Permanent Residence Question

[CaptHaddock]

Does anyone know if a person who is not working is eligible for permanent residence? I am here on a Non-Imm O by marriage, but I am retired and intend to stay that way. All of the discussion I find is focused on working expats.

[Mario2008]

No, normally not. The emphasis is that you must be a credit to Thai society and that is shown with working and paying taxes. Perhaps if you pay enough taxes and don't work, not totally sure on that, but probably not.

[happynthailand]

I beleave you also have to speak , read and write thai.

[Dork]

I beleave you also have to speak , read and write thai.

Reading and writing is definitely not required. Applicants probably do need to speak at least some Thai because they will be interviewed in Thai. I passed so can assure you that the bar isn't set very high.

I can't say for sure but do suspect that an applicant that was paying enough tax might get away with just a few polite words. Certainly that used to be the case 10 or more years ago.

[TerryLH]

If you are married to a Thai,you can now skip PR and go straight to citizenship.

I believe it's a little easier, and doesn't cost as much.

Terry

[CaptHaddock]

I can speak, read and write Thai.

I beleave you also have to speak , read and write thai.

[CaptHaddock]

If you are married to a Thai,you can now skip PR and go straight to citizenship.

I believe it's a little easier, and doesn't cost as much.

Terry

Interesting. I don't think I particularly want to be a Thai citizen and certainly wouldn't consider giving up US citizenship for a moment, but it seems they accept citizens' holding foreign citizenship. What are the disadvantages of holding Thai citizenship? They don't seem to tax on world-wide income, so I wouldn't owe them any taxes. I am too old for the draft. I have no interest in buying property of any kind. The principal advantage for me would be not to have 90 day reports or an annual visa extension process. Are there any other advantages?

[gamini]

I had permanent residence for a long time but lost it when I stayed away from Thailand for more than a year.

I could have got it back paying the cost about Bt100,000 plus lawyers fees. But it is not worth it. I did have to pay income tax etc. and still go to immigration every year to get a re-entry permit. I have been on a retirement visa for 12 years and never had a problem and never had to wait. I post my 90 days report. So I would not bother if I were you

[samran]

If you are married to a Thai,you can now skip PR and go straight to citizenship.

I believe it's a little easier, and doesn't cost as much.

Terry

Interesting. I don't think I particularly want to be a Thai citizen and certainly wouldn't consider giving up US citizenship for a moment, but it seems they accept citizens' holding foreign citizenship. What are the disadvantages of holding Thai citizenship? They don't seem to tax on world-wide income, so I wouldn't owe them any taxes. I am too old for the draft. I have no interest in buying property of any kind. The principal advantage for me would be not to have 90 day reports or an annual visa extension process. Are there any other advantages?

The certainty that you canine and go as you please, change our mind about doing all of the above, and never be kicked out of the country.

[asiaexpat]

If you are married to a Thai,you can now skip PR and go straight to citizenship.

I believe it's a little easier, and doesn't cost as much.

Terry

Interesting. I don't think I particularly want to be a Thai citizen and certainly wouldn't consider giving up US citizenship for a moment, but it seems they accept citizens' holding foreign citizenship. What are the disadvantages of holding Thai citizenship? They don't seem to tax on world-wide income, so I wouldn't owe them any taxes. I am too old for the draft. I have no interest in buying property of any kind. The principal advantage for me would be not to have 90 day reports or an annual visa extension process. Are there any other advantages?

Actually, Thailand does tax on worldwide income. However, they also have tax treaties that exempt those that pay taxes to the other treaty country. Example: USA has a tax treaty and if a US citizen pays US taxes on income, they do not owe taxes in Thailand. The option to pay taxes in Thailand and get tax relief for US taxes is also available.

[lopburi3]

Correct about world wide tax but beyond tax treaties Thailand has current policy to only tax money coming into Thailand in the year earned so in effect if paid outside Thailand and you only bring savings from a previous year into country there is no tax due.

[Hornell]

I had permanent residence for a long time but lost it when I stayed away from Thailand for more than a year.

I could have got it back paying the cost about Bt100,000 plus lawyers fees. But it is not worth it. I did have to pay income tax etc. and still go to immigration every year to get a re-entry permit. I have been on a retirement visa for 12 years and never had a problem and never had to wait. I post my 90 days report. So I would not bother if I were you

Best advice so far!

[ubonjoe]

1. Taxable Person Taxpayers are classified into “resident” and “non-resident”. “Resident” means any individual residing in Thailand for a period or several periods in total of at least 180 days in a tax year (January 1 – December 31). A resident of Thailand has a duty to pay tax on income remitted from a source in Thailand as well as on any income from a foreign source in connection with the taxpayers’ employment or business carried on abroad or a property situated abroad, and that income is remitted into Thailand within the year that the taxpayer receives that income (i.e. cash basis). A non-resident is subject to tax only on income from sources in Thailand.

Info on taxable income from http://www.rd.go.th/publish/6045.0.html.

This is why income from pension or savings from abroad is not taxable.

[CaptHaddock]

1. Taxable Person Taxpayers are classified into “resident” and “non-resident”. “Resident” means any individual residing in Thailand for a period or several periods in total of at least 180 days in a tax year (January 1 – December 31). A resident of Thailand has a duty to pay tax on income remitted from a source in Thailand as well as on any income from a foreign source in connection with the taxpayers’ employment or business carried on abroad or a property situated abroad, and that income is remitted into Thailand within the year that the taxpayer receives that income (i.e. cash basis). A non-resident is subject to tax only on income from sources in Thailand.

Info on taxable income from http://www.rd.go.th/publish/6045.0.html.

This is why income from pension or savings from abroad is not taxable.

Is a Thai citizen therefore a "resident" or in a different category?

Thanks everyone for the good info.

[ubonjoe]

The 180 day rule applies to Thai's as well as foreigners.

They would be considered non resident if less than 180 days and resident if more than 180.

Resident in this case is not the same as when discussing immigration or citizenship status.