Company Provident Fund

[duncaw]

I've been working in Thailand for around 6 years and during that period have been contributing to my company run Provident Fund.

Despite the global recession there's still a fairly good chunk of change in there (lucky there's a statuatory limit on the amount of the provident fund that can be invested in the stock market!)

I'm now looking to re-locate outside of Thailand with no plans to return here on a permanent basis so obviously want to take this cash with me.

I know that to be able to take this money tax free I have to be 55 (I'm now in my early 30's).

However my understanding is that if I pay tax on the contributions I would be allowed to cash the Fund in and get the money.

Does anybody have any experience with this and know how it works?

How much tax (%age) would I need to pay to get the money out?

(I know I could get an explanation from my HR department but at this stage don't really want to tip them off that I'm leaving)

Thanks in advance for any help?