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How does Thailand enforce taxation on expats and remittances?

Oct 13, 2025
a day ago
Since TAX and DTV keep coming up and we keep seeing headlines that thai authorities want to get stricter with enforcing the tax

.....Are there any countries currently which successfully enforce tax on money brought into their country (and how do they do it?)?

....Will the thai tax authorities go straight to Thai banks (if you have one) and request they share information on how much money is being brought in?

....With people without a thai bank it seem almost impossible for them to enforce tax on remittance income

....I'm probably gonna go back to working in thailand because I don't suddenly want to be lumped with a 200,000 k baht tax bill etc...
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around the potential enforcement of taxation on money brought into Thailand by expats, particularly those on a DTV visa. Several commenters share their concerns and experiences regarding the tax implications related to remittances, the accessibility of bank accounts for DTV holders, and the source of income. Most agree that the Thai authorities are primarily focused on high-value transactions and are unlikely to tax smaller amounts. Additionally, participants emphasize the complexities of double taxation, particularly for those already taxed in their home countries.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Zarko *******
My confusion with this matter is - if I am already paying taxes on my income in my country (USA), then how can Thailand tax me on already taxed income? Does anyone know legalities of this?
Warren *********
@Zarko ******
it’s complicated but if your home country tax rate is lower than the Thai tax rate they might say you owe them the difference

There are accountants for this stuff
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Zarko ******
they can’t you are fine
Zarko *******
Thank you, that makes sense
Anonymous ******************
@Zarko ******
lol, of course they can. Read about double taxation agreements between countries
SoftLy******
I went to a lawyer once and asked about Taxation and i explained that im dtv holder and how i make my money which is completely outside of Thailand with offshore accounts, however before I finished my question he said I don’t understand why Farang wants to be taxed so bad , your Visa group is not a tax target even if you stay im Thailand you are not a tax Target, the tax target is someone who remits 20m Baht a year and up , he told me go home and don’t believe any nonsense you read in the internet and come see me when you bring big sum of Baht into a thai bank account 1-2 millions baht is not a tax target. So I said ok then I went to the local revenue Tax department and asked them for a TIN , the employee their asked me how much money do you remit to Thailand i said under one million using ATM with my Foreign debit cards the employee asked me do you work in Thailand I said im self employed earn my money outside of Thailand then asked me do you have a thai Bank account? I answered they won’t allow me to open one since im on DTV , then she said sorry we can’t issue a TIN for you. 🤷‍♀️
Dany ********
SoftLynx3365 100%
Ade ********
I think people are over thinking this. If’s and but’s. If you’re going to be working in Thailand yes. Pay tax. Holidays nope.
Jarek ************
Bank accounts are one thing and can be easily accessed by the government. Atm withdrawals and Credit Cards can also be tracked. Money exchanged is also tracked. Will they enforce the taxation, sooner or later? Yes, NWO wants to make people's life miserable everywhere.
Mark ********
What everybody overlooks or ignores is the source of the money remitted into Thailand and whether it's deemed as "assessable income" which is the only income which is taxable. For those with no bank accounts, do consider that credit card purchases and ATM withdrawals are deemed as "remittances" under Thai taxation. Also any cash brought into the country is also considered a "remittance"
Dany ********
@Mark *******
no one cares in reality. they wont even give you a TIN in most cases on your dtv 🤣
Mark ********
@Dany *******
Not just DTV. Most retirees also pay zero income tax in Thailand. I was merely pointing out what is a "remittance" as far as Thai taxation goes, and that only "assessable income" is liable for taxation
Ade ********
@Mark *******
even if leaving the country every 3 months. ?
Mark ********
@Ade *******
The "tax residency" is more than 180 days in the calendar year
Ade ********
On a DTV. You can’t open a Thai bank account so how are they going to take money off you. 🤷🏻‍♂️
Anonymous ******************
@Ade *******
One doesn't need an bank account to pay taxes. Every bank worldwide has a payment slip option.
Ade ********
@Karl ******
even if not working. ?
Luit *****************
@Ade *******
of course, they are interested in the money, not the work.
Anonymous ******************
@Ade *******
They could inform immigration to have your visa suspended pending payment of tax
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 644 I’ve only heard of one case of it happening on here so and that was denied entry but that was for non b visa and unpaid tax
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant DTV is fairly new. Taxation office will need to work out how to get those liable for tax to cough up, as they're not eligible for bank accounts. I was merely suggesting one way TRO could do this
Elías ********
@Karl ******
not in all cases, only if you remit money
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ade *******
many people had thai bank accounts before they got DTV including me
Christer *****
Anonymous participant And they are being closed down
Jirka ********
Anonymous ******************
Christer *****
Anonymous participant 988 😆
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Christer ****
true depends who you are with though yet - krunsgri and haven't seen anyone on here so far mention problems - Only bangkok bank and Kbank i think so far?
Dror *********
משתתפ/ת אנונימי/ת no problem in kbank
Ade ********
Thai are doing 0% tax on crypto. You won’t get taxed if not staying in country over 6 months. DTV visa. So no panic.
Dany ********
@Ade *******
many people stay more than 6 months in a calendar year
Ade ********
@Dany *******
no. Go over the border 🤷🏻‍♂️
Dany ********
@Ade *******
what do you mean? tax residency is determined by 180+ days in a calendar year. no matter how often you leave the country….. and plenty of people stay more than 180 days.
Ade ********
@Dany *******
are you going to be working in Thailand ?
Dany ********
@Ade *******
remote, as the dtv suggests ;)
Anonymous ******************
@Ade *******
But I, we want to stay longer with the DTV. Do we have always be on the run 6 months a year to evade Thai Tax laws?
Ade ********
Anonymous participant 968 look up rules on DTV. It explains it all
J **************
They are also going to build hi speed rail to rayong (not),

Monorail in Phuket and Pattaya (not) and train from China (delayed indefinitely)
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@J *************
True but those projects are always normally indefintely delayed due to massive corruption normally and extended EIA where politicans get to line their pockets - if there is a chance to get more money from foreigners - they will definitely try their best. I've seen the same building being built for at least 6 YEARS before COVID- and it was completed at least 3 years ago, but all the workers still work on it everyday when I go by - thats how bad corruption is here
Anonymous ******************
@J *************
Maybe but Thailand seems to move faster when it comes to taxes CRS, crypto exemption, etc.)
Anonymous ******************
Highly unlikely they will be interested in a few hundred thousand baht here and there, most of the new legislation is geared towards those hauling millions on a weekly basis. Pretty much the same situation is with the nominees, mostly those well-to-do bore the brunt while smaller firms remain unscathed