Patong for christmas

[durian]

My Hubby and I will be in Patong from dec 19 to Jan 6

If any like minded folk happened to want to meet for a coffe or beer, to pass the time of day and put the world right, feel free to let me know.

We are not looking for any sexual encounters but we are open to such activitives if we all like what we see.

We only ever entertain together but that's not what we are looking for, just mention it so you know. 

I am 65yo gwm retired from the UK and hubby is 50yo chinese. We're together 18 years now. 

We left the UK to live out here, his family live in penang, he is from penang, we live in a family owned flat in penang, coming up to Phuket for christmas  as my 90 days are up and I need to move for a few weeks before returning to penang.

 

We are friendly, we both smoke, he doesn't drink alcohol, I like beer.
We don't mind the gay bars but not essential.

We don't care for woke pronouns and don't have any agenda other than having an easy day

We are polite, kind and not in to any drama.  Easy life for us. We like cats.

Cheers for now. 

[khaolakguy]

Hi Durian,

Sorry but I won't be there until later in January. Congratulations on your long partnership! You sound a lovely couple and lucky to be able to live in Penang. A good place for retirement. I used to have a partner from Penang, but he died, although we were no longer together at that time.

One thing in your post intrigued me, about your 90 days being up in Penang so needing to move for a few weeks. I though that retirement to Malaysia is straightforward so I am interested to know more about this 90 day visa situation. Would you mind to explain.

[Lucky]

How nice it must be to give durian as a Christmas present!

I was all for looking you up until you said you smoke and like cats! j/k!

[durian]

7 hours ago, khaolakguy said:

 

One thing in your post intrigued me, about your 90 days being up in Penang so needing to move for a few weeks. I though that retirement to Malaysia is straightforward so I am interested to know more about this 90 day visa situation. Would you mind to explain.

We haven't decided where to settle yet, it could be Thailand on an O visa later this year or stay in Penang

The MM2H visa is ridiculously expensive to retire in Malaysia so I am on a tourist visa for now, which is 90 days.

If we decide to settle in Malaysia I will be 'employed' by hubbys family so I can stay here on a work visa instead.

We are going to do a three month trip across Thailand in April next year to see if we prefer Thailand to retire to.

for now 90 day and a border hop, hence christmas in patong.

[khaolakguy]

Thanks for explaining, interesting. I hope you have a good trip and you get some more useful contact here.

[bkkmfj2648]

8 hours ago, durian said:

We haven't decided where to settle yet, it could be Thailand on an O visa later this year or stay in Penang

@durian please realize that effective 01-Jan-2024, Thailand has modified their Territorial Tax Regime and now will make inbound wire transfers into Thailand subject to Assessable Income, which may or may not be subject to Thailand taxation (as per the PIT) if you are a tax resident in a given tax year.  Thailand's tax year coincides with the calendar tax year.  Furthermore, the definition of tax resident is if you reside in Thailand for more than 180 days in a tax year.

On top of the above, this new Thai government is considering to implement a Global Tax Regime (at the behest of the OECD) and to move away from the formerly friendly Territorial Tax Regime.  See below article in Thai - but if you are using Google Chrome and you right click on it you can have it translated into English.

https://pantip.com/topic/42949323

This article is directly from the source - as per:  Ms. Kullaya Tantitemit, Director-General of the (Thai) Revenue Department.

In my opinion, if this new Thai government will implement a Global Tax Regime - then it will no longer be a favorable retirement destination.

[vinapu]

7 hours ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

In my opinion, if this new Thai government will implement a Global Tax Regime - then it will no longer be a favorable retirement destination.

it should as it levels playing field between jurisdictions.

I know you don't like it as retirees are collateral damage but in my opinion seniors should sacrifice for common good too. They have it good already , look at difference of admission ticket  to Mahanakhon for seniors ( 350 ) and mere mortals ( 1080 )

[MaxBKK]

20 hours ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

In my opinion, if this new Thai government will implement a Global Tax Regime - then it will no longer be a favorable retirement destination.

I agree this would not be a good development. However, many dual taxation treaties would likely mitigate financial losses,  but a huge headache nonetheless....hopefully this won't happen. 

[Raposa]

There was a huge uproar a while ago regarding USA taxing income from YouTube creators abroad. Heard very little about that since as content creators discovered the tax treaties that exists between USA and numerous jurisdictions. Many seem unaware of these treaties, so better look into them. These mainly exists to avoid double taxation however. If you’re looking to avoid tax altogether… better speak to a good lawyer.

[bkkmfj2648]

1 hour ago, MaxBKK said:

I agree this would not be a good development. However, many dual taxation treaties would likely mitigate financial losses,  but a huge headache nonetheless....hopefully this won't happen. 

And this is what is frustrating about this new Thai government.  The previous Thai governments resisted this pressure to conform that was being exerted on them by the OECD/WEF supranational organizations.

What originally attracted me to Thailand many years ago was its uniqueness from other countries, as Thailand was never a colony of another nation that imposed its norms and culture onto Thailand.

And in my opinion, this is what makes Thailand special and desirable.

Now to see this new government to acquiesce to these external pressures - especially in light of the fact that Thailand resisted colonization for thousands of years is very disappointing.

Even the Bangkok municipality government has recently started a movement to remove the street vendors and food carts from Bangkok's sidewalks --> because they now decided that Bangkok needs to be like Singapore.

Really?  This is crazy.  These are the things that help to make Bangkok unique and original.  To make Bangkok sterile like Singapore, in my opinion, would be a sell out of Thai culture.

Why is Thailand suddenly deciding that "external ways" are better than "the Thai way"?

It makes me so sad to see all of this happening.

[bkkmfj2648]

41 minutes ago, Raposa said:

If you’re looking to avoid tax altogether… better speak to a good lawyer.

I already met with a Thai tax accountant and my new tax minimalization plan is already being executed, as I will live outside of Thailand for more than 180 days in tax year 2025 to avoid becoming a tax resident.

This strategy will also let me test drive the Philippines and Vietnam in case I would need to vacate Thailand if they would implement the dreaded Global Tax Regime that is being pushed heavily onto this new government.

As expats living here we have no rights --> but we can vote with our feet.

[durian]

22 hours ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

@durian please realize that effective 01-Jan-2024, Thailand has modified their Territorial Tax Regime and now will make inbound wire transfers into Thailand subject to Assessable Income.

Thanks for that, I have kept myself informed of the tax situation since the announcement was made toward the end of 2023.
If I do end up settling in Thailand I will have to pay a small amount of tax.

I will get the appropriate help to help me with that... 

[vinapu]

12 hours ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

 

This strategy will also let me test drive the Philippines and Vietnam in case I would need to vacate Thailand if they would implement the dreaded Global Tax Regime that is being pushed heavily onto this new government.

..................

As expats living here we have no rights --> but we can vote with our feet.

 I don't have an intention to settle in Thailand permanently  but will be waiting impatiently on you take on comparison of all three.

......................

as expat you have a right to spend your money while not looking nervously behind your back if you will be robbed 

[vinapu]

12 hours ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

 

Even the Bangkok municipality government has recently started a movement to remove the street vendors and food carts from Bangkok's sidewalks --> because they now decided that Bangkok needs to be like Singapore.

Really?  This is crazy.  These are the things that help to make Bangkok unique and original.

Fully agree.

When they cleared Silom from stands many people commented that finally it will be easier  to walk there to which my comment was that we have clear sidewalks at home so why bother to travel. 

I'm afraid that march to look like Singapore already started with hotel prices going up  quite fast . Friend of mine who stays in Sukhumvit area and travels in second half in January told me that the same type of  room in the same hotel in soi 5  he stay last year  for the same dates is now 3/4 more expensive  105 vs 60 $

[daydreamer]

4 hours ago, vinapu said:

Friend of mine who stays in Sukhumvit area and travels in second half in January told me that the same type of  room in the same hotel in soi 5  he stay last year  for the same dates is now 3/4 more expensive  105 vs 60 $

You can thank Deputy PM Anutin, who has urged hotels and the tourism industry to increase prices, and focus on selling Thailand as a premium brand. 

“We cannot let people come to Thailand and say because it’s cheap,” Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul said at an event at Bangkok’s main international airport to promote tourism."

https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/sell-premium-thailand-against-discounts-wants-high-value-tourists-122070500055_1.html

https://www.euronews.com/2022/07/05/us-thailand-tourism

 

[vinapu]

11 minutes ago, daydreamer said:

You can thank Deputy PM Anutin, who has urged hotels and the tourism industry to increase prices, and focus on selling Thailand as a premium brand. 

“We cannot let people come to Thailand and say because it’s cheap,” Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul said at an event at Bangkok’s main international airport to promote tourism."

 

It remains to be seen if that noble idea catches up  and how market reacts to it. It may suck it up or do what my friend mentioned above did for his 5 weeks trip , instead of 5 weeks in Bangkok he converted it to 5 days  in beginning and 2 at end of trip with the rest in between , whole 4 weeks ,  spend in Malaysia and Vietnam.

Also it may work for less popular  destinations within Thailand which may cash in on their much cheaper offerings

[Keithambrose]

8 hours ago, daydreamer said:

You can thank Deputy PM Anutin, who has urged hotels and the tourism industry to increase prices, and focus on selling Thailand as a premium brand. 

“We cannot let people come to Thailand and say because it’s cheap,” Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul said at an event at Bangkok’s main international airport to promote tourism."

https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/sell-premium-thailand-against-discounts-wants-high-value-tourists-122070500055_1.html

https://www.euronews.com/2022/07/05/us-thailand-tourism

 

I assume Anutin's family Empire includes hotels?

[reader]

Anutin or anyone else else in government or private sector can argue for higher prices but the bottom line (the need to sustain cash flow) will always have last say as it does in business of airlines.

Service industries like these require consistent income to keep things flowing in high, low and shoulder seasons. That’s the chief factor in determining rates and fares at any given moment. 

if demand for rooms and seats is strong, expect higher prices. And vice versa.

[Keithambrose]

On 12/12/2024 at 2:45 PM, durian said:

My Hubby and I will be in Patong from dec 19 to Jan 6

If any like minded folk happened to want to meet for a coffe or beer, to pass the time of day and put the world right, feel free to let me know.

We are not looking for any sexual encounters but we are open to such activitives if we all like what we see.

We only ever entertain together but that's not what we are looking for, just mention it so you know. 

I am 65yo gwm retired from the UK and hubby is 50yo chinese. We're together 18 years now. 

We left the UK to live out here, his family live in penang, he is from penang, we live in a family owned flat in penang, coming up to Phuket for christmas  as my 90 days are up and I need to move for a few weeks before returning to penang.

 

We are friendly, we both smoke, he doesn't drink alcohol, I like beer.
We don't mind the gay bars but not essential.

We don't care for woke pronouns and don't have any agenda other than having an easy day

We are polite, kind and not in to any drama.  Easy life for us. We like cats.

Cheers for now. 

I arrive on 5th,  so unlikely  we can meet. Shame, you seem my type, no drama, and I like cats!

[jason1975]

On 12/13/2024 at 10:32 AM, durian said:

We are going to do a three month trip across Thailand in April next year to see if we prefer Thailand to retire to.

If you happen to be in Bangkok in middle of March, let's meet! I'm same age and race as your hubby!

[durian]

1 hour ago, jason1975 said:

If you happen to be in Bangkok in middle of March, let's meet! I'm same age and race as your hubby!

Our April trip is going to begin in Bangkok but I don't know if we will still be there mid March. Probably, Bangkok will be 4 weeks before we move on. 

We only know that much right now, We will probably make a quick visit just to say hello to Pattaya and then who knows, maybe north for a few weeks and then begin to head back down south and spend two weeks in the Songkla district (Hat Yai) to see if it is somewhere I want to settle on a longer term basis.

It's all a bit vague right now but I do know that come April 5th I will need to leave Malaysia again (assuming I do get another 90 days when we return from Patong, I think I will as this time it will be a new year) 

[durian]

2 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

I arrive on 5th,  so unlikely  we can meet. Shame, you seem my type, no drama, and I like cats!

It's always the way 

[bkkmfj2648]

On 12/14/2024 at 4:33 PM, durian said:

Thanks for that, I have kept myself informed of the tax situation since the announcement was made

Below is today's YouTube from Benjamin Hart - an American Attorney with Integrity Legal, who became a Thai citizen many years ago.

He is pretty hot under the collar about the Thai government's recent move to align with OECD's norm to align Thai taxes with the global standard before Thailand actually becomes an OECD member.

If I understood correctly, I believe that these are prerequisite steps that you need to do as a country in order to qualify for OECD membership ?

Kind of like what prospective EU countries need to do to join the EU via the EU Accession process ?

 

 

[Keithambrose]

On 12/15/2024 at 3:39 PM, durian said:

It's always the way 

Just realised that as I am going to Bangkok,  it's the wrong place anyway!

[BjornAgain]

On 12/15/2024 at 10:38 PM, durian said:

Our April trip is going to begin in Bangkok...  maybe north for a few weeks and then begin to head back down south...

Just be aware April is still "Smoking Season" in the North.