Wise costs very little in fees for transfer in seconds (usually), about £7 for £1000. HSBC (UK) Global Money account costs nothing, but it can take 1-2 days and my Bangkok Bank account steals 100 baht of every transfer. Not sure why, it's already in Baht and they don't have to do anything

Agent will open bank account and arrange visa. Unless your embassy in Thailand will provide an affidavit confirming your income, I think you have gew other options. Shop around. In Pattaya it's possible to find an agent to do this for 12,500 but some will quote many thousands more

Personally I'd only trust the Thai Embassy website for my country, if I needed to know something my holiday depends on

@David ********

I don't know, sorry David. I imagine it's between the countries and their governmental tax departments. I don't think nation states would seek information exchange agreements with anyone other than another nation state

@Patrick **********

yes. As of January 2024. The first tax return of assessable income will be due in April 2025. To understand the impact on you, read your country's DTA with Thailand. Many countries agreed their pensions would be exempt from Thai income tax, although other income, capital gains etc would be assessable. But the UK agreement exempts only pensions paid by 'government'

@Pat *****

After 180 days in Thailand he becomes a Thai tax resident. Required to submit tax return in April. Thai government will then liaise with Australian government.

cc

@David ********

@Tony ********

Same same, my life in UK would be minimal, dull, just awful

@Tony ********

It's a learning experience every day, especially developing the patience to deal with the bureaucrats. But there are so many huge benefits to living here 😎

It's a timely reminder for me as I head to a short break in Penang next weekend

@Rafael ******

Opinionated is OK, but ya done have to push it down others' throats. My guess he just likes fresher bread products, not damp limp ones in bags made from processed carbon and never disintegrate 🤷🏻‍♂️