@Pete ******

Actually yes, you're right. For some reason the UK/Thailand DTA doesn't mention pensions! On the other hand, pensions from Australia, NZ and USA (amongst others) are not taxable in Thailand. Don't know why the UK sold its citizens out over this, but that's life!

@Jonnie ******

180 days makes a person a "tax resident" which is different to "liable for tax"

@Jonnie ******

I didn't say that. To be classified as a "tax resident" of Thailand the stipulation is 180 days between January 1st and December 31st. Of course, some people may also retain tax residency of another country, and if a DTA exists between those two countries it will probably contain a "test" to determine which country's tax regime will prevail. Being classified as a tax resident does not necessarily entail completion of a tax return. For expats remitting only pension payments, a tax return is not necessary as there is no tax payable in Thailand on those pensions

@Jonnie ******

The last bit of bringing in funds the following year is the big which has changed. This loophole no longer exists from January 1st this year. Now all remittances to Thailand are assessable (doesn't necessarily mean they are taxed, as this depends mainly on tax already paid on the amounts remitted). For most countries with a DTA pension payments are not taxable in Thailand. I mentioned the 800k remittance for a retirement visa, and people might have to show the source of this 800k and whether tax has already been paid. Although DTAs specifically mention pensions, they do not appear to cover lump sum superannuation or severance payments

@Stevie *******

I'm retired accountant so it's a reasonable assumption that with the revision to tax rules, whereas pensions from other countries are exempt taxation, unexplained lump sums are possibly not unless you can show it's a pension lump sum. Banks are required to report transactions above 50,000 baht to the Thailand Revenue, so you might have to explain the source of the 800,000 and whether tax has already been paid on it. It's something that might have to be considered. There's no reason to turn to insults

@Jonnie ******

If an agent pays 800k into a bank account to effect the extension, the account holder would most probably have to pay tax on that 800k unless he can show tax has already been paid on it

Yes you have to do TM30 and 90-day report

Why would you not want to activate it? The visa expiry doesn't change, so what difference does it make?

You can, although there's no point unless you're trying to conserve space in your passport.

Your airline will probably offer travel insurance