Staying Long-Term In Thailand, Having Income From Stock Trading

[007]

Hijacked from another web page; anyone have an idea what kind of visa to use to stay long-term in Thailand, deriving income from trading stocks in the US or UK??

Question 1: A recent weekly column suggested that trading stocks might require a work permit. As I'm planning on retiring to Thailand in a few years, is it correct that I'd require a work permit to manage my personal investment accounts while in Thailand? The capital gains, dividends and interest will already be taxed in the US where they are earned and are considered non-employment (passive) income.

Sunbelt Legal responds: According to the Labour Department, trading Thai shares or any other stock on another exchange, is not considered as working whether you are sitting in front of your computer at home and / or sitting in the Broker's Office. The investor does not require a work permit. Stock Trading companies in many cases however will require to see your work permit in order for them to open an investment account. In some cases if the investor is unable to meet this requirement, certain arrangement by some of the Stock Trading companies are provided where the investor could establish an offshore account such as a bank in Singapore (while they are in Thailand) and they would be able to trade Thai stocks or trade on the Thai Futures Exchange.

[Lite Beer]

That would depend on your circumstances.

Nationality, Age, Thai Spouse etc.

[gamini]

I have had a stock trading account with several different stock brokers over the lasr twelve years

and and never even had to produce my passport. Only requirement was a Thai banking account in my name and a Bt15.000

deposit.

[007]

That would depend on your circumstances.

Nationality, Age, Thai Spouse etc.

Tourist, staying-long time in Thailand, trading overseas stocks (no Thai stocks), no income in Thailand, single, western country, under 50. No intention to work, own a beer bar, or to study Thai. Tourist visa?

[Soutpeel]

That would depend on your circumstances.

Nationality, Age, Thai Spouse etc.

Tourist, staying-long time in Thailand, trading overseas stocks (no Thai stocks), no income in Thailand, single, western country, under 50. No intention to work, own a beer bar, or to study Thai. Tourist visa?

Based on the literal interpretation of Thai law, you would need a work permit IMHO, as in fact you would be working to provide income to support yourself living in Thailand, where you pay tax and what you are trading is not considered under Thai law.

With that being said, the question would be....would you get caught ?....highly unlikely if you stay under the radar and dont let anyone know what you are up to.

You only really have two options...tourist visa or study Thai (which may be the better option)

FYI...a beer bar is not the smartest business plan in Thailand and to make it viable, you would need to work in the business