Can I Do This Here?

[gibson123]

Hi guys. I have a question which I hope you can help me with......

I am here on a marriage visa and I have a few businesses going on under verious family names, where they give me a percentage of the profit they earn. My worry is....they pay the tax, but I do not. How does this effect me in the future? I'm after a Thai ID in the future, but not paying tax (after reading the posts here) is not a good idea. Would you suggest I start a company and start paying the Thai tax, or do I not need to? I have well over enough money in the bank for the 400,000 needed every year, and a good income from the family businesses. Basically I'm asking...what would you do?

[Maestro]

If your current thinking is that you will remain settled in Thailand for the long term it is not a buy idea to aim for Thai nationality. Get yourself on the payroll of one of the companies, with a work permit, eg as consultant or special knowledge expert, get the remuneration from all businesses that pay you dividends (profit share) paid to you as salary through that company, then in a few years apply for Thai nationality. Married to a Thai you can skip the step of Permanent Residency.

[gibson123]

Thanks for the reply Maestro, and good advice. I think as a consultant is a great idea.....thanks again!

[KHR1010]

You have the means to go get solid advice on a somewhat serious situation.....why on earth would you trust a bunch of strangers to such a situation? Go to a legitimate law firm and get sage advice so that you can make a sound decision.

[lopburi3]

Perhaps because such advise is often less than accurate and there is no chance of others correcting it?

[asiaexpat]

Because the advice on TV is frequently correct whereas lawyers frequently do not provide complete answers/correct answers.

[gibson123]

Hi guys, yes I am going to a law firm, I just wanted other opinions. However, thanks for the replies. BTW, does anyone know of any good English speaking ''Thai'' lawyers in Pattaya? I ask for a Thai lawyer cause I read somewhere that non Thais always have to use native Thai lawyers anyway. Not sure if this is true?

[ubonjoe]

You could easily set up a partnership (51/49 ) with your wife. You could then get a work permit and only need two Thai employees (IE: wife and housekeeper) with a registered capital of 1,000,000 baht.

You could set it up so that you are the managing partner and use that as your position for the work permit.

If you pay yourself at least 40K baht (minimum needed for citizenship application) you could then use that income for your extensions of stay. Just show tax payments and work permit.

[PoorSucker]

Hi guys, yes I am going to a law firm, I just wanted other opinions. However, thanks for the replies. BTW, does anyone know of any good English speaking ''Thai'' lawyers in Pattaya? I ask for a Thai lawyer cause I read somewhere that non Thais always have to use native Thai lawyers anyway. Not sure if this is true?

There are foreigners that works as "advisers" at Thai law firms.

A non Thai can not get a work permit as Lawyer, it's a profession reserved for Thais.

[gibson123]

I found a Thai lawyer from TV whom I'm going to call tomorrow...a Mr Kuhn Visan. Must say partnering my wife and employing her mother and my wife sounds perfect for my situation. Thanks to all who replied, much appreciated! And thanks to TV for a great site....