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How can I prepare for moving to Thailand with my dog as a Canadian expat?

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Oct 28, 2023
a year ago
Christa ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, I have been lurking for a while, reading posts and getting a feel for the vibe. I’m a

66 year old Canadian woman planning on moving to Thailand (either Chiang Mai or Koh Lanta). Right now I live in BC, and have a lot of stuff to get rid of. I also have a Jack Russell who will be almost 10 when I make the move. I am looking to talk to a Canadian who has done this. Another woman around my age would be better, having a dog another plus! But I would be happy to talk with any Canadian who has done this. Very interested in the Canadian side of things, like how can I keep a Canadian bank account without an address etc. Please DM me if you feel like sharing. TIA

EDIT: I was in Thailand last spring for 2 months, mostly spending my time in Koh Lanta and Chiang Mai. My son lives in SE Asia and I want to be closer to him. I am looking for fellow Canadians who have made the move.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A 66-year-old Canadian woman is considering moving to Thailand with her dog and is seeking advice from fellow Canadians, particularly those who have made a similar move. She wants to know how to maintain a Canadian bank account while living abroad and navigate the challenges of relocating with a pet. Comments from the community provide insights on visa options, pet travel logistics, maintaining healthcare in Canada, and the importance of finding pet-friendly accommodation in Thailand.
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  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Graham *******
I believe the statement saying "that those people from countries which have a double tax agreement with Thailand will pay no tax in Thailand" to be incorrect. In my opinion, double tax means that you will receive tax credit for taxes paid outside of Thailand. So, if you are assed as having to pay usd200 in USA and usd300 in Thailand, In Thailand you would pay 300-200=100 dollars in Thailand.
a year ago
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Ken ******
@Graham ******
 yes thank you for your insight and interpreration
a year ago
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Graham *******
@Ken *****
 I am not an accountant or tax consultant, so do not act on my "opinion". BTW I think Thailand will commit financial suicide if they implement this new tax law.
a year ago
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Ken ******
@Graham ******
 thank you so much for your reminder. As with other policy like TM30 and 90 reporting which are not quite welcome for foreigners, they are going to implement anyway as it has been announced effective january 2024.This new tax policy has meaningful intention though, which is described as serving to alleviate the income inequality between the rich and the poor
a year ago
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Graham *******
@Ken *****
 BS! Why would a foreigner choose to retire in a country which will impose a tax bill higher than their own country! Same for a foreign investor! For example a UK retiree on a state pension will pay zero tax in UK but will pay approx. 10% in Thailand!
a year ago
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Craig *********
@Graham ******
 you guys don’t pay tax on your pensions? Come to “Tax Canada” where we are taxed and double taxed on everything…
a year ago
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Graham *******
@Craig ********
 I sent u 2 links, at the mo dificult to conclude what will happen
a year ago
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Graham *******
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Ken ******
and by integrity legal, a lawyer cum youtuber on visa, tax and other topics on thailand, quite update
a year ago
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Ken ******
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a year ago
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Ken ******
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a year ago
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Ken ******
a hot topic now , found some youtubers discussing
a year ago
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Ken ******
this is my thinking:

if the new tax law does not explicitly state that foreighners or expat retirees are excluded, then the new tax could cover or applicable to them. some people think that double tax treaty provides a good shield. maybe there is a point

most people do not

understand fully. For example,

one may not need to pay tax

in a foreign country as tax

allowance is much higher

than that of thailand. Then

what happens is that he may need

to pay tax in thailand

because the thai tax

allowance threshold is so

low. Also some tax items not

taxed overseas could be

taxed by thailand. So double

tax treaty may not help
a year ago
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Ken ******
if you are serious，you better do it asap, there has been talk or rumour in social media or internet about tightening visa application or raising the requirement. On the other hand: thailand will implement worldwide tax for long stayer starting JAN next year, impact on retirement demand to be assessed
a year ago
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Chris ******
@Ken *****
 Thailand has a double tax treaty with Canada.
a year ago
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Chris ******
Cannot.
a year ago
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Ken ******
@Chris *****
 pls see graham's interpretation below
a year ago
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Ken ******
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Christa ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris *****
 does that mean they can’t double tax or they can?
a year ago
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Christa ********
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Krista *******
I’m Canadian and have been here for almost 10 years. Feel free to dm me 😊
a year ago
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Christa ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Krista ******
 thank you, I will
a year ago
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Christa ********
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Helen ********
@Christa *******
 check out Canadians in Thailand | Canadiens en Thaïlande there is some info there... also the typical idiots but that's Facebook. We did this but without the dog. Feel free to pm me and I'll be happy to answer anything I can.
a year ago
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Christa ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Helen *******
 messaged you in the other group!
a year ago
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Christa ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Helen *******
 thank you, I will. Also, just joined the Canadian group, waiting to be accepted
a year ago
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Christa ********
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Kool *******
Every country Thailand does business with has a chapter of the chamber of commerce here, and it is a very good place to network to find your answers and concerns. For Canada it is this.

********************************
a year ago
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Allison *******
@Michele *****
 ,you might be able to help
a year ago
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Steve ********
As an Australian i know there is a group for Aussies in Thailand . There may also be similar for Canadians . Have a search for FB groups and you might find one specific to your needs , if you haven't already of course .
a year ago
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Suzanne ******
You will need to find a pet friendly accomodation thats the hardest part.
a year ago
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Rob ******
Probably be a one way trip for your pooch, thailand has rabies and most countries have strict policies on coming back home
a year ago
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Laurence **********
@Rob *****
 Not true. There have been a few changes in Canada regrading pets returning or new ones coming in. Done it both ways a few times. Must frustrating was bringing a dog back to Thailand that was from Thailand. JAL, Korean and China Airlines are all good. Air Canada would definitely be my last choice. Thailand is not quite the fantasy place some people like to create instead of accepting the reality. 20 plus years for me. Don't buy property, it's just not worth it. Rent! Yes I made that mistake sort of. Thailand is nowhere as good or as cheap as it used to be. I've found better places to live. Pollution is a big problem in Chiang Mai. Bank account...you just use a friends address and never tell them anything ever. BC Med.... You never left. Look out for yourself nobody else will and never advertise what you are doing. Good luck. Oh yeah having a dog is a bit of a pain here. Very different from Canada.
a year ago
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Suzanne ******
@Rob *****
 not true if she wants to return to canada she can...dog just needs to be vaccinated, same as going to thailand
a year ago
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Suzanne ******
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Jeffrey *******
I just read in another FB group about someone flying direct from Vancouver to Bangkok…but don’t remember the airline. Maybe try out Thailand before you make that move a permanent change. When flying to Thailand with a pet, you have some paperwork to work thru with that. I flew recently from the USA/Florida to BKK with two 7 kg dogs on Korean Air. Thailand is not pet friendly. Very few open green spaces for walking pets. Renting when you have pets is a big challenge. Good luck.
a year ago
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Suzanne ******
@Jeffrey ******
 air canada flys direct from vancouver
a year ago
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Ruth *******
@Suzanne *****
 really? That’s great to know!
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Suzanne *****
 only seasonally. Starts in November
a year ago
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Todd *********
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Greg *********
Use the address of a friend or family member to maintain a banking connection in Canada.

Note - Ontario has a 2 year residency exemption available for our provincial health care plan coverage (OHIP). Not sure about BC. That would negate the need for a 3 month wait to get back on provincial health care train if you decided to come back for any reason.

If you've never been to Thailand before you're most likely going to love it. If you have, then you already know.

Good luck!
a year ago
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Henrik *****
Have you been staying in Thailand for at least 2-3 month ? ( 60 days touristvisa + 30 day extension.

Else that would be the first step, to see if Thailand really is the dreamcountry, when it becomes everyday life.

Before selling out, try Thailand long time.
a year ago
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Christa ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
 just edited my post.
a year ago
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Christa ********
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