Why I left Thailand

[Confuscious]

22 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

 

 

Why would Thailand make enquiries regarding your banking business and credit cards?

 

The taxation of foreigners in Thailand, which has yet to be clarified, is only coming into force this year, and as yet, there is no tax due by anybody.

 

Nobody really knows anything, so for what possible reason could Thailand be doing this??

 

HMRC in the UK, the governing tax body, is not allowed by law to look at our bank accounts or request banking information, unless they have a strong case that a person is being dishonest, has more funds than they are declaring or is claiming government benefits unlawfully.

 

I am totally confused by your post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First: I don't give a RATS A.. about the laws in the UK or what your opinion is on this matter.
I am a Belgian ciizen and the Belgian/EU laws apply to me, not the UK laws.
Second, if you want to know why Thailand requested this information, go ask the Thai government.
Third, this has been discussed in the TAX thread, with proofs, and do not need to be discussed again in the thread.

Translation of the picture:
Belfius
Banking & Insurance
Belfius Customer and Account Services
Tel.: +32 (0)2 222 12 02
[email protected]
MR -------
Address ΝΑKHORN RATCHASIMA
Our reference: .........-CRS .......
Brussels, 23 May 2024
Topic: Automatic information exchange in the context of CRS
SIr/Madam,
Below you will find an overview of the data relating to Mr (name), which will be the subject of information exchange to THAILAND for the year 2023.
This exchange takes place via the FPS Finance and takes place in the context of the Common Reporting Standard ('CRS'). Belfius Bank provides this information in accordance with the Act regulating the communication of information regarding financial accounts of 16/12/2015 implementing the European Directive 2014/107/EU of 09/12/2014.
The data exchanged is as follows:
OVERVIEW OF THE PERSONAL DATA EXCHANGED BY (name)
 

[Confuscious]

29 minutes ago, Toby1947 said:

He's sponging of the E.U. namely Spain.

WRONG!!!!!

I will live in Spain, as a SPANISH NATIONAL, but my health insurance is in Belgium (accessible in Spain through the S1-Card).

Try again ......

[Scouse123]

44 minutes ago, Confuscious said:

First: I don't give a RATS A.. about the laws in the UK or what your opinion is on this matter.
I am a Belgian ciizen and the Belgian/EU laws apply to me, not the UK laws.
Second, if you want to know why Thailand requested this information, go ask the Thai government.
Third, this has been discussed in the TAX thread, with proofs, and do not need to be discussed again in the thread.

Translation of the picture:
Belfius
Banking & Insurance
Belfius Customer and Account Services
Tel.: +32 (0)2 222 12 02
[email protected]
MR -------
Address ΝΑKHORN RATCHASIMA
Our reference: .........-CRS .......
Brussels, 23 May 2024
Topic: Automatic information exchange in the context of CRS
SIr/Madam,
Below you will find an overview of the data relating to Mr (name), which will be the subject of information exchange to THAILAND for the year 2023.
This exchange takes place via the FPS Finance and takes place in the context of the Common Reporting Standard ('CRS'). Belfius Bank provides this information in accordance with the Act regulating the communication of information regarding financial accounts of 16/12/2015 implementing the European Directive 2014/107/EU of 09/12/2014.
The data exchanged is as follows:
OVERVIEW OF THE PERSONAL DATA EXCHANGED BY (name)
 

 

There is no need for such aggression when I am just asking simple questions to try and understand why Thailand was asking for information about you from your bank.

 

This letter looks like they are looking at your previous business affairs in Thailand.

 

This isn't, or doesn't appear to be, anything to do with the new proposed tax regulations for foreigners staying over 180 days.

 

 

 

 

[GypsyT]

3 hours ago, Confuscious said:

When the Reaper would come for me the TAXMAN (Belgium) would get the biggest chunk, 65%, out of my savings.
My children who would get the other 35%, would to pay taxes on this again the next year as they would have to declare it in their income.

You are in EU?

Simply get residency in country without inheritance tax.

I did.

Or, use US banks.

 

"Countries like Belgium, France, Spain and the UK impose relatively high inheritance taxes, particularly on distant relatives or non-family heirs.

In contrast, nations like Austria and Sweden have done away with inheritance taxes altogether, making them attractive destinations for those looking to minimize their estate tax burdens."

The world;

https://www.lorenz-partners.com/list-of-countries-with-no-inheritance-tax/

 

 

[iaminwa]

Left Thailand at the start of COVID. Been back 3 or 4 times to Thailand for short holdays since 2022, and glad I left back in 2020.

 

No regrets packing up and heading home. 

 

 

 

[Confuscious]

1 hour ago, GypsyT said:

You are in EU?

Simply get residency in country without inheritance tax.

I did.

Or, use US banks.

 

"Countries like Belgium, France, Spain and the UK impose relatively high inheritance taxes, particularly on distant relatives or non-family heirs.

In contrast, nations like Austria and Sweden have done away with inheritance taxes altogether, making them attractive destinations for those looking to minimize their estate tax burdens."

The world;

https://www.lorenz-partners.com/list-of-countries-with-no-inheritance-tax/

 

 

Wy should I go trough all these hoops whilst I could enjoy my money on a cruise or a trip to the parts of the world I always wanted to see but never could?
For my "childen"?

 

[georgegeorgia]

1 hour ago, iaminwa said:

Left Thailand at the start of COVID. Been back 3 or 4 times to Thailand for short holdays since 2022, and glad I left back in 2020.

 

No regrets packing up and heading home. 

 

 

 

The question is my dear fellow,why ??

[GypsyT]

I know nothing about you problems but I am sorry....

 

Sometimes "the family is the worst!" I had that experience but after cutting all ties no more problems.

They don't know what country I am in. Hell - not even what continent 😉 Not that I care....

 

Happy cruising but if you think you'll be free there, think again. No escape nether. Take flights around the globe.

One Alaska Luxury Cruise was enough for me. It's was like floating asylum.

They sold "Whale Watching" small boat trips for $ 100. I said "I see whales free at dining room..."

 

 

 

 

 

[georgegeorgia]

13 hours ago, save the frogs said:

a lot of crazy choices on that list.

norway is way too expensive to retire and also bad climate.

israel is on the list ... who in their right mind would retire there? 

eastern europe yes. 

 

Alice Springs is nice 

They say weekends nights you can meet interesting people 

[gearbox]

On 11/19/2024 at 11:56 PM, Lorry said:

That's the whole point that you are not able to understand. 

For the 3rd time: you can work anywhere in the EU, and if you have a job in country XYZ, you con live there too.

But if you have no job, e.g. you are retired or a housewife,  there is no right to live anywhere in the EU.

 

 

Of course you can live as a retiree, provided you meet certain conditions:

 

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/residence/residence-rights/pensioners/index_en.htm

 

If you live 5 years you can get permanent residence, then health insurance and proof of sufficient funds are not required.

[spidermike007]

On 11/7/2024 at 1:25 PM, john donson said:

spain, what part?  the flooded from in the news?

 

not too much arabs and blacks? being so close to africa?

What an absolutely pathetic reply. You won the award for lamest reply on the thread. 

[gearbox]

14 hours ago, save the frogs said:

a lot of crazy choices on that list.

norway is way too expensive to retire and also bad climate.

israel is on the list ... who in their right mind would retire there? 

eastern europe yes. 

 

I wouldn't count Eastern Europe. The salaries and the standard of living are rising faster there, and so are the rents and prices. Add to that the cold weather and you won't gain much.

[spidermike007]

This is an entirely subjective topic, of course. But some of us live very good lives here. Some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman, who is delightful to be around, on a daily basis, always has our back, and is fun, smart, and lovely. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. So, that is a big factor for me. The second factor is just the quality of life. Sure, I miss alot of the culture back home. The theatre, independent film (which I can download here with no issues at all, and a super fast 1 gbps fiber optic connection, at under 700 baht per month!), stand up comedy, live jazz, etc. But I have a lovely home that I rent, for about 10% of what I would pay in California, I live very well on an income which is not huge, have access to great health care, at a tiny fraction of what it costs in the US, and do not have to put up with alot of the aggravation that I had to when I lived back there. I also like the fact that law enforcement stays out of my face here, and the Nanny state is not constantly telling me how to live, how to behave, what to say, and what not to say. 

 

It is a very personal choice. I have friends who seem to be dropping like flies. I could be dead next year. You just don't know. I am not extravagant, but I live very, very well. A nice house, a new car every few years, new motorbikes for my gal and I every few years, a great art collection, plenty of good wine in the wine cooler, a new 77" OLED TV, a world class home theatre, plenty of international travel, etc. For me, it is a great lifestyle, that I could only dream of in the US. Well worth the expense and very easy to justify. Life is way too short. I have never been a person of extreme thrift. To each his own. 

 

I used to have more issues than I do now. I worked on my attitude, which was getting in the way of appreciating Thailand for what it is, and was clouding my experience here. Used to stress over stupid stuff, as you can see from some of my past posts. Used to allow the politics to make me angry. Now it is not something I take seriously, just something I comment on, without anger or an emotional investment. Now, I just tend to laugh it off. Spent some real time back in the US recently, and it allowed some clarity and perspective, that I am very grateful for. Now, I just chuckle at most of the nonsense. Water off a duck's back, so to speak. 

 

 

[proton]

9 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Is H.P sauce now beyond your financial ability ?

Cant you afford H.P sauce anymore ?

Its 250 Baht a bottle now

 

it's 199 on food variety, couple of years ago 119 in Big C 

[Confuscious]

8 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

This is an entirely subjective topic, of course. But some of us live very good lives here. Some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman, who is delightful to be around, on a daily basis, always has our back, and is fun, smart, and lovely. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. So, that is a big factor for me. The second factor is just the quality of life. Sure, I miss alot of the culture back home. The theatre, independent film (which I can download here with no issues at all, and a super fast 1 gbps fiber optic connection, at under 700 baht per month!), stand up comedy, live jazz, etc. But I have a lovely home that I rent, for about 10% of what I would pay in California, I live very well on an income which is not huge, have access to great health care, at a tiny fraction of what it costs in the US, and do not have to put up with alot of the aggravation that I had to when I lived back there. I also like the fact that law enforcement stays out of my face here, and the Nanny state is not constantly telling me how to live, how to behave, what to say, and what not to say. 

 

It is a very personal choice. I have friends who seem to be dropping like flies. I could be dead next year. You just don't know. I am not extravagant, but I live very, very well. A nice house, a new car every few years, new motorbikes for my gal and I every few years, a great art collection, plenty of good wine in the wine cooler, a new 77" OLED TV, a world class home theatre, plenty of international travel, etc. For me, it is a great lifestyle, that I could only dream of in the US. Well worth the expense and very easy to justify. Life is way too short. I have never been a person of extreme thrift. To each his own. 

 

I used to have more issues than I do now. I worked on my attitude, which was getting in the way of appreciating Thailand for what it is, and was clouding my experience here. Used to stress over stupid stuff, as you can see from some of my past posts. Used to allow the politics to make me angry. Now it is not something I take seriously, just something I comment on, without anger or an emotional investment. Now, I just tend to laugh it off. Spent some real time back in the US recently, and it allowed some clarity and perspective, that I am very grateful for. Now, I just chuckle at most of the nonsense. Water off a duck's back, so to speak. 

 

 

I am not claiming that everybody should follow me on my exodus.
Each one has to make for himself that decision.

For me, my declining health and the perspective that of a huge part of my pension would have to be spend on health care was the turning point of my decision. The fact that my bank in Belgium decided to disclose my financial information to the Thai authorities without my approval was the last straw.

I left my long term Visa for Thailand, but that doesn't mean that I will stay here until the end of times.
As long as my health allows it, I can make a trip to Thailand, the Philippines or any country every 179 days and without losing my EU health care. 
Besides that, by having back my residence in Europe, I will benefit the Repatriating to Europe in case something would happen to me.
Also, I don't need to have 800K Baht stached in a Thai bank account.

Best of both worlds.

 

[Nick Carter icp]

59 minutes ago, proton said:

 

it's 199 on food variety, couple of years ago 119 in Big C 

 

 Plus shipping .

How much is the total price ?

[georgegeorgia]

2 hours ago, Confuscious said:

I am not claiming that everybody should follow me on my exodus.
Each one has to make for himself that decision.

For me, my declining health and the perspective that of a huge part of my pension would have to be spend on health care was the turning point of my decision. The fact that my bank in Belgium decided to disclose my financial information to the Thai authorities without my approval was the last straw.

I left my long term Visa for Thailand, but that doesn't mean that I will stay here until the end of times.
As long as my health allows it, I can make a trip to Thailand, the Philippines or any country every 179 days and without losing my EU health care. 
Besides that, by having back my residence in Europe, I will benefit the Repatriating to Europe in case something would happen to me.
Also, I don't need to have 800K Baht stached in a Thai bank account.

Best of both worlds.

 

So every 6 months you travel to Thailand or Philippines?

Does your old age pension become frozen like the UK if you stay in Thailand?

[Confuscious]

20 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

So every 6 months you travel to Thailand or Philippines?

If my health allows it, I will travel every 6 months to a place I never been before and is on my list.
Vietnam (Hanoi), Japan (Nagasaki), Korea, etc.
 

20 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Does your old age pension become frozen like the UK if you stay in Thailand?

At this moment, pensions from Belgium are not "Frozen" like the pensions from the UK.

[Confuscious]

Learning Thai
https://thailife25.blogspot.com/2024/11/blog-post.html
 

[NoshowJones]

On 11/9/2024 at 4:50 PM, SingAPorn said:

Prices in Thailand are now getting similar if not more expensive, compared to places like Malta, Portugal, Spain or Greece.

 

No point in staying in Thailand and getting harassed or insulted by immigration. They are openly cheating foreigners on everything. If you have property, each time you will get somebody to come over to do some work like plumbing or electricial, they will try to cheat you. Everybody does not hava a full time rented thai girlfriend to bargain.

 

Far better and safer health coverage in Europe. So why stay on here and have to shell out the special Falang rates ?

I have had a few electricians, plumbers etc at my house in the last 20 years and been well satisfied with their work, it could be that it is because in my village/ small town my wife is well known to everybody as she has lived here all her life.

[norfolkandchance]

9 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

 Plus shipping .

How much is the total price ?

Try this. Not bad.

[MarkyM3]

The only issue I have with this thread is that the OP wants all his healthcare needs laid on without wanting to contribute any taxes. No wonder Spain has never been a net contributor to the EU. Lovely, lovely country but there's something wrong if people are allowed to play the system like that. 

 

Also seems a little strange you can regain lost nationality, with all the perks that brings, when you purposely don't live there for more than 179 days a year to avoid being tax resident. Pragmatic for sure, but ethically questionable.

 

As far as the UK goes, you lose eligibility for NHS treatment after a certain period of time if you aren't ordinarily tax resident there. If you return from overseas, like a few of the guys have done on here in the past, you will get treated but are supposed to be returning to live. How strictly that's enforced is probably variable, given the bureaucratic mess the NHS is.

[still kicking]

19 hours ago, Confuscious said:

I am not claiming that everybody should follow me on my exodus.
Each one has to make for himself that decision.

For me, my declining health and the perspective that of a huge part of my pension would have to be spend on health care was the turning point of my decision. The fact that my bank in Belgium decided to disclose my financial information to the Thai authorities without my approval was the last straw.

I left my long term Visa for Thailand, but that doesn't mean that I will stay here until the end of times.
As long as my health allows it, I can make a trip to Thailand, the Philippines or any country every 179 days and without losing my EU health care. 
Besides that, by having back my residence in Europe, I will benefit the Repatriating to Europe in case something would happen to me.
Also, I don't need to have 800K Baht stached in a Thai bank account.

Best of both worlds.

 

I left Thailand as well long before you did I don't live in Europe but in OS I don't regret one single moment. I have free health cover free doctor and hospital being 77 I could not afford health insurance in LOS. So I understand your reasons for you to leave I also get a decent pension and my rent for the 2 bedroom unit has not increased for 8 years. I also take 2 trips every year mostly to South East Asia but other places as well. Just came back from a 29 day cruse to Mauritius 

[GypsyT]

44 minutes ago, MarkyM3 said:

The only issue I have with this thread is that the OP wants all his healthcare needs laid on without wanting to contribute any taxes

You don't understand how EU system works.

He's getting back money/benefits he PAID IN when he was working there.

 

Non who floats in with inner tube gets anything as soon as he/she leaved the country.

 

 

[MarkyM3]

8 minutes ago, GypsyT said:

You don't understand how EU system works.

He's getting back money/benefits he PAID IN when he was working there.

 

Non who floats in with inner tube gets anything as soon as he/she leaved the country.

 

 

Erm...from my reading, he says he earned the money elsewhere outside of the EU. But that's beside the point, health systems are financed by current users, not historic contributions. He wants it all paid for without contributing now. He isn't even a Spanish citizen presently, despite having been one in the past. 

 

 

[Lorry]

22 hours ago, gearbox said:

Of course you can live as a retiree, provided you meet certain conditions

Correct. 

And if you meet certain conditions (like health insurance and income,  the 2 main requirements in the EU and the 2 problems of OP), you can live in Thailand,  in New Caledonia or on Mars.

[Confuscious]

Very nice to DELETE MY ANSWERS TO FALSE ACCUSATIONS and leave the FALSE ACCUSATIONS unharmed.
 

[MarkyM3]

They deleted my responses to the melodramatics directed to me as well so why not calm down and STOP SHOUTING? Or, send a message to the moderator to complain and ask them to reinstate it all. You seem very angry indeed, relax. You aren't on trial. You're happy with your choices, why do you need validation from anyone here?

 

 

[Confuscious]

https://thailife25.blogspot.com/2024/11/visa-extension-in-may-2019-i-was-bound.html

 

[Confuscious]

26 minutes ago, MarkyM3 said:

They deleted my responses to the melodramatics directed to me as well so why not calm down and STOP SHOUTING? Or, send a message to the moderator to complain and ask them to reinstate it all. You seem very angry indeed, relax. You aren't on trial. You're happy with your choices, why do you need validation from anyone here?

 

 

Did you push the English guy into the gutter?
You seem to be attacking many members here, so you could as well have pushed the English guy.