@Erik ******

You are correct about motorcycle helmet laws enforcement.

@Bradley ********

the only danger is Immigration requiring a tax return for visa renewal.

Even then, I don't think that the Revenue Department will bother to check past years to see if the Farang has been a tax resident.

@Frangipani ******

"investment returns" = "capital gains". Your marginal rate on "investment returns" in your country may be lower than in Thailand. If so, you would have to make up the difference.

I am talking theory. In reality, most people won't file.

@Mac *****

because everyone in the Revenue Department where you live can read a US tax return.

@Mac *****

You do know that the US taxes long term capital gains at 15%, right? Retirees often live off capital gains.

Unfortunately, Thailand taxes capital gains as ordinary income, which could be higher than 15%.

So for the large number of US Farangs in Thailand who receive income from capital gains, the DTA gives them a credit, but they still would likely have a Thai tax liability.

@Jim *******

Most people here are discussing the letter of the law. But we are in a country where the police don't even enforce motorcycle helmet laws.

The real question is enforcement of Thai income tax, and I have no clue what happens when the million Farangs living in Thai villages (and who don't know anything about any of this) simply don't file.

@Erik ******

If Thailand taxes worldwide income for Farangs, there will be a rush out the door.

Thailand doesn't even bother taxing most Thai people.

@Andy ***********

DTAs have zero impact on determining tax residency status.

@Andy ***********

if you don't have a Thai bank account, how do you remit funds for living in Thailand? I guess you could send it via Western Union.

@Jim *******

Nope. Thai tax law doesn't care if you are a tax resident in 10 other countries, you do the 179+ days in Thailand, you are a Thai tax resident.