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What visa options are available for a US flight attendant frequently traveling to Thailand?

Visa ExemptDestination Thailand VisaVisa RulesThai ImmigrationExpat AdviceAirline Crew VisaVisa CategoriesThailand Visa Types
Sep 21, 2024
3 months ago
William ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone I’m new to the group. I’m from the United States. I have a unique situation and no visa that I can find really applies to me. I work for a US airline as a flight attendant with my base in NYC. I’ve been living in Bangkok since Jan have been flying back and forth to home and work each month. I’m home 2.5-3 week then fly to US for for for 2-3 to fly my trips and return back home. I’ve spoken with a lawyer, Thai consulate in the us and their DC, NYC and Chicago office as well as immigration at the airport. Each time I have gotten the same answer . I’m currently entering on visa exempt as I don’t qualify for any visa. I’ve been told as long as you don’t over stay I’m good to come and go as many times as I want. Any thoughts or ideas on a visa that would meet my situation or if I good doing it the way I have been since Jan? 
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A US flight attendant residing in Bangkok and traveling frequently for work is exploring visa options beyond the current visa-exempt status. Despite engaging with multiple authorities, the individual has been told that as long as they do not overstay, they can continue entering Thailand on visa exemption. Community responses suggest the possibility of the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), which could provide a more secure long-term solution, while concerns about potential immigration scrutiny during entry were acknowledged. Other members shared similar experiences, indicating that as long as the flight attendant is based outside Thailand and not working locally, the current travel method seems viable.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Jinza ****
So YOU’RE the one taking all the standby seats out of Korea…. 😜

Let me know if you find a solution. I’m also looking into this myself. I used to do this pre-Covid times and was only questioned once but they let me through in the end.
3 months ago
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Daniel **********
So far all the answers are good , basically the same thing explained in a hundred ways , to resume them all in few words ,... As long as you come and go FREQUENTLY due to you are part of an Airline Flight Crew based outside Thailand then you don't need any special visa , and just as long as you don't overstay , the new tax law doesn't apply to you either (yet) as you are "flying" in and out of Thailand , you are NOT working in Thailand , or receiving income while LIVING in Thailand ,..... but , Please , contact this Immigration and Law firm in Thailand , They are the best of the best 👌 👍 with all the Real Information you need 😉
3 months ago
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Daniel **********
The Immigration and Law firm name is Magna Carta Law Firm , the have a beautiful big office in Pattaya , and I believe they also have offices in Bangkok and Phuket
3 months ago
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Daniel **********
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Christopher *******
It all changes December 1. No VOA for North & South Americans. We will need to arrange ETA. They want to know where, what, when, who of your stay.
3 months ago
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Tullio *******
Pretty sure you would qualify for DTV, destination Thailand visa, you find plenty of info on the web and I’m sure there will be fb groups with a lot of info, there you might find people with a similar situation.
3 months ago
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Jim *****************
I work similarly one month on the job overseas and one month off in Thailand. I have been coming in and out for years on visa exempt without issue.
3 months ago
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Carey *********
Ask your company it's there responsibility
3 months ago
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Craig *********
Apply DTV. I am a contract pilot that works worldwide. You definitely fit in and easy to get. Do online. Need a copy of your work contract, maybe a link to your CBA, professional profile, bank statement and pay stub. PM me and I can help you out.
3 months ago
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Lawrencia **********
@Craig ********
 would you mind if i message you as well I am planning to make the move to bangkok
2 months ago
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Craig *********
@Lawrencia *********
 sure
2 months ago
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Lawrencia **********
@Craig ********
 thanks so much
2 months ago
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Lawrencia **********
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William ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Craig ********
 I pm’d you
3 months ago
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William ********
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Randy ******
So after talking immigration lawyers, consulates and your employer, you came to ask Bob from the internet about your predicament?
3 months ago
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Daniel **********
@Randy *****
 there are many "Bobs from the Internet" 😂🤣😂🤣😅
3 months ago
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Daniel **********
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Guy ******
Go to company see if the company lawyer can decide
3 months ago
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Kenny *****
I really dont see a problem here, u are on yr company uniform going in n out of Thailand, thats yr job duty. If flying in @ your frequency create a problem @ immigration - i would not imagine what problem the short haul crew will have.
3 months ago
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Sean *********
I'm a US pilot in your situation. I've entered many times as crew (gen Dec) and through pax channels. As someone has said above you're good (presently). The only true problem was during covid when immigration was next to impossible. So there's always that to think about.
3 months ago
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Dan *******
ABTC maybe, I see the US is a member. Specifically for people that need to frequently travel for work.
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3 months ago
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Gordon *********
Think you're a bs
3 months ago
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William ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gordon ********
 ?
3 months ago
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William ********
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Kenneth *******
Continue what you are doing.
3 months ago
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Us *****
Get a DTV
3 months ago
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John **********
When you fly into Thailand are you working on the flight you arrive on? Or are all your working flights elsewhere?
3 months ago
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William ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 all working flights start and end in nyc. I mostly do us domestic and Europe
3 months ago
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John **********
@William *******
 ok so your work is irrelevant to the situation. Unless you are married to a Thai or have a Thai child i can't think of an appropriate visa for you. So that only leaves visa exempt or tourist visas, not an ideal situation given they seem to be getting stricter on these since visa exempt went to 60 days
3 months ago
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John **********
I seem to have forgotten about the Thai Privilege (formerly Elite) visa. It's expensive but I think it's the only one that would work for you.
3 months ago
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Incognia **********
@John *********
 but he is not tourist so?55
3 months ago
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John **********
@Incognia *********
 exactly, which is why he needs to find a visa that works for him.
3 months ago
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John **********
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Nigel **************
You are good
3 months ago
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Steve **********
If you've had no problem, and have asked all concerned.

Your creating one. Why flag yourself ?
3 months ago
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Bob **********
My neighbor has been coming and going every other month for 20 years and not really any problems once in awhile he’ll get questioned but no problems same as the offshore guys
3 months ago
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William ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
 On visa exempt?
3 months ago
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William ********
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Rogerio ******
Why isn’t the Destination Thailand Visa a good fit? 5 year validity. Apply through soft power - simply a letter from a doctor stating you have a follow up appointment will do - even a dentist follow up
3 months ago
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Tito *********
How many days are you inside Thailand? And how many days are you outside? If, on average, you spend more time outside than inside, I would say you can continue doing visa exempt like that indefinitely
3 months ago
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William ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tito ********
 I’m here 2-2.5 weeks then I leave for 2.5-3 weeks.
3 months ago
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Tito *********
@William *******
 that means you spend more than half of the year outside of Thailand. You're good to continue like that mate
3 months ago
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Tito *********
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Mike *****
I personally do not see any issues with your current mode. Because you may be staying in Thailand for a certain period but you fly our regularly and within your visa limit.

The only sticky thing I may foresee if it gets too long, like maybe over 180 days or maybe even a year, then it starts to be pretty obvious that you are trying to live there without a valid visa and that could become troublesome.

Just my thought though. Maybe you could do a DTV which allows you up to 5 years and 160 days per entry. Then maybe it will be "safer" for you.
3 months ago
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Cathryn *********
I have a similiar challenge. I visit Thailand whenever I transit there, maybe 4 times a year. Sometimes I stay a week, sometimes 2 months. When I flew out of Bangkok a month ago, I asked about this with airport immigration officers. No one had an answer, so they called a supervisor. Supervisor said it is up to the individual immigration officer upon entry. Not a very reassuring answer.
3 months ago
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Joseph *********
@Cathryn ********
 that seems to apply everywhere.

Bali is the only place I have had difficulty....never Thailand in 33 entries....but Bali.....
3 months ago
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Cathryn *********
@Joseph ********
 thanks. That is helpful to know. I am just going to keep traveling like I usually do and deal with whatever comes my way.
3 months ago
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Cathryn *********
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Marky *******
Perfect situation mate 👌
3 months ago
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Tim *********
There is always a risk, perhaps small, of meeting an Immigration Officer who is having a bad day. Any one of them can decide to pull you out of line, question you and, maybe, deny you entry. Multiple Entry Tourist Visa comes to mind
3 months ago
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Wayne *********
If your over 50 you could do what I did as I fly every month and get a OX visa or OA visa
3 months ago
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William ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 I got ten years to go still. I haven’t had an issue yet. Everyone I’ve talked to says you can come and go unlimited as long as you don’t over stay.
3 months ago
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Wayne *********
@William *******
 Overstay is incorrect. Eventually an IO will question you even with visa Exempt if they feel your trying to live here. It's why I got the OX visa as I go every 2 weeks and my passport was getting full of visa exempt stamps.
3 months ago
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Tim *********
@William *******
 The problem is, potentially, you are 'living' in Thailand without a valid visa to do so. You are right to seek a solution, in my view
3 months ago
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Tim *********
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Stuart *********
There are many pilots and attendants in the same sort of situation as you. Generally the immigration officer will recognise the reason you are entering frequently on visa exempt entries and won’t have a problem. That said as it’s up to an individual officer who may be having a bad hair day you potentially could.

If you encounter one perhaps ask to speak to a supervisor to explain your reason for so many exempt entries. That may work.

Alternatively look in to the DTV visa. You may qualify as you are not working in Thailand and are working remotely. I have no idea if this could work for your situation but if successful you’d get a 5 year visa with no hassles on entry.
3 months ago
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Rini *********
@Stuart ********
 is it possible to get the DTV if you go to school in Thailand and learn thai ? And go to the gym training mua thai.? I am 50+ and have enough income. Thanks
3 months ago
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Stuart *********
@Rini ********
 you’d have to look into different schools and if they’d qualify for the DTV. As far as I’m aware Muay Thai and language schools aren’t allowed but cooking schools are. But that’s just from what I read. They may well be.
3 months ago
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Helen ********
@Stuart ********
 Muay Thai is one of the soft power options, lots of people have already been successful in getting them. Regular language schools don't seem to be included.
3 months ago
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Helen ********
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William ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 I asked the consulate about the dtv as well when I told them my current situation. They said I don’t qualify for dtv because I’m not working remotely. I would have to work for my company from Inside Thailand not leave the country and do work.
3 months ago
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Brandon ************
@William *******
 that's not the only way to qualify for a DTV. Just register for a class or make a doctor's appointment and be done with it.
3 months ago
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William ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I don’t fly here for my company as we stopped just before Covid. We will begin flying here once we receive our new Ac where we can fly nonstop from US. I just choose to live here because I love it here and my job affords me that opportunity. We have crew who live all over the world and commute to the us for their flights/work then go back home
3 months ago
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Lawrencia **********
@William *******
 oh r we gonna start flying here did they give an estimated time frame on that
3 months ago
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Lawrencia **********
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Cliff *********
@William *******
 you could also set up a side job doing remote computer work….say as an influencer or travel blogger talking about airlines. This should qualify for DTV.

Alternatively you could set up a course of medical or dental treatments in BKK and qualify for "soft power ".
3 months ago
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Sasi ************
@Cliff ********
 Nice and sounds suggestion ! That’s what I’m intended to say but you’ve read my thoughts. 🙏
3 months ago
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Sasi ************
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Sean *********
@William *******
 I’m in aviation also and technically you are working remotely. I’d see if HR could give you a letter affirming your position as remote work. Even if you may be based in one location, you are performing your job remotely. FA and Pilot positions are being advertised more and more as remote positions. That HR letter should, if you get it, negate any questions when you apply online.
3 months ago
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Sam **********
@Sean ********
 correct. If not home based it's remote
3 months ago
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Kenny *****
@Sam *********
 i would think he only gets off work once he is outside the plane. So i really dont think he qualify for DTV.
3 months ago
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Sam **********
@Kenny ****
 it gets technical. If the company is paying per diem while in Thailand. Is that "pay"? Or is he just unscheduled/on call.
3 months ago
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Kenny *****
@Sam *********
 OMG so complicated.
3 months ago
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Kenny *****
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Graham *******
I always thought there where special agreements for seafarers and flight crew! If you are coming in regular with no visa I am surprised they have pulled you over. BTW if you are resident 180 days or more you will need to file a tax return under the new income tax rules.
3 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Graham ******
 this person is not traveling to Thailand as part of work, so that's irrelevant.
3 months ago
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Graham *******
@Brandon ***********
 exactly what is irrelevant?
3 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Graham ******
 they are traveling here as a tourist not as flight crew. Any special agreement isn't relevant
3 months ago
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William ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 correct
3 months ago
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Graham *******
@William *******
 i.c so they come with exemption stamp for 60 days and can extend for another 30 days. The talk has been that eventually they will be stopped.
3 months ago
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William ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham ******
 I don’t extend though. I’m never here 60 days at a time. 20-25 sometimes 30 at the most
3 months ago
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Aubin ***********
@William *******
 is this a normal schedule for a flight attendant. One month work one month off? Asking because maybe I want try it as early retirement option to live other countries. I never knew you could get a schedule like that.
3 months ago
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William ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Aubin **********
 it can be. Not at first as you’ll be on reserve but you can eventually work it out
3 months ago
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Graham *******
@William *******
 who knows how long they would let you do this, they have limited the number of land borders to two a year. how far are you from 50?
3 months ago
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Joseph ****
@Graham ******
 What do land borders have to do with anything that OP has mentioned?? His work base isn't Siem Riep, it's NYC.
3 months ago
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Graham *******
@Joseph ***
 just mean they are limiting the number of entries by land again. They might tighten again air airports. Try to get some sort of real visa.
3 months ago
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Graham *******
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Peter **********
@Graham ******
 only if you have assessible income to declare
3 months ago
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Graham *******
@Peter *********
 if you are in Thailand for 180 days or more and the funds are remitted to Thailand, then it's probably assessable subject to DTA. If they pass the draft proposal, then even funds that are not remitted to Thailand are probably assessable.
3 months ago
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Christopher *************
@Graham ******
 no the world wide income won't get passed as its ilegal for Thailand to do that to non citizens of Thailand
3 months ago
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Graham *******
@Christopher ************
 its won't be illegal if they pass the draft bill.
3 months ago
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Christopher *************
@Graham ******
 it is ilegal and asa result will not even get to that stage , it's not even a draft bill yet , and world wide you can only do that to your own citizens not foreigners only resident for tax purposes ,
3 months ago
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Graham *******
@Christopher ************
 if u are resident for 180 days you are tax resident regardless of nationality. UK taxes residents on global income.
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12/law-to-tax-income-from-overseas-in-the-works
3 months ago
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Christopher *************
@Graham ******
 I know this and read the full article too , but what you don't add is the articles where the world's top accountancy firms etc heve said that Thailand would break international law by concidering implementing this as tax resists ard not citizens of Thailand, and also that within Thailand and the senate they would come up against lots of resistance to implement it so it eould be a non starter---- it would also be the final straw for many tax residents to who would vot with their feet to other countries which alot have already started to do. Thailand is already losing income due to foreigners now significantly reducing the numbers of condo and car purchases and also reducing the money they bring into Thailand if it is classed as assessable income for tax purposes---- Thailand will lose out which has already started
3 months ago
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Graham *******
@Christopher ************
 I would love to read the article you mention, do you have a link? I agree it would be the final straw. I agree they will loose out in the short term maybe medium term. Thailand is not doing what other countries are already doing. For me, next year I will be non-resident as I will have a large capital gain, If I become resident again it would be with the LTR. I am in no rush with my plans. Like everyone else I will see what happens, for me that will be from a safe distant Philippines. There may be a buying opportunity next year with panic selling of Condos. BTW there is a plan to tank the Baht to 48 to the dollar and increase vat to 10%. Enjoy the ride.
3 months ago
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Christopher *************
@Graham ******
 but the capitol gains tax is not bad as you only pay tax on the gain and not the initial capitol , and the amount is based on what you bring in as assessable income and subjected to the 0 to 35 percent tax bands
3 months ago
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Graham *******
@Christopher ************
 BTW, remember they have not been clear on what documents they will entertain for defining capital and capital gain.
3 months ago
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Graham *******
@Christopher ************
 usd500k
3 months ago
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Peter **********
Graham Heyesgifts to your wife and savings accrued before 2024 aren't assessable. can't see the non remitted cash law being passed and I cant see anyone declaring income abroad that isnt remitted.
3 months ago
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Graham *******
@Peter *********
 Depends who you made the gift to. The biggest mistake people make is with gifts to relatives such as "wives" The rule with gifts is the gifter must never again benefit from the gift. Hardly true if it's a relative. Good luck. As far as assets owned prior to 1st Jan these will be tax free, but any income earned after that date will be taxable. Make sure you have proof of when you acquired the asset, and a valuation dated 31st dec 2023. Remember the CRS. If you have no acceptable proof the capital gain will be from the date you acquired the asset, house for example.
3 months ago
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Peter **********
Graham Heyes you can give your thai wpife but it helpss to provide a notorised affidavit declaring its for her personal use only and you cant have it back and you wont gain from it..you are allowed 20 m bsbt per year
3 months ago
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Graham *******
@Peter *********
 Who told you that Del Boy or Auther Daley?
3 months ago
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Peter **********
@Graham ******
 the lady in revenue dept in CM
3 months ago
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Peter **********
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