Identity fraud threatens national security.

Edited August 23Aug 23 by save the frogs

Irrelevant nonsense

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Irrelevant nonsense

Par for the course for that YT channel.

Edited August 23Aug 23 by TimBKK

Ok sorry for posting then.

Sounded a bit "big brother-ish".

31 minutes ago, TimBKK said:

Par for the course for that YT channel.

yeah, but he's not a backpacker. he's a lawyer.

you'd think he doesn't need to make videos just for clickbait.

The attorney didn't make it up. He's reporting on a news story with the source.

If there weren't so many hoops being created for law-abiding foreigners to jump through, I would disregard it; but everything seems to be leaning in the direction of what was reported in that news article. Will it be a heavy lift for the government? Yes. It wouldn't be rolled out immediately; but the government can do whatever it wants to do.

Fear mongering sells. This latest deal with buying homes in a Company name is going to bring out the wolves trying to fleece the foreigners.

9 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Fear mongering sells. This latest deal with buying homes in a Company name is going to bring out the wolves trying to fleece the foreigners.

What do you mean?

Fleece how?

3 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

What do you mean?

Fleece how?

Specifically foreign lawyers taking advantage of gullible expats such as the latest tax scare. Most of us remember Mike Lister who was a front man for the crusade here on AS.

Just now, EVENKEEL said:

Specifically foreign lawyers taking advantage of gullible expats such as the latest tax scare. Most of us remember Mike Lister who was a front man for the crusade here on AS.

That was before my time. Crusade? What is that?

Oh you mean lawyers putting fear in people and then fleecing them for services?

Yeah, could be. Never occurred to me that lawyers may benefit financially from any uncertainties or changes in regulations.

7 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

. . . the latest tax scare.

I view a "scare" as something that is fake or not real.

Foreigners being taxed on funds being brought into Thailand isn't a "scare".

Why would anyone with critical thinking skills want to hire an attorney for something that isn't even in force yet and only being reported in the media as something that may occur?

1 minute ago, Ricohoc said:

I view a "scare" as something that is fake or not real.

Foreigners being taxed on funds being brought into Thailand isn't a "scare".

Why would anyone with critical thinking skills want to hire an attorney for something that isn't even in force yet and only being reported in the media as something that may occur?

Exactly, yet 2 yrs ago Mile Lister was pushing for expats to file their taxes here in thailand. And, so called tax experts were coming out of the woodwork.

3 minutes ago, Ricohoc said:

I view a "scare" as something that is fake or not real.

Foreigners being taxed on funds being brought into Thailand isn't a "scare".

Why would anyone with critical thinking skills want to hire an attorney for something that isn't even in force yet and only being reported in the media as something that may occur?

As I don't earn money in Thailand, how could they enforce tax payment in Thailand?

There's no money here for them to take by force, I can just leave at any time!

3 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Exactly, yet 2 yrs ago Mile Lister was pushing for expats to file their taxes here in thailand. And, so called tax experts were coming out of the woodwork.

Lister isn't reporting on the news source quoted by the attorney in this thread.

The "scare" was that everyone had to file no matter what. The attorney in this video above has never advocated for that.

You're conflating two different tax claims and two different people reporting.

24 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Exactly, yet 2 yrs ago Mile Lister was pushing for expats to file their taxes here in thailand. And, so called tax experts were coming out of the woodwork.

But we need to hire tax experts because none of us are accountants.

You can take your chances and not file or file yourself without barely knowing anything about taxation and hope you don't get audited.

Of course any professional can rip you off too ... you need to shop around. And read up yourself what the tax laws are and cross-reference with what the expert is advising.

Unless you're suggesting we still don't need to file?

Maybe they're not imposing it strictly now, but who knows if they decide to audit in a few years or your home country checks if you're filing here, while declaring as a non-resident back home.

Of course tax guys are trying to make a buck. So what?

Edited August 23Aug 23 by save the frogs

9 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

But we need to hire tax experts because none of us are accountants.

You can take your chances and not file or file yourself without barely knowing anything about taxation and hope you don't get audited.

How did the Thai 'legal experts' work out for all those foreigners buying land/business in nominee names?

6 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

How did the Thai 'legal experts' work out for all those foreigners buying land/business in nominee names?

There is a distinct difference between a "legal expert" claiming to know and a Thai attorney. They are not always one in the same.

And not all nominee issues have been found to be illegal. The government is checking them all for the same reason that immigration heightened scrutiny on marriage visas -- some were found to be fraudulent. It doesn't mean all are fraudulent.

Anytime there is abuse of any system, there is always repercussions. All of the heightened scrutiny in Thailand is a direct result of fraud and abuse. This happens everywhere in just about every country.

Just now, Ricohoc said:

There is a distinct difference between a "legal expert" claiming to know and a Thai attorney. They are not always one in the same.

But foreigners can't tell them apart, so your point is irrelevant.

13 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

How did the Thai 'legal experts' work out for all those foreigners buying land/business in nominee names?

But that was shady in the first place.

Paying taxes is being imposed by the Thai govt.

Not the same thing.

Of course you cannot fully trust any of these 'experts' as they may try to rip you off or not even know what they are doing.

Just now, save the frogs said:

But that was shady in the first place.

Paying taxes is being imposed by the Thai govt.

Not the same thing.

Of course you cannot fully trust any of these 'experts' as they may try to rip you off or not even know what they are doing.

Most of the 'Tax advice' I see given to foreigners looks shady to me.

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

But foreigners can't tell them apart, so your point is irrelevant.

Just now, BritManToo said:

Most of the 'Tax advice' I see given to foreigners looks shady to me.

I tell them apart easily: Research.

But your complaint is a shortcoming of the individual seeking the advice.

Regarding "tax advice", I consulted two different Thai tax attorneys in two different law firms in BKK. Both provided the same information, and there was nothing shady about it. They quoted the law.

15 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

But that was shady in the first place.

Paying taxes is being imposed by the Thai govt.

Not the same thing.

Of course you cannot fully trust any of these 'experts' as they may try to rip you off or not even know what they are doing.

I tried a thai visa agent to immigrate my wife to my home country. It was highly recommended place in sukhumvit. Long story short, nine months passed and there was no application filed. I called them up angry and they just refunded me it all right away which surprised me because I thought it was a scam. If they were unable to do it they just should have told me. Wasted nine months and then had to do it myself during covid. Never trusted any of the doctors there either

Edited August 23Aug 23 by harvardgrad

28 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Most of the 'Tax advice' I see given to foreigners looks shady to me.

I don't think foreigners have been filing taxes for many years?

Wasnt the law put in place in 2024?

Tax advisers might be still learning the ropes.

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Irrelevant nonsense

I take it you're no fan of Benjamin Hart. Still, Im pretty sure he has a perspective that you simply don't have. If you don't like him, it's easy enough to just not watch. He's an American attorney and a managing director of a Thai law firm. And, day in day out, he no doubt sees all sorts of cases and deals with all sorts of issues.

I usually watch his videos because they're short and because it's probably a good idea to be aware of the issues that catch his attention.

50 minutes ago, Ricohoc said:

I tell them apart easily: Research.

But your complaint is a shortcoming of the individual seeking the advice.

Regarding "tax advice", I consulted two different Thai tax attorneys in two different law firms in BKK. Both provided the same information, and there was nothing shady about it. They quoted the law.

They are all lying/cheating scum.

Same as the guys setting up nominee property companies.

There is no 'rule of law' in Thailand

The police are all on the take.

The PM and all the ruling class see us as 'dirty foreigners' to be scammed and extorted at will.

Edited August 23Aug 23 by BritManToo

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

They are all lying/cheating scum.

Same as the guys setting up nominee property companies.

There is no 'rule of law' in Thailand

The police are all on the take.

You're always entitled to your opinion, but the facts don't support it.

Have a good one.

2 hours ago, save the frogs said:

yeah, but he's not a backpacker. he's a lawyer.

you'd think he doesn't need to make videos just for clickbait.

Sure, the lawyers are all very honest people.

14 minutes ago, jas007 said:

I take it you're no fan of Benjamin Hart. Still, Im pretty sure he has a perspective that you simply don't have. If you don't like him, it's easy enough to just not watch. He's an American attorney and a managing director of a Thai law firm. And, day in day out, he no doubt sees all sorts of cases and deals with all sorts of issues.

I usually watch his videos because they're short and because it's probably a good idea to be aware of the issues that catch his attention.

He has never impressed me, and he undoubtedly created unnecessary panic from his showboating about expat taxation.

8 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

He has never impressed me, and he undoubtedly created unnecessary panic from his showboating about expat taxation.

He is always walking a fine line between what the law actually says and speculation about how it might be interpreted or enforced. Useful for those already on the grey side, yes, but not always as clear cut as he makes it sound. And naturally he attracts plenty of people who are themselves balancing on a fine line in Thailand.

5 minutes ago, Hummin said:

attracts plenty of people who are themselves balancing on a fine line

Attorneys attract those individuals everywhere in every country. The people balancing on a fine line need attorneys.

And then there are other people -- like myself -- who just want information and make their own decisions after consulting with trusted legitimate legal advisors. There's nothing foolproof about any of it; but it requires critical thinking skills and a better than average level of discernment.