In the last week I've gotten requests from two companies I've been with for over five years (UOB Credit Card and Sprinkle Drinking Water) for my Tax ID Number, since they have been ordered by the Revenue Department to collect it from all their foreign customers. I can understand the connection between the bank and Revenue Department, but a water delivery service? And at a time when we don't really have a gov't?

What is going on? In the future are foreigners going to have to present their tax ID number to make any purchase or sign up for any service here? Is this another way of tracking foreigners in addition to the 90 day reporting?

I called UOB and talked to a manager, and she thinks it's connected to the VAT refund. When I mentioned that's only for tourists, and anyone who has a tax ID number lives here and isn't a tourist so they're not eligible for the VAT refund, she agreed and didn't really know what to say. In the end, she also said it won't affect my credit card at all if I don't provide them with my number, I just might not be able to collect the VAT refund with purchases I make with the card. Go figure.

Anyone know what's really going on?

Just speculating, but for billed services that aren't likely to be used by genuine tourists, a tax ID would be a logical way to winnow out the legitimate tax-paying work permit holders from those scamming the system.

I'm sure a lot of people wouldn't like to have to actually answer the question "so how do you actually support yourself here in Thailand?"

Considerations of financial privacy or civil rights certainly won't slow them down, only hope is the bureaucrats will continue to exhibit their historical level of competence.