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Thailand Wants to Link Your Immigration, Hospital, and Bank Records

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You know, a few months ago when I opened a new bank account with SCB, the teller asked me to document how much I was receiving in social security each month. I was really taken aback by this request, as I had no plans to direct deposit my social security into my account. Nevertheless, I complied with this request. I assumed the info was going to be used for marketing or to assess my financial soundness in some way. But now, with all these new taxation of foreign remittance laws, I'm starting to wonder if the bank is feeding this info to the Thai Revenue Dept, which would be very useful to the TRD in terms of helping them evaluate whether an audit based on foreign remittances was warranted or not.

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  • DrJack54
    DrJack54

    Irrelevant nonsense

  • BritManToo
    BritManToo

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

  • EVENKEEL
    EVENKEEL

    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.

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Maybe people didn't get my point about the massive crackdown on nominee schemes being about AI.

Obviously that is a political policy priority of the current Thai government but first they needed to identify the specific cases to go after with investigations and prosecutions.

That used to be hard to do.

Now it is very easy.

Why?
AI tech.

If you've read the news about this, that is very clearly stated.

I'm not making this up.

34 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

Hello Ricohoc:

I, too, have been researching what my potential Thai tax liability is and whether I should apply for a Thai tax id number and preemptively file a Thai tax return even though I appear to have no Thai tax liability, mainly due to the fact that I do not anticipate having any remittances from overseas for at least the next 3 years. According to my research, my social security is shielded from Thai taxation by article 20 of the 1996 US-Thailand double taxation treaty. The one important step I have taken is to segregate my Social Security income from my other overseas accounts so that there is no commingling of funds and there is a clear paper trail that the funds are social security income only.

I have decided not to preemptively file a Thai tax return even though I have no tax liability, following the school of thought that by doing so, I may end up putting myself unneccessarily on the Thai Revenue Dept's radar. Also, because filing a preemptive tax return would require applying for a Thai tax id number, I am hesitant to go through this process because I live in a rural area, and I suspect there aren't that many non-Thais applying for a Thai tax id number in my area, and I am apprehensive that I might run into a bureaucratic buzzsaw by applying for a tax id number, so I'm going to hold off until such time as I actually need to file a Thai tax return. My understanding is that if the only funds a US citizen remits to Thailand are social security, which are exempt from Thai taxation, there is no need to file a tax return, HOWEVER that foreign remittance of social security could trigger a Thai Revenue Dept audit, and because the burden of proof rests with you, you have to maintain a rock-solid paper trail to prove that the remitted funds are social security benefits, which is why I am setting up a separate bank account for social security benefits only. Cheers.

  1. I had a friend who went and got a TIN and filed even though he didn't owe anything. He had to jump through all kinds of hoops to prove that he didn't owe anything. He opened a can of worms all over himself; and it lasted for several weeks.

  2. I'm not bothering with a separate account for several reasons:

    • In the first year of this tax filing fiasco, I drew from savings already accrued in my overseas bank; and I have the documentation to show that at the end of 2023 I had 6 times what I brought into Thailand via ATM.

    • Both Social Security and my deductions (as they stand currently) far exceed the amount that I bring into Thailand annually. My annual Social Security statement shows the amount in US dollars, and I calculate the baht amount on an average for that tax year. Of course, how someone else calculates it could be different. I will continue to spend less and bring in less every year.

But I have a few friends who have done exactly what you have done; and it is an intelligent move for those who think they need it.
Good on you!

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My bank (Kasikorn) emailed me 2 years ago requesting all that information plus all my UK tax records or risk closing my account if I did not conform to their request. I ignored it and have not heard since.

But I believe it will rear its ugly head again due to WEF, WHO pressure.

I personally don't care, you can't fight the system in your own country let alone in Thailand. Democracy, freedom, personal rights are just comforting words, trying to exercise many of your so called rights will leave you defeated with an empty wallet.

Just now, soalbundy said:

I personally don't care, you can't fight the system in your own country let alone in Thailand. Democracy, freedom, personal rights are just comforting words, trying to exercise many of your so called rights will leave you defeated with an empty wallet.

Foreigners have rights in Thailand? Do tell.

Just now, Jingthing said:

Foreigners have rights in Thailand? Do tell.

I was referring to rights in general, that would include those in your own country.

Kind of off topic by my view on taxation in Thailand (which may prove right or wrong) is to absolutely not to enter the system until your research or expert advice tells you that you must (or you're ordered to by banks, immigration, etc.).

So no TIN

No filing.

However when you do know that you've entering a zone of liability, then it would be time to enter the system.

  • Author
46 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

You know, a few months ago when I opened a new bank account with SCB, the teller asked me to document how much I was receiving in social security each month.

It may get more strictly enforced in the future, but seems they are not there yet and it's still disorganized.

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Kind of off topic by my view on taxation in Thailand (which may prove right or wrong) is to absolutely not to enter the system until your research or expert advice tells you that you must (or you're ordered to by banks, immigration, etc.).

... or you're ordered by the TRD (thai revenue department) to do so if you owe taxes ... but apparently, for many foreigners being tax residents in thailand, that doesn't seem to count ...

Edited by motdaeng

On 8/23/2026 at 10:23 AM, 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

On 8/23/2026 at 12:57 PM, Ricohoc said:

So this Mike Lister is he a lawyer or accountant then.?

On 8/23/2026 at 10:23 AM, 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.

If I'm not mistaken, isn't the penalty for forgetting to file a tax return something like 2000 baht?

35 minutes ago, jas007 said:

If I'm not mistaken, isn't the penalty for forgetting to file a tax return something like 2000 baht?

That's what I've read.

And if you don't owe anything, there's no penalty for failing to pay taxes -- just 2,000 baht per year for not filing.

2 hours ago, saintdomingo said:

So this Mike Lister is he a lawyer or accountant then.?

I have no idea what Lister's qualifications or expertise is in.

  • Author
33 minutes ago, Ricohoc said:

That's what I've read.

And if you don't owe anything, there's no penalty for failing to pay taxes -- just 2,000 baht per year for not filing.

That amount is not relevant unless you file yourself as accountants will charge around that amount or more.

And do they actually enforce that? Have you met someone who has been fined?

13 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

That amount is not relevant unless you file yourself as accountants will charge around that amount or more.

And do they actually enforce that? Have you met someone who has been fined?

I only know someone who did NOT owe, but chose to file anyway; and then he had to spend weeks proving he didn't owe anything.

However, we are at the very beginning of this A.I. tracking and surveillance.

1 hour ago, jas007 said:

If I'm not mistaken, isn't the penalty for forgetting to file a tax return something like 2000 baht?

... but when it comes to obvious tax evasion over several years, the penalties can look quite different ...

or does everyone really believe they can get away with it by simply saying, "i forgot"? foreign property owners with their nominee businesses have already had a taste of what may be coming ...

... in the end, everyone has to decide for themselves to follow the laws or not as a guest in thailand ...

Edited by motdaeng

I do not see the relevance of hospital records. I actually found Mike Listers original posts quite useful, sufficient for me to decide my Thai tax liability currently would be zero. If I did need more, there is always the tax free gift to wife option. 90% of retirees probably have no or little potential tax liability, and as said, best to wait and see.

2 hours ago, motdaeng said:

... in the end, everyone has to decide for themselves to follow the laws or not as a guest in thailand ...

No one is suggesting that laws not be followed.

  • Author

9 minutes ago, Ricohoc said:

No one is suggesting that laws not be followed.

Some people are not filing.

And nobody knows the laws or how strict they are in enforcing them.

1 hour ago, rickudon said:

the tax free gift to wife option

If that occurs, I think the falang husband will have to prove that he did not benefit at all from the gift. Tricky.

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Haven't watched the whole video yet, but this American guy thinks Thailand will crack down on the visa agents soon.

15 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Some people are not filing.

And nobody knows the laws or how strict they are in enforcing them.

can you please explain what you mean with "nobody knows the laws" ...

not knowing the law does not protect you from a possible penalty or other consequences ... to put your head in the sand I would think doesn't either ... 555

There will be crackdowns on damn near everything.

Head on a swivel.

5 hours ago, saintdomingo said:

So this Mike Lister is he a lawyer or accountant then.?

He's long since gone. No idea of his credentials

  • Author
33 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

He's long since gone. No idea of his credentials

Just googled him.

image.png

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9 hours ago, save the frogs said:

So he is smarter than most of us on here.

i completely agree, he was smarter than most of us here. he not only has a tremendous amount of knowledge, but has also been exceptionally committed to working through the entire tax issue from the ground up and providing useful information. he was also very composed, respectful, and restrained in his communication with other members ...

unfortunately, some asiannow members seem to take great offense when someone stands up for or advocates something that does not align with their own personal behaviour or interests, and that can quickly turn into a smear campaign against that person ... i am convinced that many members greatly appreciated his commitment and tireless efforts to help us better understand the thai tax system. i certainly do!

so once again, i would like to thank Mike Lister for his outstanding work and his selfless commitment. the aseannow forum and its members continue to benefit from the excellent groundwork he laid on the subject of taxation for foreigners in thailand ...

  • Author
10 hours ago, save the frogs said:

Haven't watched the whole video yet, but this American guy thinks Thailand will crack down on the visa agents soon.

Just watched it.

I wouldn't trust anything from this guy.

It's just speculation, and people making videos for clicks.

Sorry I posted that.

2 hours ago, save the frogs said:

Just watched it.

I wouldn't trust anything from this guy.

It's just speculation, and people making videos for clicks.

Sorry I posted that.

Should edit your post and delete it

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