New tax on expats/Dog Owner Defies PKK Beach Ban/Alarm over hazardous air pollution/Bangkok fights smog/Air pollution forces 352 schools to close/Park told to stop burning/Personal data from OPPO phones/Insurance co-pay scheme/Copayment a game changer/Chilly weather, heavy rainfall ahead/Thailand mulls cutting electricity to Myanmar/Man Accidentally Kills Himself/Russian Charged with Murder/ECONOMY: Bangkok Port casino/Fried chicken market sizzles/TOURISM: Daily rate for Thai hotels/Consumer Lunar New Year spending/CLIMATE THAILAND: Keen interest in green electricity/Ocean’s plastics into new products/Phuket tackles new environmental rules/Toxic waste-management/LINKS: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers
Experts break down the new tax on expats – HERE.
Swiss Dog Owner Defies PKK Beach Ban
A Swiss man has reignited controversy by defying a ban on walking his dogs at Suan Luang Beach, Bang Saphan district, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, despite previous attacks on tourists. The issue, which first drew widespread attention in August 2024, resurfaced after Mathias, the dog owner, was spotted on the beach on Jan. 20 with four unleashed dogs, two large and two small.
On Thursday, Thai and foreign tourists joined residents of Suan Luang Beach to lodge a formal complaint with the Pong Prasad Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO). They reported that Mathias, who had been ordered to remove his dogs from the area while legal proceedings were ongoing, has continued to disregard the ban, raising fears for public safety. Continued …
Alarm sounds over hazardous air pollution
The government has announced urgent measures to combat the PM2.5 pollution crisis, including offering free bus and electric train rides and asking private companies to allow employees to work from home. The prime minister has instructed agencies to implement urgent, short-term measures to address it.
One measure is for state agencies to allow officials to work from home, while private companies will be asked to do the same in order to curb vehicle emissions, which is one of the sources of ultra-fine dust, or the PM2.5 pollutants. Continued …
Bangkok fights smog with free public transport for a week
The Thai government is taking action to tackle Bangkok’s persistent smog problem by offering free rides on the BTS, MRT, and BMTA buses for seven days, starting today. The initiative aims to reduce vehicle usage and ease air pollution in the capital.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced the measure. From January 25 to 31, people will be able to ride the electric trains and buses for free as part of our efforts to combat the city’s smog.” Continued …
Bangkok air pollution forces 352 schools to close
Air pollution in the Thai capital forced the closure of more than 350 schools yesterday, city authorities said, as Bangkok was ranked the world’s seventh-most polluted major city by air quality monitor IQAir.
Seasonal air pollution has long afflicted Thailand, like many countries in the region, but this week’s hazy conditions have shuttered the most schools since 2020. Continued …
National park told to stop burning
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has ordered Thap Lan National Park in Prachin Buri to stop the controlled burning of a 600-rai area in the park after facing heavy criticism for creating air pollution.
The department’s director-general, Atthaphon Charoenchansa, said yesterday that he had reprimanded and ordered the Thap Lan National Park chief to stop the burning because current levels of fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns, or PM2.5, were critical. Continued …
‘Dark Web’ ad offering personal data from OPPO phones at Bt680,000
The Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) has launched an investigation into an advertisement on the “Dark Web” offering 22 million sets of personal data, claimed to have been harvested from OPPO smartphones, for sale at US$20,000 (~ Bt680,000).
Police said that OPPO Thailand, the distributor of OPPO and Realme smartphones, has been informed of the data leaks and told to report back to the PDPC within 72 hours. Continued …
Insurance co-pay scheme takes effect on March 1
The co-payment scheme, which takes effect on March 1, is critical to reducing overconsumption of medical services and will keep healthcare costs and insurance premiums affordable in the long term, say analysts.
Co-pay is a health insurance cost-sharing arrangement where the policyholder pays a fixed percentage of medical expenses, such as 30%, with the insurer covering the rest. Continued …
Copayment a game changer for Thai health insurance industry
The Thai health insurance industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, driven by various factors, including economic challenges, the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, and evolving policyholder behavior.
Traditional health insurance, which has long been the mainstay of the industry, is now being re-evaluated in light of rising costs and unsustainable claims. Continued …
Chilly weather, heavy rainfall ahead
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued its second warning regarding a strong new cold air mass affecting Thailand, causing temperatures to drop by 5 degrees Celsius (°C) and heavy rainfall.
The warning, yesterday, states that from Jan. 26 to 28, a high-pressure system or cold air mass from China will cover northern Thailand and the South China Sea. This will lead to a temperature drop accompanied by strong winds, with the northeastern region expected to see a decrease of 3 to 5°C. Continued …
Thailand mulls cutting electricity to Myanmar to stop scam operations
The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has expressed its readiness to collaborate with security agencies to cease electricity supply from Thailand to Myanmar border towns, aiming to disrupt scam operations in the neighboring country.
PEA Deputy Gov. Prasit Junprasit stated yesterday that halting electricity supplies to Myanmar necessitates cooperation between Thai and Myanmar security agencies. He assured that any such action would not impact Thai residents along the border who depend on PEA services. Continued …
Man Accidentally Kills Himself With Shotgun While Riding Motorcycle in Buriram
A 27-year-old man died yesterday after accidentally discharging his shotgun while riding a motorcycle in Buriram Province. The incident occurred on the Buriram-Prakhon Chai Road near Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University in Samed Subdistrict.
The victim, from Ban Sai subdistrict, Prakhon Chai District, was found lying next to his overturned motorcycle, bleeding profusely. Rescuers rushed him to Buriram Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after. A medical examination revealed 19 shotgun pellets lodged in his chest. Continued …
Russian Charged with Murder for Throwing Son from Speedboat
Bangkok Port ‘a viable casino site’
The Transport Ministry has given the green light for Bangkok Port to house an integrated entertainment complex.
Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit yesterday referred to an instruction delivered by his deputy, Manaporn Charoensri, to form a committee on the feasibility of developing an entertainment complex in areas such as ports. He said multiple locations are being considered. Continued …
Thai fried chicken market sizzles
Competition in Thailand’s fried chicken market is surging, with major players from South Korea and China entering the fray. The intense rivalry has prompted KFC, the long-standing market leader, to ramp up its marketing efforts and expand its reach across the country.
Fried chicken is still king in Thailand’s fast-growing quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector. In 2024, the QSR market was valued at 47.7 billion baht, with fried chicken accounting for 58% or 27.6 billion baht, followed by burgers (23%) and pizza (20%). Continued …
Daily rate for Thai hotels hits record high in December
The average daily rate (ADR) charged by hotels in Thailand reached a record high of 6,460 baht in December, according to SiteMinder, a global hotel distribution and revenue platform. The record ADR was driven by a surge in demand from international travelers.
Thailand’s average ADR throughout 2024 increased to 5,377 baht from 4,648 baht in 2023, the site reported, citing its database of over 125 million global bookings. Continued …
Consumer Lunar New Year spending to increase to Bt52 billion
Consumer spending during the Lunar New Year festival is projected to rise by 4.5% to a five-year high of 51.8 billion baht, helped by government stimulus measures, according to a survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
Thanavath Phonvichai, president of the UTCC, said the survey showed most consumers expect this year’s Chinese New Year spending will be more robust than last year. Continued …
Private sector shows keen interest as Thailand launches green electricity
Thailand has launched a new green electricity scheme, making 2 billion units of renewable energy available to businesses. The initiative, driven by the Energy Regulatory Commission of Thailand (ERC) in partnership with three state-owned electricity authorities, aims to support the government’s goal of enhancing Thailand’s competitiveness and attracting foreign investment.
Since its launch, the scheme has seen significant interest from the private sector. Banks, department stores, and petrochemical companies are among those that have reserved 600 million units of green electricity. Continued …
Video: Start-up turns Thai ocean’s plastics into new products
Swiss start-up Tide gives plastic waste in the ocean a new life by recycling and transforming it into materials for new products, like carpets, watches and toys. They buy the plastics from fishing villages in Thailand, cleaning up the sea while creating jobs at the same time. Video …
Phuket’s future: Seminar tackles new environmental rules
Phuket’s business leaders and environmental experts gathered Thursday for a seminar titled “Unlocking the Phuket Environment: Crisis or Opportunity?”
Organized by the Phuket Chamber of Commerce and presided over by Chamber President Kongsak Khoopongsakorn, the event focused on the sweeping new environmental regulations announced by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE). Continued …
Reform of toxic waste-management laws urged
Activists have urged the government to amend relevant laws to address ineffective hazardous waste-management practices, which have increased since an uptick in foreign investment.
Speaking at the “Ratchadamnoen Talk” organized by the Thai Journalists Assn. on Wednesday, Penchome Sae-Tang, director of Ecological Alert and Recovery-Thailand, said many local communities countrywide are suffering from a polluted environment caused by very low standards in hazardous waste management. Continued …
Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight schedule from Oct 27
Thai Airasia has updated its flight schedule between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday):
Hua Hin to Chiang Mai: Departure 5:15pm, Arrival at 6:30pm
Chiang Mai to Hua Hin: Departure 3:25pm, arrival at 4:45pm
Hua Hin train schedule
Van/minibus service at Market Village
Vans and minibuses provide services to the following destinations:
- Hua Hin – Mo Chit (089-919-8055) starts service at 03:50
- Hua Hin – Kanchanaburi (085-822-6063)
- Hua Hin – New southern line service starts at 5:40
- Hua Hin – Rangsit (090-138-0427) service starts at 05:40
- Hua Hin – Nakhon Pathom (088-709-2364)
The last service departs at 6pm. Departures every 25 – 40 minutes. For inquiries or reservations, call 089-9198055,090-1380427.
Emergency hotline numbers:
- Emergency hotline – 191
- Emergency medical services – 1554
- Water accident – 1196
- Motorway hotline – 1586
- Emergency medical – 1669
- Highway police – 1193
- Tourist police – 1155
- Bus ticket – 1490
- Department of Highways – 1586
- State Railway – 1590
Confusion still persists. You write:” For example, U.S. Social Security payments may still require filing if remitted to Thailand and not excluded by a DTA.”. This statement is confusing at the least and is in fact incorrect. The statement is about US Social Security, which *is* excluded (exempted from dual taxation in the DTA between The USA and Thailand).
This is the information we received. I have not read the US-thailand DTA so can’t comment on whether it is subject to tax filing. Best to ask the experts at https://www.expattaxthailand.com/exclusive-to-members-of-hua-hin-expat-news/
OK, we checked the US-Thailand tax treaty – here is what it says: “social security benefits and other similar public
pensions paid by a Contracting State to a resident of the other Contracting State or a citizen of the
United States shall be taxable only in the first-mentioned State.” There is no telling how the Thai authorities will interpret it. Plus, immigration officials where you renew your visa will likely not have knowledge of the many, many tax treaties and therefore may require a tax filing just to be sure. I guess you can take your chances that they will have a checklist of those countries they don’t need to ask for a tax filing, and not file a tax return, but you risk denial and possible serious overstay while you try to rectify the problem. After March 31, I’m sure we will see examples of people who have gone through the visa renewal process and will know better the procedures immigration will follow.
At a tax seminar held in Hua Hin last year at G plaza conference center, the PKK Thai tax authority, in person, explicitly assured the audience that they would honor the DTA as written. And what is written about US social security is clear and unimpeachable. We all know about how rules are interpreted and enforced here. But If you continue to publish FUD without following through with facts gathered directly from the Tax authorities, then the information we get is unbalanced. Thank you.
We DID publish information from tax authorities from main Immigration (not local officials), both past and present. We didn’t publish our own views. We published their assessment. That was pretty clear in the article.
Final thoughts…
I like your publication, and have read every single one since you started. But I disagree with you on this. You published something that was not factual and followed it with editorial that is misleading. We (my husband and I) have had personal one-on-one meetings with Carl Turner (UK) and Tom Carden of ATA, and I have the US /Thailand DTA in my possession. And we’ve attended every available meeting on this subject. And I understand that UK pension and US Social Security differs in exemptions w/r/t their respective DTAs with Thailand. But t still stands that, while it is necessary to report it to Thailand tax authorities, income sourced from US Social Security is explicitly exempt from taxation in Thailand. Your article sheds doubt on that.
First, thank you for reading Expat News. Second, the article in question was written by Carl Turner, not by Expat News. Third, the Hua Hin seminar you referred to, which we helped promote (for free as a public service) was conducted by the same people who wrote the article. Fourth, we did not write any editorial about it, only presented an article, written by experts (Carl Turner, et al) and addressing some questions we have seen raised online. Finally, we do not know yet whether immigration will require a tax filing regardless of country of origin. It is doubtful that local immigration officers will have the knowledge of the 90+ DTAs involved, and might be expected to require a tax filing when renewing visas. When we get the answer to that question, we will publish it.
Ah! That makes sense now, thanks for the clarification. It is another example why we Expats are so skeptical about information being promulgated by tax “experts”. Please keep up the excellent work.
We asked about whether Social Security recipients have to file a tax return. Here is the answer from Carl Turner.
“People with no assessable income do not need to file. (so US social security, Canadian pensions). For other pensions, if they have paid tax in another jurisdiction then they have to file and can use tax paid as a tax credit.
Here is a link to our assessment – https://www.expattaxthailand.com/do-you-need-to-file/“