Every Thai has a TIN, it's their ID card number, however, a large number, maybe even the majority, earn well below the exemption threshold. A monthly salary of THB10k is seen as a lot by many rural Thais, and doesn't need to be declared. Neither does income earned from a family owned rice farm, which is one of many exemptions outlined in the tax code. What the government needs to realise is that inward remitted income is effectively an export, with the bonus that no raw materials need to be consumed in order to earn it. They are receiving foreign currency into the country, which will be spent, or invested, in the country, to the benefit of the country. Tourist numbers are bandied about as a good thing - people coming into Thailand, bringing money with them and spending it in the local economy. Although the number of expat residents is likely far lower than the total number of tourists visiting in a year, we too are bringing money into the country and spending it here. And we are doing it all year - including times of trouble like during covid and high fuel prices / air fares, not just over a two week holiday. I have cut back on the money I bring into the country, without affecting my quality of life. Including more holidays overseas, less spending on my local credit cards - using external ones instead, buying and paying for items online from outside Thailand rather than locally. While not seriously concerned about local taxes (for now, at least), taking these steps reduces foreign currency being brought into Thailand. I'm not making any real difference, but if more people did the same then perhaps the authorities would sit up. Talk about a possible change allowing income earned the same, or previous, year to be brought in tax free suggests they are noticing. Whether anything comes of it or not is another story. (Probably just the same old short sighted Thai government one).
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