How can one obtain a TIN and declare income while on a DTV in Thailand?

Yes — it doesn’t matter that the card is European.

If you withdraw cash in Thailand using a European bank card, it is still considered bringing (remitting) money into Thailand.

So:

Thai tax resident (180+ days) → potentially taxable if the money is foreign-sourced income

Non-resident → not taxable

Not income (old savings, capital, already-taxed funds) → not taxable

The key point is what the money is, not which card or country it comes from.

A credit card is a payment tool, not debt by default.

Debt only happens if you don’t pay back what you spend.

Think of it like this:

Credit card = short-term payment buffer (usually 30–55 days)

Debt = money you don’t repay when it’s due and that starts accruing interest

If you pay the full balance on time, you are not in debt at all.

How you’re using it correctly

You’re doing what financially responsible people do:

You use the card for rent and basic expenses

You reimburse it immediately or within the billing period

You never carry a balance

You never pay interest

In that situation:

The card is acting like a temporary wallet

Not a loan

Not long-term borrowing

So saying “I’m in debt” would be incorrect.

Why it can be more worth it than other payment methods

1. Better exchange rates

Many banks offer:

Near-interbank exchange rates

Lower FX margins than cash exchanges or local transfers

If paying in Thailand:

High taxes or conversion losses via other methods

Worse rates than your bank’s credit card

So even after fees, you lose less money overall.

That’s not debt — that’s cost optimization.

2. Built-in protections and benefits

Your credit card gives you:

Health coverage / insurance

Fraud protection

Dispute rights

Purchase protection

If you paid cash or debit:

No insurance

No buffer if something goes wrong

Harder to recover money

You’re not borrowing — you’re leveraging benefits.

3. Cash flow flexibility (without interest)

Because you pay it back right away:

No interest

No penalties

No long-term obligation

You’re simply:

Spending money you already have, just not at the exact same second

That’s smart cash flow management.

The key rule: how to use a credit card without debt

To never be in debt, you must follow three rules:

Only spend money you already have

Pay the full balance every month

Never let interest start

If all three are true:

You are not borrowing

You are not accumulating debt

You are using the card as a financial tool

Why people confuse credit cards with debt

Because many people:

Spend money they don’t have

Pay only the minimum

Let interest accumulate

That’s not a credit card problem — that’s misuse.

A credit card is like fire:

Controlled → useful

Uncontrolled → destructive

But yes it's you're ass broke ... then yes you're in dept...

@Patrycja *******

nope, using credit is creating debt. Whether you pay that debt off before creating additional costs is irrelevant. Spending a third parties funds is creating debt. Definition of debt “the state of owning money” regardless of whether you pay it back or not.

That definition is doing a lot of heavy lifting—and it’s wrong. Debt isn’t “using a third party’s funds,” it’s an outstanding obligation. If no balance is carried, no debt exists.

By your logic, every invoice, tab, or post-paid service is debt the moment it’s used—even if paid in full before it’s due. That’s not how accounting, law, or finance defines debt.

Credit is a payment mechanism. Debt only occurs when repayment is deferred past the grace period and interest or liability accrues. No balance, no interest, no liability → no debt.

Also, “the state of owning money” isn’t the definition of debt—owing money is. That distinction matters.

Using credit responsibly doesn’t create debt; failing to settle the obligation does.

@Andrew *******

Also 100% wrong on both counts

@Andrew *******

incorrect, getting a TIN has nothing to do with visa status. Two completely separate concepts.

@J *************

Not always true - I am on DTV and working for an Australian company as digital nomad, and paying Australian Tax. As I am out of Australia for more than 180 days per year I can claim what we call foreign tax residency, it does not mean I pay tax in a foreign country, it just means I pay Australian Tax differently. One of the big advantages is it reduces the tax rate dramatically on the interest of approximately 1.5 million of bank savings. To do this I must give the bank my Thai TIN and they deduct tax and pay to the Australian Tax office. I also avoid the medicare levy and MLS which are the taxes we pay for universal health care (about another 3.5% of earnings). I declare all my income in Thailand and pay no additional tax as the tax I pay in Australia is still already way more than the liability in Thailand. My TIN saves me thousands it does not mean I pay additional tax in Thailand.

@Mick ****

lol