Been out of LOS for a many years; so only know about the latest rule changes from internet chatter.

I might have to leave my current country of residence in a couple of years; and would like have the option of getting a Thai retirement visa. I know things can change a lot in a couple of years; but I still have to make tentative plans.

If I were to go someplace in Thailand, say for instance Surat Thani, and start the application process for a pension visa, might I be able to get a bank account?

I'm unclear how the tax situation stands with respect to funds transferred into Thailand.

If I transfer funds into a Thai bank account for the purpose of getting a retirement visa (still 800k?) then are those funds taxed as income?

If so, then could that be avoided by doing the visa application and funds transfer in the second half of a calendar year? e.g. if funds transferred in late this year; but I  do not spend 180 days in the Kingdom this year, and only become a tax resident next year.

Lots of "ifs" I know; and I would definitely consult a tax accountant before making a move; but maybe someone has some insights to share?

Also if anyone knows of a good agent in Surat Thani?

No such thing as a pension visa. Any of the taxation is currently theoretical, not being enforced. Even if/when it does get enforced, your home country most likely has a tax treaty with Thailand and tax already paid, pensions etc will not be taxable.

Agents are in the places expats mostly live, Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket etc., I doubt you would find any agents in Surat Thani (maybe Koh Samui), but you could certainly do the visa yourself at any of the local immigration offices. Local banks will usually open an account to do with retire visa's.

There is no need to consult a tax accountant, leave after 180 days, arrive at a certain time of year etc.

If you stay less then 180 days in the first year then you are correct, you will not be a tax resident and you can submit as much money as you want - millions or tens of millions - doesn't matter although you're going to lose interest on any extra, but that might be worth it.

Personally when I become a tax resident again, perhaps in 2030 or some time around there I will have enough cash on hand inside Thailand already to last me the next 5 to 10 years in cash (banks,etc) ...assuming I can bear the thought of remitting that amount from places where it is earning decent returns.....

 

In Thailand I have only come across things like government bonds which have derisory returns

 

 

The goal for me is to pay zero tax, ever.
 

On 4/27/2025 at 4:22 PM, ukrules said:

If you stay less then 180 days in the first year then you are correct, you will not be a tax resident and you can submit as much money as you want - millions or tens of millions - doesn't matter although you're going to lose interest on any extra, but that might be worth it.

The goal for me is to pay zero tax, ever.
 

 

Agree about the zero tax thing. I have a couple of years left on a visa in a neighbouring country... no capital gains tax. If they don't renew the visa I'd have to shift to Thailand; where there is CGT. And it wouldn't work out too well for me since they don't value the cost of the assets at the date of arrival in Thailand. Instead, unless one can jump through a lot of hoops, the acquired cost is zero. So CGT is due on the whole amount. I'm holding Bitcoin, which could appreciate in the next couple of years; so I would sell it tax free, and transfer the funds to Thailand. Enough to live on for a few years.  I'm long in the tooth; so I'm not worried about not earning interest.

People must remember you are only taxed on accesable tax that is brought into Thailand not everything brought here

Also any money you bring in from savings held before the 1st of January 2024 is not taxable 

On 4/27/2025 at 7:19 AM, mohinga said:

Been out of LOS for a many years; so only know about the latest rule changes from internet chatter.

I might have to leave my current country of residence in a couple of years; and would like have the option of getting a Thai retirement visa. I know things can change a lot in a couple of years; but I still have to make tentative plans.

If I were to go someplace in Thailand, say for instance Surat Thani, and start the application process for a pension visa, might I be able to get a bank account?

I'm unclear how the tax situation stands with respect to funds transferred into Thailand.

If I transfer funds into a Thai bank account for the purpose of getting a retirement visa (still 800k?) then are those funds taxed as income?

If so, then could that be avoided by doing the visa application and funds transfer in the second half of a calendar year? e.g. if funds transferred in late this year; but I  do not spend 180 days in the Kingdom this year, and only become a tax resident next year.

Lots of "ifs" I know; and I would definitely consult a tax accountant before making a move; but maybe someone has some insights to share?

Also if anyone knows of a good agent in Surat Thani?

in order to be a tax resident you need to live in Thailand for 180 ish days a year, so if you bring the 800k in a year when you are not tax resident its then tax free, likewise any savings before 1st jan 2024 brought in are tax free

try and avoid being a tax resident to guarantee being income Thai  tax free, or do as a lot of people are doing and ignore the Thai tax rules

On 4/27/2025 at 8:26 AM, Peterw42 said:

Even if/when it does get enforced, your home country most likely has a tax treaty with Thailand and tax already paid, pensions etc will not be taxable.

 

that's only partly correct ...

 

even with a DTA , for some countries the whole or a part of the pension can be taxable in thailand ... 

 

 

 

 

On 4/27/2025 at 7:19 AM, mohinga said:

Been out of LOS for a many years; so only know about the latest rule changes from internet chatter.

I might have to leave my current country of residence in a couple of years; and would like have the option of getting a Thai retirement visa. I know things can change a lot in a couple of years; but I still have to make tentative plans.

If I were to go someplace in Thailand, say for instance Surat Thani, and start the application process for a pension visa, might I be able to get a bank account?

I'm unclear how the tax situation stands with respect to funds transferred into Thailand.

If I transfer funds into a Thai bank account for the purpose of getting a retirement visa (still 800k?) then are those funds taxed as income?

If so, then could that be avoided by doing the visa application and funds transfer in the second half of a calendar year? e.g. if funds transferred in late this year; but I  do not spend 180 days in the Kingdom this year, and only become a tax resident next year.

Lots of "ifs" I know; and I would definitely consult a tax accountant before making a move; but maybe someone has some insights to share?

Also if anyone knows of a good agent in Surat Thani?

Here's some good advice:  pay no attention to any advice you read here.  No one here has a crystal ball, and no one here can tell you what the situation will be in two years. 

 

If you want to retire in Thailand someday, just keep planning and reading what you can.  There's a good chance nothing will have changed from today. 

 

 

11 hours ago, jas007 said:

Here's some good advice:  pay no attention to any advice you read here.  No one here has a crystal ball, and no one here can tell you what the situation will be in two years. 

 

If you want to retire in Thailand someday, just keep planning and reading what you can.  There's a good chance nothing will have changed from today. 

 

 

You're right. Governments change, regulations change, and the ways the regs are enforced change. I just wanted to get a bit of an idea of how things stand now. If I make the move I'll be sure to consult a Thai tax accountant beforehand. Anyway, I'm pleased to know that there is, for now, a way to bring in large sums tax free when not yet a tax resident.