Save yourself a headache and get the assistance of an agent.

it is easier just to let your wife book the room, and be the lead name on the booking, and check in with her Thai ID, very often they are not interested in you being the extra guest, But in Pattaya they will probably ask for your passport also, if it works out as I suggested, it's better because nothing has changed in the immigration system.

What visa are you on now If any?? If for instance you are on a tourist visa, they usually deduct 60 days, so it is actually only 10 months, make sure you ask the school, schools were allowed to do 100% online during covid, but I thought now the vast majority needs to be done in person.

use 1p mobile £40 for one year, it's free to receive text messages in Thailand, I think the SIM card needs to be set up and activated in the UK.

@Graham ******

so you think the authorities automatically know everyone's circumstances?? If a person is just for instance living his retirement in Thailand on his pension, being withdrawn from an ATM, and doesn't register with the tax office, how does anyone know he exists?? It's the same, as far I'm aware in any country, that person would need to be specifically looked at, and investigated by the authorities, of course all the information is obtainable, that would take a targeted investigation, they can't investigate everyone, like I said I'm not suggesting or encouraging anyone to do anything, I was simply saying I think lots of expats, especially the ones that sit on bar stools in places like Pattaya, won't do anything and just carry on as normal, only doing something if made a visa requirement, or there thai bank requires residential evidence.

Like I said, I'm not giving advice or encouraging anyone, you're absolutely correct saying 180+ days spent in Thailand you need to submit a tax return, I was simply stating that most expat pensioners, just living on a pension won't do anything, as things stand now, they are not in the system, they just live under the radar so to speak, like you said it's a personal choice, people should get as much information as possible and make a personal informed decision, "it's Up to you" as they like to say in Thailand.

@Michael ******

I wasn't encouraging everyone to ignore anything, I was simply stating facts, as in most people that aren't caught up in the system, mainly because they aren't working or don't have a business, those people will more than likely just be getting on with their lives, while all the rest are still chatting in these groups about tax returns.

@Jo *********

if people are on retirement visas and such like, and not working I agree, for anyone caught not paying tax, they would need to investigate that person, they don't automatically know everyone's personal circumstances, they can't look at everyone, most pensioners will just stay under the radar, and carry on living on there pension.

@Michael ******

good advice from who?? a Thai tax advisor?? They will be the ones scare mongering more than anyone, And you don't think those advisors have ulterior motives?? Any new tax rules and regulations seem to be targeting wealthy Thais, keeping money in banks outside of Thailand, waiting until the following tax year to avoid paying any tax, I personally don't think they are bothered about retirees not working, and just living in Thailand on their pension, and supporting the local economy, why are so worried about a tax return, your not going to get deported (I seen in another post it's a ฿2000 fine for not completing a tax return on time (I'm haven't confirmed that so please don't quote me on it) there has always been a need to complete a tax return, after staying in Thailand for more than 180 days, if say a retired person has never done one why start now.

All this mithering about the need to complete a Thai tax return, hasn't that always been the case?? but most didn't bother to do it, and nothing has happened, tax is automatically deducted from any thai savings accounts without you doing anything, I know that just tax on the interest on money that is sat in a savings account. unless they make it a visa requirement, or your bank requires some sort of documents to prove residency, do you think all the expats in places like Pattaya, that sit on a bar stool everyday, will start running around registering and completing tax returns?? I very much doubt it, they will continue to draw their pension from the ATM, and carry on living their lives like they have always done, and won't do anything, unless it's made compulsory and they are forced too, which may never happen.