If you have foreign-sourced income, you must obtain a tax ID number and file an annual tax return. These changes will come into effect on 1st January 2025 - If you live in Thailand for over 180 days in a calendar year, regardless of your visa status, you’re considered a Thai tax resident.

there is a move to introduce taxes on expats living in Thailand over 180 days - this will be on ANY income coming into the country regardless of whether or not it has been taxed at source.

@Peter ********

you book in advance and go through official channels - the Phuket is a money making scheme by some crafy officials.

THere is a possible ramification if it is stopped - all the entry stamps handed out could be invalid!

Very unusual for immigration task but even they should be able to see your return ticket or but maybe not with another airline.

@Randall ********

so what did you do?

Did yo have POOT? - If not what did you do?

It is usually the airlines who ask.

After the change is visa free entry 15th July onwards - the situation seems to have relaxed.

Did yo have POOT?

@Billy *****

Where do you buy fast track at Suvarnabhumi or arrival? fast track you book in advance and costs about 50 quid.

@Greta ****

- When an expat criticizes a country, there are always some people seem to think that responding with the old cliché "If you don't like it, why live there?" is a valid response....

This question of course misses the point of the criticism and is little more than an uneducated attempt to shut down valid observations. It is in reality a false dichotomy. The concept of "Living somewhere means you can't criticize it is absurd. No country is perfect, and recognizing flaws doesn't mean I don't appreciate the positives. Criticism and appreciation aren't mutually exclusive.

I lived in Thailand because I had a full-time job and saw a lot of potential, but I think it's important for anyone with a modicum of intelligence to speak up when they see things that can be improved. My criticism comes from a place of wanting betterment, not resentment. I have a sense of awareness that you seem to be missing out on yourself.

The idea that people should leave every time they have an issue with a place is just facile. Criticism is often the first step toward making a place better. Constructive criticism can coexist with living in and contributing to a place. Living here doesn't mean I have to agree with everything. Healthy societies thrive on open dialogue and debate. Again something your comment does nothing to help with. If you have a problem with my OP, then I’d suggest you refer the content, rather than letting it turn into a debate about anyone’s personal choice to live in the Kingdom.

@Eric *****

THat's not the same - Yu can for instance pay for fast rack on London eye. You pay to have the checks and everything done before hand and some capsules have spaces allotted. However with Thai arrivals everybody has to go through exactly the same process as each other - so the only way they can do that is take someone off the regular city and take away from ordinary arrivals and deliberately create a slow lane to make money for the officials operation the system.