Isan Farang

April 15

Need a car part that is available with Ali Express, have never used them before so i am wandering regarding customs charges

For anyone that has used them, do they send the items by regular post and how did the customs part check out

Total for the part and shipping is around 3.000 Baht

March 24

Myths about Thai expats and those income tax changes starting very soon

Most expats in Thailand live on income or capital, or both, built up over many years with tax already paid in the country of passport. They are understandably worried by the imminent change in Thai Revenue practice – it is not a new law passed by parliament – which will potentially tax new and assessable foreign-sourced income beginning in January 2024. Pattaya Mail has received more concerned reader feedback about this issue than any other during 2023. With inauguration day fast approaching, here is our summary for the typical expat who does not indulge in major currency speculation, huge profit-taking from overseas businesses nor off-shore bank accounts hiding their cash.

Has the Thai Revenue clarified the position of typical expats? No. It is commonly assumed that the Revenue is mainly interested in rich Thais and foreigners who have manipulated Thai tax rules in the past to avoid payments from overseas. Typical expats with home-country pensions or social security allowances are not part of this agenda, though in theory they could be caught in the crossfire. Talks are continuing between senior accountancy firms, lobby groups and the Revenue about this and other issues. Don’t expect answers any time soon.

Will my international cash transfers to Thailand from January 1 2024 be reduced on arrival by a Bank of Thailand tax levy? No. There will not be any changes from current practice. You pay tax in arrears in Thailand by registering at the Revenue for a tax identification number and paying tax due, if any, in the next fiscal year. There is no PAYE procedure in Thailand. The misunderstanding that Thailand will tax international transfers as the cash arrives is a widespread misconception

Should I apply for a tax identification number? Not unless you receive an instruction from a government source or the immigration, both very unlikely scenarios. It is almost certain that, at any rate in the early years, tax registration will be voluntary. If you believe you have been taxed already on your cash sent to Thailand, it’s best to do nothing now. There is no need to employ the services of tax accountants if you are a typical expat (unless working here on a work permit which is a separate subject). The tax situation as regards cash sent to Thailand to purchase property is a separate source of ambiguity.

Most countries with expats here have a double taxation treaty with Thailand, so is that relevant? That depends on the exact wording of complex documents which differ substantially one from another. Double taxation treaties are designed to be used only in cases where Thailand and the first country cannot agree on who has the right to tax. If Thai Revenue were to clarify unambiguously that previously taxed income would not be retaxed, the issue would largely die.

If I need to later, how will I prove that my cash transfers to Thailand have already been taxed? This will vary on an individual basis. An expat’s tax return or the response by the internal revenue service of the first country might suffice, or a simple statement on a tax form might be acceptable. Few experts, if any, believe that the Thai Revenue has the staffing or the expertise to deal with more than 300,000 expats who are tax residents because they spend more than 180 days here in a fiscal year. It bears repeating that the registration process will likely be voluntary. The Thai government is looking for the big fish, Thai or foreign, and not the small fry.

How does Thai Revenue know about your international cash transfers? Most countries in the world, around 120 and including Thailand, are now part of the CRS (Common Reporting System) which requires financial institutions worldwide to fight tax evasion and to protect the integrity of tax systems by sharing your banking transactions with partner countries. This means that your international transfers have been/ are/ will be monitored by Thai financial authorities. Some experts believe that Thai Revenue will use CRS as the route to question rich Thais and foreigners about large international transactions. Amongst the countries not registered for CRS are North Korea and the Vatican.

What is the Thai government really up to? The new post-coup government simply wants to raise cash, in part to help pay for its populist policies such as the 10,000 baht give away scheme. One can assume that nobody in authority has yet thought seriously about the effects of the change on the expat market here and the potential unpopularity amongst long-term visa holders including one year retirement extensions, Elite and the 10 year Long Term Residence. If you are an expat living in Thailand for at least half the year, without any major financial secrets to keep from Thai Revenue, then it’s best to do nothing until the situation is clearer. That’ll take several months yet. But no point in packing your bags in disgust and leaving for Cambodia. They are a CRS country too

March 23

Just checking if anyone knows what country the writing on the oil container relates to

March 18

26 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

Yes, Thailand operates a Provincial banking system, out of province transactions are chargeable although ATM transactions are not..

If i use the ATM out of province with Bangkok Bank they charge me 15 Baht per transaction.

January 29

38 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Open a WISE account, pay from HSBC to WISE by free bank transfer.

WISE charge 7 pounds for 1200 pounds to transfer to a Thai bank at XE rate, no other fees.

As a bonus HSBC (and DWP) have no record of where the money is going.

Are you refering to HSBC Jersey transfer to Wise, i have a USD account with HSBC Jersey.

I have not sent funds to Thailand for a while, but previously they charged me $50 for a swift, as they told me there was a intermediary bank involved.

I used to have an account with HSBC Thailand, and they closed my account and moved everthing to Jersey

January 25

43 minutes ago, Raindancer said:

Just to inform anyone needing to renew their passports through VFS Chiang Mai.

I submitted my passport application on 16th January and it arrived back today 25th.

Excellent service at application point and amazingly quick return.

Staff were very friendly, professional and helpful.

Thanks for the info, i am in Chiang Rai. How many trips to CM would i need to make to get a new passport.

January 25

15 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

I take it you are saying that no, you did not gave sexual activity of any kind nor ride a bike/moto in the 48 hours prior to either PSA test?

If so do not repeat the test first, go direct to uroligist (though the wide difference between the 2 test results is odd and, together with the unprofessional wording of"results" from the second check up makes me question the accuracy of their lab).

There has been some good feedback on these doctors at Bangkok Hospital CM (not CR)

https://www.bangkokhospital-chiangmai.com/en/doctor/dr-supon-sriplakick-m-d/

https://www.bangkokhospital-chiangmai.com/en/doctor/dr-wittawat-rawiyotai-m-d/

That said, expertise in urology is much better in Bangkok so if it emerges that there is a serious problem should at that point consuder coming there.

I can confirm there was No sexual activity or ridden a bike or motorcycle, 48h prior to the test

I will book an appointment at CM Bangkok hospital and bring the results i obtained in Ubon, will update after the visit.

January 25

5 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

No need for another Hb1Ac then. Yours are in normal range. You are not pre-diabetic and can safely ignore the fasting blood sugar result.

In the 48 hours prior to the 2 PSA tests, had you had any sexual activity or ridden a bike or motorcycle?

Are you driving ftom Ubon to CR? As if do might consider overnighting in Khon Jaen and seeing urologust at KKU Hospital.

No sexual activity or ridden a bike or motorcycle, 48h prior to the test?

I have already booked the flights to return to CR

I observed there is a Bangkok hospital in CR, just checking on your thoughts if thats worth a shot.

January 25

8 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

First of all, you did not have "high levels of Liver Cancer". You had an elevated AFP, a "tumor marker" test that is wrongly used by many private hospitals here as screening for liver cancer. In fact (1) AFP can be elevated for many reasons other than liver cancer and is not suitable for mass screening and (2) they use a much lower cut off for AFP levels in Thailand than is the international norm. The internationally accepted normal range goes up to 10 meaning your 7.1 result would be considrred normal in the West (where the test would not have been performed anyhow, being unsuitable for general screening). In addition it it sounds like you also had an abdominal ultrasound, which found no mass in the liver, just some fatty liver which is common in people who are overweight. In actual liver cancer AFP values tend to be in the hundreds.

Secondly your blood sugar is not "high" it is borderline, in the range for pre-diabetes but that cannot be diagnosed from a single fasting blood sugar. Just the stress of having blood drawn can raise the blood sugar a bit. You need to get an Hb1Ac test which will show what your blood sugar has been like over the prior 3 months. This will show if you are actually pre-diabetic or not. If you are, treatment is lifestyle modifications (avoid/minimize orocessed carbs and get more exercise) and weight loss.

Third -- the eGFR is not a test but rather an estimation calculated based on age race, and serum creatnine. Considerable error is possible and it can particularly be off in people who are obese. If your serum creatnine was normal, I would pay no attention to the eGFR.

Lastly, the PSA. It is important to avoid all sexual activity before a PSA test and also refrain from riding a bicycle or motorcycle. If this was not done, you should repeat the test. If still elevated, then see a Urologist.

In short: get an Hb1Ac and repeat the PSA after ensuring no sexual activity for 48 hrs and no biking. If still elevated see a Urologist. (If your earlier PSAs were already done under these conditions, skip that and see Urologist now bringing both PSA results with you.

You can get these tests at a lab, do not need to go to a hospital. https://uwellness.tech/en/about-us-u-wellness-international/

Many thanks for the information, i live in both Ubon & Chiang Rai. Soon i will be heading back to CR can you advise whare to go in CR ?. Do you know of a Urologist in CR, or i can also head to Chiang Mai

Yes a had a Ultrasound check

If i am correct i need to get a Hb1Ac test and i will repeat the PSA to compare on the two readings i already have. Are these reading all shown by a blood test

I just checked both reports and found the following and they have HbA1C

1st check HbA1C = 5.8

2nd check HbA1C = 5.6

January 25

Sheryl would be interested in your opinion

On early Nov 2023 i went for a medical checkup at a private hospital - first check in Ubon, my age is 68, on the report it stated detected.

Mild Fatty Liver

Moderate Enlarged Prostate

Impair Kidney Function eGFR(CKD-EPD) 66.42

Suspected BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)

PSA was stated as 7.82

The doctor asked if i had a problem to urinate, and i informed her there was no issues. She asked me to take tablet Tamsulosin Uroflow 0.4mg and return back on January for a follow up. I then decided i would cancel the follow up and get a 2nd check up at another hospital

This week i went to another private hospital - 2nd check also in Ubon and this was detected

High Blood Sugar - 102

Found high levels of Liver Cancer

Found high levels of Prostate Cancer

PSA was stated as 12.7

Alpha Fetoprotein 7.1

He told me to come back in April and on the appointment slip is says - Blood Test AFP/PSA

I have both reports so if there is any other info you need let me know

January 21

2 hours ago, jayceenik said:

I would like to open a EURO FCD in Thailand.

I'm a locally married Belgian and a long-time 800k-one-year-extension resident. No WP.

I have a EURO Savings account in SIN but I'd like to move it to Thailand for ease of inheritance for my Thai wife.

I have two questions for AN members:

# 1 Has anybody here been able to open an FCD with only a 800k-extension and no WP?

# 2 In case I can do it are UOB and Bangkok Bank good for expat FCD?

I live in NE Isaan and asking bank branches in Ubon is fruitless as already Krung Thai has told me "No FCD for farangs".

There are two old (2017 and 2019) AN threads on this subject but there are archived and I didn't find if a WP was needed or not.

You are receiving incorrect info, I opened a FCD with BB in Ubon, the bank had me sign all the papers in Ubon and then it was sent to Bangkok, after complete i was given the book at the Ubon branch.

January 16

12 minutes ago, Happy happy said:

Quote deleted by Moderation

This info was verbal, it may be this year the head office will send a new requirement to follow. So as of now there is no official document with any changes for 2024 returns as far as i am aware. Its a now waiting game

January 16

Today i went to the Tax office in Ubon, to get my tax refund that was deducted from my FD savings last year. The lady told my wife my pension and savings being sent from the UK is not to be taxed. She said if i am a pensioner and have no employment i do not fill out any tax documents.

When my wife said there are some supposed new rules starting from Jan 24, the lady smiled and said Thailand has many new rules but none of them are followed. She has worked there for 40 years.

January 15

29 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

OK. I assume an FA is the same as an FD.

Yes its the same, sorry about that.

January 15

19 minutes ago, couchpotato said:

The bank is wrong or you didn't hear them correctly. As others have also stated at Bangkok Bank it is an automatic renewal on the next line in the same book if you keep the same deposit time--ie: 12 mths and renew to 12 mths. If you change the length of the the deposit (eg: was 12mth and change to 6 mths), then yes you will get a new book and the old book is cancelled.

You are correct i have changed the time period, the only part to be carried forward is the total amount of funds.

January 15

2 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

How have you done it in the past?

On previous renewal i have never had a FA mature and start a new one so close to my renewal date. The IO require the funds to be seasoned prior to renewal so my concern was the new FA starts from 27 Feb and extention renewal will be 15 March. My concern was the IO might state the funds have only been from 27 Feb and reject my application. Thus the reason for the bank to explain that this is a continuation

January 15

1 minute ago, Lite Beer said:

Why will there be 2 books?

Usually they roll it over in the same book.

I always make a deposit on my Fixed account on the day of application and get the book updated.

I am following the information i received from Bangkok Bank today, it may be other banks are different. Many times i have renewed my TD with BB and they have punched 2 holes in the old book and started again from new

January 15

10 minutes ago, ABCDBKK said:

Assuming you will get a second bank book then, yes, present them both. Also present a 12 month bank statement for the old bank book and a 1 month statement for the new bank book.

I'm not sure what they will require in the letter, but surely immigration has seen a case like yours before and will understand it when you show the two books and the two corresponding bank statements.

Presumably the bank letter only is going to indicate your balance in the new bank book on the date of the letter and not indicate any reference to the old bank book.

There will be 2 books for sure. In the letter the bank told me they will reference two books, and that the old book was carried forward to the new book. Please note there is no bank statements given for a FD, only copy of the books plus the bank letter. Obviously they need to view the origanal TD books also.

January 15

1 minute ago, ABCDBKK said:

As proof that the funds have been in the account for the year they often ask for a 12 month bank statement printed by the bank on the same day as the bank letter. This shows any outgoings and incomings of funds to the account that might not be reflected in any of the bank book entries.

For a Bangkok Bank FD account you are unable to add or remove any funds, if you wish to remove the funds the agreement is cancelled and any interest is lost.

January 15

18 minutes ago, ABCDBKK said:

You can extend your visa 30 days prior to expiry. Therefore you can do the extension on Feb 22, which is 5 days before your Fixed Deposit matures on Feb 27th. Then the issue is moot.

Regardless, when you renew a fixed deposit, you normally don't get a new bank book. You continue using the same bank book and most likely they make an entry into the existing bank book when you renew it.

I will not return to my home until 15 March and renew on 16 March

With Bangkok Bank if your interest rate changes, they will provide a new book

January 15

1 hour ago, Isan Farang said:

FYI i went to Bangkok Bank today to renew my Baht Time Deposit, in order to renew they now have a form you must complete and sign regarding your tax status in Thailand.

The lady told me this form started on 01/01/2024

January 15

My RV is due to expire on 21 March 24, i will use my Fixed Deposit book for proof of funds. The fixed deposit will mature on 27 Feb 24 and will then be renewed again 27 Feb 24 for a further term with no funds ever being removed.

Would the bank letter for proof of funds need to state this, and i would have to provide the IO with the two books along with the letter

January 15

FYI i went to Bangkok Bank today to renew my Baht Time Deoposit, in order to renew they now have a form you must complete and sign regarding your tax status in Thailand.

The lady told me this form started on 01/01/2024

January 14

11 minutes ago, john donson said:

I saw an ad of a Thai bank and they offer approx. 5% in interest if you hold an FCD account with them for US dollars.

I keep on reading doom and gloom that the dollar might be hit as soon as the Brics countries could agree in a currency to buy Oil in their chosen currency and not the USD anymore...

USA goes to war to keep their USD dominancy in the world economy, but could it plummet ?

Thai banks in general give a pittance and sadly my home country is as bad as Thai banks...

Would you trust putting your money, converting baht to USD in a Thai bank to get 5% gross ?

Can you post the link to the bank

January 11

Just now, Isan Farang said:

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Myths about Thai expats and those income tax changes starting very soon