new tax for all foreigners...

[tamada]

For Chevron, I believe the transparency chooks of their previous expatriate subcontractor payment regime are coming home to roost.

I'm currently working with a contractor on the temporary import of their seismic vessel to work in Gulf of Thailand (for Chevron) next month. It looks like the good old days of easy immigration, no work permits and Customs clearance from offshore are gone.

Like a US social security number and the UK national insurance number, the Thai TIN is for life.

Looks like you're in the "system" already BD.

[pipoz4444]

A multi-entry Cambodian retirement visa is USD293.

For info.

There is a lot to be said for considering Cambodia as an option for the future, especially if planning to live in PP. PP has come a long way since the end of 2019, but still has a way to go. Parts or pockets of the city are quite livable and slowly modernizing in all areas of life.

Restaurants are plentifully and western food prices are comparable to Pattaya, some up and dome down. Alcohol is readily available at Mini Marts (Smile) and other outlets (24 hours per day, no midday shut down) and also inexpensive. Accommodation readily available at a reasonable price and socializing & entertainment is like it was in the older days of Bangkok. OK it doesn't have a beach like Pattaya. My view is that overall lifestyle in PP is certainly cheaper than Bangkok but the place is not as cosmopolitan or upmarket as Bangkok or Pattaya is these days. Nevertheless, it depends on what you want.

Having had a close look over the past 12 months at the prospect of spending some (not all) of my time in PP down the track, it comes across as a viable option even if it is only for 50% of the month. It appears to have better long term prospects than living Bangkok and a number of foreigners seem to feel the same way, judging by the numbers meandering around PP.

$100 per day and you will do just fine and I dare say some will do it for a lot less.

Move your USD there now and put it in Bank ABA. When Cambodia "depegs" from the Dollar, you will then end up with a lot more Cambodian Riel, as well

pipoz4444

[BillaRickaDickay]

Not expecting a hands up on this Question but, Has anyone, or anyone you know, been awarded a TIN when acquiring or renewing their Marriage/Retirement Visa this year?

[tamada]

Not expecting a hands up on this Question but, Has anyone, or anyone you know, been awarded a TIN when acquiring or renewing their Marriage/Retirement Visa this year?

TIN's come from the tax office, not the immigration office.

[BillaRickaDickay]

Not expecting a hands up on this Question but, Has anyone, or anyone you know, been awarded a TIN when acquiring or renewing their Marriage/Retirement Visa this year?

TIN's come from the tax office, not the immigration office.

1 out of 10 for stating the Obvious.
Tax Office, Immigration = Government = We Want Your Money.

[AlexO]

Not expecting a hands up on this Question but, Has anyone, or anyone you know, been awarded a TIN when acquiring or renewing their Marriage/Retirement Visa this year?

Just renewed mine and short answer, no.

[tamada]

Not expecting a hands up on this Question but, Has anyone, or anyone you know, been awarded a TIN when acquiring or renewing their Marriage/Retirement Visa this year?

TIN's come from the tax office, not the immigration office.

1 out of 10 for stating the Obvious.
Tax Office, Immigration = Government = We Want Your Money.

This just in... HMRC doesn't check your passport at UK airports either.

Anyways, 2024 (this year) is the first year of assessment, and not action. Action happens from 2025 onwards (if it ever does).

[glalt]

I had a friend who was a chronic complainer. He bitched about everything here in Thailand. I told him that maybe he would be happier in Cambodia. He packed up and made the move. He lasted about a year there and came back to Thailand. He said that Cambodia was worse than Thailand. He eventually moved to the Philippines. He seemed to like it there and that's where he died. He was in his late 70's so it was nothing unexpected. Likely heart failure. As far as I know he was not sick.

I also had two friends die in Cambodia, both were younger than me. It seems like medical care in Cambodia is not very good. I have no idea why or how they died.

As for myself, I'll be here in Thailand until my final BBQ. I'm 79 years old and have outlived nearly all of my old friends. I am an introvert and enjoy my own company. My Thai wife is quite social so she has many friends so she leaves me alone. I enjoy my dog and cat plus a lot of small animals around our two meter high block walled in home.

[BillaRickaDickay]

Not expecting a hands up on this Question but, Has anyone, or anyone you know, been awarded a TIN when acquiring or renewing their Marriage/Retirement Visa this year?

Just renewed mine and short answer, no.

Thanks Alex for a helpful, honest, relevant answer.

[pipoz4444]

I also had two friends die in Cambodia, both were younger than me. It seems like medical care in Cambodia is not very good. I have no idea why or how they died.

Times change and places with it. Whilst I don't know how long ago it was, that this happened to your friends, the Royal Phnom Penh Hospital is no backyard "operation", sorry to use the punt. It is under the management of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Co.,Ltd.

There are several other good medical facilities, which cater to most medical issues, certainly not your Bumrungrad International Hospital standard.

As I indicated in my post on Cambodia, Phnom Penh, as a city has come a long way, has and is modernizing is some areas, but yes it still has a fair way to go. Medical options aside, these days based in Phnom Penh can offer a comfortable lifestyle for most things you want and or need. Not perfect, then again neither is all of Thailand.

Sure if one is looking for a cheap medical facility base on cost, especially in the Public sector, there is a risk as will apply in many Asian countries.

Equally if someone is stupid enough to live in Asia without Private Medical Company, in their later years, then he/she is actually stupid, as the one thing that anyone should have spare money for in your later years, is to maintain their health and if you haven' go that then one needs wonder why.............

I have known a few that have spent a fortune on piss, woman, cars and other toys over their years and then bitch that they cannot afford the cost of private medical cover or get quality medical in another country for free when they are not a national of that country.

Just my take on the place. Still everyone finds what they want somewhere and everyone is entitled to have their different views on their personal experiences in those places. PP may not be for everyone.


pipoz4444

[jackspratt]

Equally if someone is stupid enough to live in Asia without Private Medical Company, in their later years, then he/she is actually stupid, as the one thing that anyone should have spare money for in your later years, is to maintain their health and if you haven' go that then one needs wonder why.............

One reason why that readily springs to mind, is someone who has made a rational (ie not stupid) decision to self insure.

Now, back to matters of tax.

[Whistler]

I have accident and death insurance from said accident but cannot get health insurance as I am 75. Anybody can educate.me otherwise?

[noosard]

Aussies and British get free health in the Philipines
others might a well so there are options

[jackspratt]

Tax .... foreigners ..... Thailand.

[jackspratt]

Not expecting a hands up on this Question but, Has anyone, or anyone you know, been awarded a TIN when acquiring or renewing their Marriage/Retirement Visa this year?

Mine is due in a few weeks.

I'll report back if they inexplicably award me a TIN.

[pipoz4444]

Equally if someone is stupid enough to live in Asia without Private Medical Company, in their later years, then he/she is actually stupid, as the one thing that anyone should have spare money for in your later years, is to maintain their health and if you haven' go that then one needs wonder why.............

One reason why that readily springs to mind, is someone who has made a rational (i.e not stupid) decision to self insure.

Now, back to matters of tax.

JS, there are about 100,000 western retirees living in Thailand and the vast majority (not all) are retired living on external government/state pensions, (I suspect) with some of those pensions have been unjustly frozen in their monthly payment amounts by governments who screwed their citizens over with taxes during their working lives. And yes a small number will have their Superannuation payouts each month. My comment was not aimed at them. Apologies to any that I may have offended, it was not my intention.

But for the vast majority, I doubt they are really self insuring for / against any major operation or long term stay in a Thai hospital, which can easily top TB 1.0 Million.

pipoz4444

[tamada]

Whoever or whatever has invented the notion that local immigration offices are suddenly going to be handing out or otherwise requesting a TIN from foreigners extending their extensions, needs to be totally ignored.

There's an inordinate degree of idle, unwarranted and irrelevant speculation on the internet about Thai taxation that's based largely on ignorance, and it's renting far too much space in people's heads.

[BillaRickaDickay]

Now then, now then, now then gentleman. it's all getting a bit silly isn't it?
Let's spell it out to those who have gone into panick mode.
It's no good saying let's wait until next year when you submit your assessment, it's what you do this year that matters.
If you were the people looking to track down Foreign Income Tax dodgers where would you start?
No1. Who qualifies as a Tax Resident, ie those that have spent 180 days or more in Thailand.
No2. How would I locate said Tax Residents.

Now this is the tricky part, I Assume that there is a countrywide Database of all legal foreigners held by Immigration tracking entries and exits from the country, Yes/No?

It's no good saying, "oh they wouldn't share their Database with another Government department, that's not Cricket Sir" We are talking Money.

So far on this thread and the other as Mr Galee has pointed out, just lots of bluster and bull****

Ah but, we have a Duel Tax Agreement, I've attempted to get my head around that, no info on different Tax Thresholds, different Tax years, Tax Credits.

Oh, and Maybe your Passport Number is your new Tin Number. How dare I suggest that.

Logical best Advice, go see a friendly Accountant.

[jackspratt]

Oh, and Maybe your Passport Number is your new Tin Number. How dare I suggest that.

You can suggest it, but it doesn't make sense.

Passports expire, are lost or damaged, or filled up, and a new passport is issued - with a new number.

On the other hand, there is no reason I am aware of which would prevent Immigration from sharing relevant data with the Tax Office - happens in other places.

[BillaRickaDickay]

Oh, and Maybe your Passport Number is your new Tin Number. How dare I suggest that.

You can suggest it, but it doesn't make sense.

Passports expire, are lost or damaged, or filled up, and a new passport is issued - with a new number.

That's Logical Jack but but how many times does one renew a Passport. Keep the original Passport Number as a Tin, update the Database to reflect the conection to the change, which they probably do anyway.

It's all in its infancy at the mo but I'm working on it.