai tax residency does not automatically mean Thailand taxes 100% of your worldwide income. The Revenue Department’s own 2024 guidance says foreign-source income is taxable if it was earned from 1 January 2024 onward and then remitted into Thailand. If only part is remitted, only that part is taxable.

So saying “all global income, period” is incorrect reading of the law.

And the “Thai jail” line is forum scare-posting. Yes, penalties exist. But the official guidance distinguishes late filing and underpayment from intentional fraud or deliberate tax evasion.

There's big difference between the two.

Also, let’s be honest about how Thailand actually works. Enforcement is weak and selective, especially outside the easy payroll system.

The World Bank and OECD both point to a narrow tax base, weak compliance, and weak enforcement.

So the idea that Thailand is aggressively chasing down every individual over foreign income is not reality. Easy targets maybe. A nationwide hunt? No.

Should people file correctly, Absolutely! But let’s quote the actual rule and not make it sound harsher than it is.

On 4/22/2026 at 11:38 AM, kuzmabruk said:

If you are a tax resident of Thailand you must file a tax return with the Thai Revenue Department. It must include your global income, not your assets (capital), your income from all sources. You must pay Thai income tax on 100% of that income. Or you can file an incomplete return and play the “I won’t get audited lottery”. Probably good chance you won’t be called up ,,, but if you are, the penalties are serious. Including time in a Thai jail.

I wish the tax office in Phuket would get up to speed. They refused to give me a TIN because I am on a retirement visa and am not employed in Thailand. And after I filled out the form (which is only in Thai) and had all supporting documents. I pushed them, but they stood firm.

I dispute your assertion that that Thai income tax is payable on global income. My clear understanding is that overseas income, while reportable, is only taxable, if remitted to Thailand. I guess we’ll just have to disagree on that point.

14 hours ago, ericthai said:

“Crossroads” is fair. “Big hole” is a bit much.

Thailand absolutely has challenges: bureaucracy, debt, competition, and the need to keep upgrading. No argument there.

Actually agriculture is not that big, Thailand is still a serious manufacturing base and still attracting foreign investment.

Thailand’s 2024 investment applications rose 35% to a 10-year high, with strong projects in electronics, automotive, and digital infrastructure.

The idea that you cannot do business in Thailand unless you marry into an oligarch family is too broad. I own 75% shares in our Thai company, I used the US Amity whereas A U.S. citizen can use the Treaty of Amity and can hold up to 100% ownership of a Thai company in many cases, there are restricted sectors.

Also, BOI-promoted projects can allow majority or full foreign ownership, depending on the activity.

So yes, Thailand has real issues and it’s not perfect, but it’s also not an industrial retirement home.

I've spoken to allot of guys over the decades and most believe Tourism is what keeps Thailand alive.

So just as an FYI here is the GDP breakdown for Thailand.

(Note: Tourism is not an actual sector so not listed, Tourism number are pulled from several sectors)

• Manufacturing: 25.8%.

• Wholesale & retail trade; repair of motor vehicles: 16.3%.

• Financial & insurance activities: 7.9%.

• Information & communication: 6.5%.

• Agriculture, forestry & fishing: 6.4%.

• Transportation & storage: 6.0%.

• Accommodation & food service: 5.5%.

• Public administration & defence: 4.9%.

• Real estate: 4.2%.

• Education: 3.2%.

• Electricity, gas, steam & air conditioning: 2.8%.

• Construction: 2.7%.

• Human health & social work: 2.6%.

• Professional, scientific & technical: 1.9%.

• Mining & quarrying: 1.6%.

• Administrative & support services: 1.4%.

• Other service activities: 1.3%.

• Arts, entertainment & recreation: 1.0%.

• Water supply, sewerage, waste management: 0.6%.

• Private households with employed persons: 0.2%.

Interesting information.

The issue with tourism is that it is highly important to specific locations. To take the obvious, tourism is THE thing in Phuket. Not much manufacturing there. On the other hand, in most of Thailand, geographically speaking, tourism isn’t much of a factor.

There is also the issue that aside of the big hotel groups, so many sole proprietors rely on tourism, again in selected areas.

So I guess tourism may not be the thing that keeps Thailand afloat overall, it certainly keeps certain areas afloat and probably meaningfully contributes to many of the sectors that you list.

On 4/21/2026 at 9:41 PM, Srikcir said:

That may depend on his foreign citizenship.

However, some nations such as Canada will not tax income if not resident in the nation of citizenship.

Subject to being out of the country for 183+ days and having no ties to Canada (i.e. no dependents, no property in Canada). A person would then have to flit about for at least 182 days, being sure not to meet residency tax rules elsewhere.

On 4/22/2026 at 4:51 PM, Bday Prang said:

Any farang lawyer is operating illegally if giving out tax advice , I would take anything any of them say with a large pinch of salt.

Legality is based on nationality.

8 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

Interesting information.

The issue with tourism is that it is highly important to specific locations. To take the obvious, tourism is THE thing in Phuket. Not much manufacturing there. On the other hand, in most of Thailand, geographically speaking, tourism isn’t much of a factor.

There is also the issue that aside of the big hotel groups, so many sole proprietors rely on tourism, again in selected areas.

So I guess tourism may not be the thing that keeps Thailand afloat overall, it certainly keeps certain areas afloat and probably meaningfully contributes to many of the sectors that you list.

You’re basically right, but I’d nuance Phuket a bit.

Tourism is absolutely the dominant driver there, but it’s created a kind of “ecosystem economy” rather than a single-industry one. Real estate, construction, international schools, healthcare, marine services, and retail all have real scale — they just happen to be heavily downstream of tourism and foreign residency.

So Phuket isn’t lacking economic activity outside hotels; it’s that much of that activity is dependent on the same demand engine. When tourism is strong, everything expands. When it drops, the ripple effects are immediate across those sectors.

So tourism may not “keep Thailand afloat,” but you're correct in places like Phuket, it’s less a sector and more the foundation everything else is built on.

1 hour ago, ericthai said:

You’re basically right, but I’d nuance Phuket a bit.

Tourism is absolutely the dominant driver there, but it’s created a kind of “ecosystem economy” rather than a single-industry one. Real estate, construction, international schools, healthcare, marine services, and retail all have real scale — they just happen to be heavily downstream of tourism and foreign residency.

So Phuket isn’t lacking economic activity outside hotels; it’s that much of that activity is dependent on the same demand engine. When tourism is strong, everything expands. When it drops, the ripple effects are immediate across those sectors.

So tourism may not “keep Thailand afloat,” but you're correct in places like Phuket, it’s less a sector and more the foundation everything else is built on.

Yes that’s true.

In fact, if tourism were to significantly vanish from Phuket, the population would reduce significantly because so much employment is derived from that sector.

But on the other hand, a reduction in population (and cars) would potentially make the place more attractive for permanent residents, and their numbers may start to grow. Not to the extent that they would offset the fall off in population due to the absence in tourism, but gradually there may be some population growth after falling off a cliff.

Of more concern might be the derelict buildings that would inevitably appear due to neglect and non usage. The image of the place might not be so appealing to live, even if the population level might be more amenable.

Anyway, imho if Thai tourism suffers it is most likely to be in the high end and family segment.

So long as prices don’t go sky high, the mass low end will keep coming, middle eastern travelers will keep wanting to get away from their summer heat. India seems to be a fairly resilient market, again, if prices don’t go through the roof.

But European families may get out priced due to air fares or get fed up with the sleaze, and the high end is always fickle as there are so many alternatives available to them.

Most likely scenario is just a continuation of the current trend with Thailands market share gradually dropping and much bs from TAT.

It’s always interesting to speculate

On 4/21/2026 at 7:01 PM, motdaeng said:

probably you are one of the few people who don’t know that tax laws have changed since 2024 for foreign tax residents in thailand!

however, whether someone is required to pay taxes under the current tax law depends on many factors ...

https://www.thaitaxes.com/

Actually, if he has a LTR (long term resident) visa as a wealthy global citizen, he does not have to pay Thai taxes. One of the provisions of this visa is no Thai taxes. If he is from a country that does not tax it's citizens who live outside the country, than he does not have to pay any taxes. Maybe not just, but true.

On 4/22/2026 at 12:37 PM, Yumthai said:

If Thai authorities crack down on illegal nominee structures and untaxed foreign sourced remittances, I wonder who's gonna buy back all these multiple millions US$ properties in Phuket, Samui, ...

they will find a new owner in a private police auction where nobody else can bid...

Gonna be a joke this year, first they trash the last of their tourism, then the war continues and then they will crash financially on top. Try to get then back out of that hole in today's world where competition has more skills, no such issues and more.

If they had any intention to improve anything significant enough to worth mentioning, they would have done a realtime overhaul of their entire education system and inject infinite money into that.

Same all this stuff is just a decision made by the top dogs in hotel industries, indicating they could survive another ping pong flip to 30 days, to then damage any ordinary SME business owner in the process with as a result to even get the last little market shares in the pie left going to corporates and elite run hospitality and tourism companies. This has been a ongoing thing since 2014, people are that retarded they still can't see the truth, same as with covid, old wars and the current war or israel. People get what they deserve.