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TravelerEastWest

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Posts posted by TravelerEastWest

  1. 9 hours ago, BigStar said:

     

    And as I noted, if it works for you, good. Others, such as the patients treated by the docs of Low Carb Down Under, don't follow your recommendations but also enjoy great success. Your guru, Dr. Roy Taylor, is pretty much diet-agnostic.  My dad had severe diabetes for at least 40 years, so I'm quite familiar with the disease.

     

    And it should tell you to substitute high nutritional foods, including veggie carbs, for the low nutritional foods you think you need for "balance":

     

    But it doesn't. :)

     

    No, and no.

    I appreciate your point of view but we will have to agree to disagree - the science that i have seen tells a different story - but as I mentioned I will not try to change your mind only present an alternative point of view - as you have done thank you! Also if you have not had diabetes personally and tested your theory on yourself I would suggest that they may or may not work for you. I am there with diabetes daily - I have strong options based on what really works for me now and hopefully in the future...

     

    Professor Roy Taylor not only is not interested in a whole food plant based diet he is also not very concerned with exercise for practical reasons not theoretical reasons. Meaning exercise simply won't do a good enough job at first and the focus should be on diet that causes fat loss fast. Not sure if I would call him a Guru taht may be a term taht you use? I would call him a top researcher in the field who is helping many people.

     

    As for the low carb folks taht you mention seems like they are happy with good short term results - so great! But there is not much in the way of long term studies of a good size on the Keto diet that I have heard of - have you read some?

     

    As for good quality food taht is balanced I have an organic farm and eat fresh vegetables and beans every day moderate amounts of fresh fruit and grains and I take allow dose multi vitamin to be sure to get my B-12. No bread or pasta or candy etc Does that not sound good to you?

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  2. 1 hour ago, BigStar said:

     

     

     

    Has fat, but the fat in junk food doesn't specifically cause the problem. You're all confused.

     

     

    High triglycerides are a symptom of metabolic disorder. It can have multiple causes. Insulin resistance and its effects are at the heart of most metabolic disorders. Carbs are the worst for encouraging insulin to store its calories as fat, including--in the liver and pancreas. 

     

     

    If that slippery principle works for you, as verified by healthy numbers from a lab. "Balanced" is fundamentally determined by the interests of the food industry, which has deemed that useless (high glycemic, low nutrition) carbs must be part of the definition. "Whole" foods needn't be plant-based. And people have very different definitions of moderation. “A Little Bite Won’t Hurt”: The Failure of Moderation. Finally, the body responds quite differently to different sources of calories, so in that sense calories aren't all "equal."

     

    Perhaps there are other ways to do well.

     

     

    Looks like we will have to agree to disagree on some points. I have had diabetes for 30 years and  whole food plant based diet has worked wonders for me (yes lab numbers have improved)- along with exercise also very good and stress reduction

     

    Balanced is determined by good science and common sense for me not the food industry.

     

    Whole foods need to be plant based for the best results eating meat raises all causes of mortality so those who eat lots of meat can lower their weight and have great short term results.

     

    I understand some omnivores disagree - and I won't try to change them. I wish them well...

  3. 4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

     

    For many of us expats we have a very good life here, I was referring to the quality of life of the average Thai person, which is very difficult right now, they're not living on a pension, they're trying to make ends meet. 

     

    As far as immigration goes, I have to assume that you're not here on a marriage visa, because if you were you would know how ridiculously difficult the whole process is, and how many hurdles they put in your way. I abandoned the marriage visa and went with a retirement visa, because I just don't need the grief. 

     

    Point number six was about the previous administration sabotaging tourism, and deliberately trying to destroy the nightlife. That was not an accident nor was that about covid, that was diabolical and intentional. 

     

    Point number 8 was about a bunch of goons who consider themselves to be holier than thou, trying to clean up the country. There's no question that they're trying to get rid of "the industry", and there's no question that they're trying to get rid of nightlife, clean the place up and make it into a family destination. However, in the process they are sanitizing the place and they're getting rid of some of the flavor that we love so much. 

    You are correct some Thai people are struggling to make ends meet but this is the same in many places including the US.

     

    I have been here on a marriage visa until this month when I switched to a LTR 10 year visa. I had no problems with a marriage visa ever very easy. The first year I did it myself - after that I paid a small fee to a service that did my paperwork and got me an appointment.

     

     I love your Home Pro story! Sometimes I win like you did other times I lose... Recently we lost 3,000 baht with a discount airline  but its not worth it to pursue it further...

  4. 1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

    Anyone who is wealthy or even affluent, would have little interest in retiring here. So, it is mostly about affordability. And I agree with that. It is reasonable here. Most of us live well, on a relatively modest income or pension. I plan to stay. But, a good part of this decision is financial, and ties to my Thai wife and family. If I were wealthy, my time here might be limited to a few months per year. 




    1. Overall, a declining quality of life.

    2. An oppressive government that was not sincere about letting go of power. Ever.

    3. High prices on most import goods and wine. Crappy selection of beer.

    4. Rampant xenophobic on the part of the government goons and immigration.

    5. A nation in reverse. No hope for a better future here.

    6. Extreme timidity and destruction of the economy, many lives and businesses. Please, don't blame Covid. That was only one element.

    7. Little in the way of good education available for kids.

    8. The sanitization of Thai society, the elimination of anything that resembles character, and the tired, insincere, increasingly fake purity campaigns.

    9. The continued environmental destruction and worsening air quality, coupled with no intent of effort to fix anything.

    10. The worsening dependence on China. Will Thailand eventually be a communist colony?

     

    11. The dinosaur creeps are moving this nation backwards at a breakneck pace. Truly regressive reptilian leadership.

    Interesting how people see life differently I see Thailand as improving and a great place to live. Just for fun another perspective on your comments:

     

    I live in the countryside and recently got 3BB fiber internet better than an old friend has easily available and he lives in the SF Bay area in a wealthy county.

     

    Most governments worldwide have challenges just look at Trump...

     

    Yes, imported goods are high priced agreed but I don't eat most imported freshly cooked food I love Thai food - one of the reasons I love Thailand. Thailand is known for some of the best food in the world.

     

    I have never once had a problem with the Thai government or immigration in 20 years but I am polite and wear a tie.

     

    Lots of hope for a better future look at the new political parties.

     

    No idea what your point 6 means but sounds like your personal view about something that upsets you.

     

    Good education is not free in Thailand but there are good international schools. Keep in mind US schools are mostly locally funded as I remember from property taxes. Great public schools in affluent areas and good private schools. Public schools in poor areas are not so good...

     

    Lots of pollution problems worldwide nothing special about Thailand and they are trying to do better. Thailand is sometimes ahead of the curve example they outlawed public smoking before the US.

     

    China does not influence everyday life and Thailand is historically very clever about international affairs let's see what happens.

     

    Have no idea what you mean by dinosaurs If you mean rich old men who control a lot we have those in the us also maybe more?

     

    In summary, there are some challenges living in Thailand - we are not in Kansas anymore - but it is an amazing wonderful country and I wouldn't live here if I didn't love it.

     

    Point 8 no idea what you are saying...

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  5. 2 hours ago, jacob29 said:

    Based on the current Royal decree 743 this is true, but there seems uncertainty around whether this might change next year. The decree explicitly cites revenue codes that will either change, or no longer exist - it may need to be amended on the basis that the sections of revenue code it cites no longer exist.

     

    The LTR visa cites the tax exemption as bringing income one year after it was earned, to be exempt. Which always seemed a bit odd, as it is the same perk anyone else has, it's not unique to the LTR visa. Which is what makes me suspect the LTR visa conditions (for newly issued ones at least) will be changed.

    I am comfortable that the tax advantage is also for current year income based on a conversation at the BOI office with a manager. She was 100% certain. But as an added level of safety I will use money that is one year plus old...

     

    What happens in the future no-one can say for sure...

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  6. 9 minutes ago, Mike Teavee said:

    If you're bringing in up to 20 Million to give to the wife to buy land then just transfer it directly to her from your overseas account & declare it as a "Gift"... No Tax to pay. 

     

    Even if you weren't married & wanted to give 20 Million to your partner to buy land in their name it might be worth sending it as a "Gift" as the Tax will be a flat rate 5% instead of the sliding scale up to 35%. 

     

    If it's up to 10Million you might even get away with no tax to pay if you can show it was for a "Special Occasion" (I wonder if Birthdays count).

     

    https://www.expat.hsbc.com/expat-explorer/expat-guides/thailand/tax-in-thailand/#:~:text=Inheritance and gift taxes&text=However%2C gifts received from a,year) are exempt from tax.

     

    In general, gifts are taxed at a flat rate of 5%. However, gifts received from a legitimate parent, child or spouse (up to THB 20 million per year) or in a ceremony or on occasions in accordance with custom and tradition (up to THB 10 million per year) are exempt from tax.

     

     

    Gifting is a possibility, I wonder if you gifted money for a house that also is in your wife's name and you divorced in the future would you have any rights to the house? I don't know but it seems like probably not...

     

    Also if lots of people start doing this to get around the law - the Thai government might start to presume your intent was tax fraud. Quite possible - something to think about.

     

    Governments assuming intent - that you have to prove otherwise happens often the US included.

  7. 16 hours ago, jas007 said:


    You should take a look at some of the functional medicine and diabetes doctors on YouTube. Look into how sugar, glucose, and carbohydrates are metabolized. What you’ll find is that a “fatty” diet isn’t the problem at all.  The problem is sugar, highly refined grains, carbohydrates , and processed food. They have everyone brainwashed , though, into thinking animal fat and meats are the problem.  The FDA even has a “food pyramid” that I’m sure most people in America have seen.  Everyone is supposed to eat lots of carbs, but eat meat and dairy products sparingly. Nothing could be further from the truth.  They have it backwards, and many doctors are now realizing that fact. 
     

    So people did what they were told, ate lots of carbs and sugary foods, and America is now a country filled with obese people.

     

     

     

     

     


     

     

    You are certainly making a good point about bad foods.

     

    The latest medical research see Dr Roy Taylor in the UK clearly shows it is fat that causes the main problem of insulin resistance which then becomes diabetes.

     

    Sugar junk food etc make the problem worse. and lots of junk food has fat which causes the problem.

     

    Really high amounts of carbs can turn into triglycerides which also create a problem.

     

    Eat a balanced whole plant-based diet with moderate levels of calories and you will be doing well.

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  8. 2 hours ago, OzzBlizz said:

    Which company is 50,000 for 10 years? 

     

    No company is involved with the LTR Wealthy Pension visa.

     

    You can easily do the paperwork yourself and the BOI staff helps you (not the same people as immigration).

     

    50,000 baht is the fee to the Thai government for the ten-year visa. You can apply online

    https://www.thaievisa.go.th/ltr-visa

     

    If you have a good income or wealth or a job with a large company these visas take away the tax problem being talked about.

     

    If you have a very low retirement income and or your country has a tax treaty with Thailand there is little to no tax issues

     

    Only some people in the middle need to be concerned. They can bring in large amounts before January 1st (if possible) 

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  9. 9 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

    And I reserve the right to react accordingly and change my living arrangements to suit, which will cost them the tax I would have paid here and also the daily living and travel expenditure I would have spent. This will not be a negative from my perspective.

     

    You don't have to reserve your rights You're a free man you can leave Thailand for good reasons or no reason at all...

     

    The government has decided that overall it is to their benefit to create new laws. So I think the official position is to wish you well but you are a guest in this country and unless you have the right to vote you have no say in Thai laws.

     

    As a side note, Thailand has the BOI and they try actively to recruit foreign investment and certain individuals.

     

    The new LTR 10-year visas are very useful and easy to get if you meet the requirements. With one the current tax situation is a moot point. Except for the worker version which has a max 17% Thai tax

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  10. 5 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

    "... If the rules of the game now change and Thailand decides my worldwide earnings are theirs to tax, that breaks the deal we made and I shall make different arrangements...."

     

    I understand your feelings and have been in Thailand for close to 20 years but you never had a deal with Thailand.

     

    Every country has laws and all countries reserve the right to change them as they feel it is best.

     

    So the 'deal" you had with Thailand was that you liked the old situation - which was liable to change at any time...

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  11. 51 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

    The cynic in me suspects that your request will go unanswered.

    Because 1): no one knows, including very probably the tax authorities whose minds it has likely it has never crossed.

    2): attempting to answer such a question would perhaps reveal that the answerer lives off a simple pension (eugh!), and is therefore not anything like as rich as those making the most noise!

    3): the amounts are so small that no self respecting "agent" or "tax consultant" will be interested in them.

     

    I also wonder, if you are a pensioner assessed as tax resident, and paying income tax on your pension ( relatively easy to assess I suppose as my pension is paid into my Thai bank account), will you then be eligible, for example, for the benefits enjoyed by Thai tax payers - particularly in the field of healthcare?

    If your country has a tax treaty with Thailand you will probably be fine.

     

    If your country has no tax treaty with Thailand depending on your pension size and family situation etc you will pay perhaps nothing and maybe a small amount.

     

    Laws change so stay up to date...

  12. 8 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

    Have you noticed how John McDougall and family are all slim? no toxin buildup that all those low carb keto types get eventually not to mention the high cortisol

    In general, McDougall gives good advice based on years of experience.

     

    I am not sure if he advises moderation which is important when you are quite sick with diabetes...

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  13. 1 hour ago, bbi1 said:

    If you want to reverse diabetes & other preventable diseases you should cut out all added sugars, carbs, alcohol, fast & junk foods, processed foods, processed meats.

     

    Watch the following Drs on Youtube who don't follow the herd of other Drs out there & big pharma, but actually did their own research.

     

    Dr. Pradip Jamnadas (Indian Cardiologist based in the US)

    https://www.youtube.com/@pradipjamnadasmd and also https://www.youtube.com/@thegalenfoundation/videos

     

    Dr. Sten Ekberg

    https://www.youtube.com/@drekberg/videos

     

    Dr. Jason Fung

    https://www.youtube.com/@drjasonfung/videos

     

    Dr. Robert H. Lustig

    https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dr.+Robert+H.+Lustig

    A good post except that carbs that are whole food plant-based are fine in reasonable amounts. Type 1 normally can't be reversed. and Type 2 that a person has had for many years normally can't be reversed.

     

    Jamnadas and Lustig are interesting. Jamnadas is very interesting.

     

    Ekberg is not a real doctor and has lots of inaccurate advice but he seems like a very nice person.

     

    Fung has some good things to say but is very arrogant and is not always correct.

     

     

    Dr Roy Taylor is currently the top Diabetes researcher in the world:

     

    https://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/reversal/#publicinformation

  14. 22 minutes ago, jas007 said:

    Well, everyone is different, I guess, so whatever works for you.

     

    I’m not sure where everyone is from, but in America right now, there’s a terrible obesity problem.  A large percentage of young adults wouldn’t even qualify to enlist in the military. They’re too obese. As for the population at large,, the numbers are even worse.  They’re mostly obese or morbidly obese, diabetic or pre diabetic. Blame the typical American diet. And the drug companies, doctors and hospitals are making $$$$  treating these people.  And yet there is very little focus on the root cause of the problem.  Most of the medical establishment would just as soon prescribe insulin or pills.  They tell their patients to eat less and exercise more.  
     

    Anyway, good information is out there, for anyone needing help. 

    You are correct 100%.

     

    A good diet and exercise and getting enough sleep/keeping stress down will be the best things that you can do...!

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  15. 4 minutes ago, Pib said:

    Congrats on getting an LTR visa inked into your passport.  I know it's a good feeling

     

    I got my LTR pensioner visa in late Dec 2022/last year.  For this year/2023 it was truly a good feeling in not needing to reapply for an "annual"  Non-O type visa like I had been doing for 15 years.  And no 90 day address reporting was nice...I will do my annual address report in-person since Chamchuri Sq immigration is not too far from my home.  

     

    And the LTR tax benefits is turning out to be a real bonus based on the latest Revenue Dept policy change regarding foriegn income.

     

     

    I agree with you -you must have been one of the first to get the visa - good work.

     

    Why don't you do the annual report online?

  16. 33 minutes ago, rocketboy2 said:

     

    But most likely better than a Thai tax advisor or accountant,

    ( 10,000 new ones last week, they all handed there notice in at MC Donald's / KFC ect. )

    Good luck, with the real professionals in Thailand.

    I will not be needing there services.

     

    There are real world-class tax CPAs in Thailand (mostly in Bangkok in large international firms) but they are expensive and will give expert advice light years better than what a nonprofessional will give you. Certainly better than what you will get on the internet in most cases.

  17. On 11/9/2023 at 9:45 AM, tomkenet said:

    Can it now be concluded that LTR visa holders are tax exempt for foreign capital income like interests, capital gains and dividends remitted to Thailand the same year they are earned?

     

    What happens next year is of course another question.

    On Friday I got my visa and a BOI  manager told me all was well and not to worry. So anything can change but LTR visa holders should be exempt from the new tax rules.

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