Income tax on foreign-sourced earnings within this year

[PHJones]

05 Aug 2025:

 

"The Revenue Department is expediting the introduction of legislation to exempt Thais from income tax on foreign-sourced earnings within this year.

According to Pinsai Suraswadi, director-general of the department, the new law exempts income tax for Thai individuals who bring foreign-sourced income into Thailand within two years from when the income was earned. The details are still being discussed within the Finance Ministry.

Once the law is promulgated this year, it may be applied retroactively, he said."

 

 

[JohnnyBD]

From where & when did this announcement come from?

[msbkk]

15 minutes ago, JohnnyBD said:

From where & when did this announcement come from?

Bangkok Post today

[ukrules]

19 minutes ago, JohnnyBD said:

From where & when did this announcement come from?

 

It's not new, they've been saying the same thing for a couple of months now.

Then the PM was suspended, cabinet reshuffle - if they did restate this today then it is significant.

I first read about it in the Bangkok Post a while back, many things have changed since then - for now.

Edit - link to todays article : https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3081357/law-exempting-tax-on-foreign-income-in-the-offing

 

 

It does appear to be a mere regurgitation of the older article from a few months back. Same plan, same people but in the civil service, not at government level - which was the same as before.

I wouldn't hold my breath but this would be useful, especially if it's a rolling 2 year period going forward instead of a one off - that's the crux of the matter.

 

[JohnnyBD]

Yes, it appears to be a repub from earlier this year. At least they are keeping the issue alive. Hopefully, it will come to pass. It states "Thai individuals", but further in the article it states individuals who reside in Thailand for 180 days or more as being affected.

 

"According to Pinsai Suraswadi, director-general of the department, the new law exempts income tax for Thai individuals who bring foreign-sourced income into Thailand within two years from when the income was earned. The details are still being discussed within the Finance Ministry." 

"Once the law is promulgated this year, it may be applied retroactively, he said." 

[DarkBrandon]

I recall reading something some time ago. It included farang as well if memory serves. Bring money in within two years - no tax.

 

See above post*

 

So, Thai free - farang pay. If true, what an insult. That's worth possibly leaving over.

 

Thai Examiner has done some good reporting on this issue