@Nick ***********

I thought this might happen on a large scale…..

Well , I stopped all transfers in to Thailand in Dec 2023.

I have paid tax abroad, I have sold my cars and properties. My money is sitting in bank and savings accounts and I have been retired for years…..

Since moving here over 12 years ago I have bought homes in Thailand, cars, employ gardeners and pool guys and maids etc etc etc. - but I am NOT bringing any more money IN to Thailand until I can see how this is all going to work out.

The Thai government has put the onus on to the foreigner to prove he has paid tax in another country….. not as easy as it sounds when I left the UK 20 yrs ago and lived elsewhere before settling in Thailand.

I have enough money to live on here but sick of them moving the goalposts and wanting to tax me on money that they freely allowed me to move in years ago and until recently was still allowed and ongoing….

Even if just a little bit, if 1000s of foreigners stop bringing lots of money in to Thailand because of these changes - which are a huge inconvenience - it MUST affect the Thai banks bottom-line some where, somehow.

The reverse for me actually, I am actively moving money back out of Thailand whenever I can. 🤷‍♂️

Just renewed my long-term visa this week and it is painfully obvious at immigration and the attitudes there that they don’t want me or my money here anymore, so I am looking to sell up and move after 12 years of loving this place.

There really are plenty of countries that make it easier to retire or move to than Thailand. (It has been great but enough is enough now!)

I get my glasses in China . Have bought many over recent years. Very good prices, light/colour changing - even varifocals. Much cheaper than UK. Very quick service and collect within a couple of days. 🤷‍♂️

I’m in Thailand but the prices here for similar glasses seem high in comparison

But to answer the OP question, I have to say that I don’t really know the comparison process to the UK any more but definitely cheaper and quick in China. Good tests and good quality.

I do know that the varifocals I had Magee there last year (my first!!) were super good value compared to UK because I asked some friends. 🤷‍♂️

Hopefully someone else can give you a more up-to-date reply.

Spot on.

Have said the same myself (but in a much more ‘colourful’ way!)

If the guy or girl you deal with on arrival is in a “i hate my job” or worse “I hate foreigners” mood you are screwed!

I have so many stamps in my passport I am yet again running out of pages in my passport.

3rd passport in about 4 years!!

Last entry, I asked the ‘lady’ (I generously use that term as she was no lady!) to please stamp in a used page that had spaces… and she glared at me and stamped in the middle of my few new/empty remaking pages. I complained and she was just itching for a reason to get me busted…. So I smiled and walked away!!!

Bitch!!!!

Welcome to Thailand. First impressions can leave a lasting memory 🤷‍♂️

So you see…. 🤷‍♂️

@Ben ****

that would do it 🤣

What’s the requirements for a DTV??

🤷‍♂️

@Frank-Steven **********

there’s talk of a global taxation (similar to USA) from 2025…. Just talk but who knows. Then they try to take a slice of everything if they can 🤷‍♂️

You can get a visa free entry currently for some nationalities. You need to check but don’t think it includes an Aussie passport - in which case you need to apply for a visa. 🤷‍♂️

@Gregor *********

hmm! But if you already have it (i do for many years….. and my wife is following me on my retirement visa) then it can still be the renewed next time??

Or are they blocking existing retirement visas with only one account/funds????

She “follows” you on your “retirement” visa. I do this with my non-Thai wife for years now. All OK and legit.

@Stuart ********

thanks Stuart. I’ll pass the info on to the other half and ask at the school 👍