General Reports

**TooDirty** · 11-07-23 07:38

I'm not sure why I always forget that the one constant in life is "change", otherwise I'd still be fat and happy living off those 18% interest earnings on money market from back in Jimmy Carter days. LOL.

I wonder if Thailand will tax you on what's in your pocket when you walk off the airplane? I brought $6000 to Thailand once, but made the mistake of folding it down the middle like a stripper dollar to fit in my money belt. Thai banks really like their bills crisp and in like new condition.

**Raj Patela** · 11-07-23 04:08

Originally Posted by SubCmdr [View Original Post]

Hate to cloud all this speculation with some hard cold facts. Every check out property ownership laws in the Kingdom. I have read translated versions of them from law firms based here in Thailand. If you are married to a Thai national you can jointly own land with your spouse. But let's say your spouse passes away and you inherit the land. Do you know what you position is then? You can apply for an exemption to the rule that not Thai nationals cannot own land. The provision exists in the law. But has never been granted in the history of the Kingdom. So, reality is, you have one year to dispose of that land. If you don't the Kingdom will take of it and sell it for you and charge you 5% for their services.

Tell me more about the type of exemptions that might be provided to someone married to a Thai national.

Your Hard Cold Facts are Wrong. Hahaha.

**Mr Enternational** · 11-07-23 02:13

Originally Posted by CaliGuy33 [View Original Post]

One would think their would be an exemption regarding this for expats that are married to a Thai woman.

This is Thailand. They will probably have to pay more.

**SubCmdr** · 11-07-23 02:13

Originally Posted by CaliGuy33 [View Original Post]

One would think there would be an exemption regarding this for expats that are married to a Thai woman. I kind of get the government's thinking regarding the average, single expat but I don't think that should be applied to an expat married to a Thai.

Hate to cloud all this speculation with some hard cold facts. Every check out property ownership laws in the Kingdom. I have read translated versions of them from law firms based here in Thailand. If you are married to a Thai national you can jointly own land with your spouse. But let's say your spouse passes away and you inherit the land. Do you know what you position is then? You can apply for an exemption to the rule that not Thai nationals cannot own land. The provision exists in the law. But has never been granted in the history of the Kingdom. So, reality is, you have one year to dispose of that land. If you don't the Kingdom will take of it and sell it for you and charge you 5% for their services.

Tell me more about the type of exemptions that might be provided to someone married to a Thai national.

**AggieDad1** · 11-07-23 02:09

Originally Posted by TConor [View Original Post]

I really doubt they can figure out if they do require a filing if what you say is accurate. At least what your real income is. They maybe can figure out what you bring over to Thailand minus CC charges but they have no access to your income records outside of Thailand. I don't have a clue about other countries but in the USA the IRS isn't going to send information to the Thai gov't. And they'd have to do on an individual basis. Meaning to track a US citizen's information they'd need a social security number. If the IRS gives out SS#'s then identity theft would be running rampant with all the holes in the Thai gov't. And US citizens wouldn't put up with it. They would all be running for the exits. Does anyone even know if they have joint returns or everyone files an individual return?

If you are a US citizen you will still be required to file an income tax return in the US. You get to deduct any taxes you pay in Thailand so you are not double taxed. But remember all those new auditors the IRS wanted to hire last year. I would be more worried about the IRS reaching out to Thai tax authorities and wanting to "compare notes".

**Member #4838** · 11-07-23 00:50

Originally Posted by SiamMan [View Original Post]

Moving around SEA might be an option for some who just come here a few times a year, but some of us have lived here for a long time, have set up our home here, have property, have a family, so moving away is not an option. So we have no choice other than to negotiate the regulations imposed on us (by Immigration, etc.) as best we can.

One would think their would be an exemption regarding this for expats that are married to a Thai woman. I kind of get thr government's thinking regarding the average, single expat but I don't think that should be applied to an expat married to a Thai.

**Raj Patela** · 11-07-23 00:34

Originally Posted by TConor [View Original Post]

I really doubt they can figure out if they do require a filing if what you say is accurate. At least what your real income is. They maybe can figure out what you bring over to Thailand minus CC charges but they have no access to your income records outside of Thailand. I don't have a clue about other countries but in the USA the IRS isn't going to send information to the Thai gov't. And they'd have to do on an individual basis. Meaning to track a US citizen's information they'd need a social security number. If the IRS gives out SS#'s then identity theft would be running rampant with all the holes in the Thai gov't. And US citizens wouldn't put up with it. They would all be running for the exits. Does anyone even know if they have joint returns or everyone files an individual return?

Imagine having to give Somchai my TURBOTAX ID and corresponding password to authenticate my Attestations of USA taxable income. LOL.

Actually this would be EZ. Only need 1st 2 pages. But is Somchai qualified to know this.

The other 258 pages are just documentations.

**TConor** · 11-07-23 00:17

Originally Posted by TooDirty [View Original Post]

And now it looks like Thailand is going to make expats file income taxes each year after Jan 1, 2024? Maybe tax savings that you bring into the country too? Sell my house in the USA and buy a condo in Thailand for a million baht, pay their gov't 300,000 baht for the privilege? Still cheaper than living in un-america, but ack! F to fixing income inequality by redistribution. They like inheritance tax too.

I hope Thailand decides these are some really bad ideas. Only positive for me would probably be radical drops in Thai property prices, kind of reverse of the sleepy joe policies creating radical increase in my USA property price.

I really doubt they can figure out if they do require a filing if what you say is accurate. At least what your real income is. They maybe can figure out what you bring over to Thailand minus CC charges but they have no access to your income records outside of Thailand. I don't have a clue about other countries but in the USA the IRS isn't going to send information to the Thai gov't. And they'd have to do on an individual basis. Meaning to track a US citizen's information they'd need a social security number. If the IRS gives out SS#'s then identity theft would be running rampant with all the holes in the Thai gov't. And US citizens wouldn't put up with it. They would all be running for the exits. Does anyone even know if they have joint returns or everyone files an individual return?

**SiamMan** · 11-06-23 05:16

Originally Posted by AggieDad1 [View Original Post]

When I first started working in China in 2007 there were a lot of expats working and living there. Some had families and properties and owned businesses there. Then in 2012 things started changing. They are almost all gone now. Things change and governments can do stupid and unwise things because they are under the mistaken belief that they can get rid of the expats and all of the money will stay behind. Thailand is not China, so I do not expect Thailand to get as bad as fast as China did. Still it would be wise to have a backup plan. I only stayed in China one time for more than 183 days in a calendar year. Never did that again.

That is good advice, I know. Thank you. But things would have to get a lot worse before I had to activate Plan be.

**AggieDad1** · 11-06-23 05:04

Originally Posted by SiamMan [View Original Post]

Moving around SEA might be an option for some who just come here a few times a year, but some of us have lived here for a long time, have set up our home here, have property, have a family, so moving away is not an option. So we have no choice other than to negotiate the regulations imposed on us (by Immigration, etc.) as best we can.

When I first started working in China in 2007 there were a lot of expats working and living there. Some had families and properties and owned businesses there. Then in 2012 things started changing. They are almost all gone now. Things change and governments can do stupid and unwise things because they are under the mistaken belief that they can get rid of the expats and all of the money will stay behind. Thailand is not China, so I do not expect Thailand to get as bad as fast as China did. Still it would be wise to have a backup plan. I only stayed in China one time for more than 183 days in a calendar year. Never did that again.

**SiamMan** · 11-06-23 03:49

Originally Posted by CaliGuy33 [View Original Post]

Do you find it necessary to live in Thailand? Why not just move around SEA but spend the majority of your time in Thailand?

Moving around SEA might be an option for some who just come here a few times a year, but some of us have lived here for a long time, have set up our home here, have property, have a family, so moving away is not an option. So we have no choice other than to negotiate the regulations imposed on us (by Immigration, etc.) as best we can.

**Raj Patela** · 11-06-23 03:47

Originally Posted by BananaBoi [View Original Post]

Under which Visa were you allowed to stay 330 days per year in Thailand without any issues from Immigration? To my knowledge it's always been 180 days on a regular tourist visa (exception was during COVID). I'm assuming you're not in Thailand under an OA, work, or marriage Visa.

Exactly. This is what I did. Others are not keen on the idea though since they don't like the idea of paying rent in Thailand then paying for a hotel elsewhere the other 180 days per year. It's always nice to have a home base. Living out of a suitcase your entire life kind of sucks.

Usually 2 tourists visas and a cacophony of 30 day visa on arrival s. Add the extensions not hard.

Always enter by AIR.

**SubCmdr** · 11-06-23 03:07

Basic principle of Andrew Henderson who wrote the Nomadic Capitalist is:

Go where you are treated best.

The core of the concept is that: the best place to work / do business may not be the best places to live, bank, vacation or invest.

Originally Posted by BananaBoi [View Original Post]

Exactly. This is what I did. Others are not keen on the idea though since they don't like the idea of paying rent in Thailand then paying for a hotel elsewhere the other 180 days per year. It's always nice to have a home base. Living out of a suitcase your entire life kind of sucks.

Or you can do it like I do and maintain multiple residences around the globe. But that does tend to add up. Six in one hand, half dozen in the other.

If someone wants to stay in the country long enough to subject them to taxation a cost benefit analysis needs to be performed for their personal situation. I do not do everything in the world in order to minimize my tax liabilities. I do the best I can within the law to arrange my affairs and then give the worthless paper currency to the government in question as they demand.

Taxes are a part of life, minimize them. But don't let them rule your life or prevent you from living how you choose to live. Where you live after all is one of the most important lifestyle decisions you can make.

**SubCmdr** · 11-06-23 02:51

Originally Posted by CaliGuy33 [View Original Post]

Do you find it necessary to live in Thailand? Why not just move around SEA but spend the majority of your time in Thailand?

Excellent point! No one has to live in Thailand. It is a personal choice. In my country of origin I chose a tax favorable state in which to declare my tax residence. I do my best to never step foot in my country of origin if possible. But I am one of the few countries that taxes their citizens on their income worldwide no matter where they happen to be in the world at the time.

This tax policy is going to affect everyone differently and it is still being formulated. Everyone must take a look at their own personal situations before making a decision. These grandiose predictions are just WAGS (Wild ass guesses). The policy has not even been codified yet.

Everyone calm down. Take a step back from the computer screen. Get off you keyboard and go get a massage and your dick sucked to relax.

**Banana Boi** · 11-06-23 02:47

Originally Posted by RajPatela [View Original Post]

My plan is just to use my allotment of 180 days down from Usual 330 days. Till further notice.

Under which Visa were you allowed to stay 330 days per year in Thailand without any issues from Immigration? To my knowledge it's always been 180 days on a regular tourist visa (exception was during COVID). I'm assuming you're not in Thailand under an OA, work, or marriage Visa.

Originally Posted by CaliGuy33 [View Original Post]

Do you find it necessary to live in Thailand? Why not just move around SEA but spend the majority of your time in Thailand?

Exactly. This is what I did. Others are not keen on the idea though since they don't like the idea of paying rent in Thailand then paying for a hotel elsewhere the other 180 days per year. It's always nice to have a home base. Living out of a suitcase your entire life kind of sucks.