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How does Thai tax residency apply to remote workers on a DTV visa?
DTV visaThai tax residencyvisa regulationsremote worktax treatiesUK Thailand tax agreementimmigration concernstax compliance
Nov 28, 2025
5 months ago
Tony **********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi - DTV and TAX
I have had a look and couldn't find anything specific on this.. Re DTV - I have a DTV now, but will generally zip back every 5 months to avoid doing the 180 day renewal and need to for medical checkups. (I do the 90 when needed..)
So, if I'm here 5 months, home two months, back 5 months.... then home to UK... so how does this tax issue work.
The premise of DTV was that we are remote working, which I do, for my UK company and another UK company... part of the reason I go back is also to go into the London office. The DTV, I thought, was all about DTV people not hitting Thai tax and being a burden on their tax office.
yet, I am a bit confused as to how I might be caught into paying any Thai tax...
How would they figure it out? We're not allowed Thai bank accounts, no QR apps, everything I pay is via my UK debit card or cash that I bring out with me. I pay the rent via direct bank transfer from UK.
any thoughts?
I have had a look and couldn't find anything specific on this.. Re DTV - I have a DTV now, but will generally zip back every 5 months to avoid doing the 180 day renewal and need to for medical checkups. (I do the 90 when needed..)
So, if I'm here 5 months, home two months, back 5 months.... then home to UK... so how does this tax issue work.
The premise of DTV was that we are remote working, which I do, for my UK company and another UK company... part of the reason I go back is also to go into the London office. The DTV, I thought, was all about DTV people not hitting Thai tax and being a burden on their tax office.
yet, I am a bit confused as to how I might be caught into paying any Thai tax...
How would they figure it out? We're not allowed Thai bank accounts, no QR apps, everything I pay is via my UK debit card or cash that I bring out with me. I pay the rent via direct bank transfer from UK.
any thoughts?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The poster is seeking clarification on the Thai tax implications of holding a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) while working remotely for UK companies, particularly regarding travel patterns that avoid staying in Thailand for over 180 days. Comments suggest that staying in Thailand for more than 180 days within a calendar year establishes tax residency, subjecting one to Thai tax laws on any remitted income. It is recommended to consult with a tax professional or utilize tax treaties between the UK and Thailand to avoid double taxation.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Jair ******
I’m in the same boat; but I’m a US Citizen and I’m covered by a tax treaty between Thailand & the US. What that means is that while (like you) I’ll be a Thai tax resident if I spend over 180 days here, all that means is that I’m liable for filing a tax return in Thailand. The treaty means that’s I’m not subject to double taxation. It’s likely UK and Thailand have the same framework/treaty; consult a competent attorney/CPA in Thailand. I doubt you’ll get much useful info on this newsgroup (albeit people try to help).
Graham ******
What medical checks?
Westin ********
Today i was stoped at immigrations during my arrival at BKK Don Mueang airport. They told me this is the last 2 months allowed in Thailand. After this i need to go back to Malaysia Thai Embassy to apply for DTV visa. Any suggestions guys? Please help me out for advise thank you.
Graham ******
@Westin *******
yes, do as you were told ;)Westin ********
@Graham *****
where can i apply for DTV visa here in BKK??? Any recommendations?Graham ******
@Westin *******
you can't, you must be outside Thailand to do it legallyWestin ********
Ok noted thank you bro. ❤️
Reply to
Westin ********
Reply
Pete *******
180 days inside the Kingdom in a calendar year makes you automatically a Thai tax resident. If you remit assessable income you are legally required to obtain a TIN, bringing assessable income into Thailand above minimum thresholds requires you to file a Thai tax return. You can bring up to £
*****
, as a basic rate taxpayer, before attracting a Thai tax payment provided you make use of the DTA tax credits by filing your tax return.John **********
Ah got it. The tax credit comes at the end after calculating Thai tax not at the beginning. Thanks
John **********
@Pete ******
where on earth did you get that figure from? It makes absolutely no sense. If in a year you are thai tax resident you bring in 120k baht or more assessable income you have to file a Thai tax return. Whether or not you actually have to pay tax or not will depend on what thai tax allowances you can claim, including any credit you can claim for tax already paid on that income if it's taxed in a country with a dual tax agreementTony **********
ORIGINAL POSTERgosh, I'm lost - would I be able to DM one of you guys some basic figures and have a once over to say - yep, probably going to have to pay something, or not. And whether worth finding someone to help me?
I've got spreadsheets galore as Im just about to get my personal pension through but its pretty simple
- Income: UK Personal pension
- income from UK rental
- income from some casual work, not a lot
I live or did live on a canal boat, so cheap as chips. 1275L
Then outgoings over here are literally in THB
- 23k rental
- leccy
- water
- Broadband
- Mobile
- food and beer money
That's about it - plan was a frugal life over here and better lifestyle.. no plus one or kids, single pringle.
Also makes me think: I'm here on a DTV remote working, so technically I should put the apartment through my business in the UK. I'm "remote" working, as per my DTV application on behalf of the business, so could simply pay the rent direct to Landlord via my business account... therefore removing 276,000thb from my personal tax figures?
Just makes me think that after supplying all my business data, job role, business bank A/C so justify the remote working DTV, that its a business expense, not mine, hence comes of a different balance sheet
I've got spreadsheets galore as Im just about to get my personal pension through but its pretty simple
- Income: UK Personal pension
- income from UK rental
- income from some casual work, not a lot
I live or did live on a canal boat, so cheap as chips. 1275L
Then outgoings over here are literally in THB
- 23k rental
- leccy
- water
- Broadband
- Mobile
- food and beer money
That's about it - plan was a frugal life over here and better lifestyle.. no plus one or kids, single pringle.
Also makes me think: I'm here on a DTV remote working, so technically I should put the apartment through my business in the UK. I'm "remote" working, as per my DTV application on behalf of the business, so could simply pay the rent direct to Landlord via my business account... therefore removing 276,000thb from my personal tax figures?
Just makes me think that after supplying all my business data, job role, business bank A/C so justify the remote working DTV, that its a business expense, not mine, hence comes of a different balance sheet
Pete *******
@Tony *********
try asking your questions in the group “Thailand tax rules for expats”Tony **********
ORIGINAL POSTERsorry, meant - just applied to the group :)
Reply to
Tony **********
Reply
Pete *******
@John *********
using only the minimum Thai allowances of a single rate taxpayer of 60k, add on an income deduction of 100k for income from employment then add the first 150k zero rate gives you a net total of 310k before any Thai tax is due (approx £7200). Every penny over will start to attract a Thai tax bill. However by utilizing the UK DTA tax credit you can further reduce your Thai taxation. A basic rate UK tax payer (1275L) will have tax withheld at 20%. So you cancel out the Thai tax bands of 5%,10%,15% and 20% by claiming on your tax return the UK tax credit. You then get to the figure of approx £39k where all of your 20% tax credit is exhausted and you start dipping into the Thai 25% tax rate. This is just the minimum figures if you’re married or over 65 the figure will change. However you must register for a TIN and file a tax return to be able to claim your UK tax credit and it also assumes that all the remitted foreign sourced income has been taxed in the UK at the basic rate e.g. company or private pension payments.John **********
@Pete ******
a bit misleading though. Take the example of a UK pensioner whose only income is the state pension. Their income is below the level at which they pay tax in the UK so £12,000 or 500,000 baht. No tax credit to offset thai tax. So 60k personal allowance, 190k age allowance and 150k zero rated gives 400k. Tax due at 5% on 100k baht assuming nothing else to claim for. Oh and on a uk income of £39k you are going to pay around 13.5% tax not 20%Pete *******
@John *********
apples and oranges, different scenarios different results. I did mix the single and married rates though:Single taxpayer payer £32,287
Married taxpayer £39,364
Basic UK rate taxpayer claiming the UK tax credit on their Thai tax return. Remitting more than the above amounts starts to actually raise a Thai tax bill.
John **********
@Pete ******
you don't address your misuse of 20% though for a basic rate UK taxpayer, basically you are ignoring the personal allowance which of course isn't taxed so doesn't provide any tax creditPete *******
@John *********
it is certainly addressed. £32,287 income on a 1257L tax code provides £19,717 taxable income at 20% generating a UK tax payment of £3,943 resulting in a Thai tax credit of 167,160 baht at a FX rate of 42.39.John **********
@Pete ******
but you said that up to £39k could be taken in free of tax originally. Let's stick with that rather than moving the goalposts. £39,000 minus £12,570 gives £26,430. 20% of that is £5,286. Using your FX rate gives 224,073 baht. So 60k+100k+224k = 684,073 baht free of thai tax. But £39,000 is 1,653,210 baht so net is 969,137 baht. 1st 150k is exempt, the next 150k is taxed at 5%, the next 200k at 10%, the next 250k at 15% and the remainder at 20% so 7,500+20,000+37,500+43,827.40 = 108,827.40 thai tax due. What am I missing?Raymond *********
I think you are looking at this problem the wrong way( unless I missread). First you have to read the dual areement (UK/Thailand) agreement on double taxation. It will tell you which revenues are not taxable in thailand, whatever the amount is. I am canadian, in my case any revenues deriving from pension (gouvernement or private or anything related to) can only be taxed in the country it originates from (Canada). Other revenues are only taxed in Thaïland if Thaïland has à higher taxe %. Good reading
Pete *******
@John *********
the calculation is as follows for a married taxpayer:Uk Income £39,364
1257L basic rate tax 20%
Taxable Income: £26,794
Uk Tax: £5359
FX: 42.39
Thai Tax Credit 227,160 baht
Remitted: 1,668,640 baht
Allowance/Deductions
Taxpayer 60k
Spouse 60k
Income 100k
Nett Taxable: 1,448,640
1 million applied to tax rates 0-20% =115k tax
448,640 at 25% =112,160k
Total tax liability 227,160
Apply UK tax credit: 227,160
Nett Thai tax liability = zero
Reply to
Pete *******
Reply
Colin **********
If you in Thailand over 180 days your a tax resident. Any money remitted in to Thailand including by cards is subject to tax
Colin **********
There is a tax treaty between UK and Thailand, but I know nothing about it. A quick AI App search did not role out him being liable for tax, if he leaves before the 183 say 175 he should fine. Only a tax advisor could confirm if hes concerned. If he came in so hes been here 180 days he should be fine as well
Sue **********
@Colin *********
But if he works and get paid in the UK he pays tax in the UK, so no Tax in TH. by the way the Revenue Department said its 183 days. The DTV expires after exactly 180 daysGraham ******
@Colin *********
only assessible money, not allReply to
Graham ******
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