TMax

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2805305/new-overseas-income-rules-proposed
 
If this policy is implemented, living in Thailand could become very unattractive for expats. They are now considering taxing not only income brought into Thailand from abroad but also income earned abroad that is not brought into Thailand. 
In practical terms, this may be difficult to enforce. However, it is not a positive development, in my opinion.

Dear Pantherz,
I totally agree with your assessment.
I also found this recent iteration of the proposed tax revenue collection ideas as absurd.
Back in 2020 and 2021, when I was studying where do I want to retire in 2022, the positive tax climate that Thailand had was a BIG reason as to why I chose Thailand.
Now with these new tax proposals - Thailand is becoming less appealing - as being a USA citizen, we already suffer from Citizen Based Taxation - which is already global. So to add Thailand to this list would just be too excessive in my opinion.
So, I have started to research possible ideas on how to mitigate this - by finding ways to not be a tax resident in Thailand by dividing my residence between:
4 months in Thailand, 4 months in Da Nang, Vietnam, 4 months in either Penang, Malaysia or in The Philippines - I have not yet been to either so I will work towards exploring these 2 areas before the 2025 tax year. Any other ideas to consider?

3pm to 9pm for me!

From Pattaya Mail
By Barry Kenyon
The extension of visa-free travel to 93 countries, including all those which are major players in tourism to Thailand, means that the overwhelming majority of foreign holidaymakers can obtain 60 days just by turning up. Nationals of those countries still needing a prior visa – for example Haiti, Pakistan, the Central African Republic, El Salvador, North Korea – send few vacationers in any case.
The mammoth question for the 93 countries is now extensions and repeat performances. In other words, can these tourists extend their 60 days for another month at local immigration and can they do a border hop to start all over again? Nobody can confirm either possibility and a phone call to 1178, the immigration hotline, brought no clarification. That’s not surprising as the new visa rules for visitors were introduced by the foreign affairs ministry, whilst internal extensions are the responsibility of the immigration bureau, a totally separate and fiercely independent government bureaucracy.
The new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), so far, is incomplete. We know is a multiple entry visa, valid for 5 years and aimed largely at remote workers and digital nomads, for a maximum stay of 180 days with an extension of another 180 days. The cost is 10,000 baht (around US$270) per half-year with a security bond of 500,000 baht available. Some social media contributors have stated this visa can be used only twice in five years, 180+180 days as it were, whilst others have declared you can live in Thailand for the entire five years as an alternative to the Elite visa or the annual extension of stay based on retirement. Neither extreme makes any sense.
There is very little news in the new policy for existing expats, apart from a temporary reduction in medical insurance required by some (not all) holders of retirement visas and their subsequent extensions of stay. However, there is an intriguing reference in the ministry of foreign affairs’ news release that the number of non-immigrant visas available will be drastically cut. The detail, once again, is guesswork but could include visas and extensions for retirees, foreigners married to Thais, work permit holders and international students being updated. Will the well-known difference between the 800,000 baht requirement for retiree visas and the 400,000 baht for married foreigners survive?
Not mentioned in the DTV news release, is the awesome elephant in the room. That’s the requirement, already stated by the Thai Revenue authorities, for all foreign tax residents to register by early next year for possible personal income tax on overseas income. A tax resident spends more than six months in Thailand in the calendar year. If the Thai government is serious about encouraging expat numbers in Thailand, it should issue an unambiguous statement that foreign income or pensions already taxed will in the home country will not be subject to further inquiry in Thailand. The sense of relief would be audible from the Myanmar border to the southern islands beyond Phuket. But don’t hold your breath.
 

Now that my passport is renewed it's time to start contemplating my next holiday and a long overdue one at that, it will most likely just be a short reacquainting trip split between a couple of destinations of a week in each. Keeping in mind plans can and sometimes do change.
The simple plan to date with Bangkok the first destination 
Figure out trip dates and book flights and accommodation  Arrival, check into hotel then go and change money Explore massage options (early afternoon) and enjoy a massage and some cock Shopping to stock up the room Evening massage and some more cock Not into bars so a quiet meal and a drink or two then retire for the night Day 2 onwards, anything goes but some more shopping, a good walk around and more massages with that bit of cock afterwards 

Now that my passport is renewed it's time to start contemplating my next holiday and a long overdue one at that, it will most likely just be a short reacquainting trip split between a couple of destinations of a week in each. Keeping in mind plans can and sometimes do change.
The simple plan to date with Bangkok the first destination 
Figure out trip dates and book flights and accommodation  Arrival, check into hotel then go and change money Explore massage options (early afternoon) and enjoy a massage and some cock Shopping to stock up the room Evening massage and some more cock Not into bars so a quiet meal and a drink or two then retire for the night Day 2 onwards, anything goes but some more shopping, a good walk around and more massages with that bit of cock afterwards 

All this happened under the previous CEO who has been dodging a Senate enquiry for some time now, he did manage to get a very healthy golden handshake when he left and I believe he ran that airline down. I have not liked Qantas for many years now and would refuse to fly internationally (even domestic now) with them as long as there is an alternative airline, I would even pay extra just to avoid them as they well and truly screwed up a holiday many years ago and treated me like a piece of dirt. Living and working in the country and having to rely on their domestic flights also left bad taste in my mouth, delayed flight after delayed flight seemed to be their theme as was the price of their flights. One other thing I hate with airlines in general is the practice of over booking flights, been screwed around by that one before despite booking months in advance. Sorry, rant over.

I love your itinerary.  
I also don't like much the bar scene because my best sex at my age occurs between 9am and 9pm.
If I bring someone home from the bars after 9pm and after some drinks there is a high probability that my money will be wasted.
So, your itinerary is perfect for me.

All this happened under the previous CEO who has been dodging a Senate enquiry for some time now, he did manage to get a very healthy golden handshake when he left and I believe he ran that airline down. I have not liked Qantas for many years now and would refuse to fly internationally (even domestic now) with them as long as there is an alternative airline, I would even pay extra just to avoid them as they well and truly screwed up a holiday many years ago and treated me like a piece of dirt. Living and working in the country and having to rely on their domestic flights also left bad taste in my mouth, delayed flight after delayed flight seemed to be their theme as was the price of their flights. One other thing I hate with airlines in general is the practice of over booking flights, been screwed around by that one before despite booking months in advance. Sorry, rant over.

NOTE — This state news agency press release was picked up my wire service worldwide and now the government is faced with an embarrassing situation. File under TIT.
From Pattaya Mail
By Barry Kenyon
Like most media, Pattaya Mail jumped the gun by stating that the 30 days on arrival by air, land and sea was doubled to 60 days at the beginning of the month. We apologize for our carelessness. The statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has to be confirmed by various bureaucracies prior to implementation.
The Ministry’s September 1 start date for the new DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) and the reduction in medical insurance required by O/A retiree visas and extensions of stay is also unconfirmed. Both subjects could be delayed further if linked to a “reconstruction” of retiree visas as suggested in the original press handout.
 

NOTE — I’ve been told by a member who is also an avid fare watcher that other carriers have done the same in recent past.
From CNN
LondonCNN —  The boss of Qantas Airways has acknowledged the “anger” of thousands of customers who were sold tickets for already-canceled flights.
“Everyone feels pain at the anger,” Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson told CNN’s Richard Quest in an exclusive interview at an airline industry conference in Dubai Monday. “It’s not just me; (it’s) 25,000 people that work for us as well. Because not only (did) we let our customers down, we let our people down.”
Last August, Australian regulators accused Qantas in a lawsuit of selling tickets for more than 8,000 flights that the airline had already canceled — affecting more than 86,000 customerQantas agreed last month to pay 120 million Australian dollars ($79 million) to settle the lawsuit. Of that, about 20 million Australian dollars ($13.3 million) will go to the affected customers.
The remaining 100 million Australian dollars ($66.5 million) is a fine — the biggest ever for an Australian airline, according to Reuters.
Hudson, who took the helm at Qantas in September, soon after the lawsuit was filed, told Quest the airline is focused on repairing its relationships with passengers and staff.

I (51yo Australian) have been in Manila since Friday night and once again I have found that all my hook-up research and planning before arriving was just not necessary.  I looked up massage spas like Greenappleboys and Redappleboys and booked two of the Redappleboys (Karl and Miko) before I arrived.  They were beautiful but too young (both 21yo) and unexperienced for this bottom and so in the end that was probably 7000 pesos (3500 each) unnecessarily spent. They both did have beautiful bodies and big hard cocks though that were a delight to suck on...
When I opened my Grindr looking for tops I was flooded with messages and any top guys I messaged returned pretty nearly a 100% success rate, even meeting two guys in the same hotel.  Only two other guys involved money.  A 28yo guy across the street messaged me late one night asking if I wanted a massage and suck him for 2000 pesos so I said yes and then the next night he came back with his cute as a button 23yo friend who he fucked while I watched and sucked off as he rode the older guy... I gave them a nice tip. 
All other guys were free sex from Grindr and Scruff.  Grindr is as buggy as hell at the moment so some have also connected with me through Telegram. I have had 17 sessions of sucking and sucking and getting fucked so far, 4 paid and the rest free.  And i think the rest of the week I am here will be repeats because I've met some really beautiful guys that I want to see again.  Only one guy was uncut and the rest cut.  The uncut guy is one of the most beautiful guys - a 32yo guy from Cavite.  Other than the two 21yos from Redappleboys, all the others have been 25-40.  The after sex laying, touching and chatting is far more common and far longer than anything I had in Bangkok last year.  As strange as it may seem, i don't think I could have learned so much about Filipino people and culture if I was just doing the tourist thing.  The fact that so many Filipinos speak really good English helps too. 
I am staying in the Holiday Inn and Suites at Makati which is nice but the it is both a blessing and a pain to have security at the entrance checking everyone entering and leaving and I get awkward smiles from the guards already because of seeing me bring different guys in with me.  I usually meet guys somewhere outside the building or in Glorietta Mall and then walk in with them and then the security doesn't ask them for ID.  I have to escort them out through the door again after we finish our fun following their detaining of one guy I met because he couldn't tell them my fullname and room number and the poor guy couldn't get through to me for 10 minutes or so during one of Grindr's bug attacks... The security are very proactive.  So my advice for any hotel guests doing what I've been doing... Bring your hookup in with you and then take them back out again!
I was also interested in the cruising culture in Manila and research a lot of cruising areas, but the ones I have found so far have too many people around, there are cleaners practically living in all of the toilets around Makati which makes hooking up impossible and I've been too busy to look further afield at the cruisy parks and cinemas that are supposedly here.  I have been told the Isetan Cinema at Recto is very cruisy, practically a sex on premises place, and I am hoping to check it out before I leave.  
I am super impressed with Manila so far and though I had planned to return to Bangkok for my next escape in December, I am thinking of coming back here again. I have managed to see the sites around Manila and I'm going to Tagaytay tomorrow so I'm not spending every hour on my knees or all fours!  But when I am on my knees or all fours, this place is giving me some of the hottest experiences of my life...  I hope this post helps others... I definitely recommend the Philippines!
Twitter / X Pages with Redappleboys including the guys I met - https://x.com/MeduzaRedapple or Telegram number 09932317268...
 

Now that my passport is renewed it's time to start contemplating my next holiday and a long overdue one at that, it will most likely just be a short reacquainting trip split between a couple of destinations of a week in each. Keeping in mind plans can and sometimes do change.
The simple plan to date with Bangkok the first destination 
Figure out trip dates and book flights and accommodation  Arrival, check into hotel then go and change money Explore massage options (early afternoon) and enjoy a massage and some cock Shopping to stock up the room Evening massage and some more cock Not into bars so a quiet meal and a drink or two then retire for the night Day 2 onwards, anything goes but some more shopping, a good walk around and more massages with that bit of cock afterwards 

and this has been a FANTASTIC upgrade feature when Samsung rolled out their recent OS upgrade.
I can now participate in the Thai massage Line groups in real time as it translates as I type in real time and the replies are also auto translated in real time.

If the above link to Phet Boy masseurs doesn’t show complete list, try this one.
https://phetboyspa.blogspot.com/2024/02/phetboy-spa.html

Visited Phet Boy shop this afternoon. 
General observations: Less than a five minute walk from BTS (see above). Found it to be very clean with rooms on second floor (mattress pad on floor). There a generous size shower down the hall with ample hot water. I was presented with bottle of water upon entering and wasn’t asked for payment until I was leaving. 
Minimum tips range from 800 to 1200 for one hour massage.
You choose your masseur from the long list at following link. You’ll recognize many—if not most—from the photos from others shops around Saphan Kwai. 
https://phetboyspa.blogspot.com/
One hour oil is 380.
My masseur (from Myanmar) was cheerful and offered what could be best described as full service and I tipped accordingly.
Overall impression was positive and I’m fairly sure that I’ll be e returning.
The shop is located a few minutes walk from multiple other all-male shops on same side of road, GBeat and 15m among them. K Man is just across the road.
Be advised that some photos the shops display can be three or more years old. So occasionally the guy who opens the door may be a bit older and possibly heavier than pictured. This applies to all shops. That’s one big advantage the shops in the Silom area have over the SK shops.

Hey guys.
Just thought share a brief report on my recent trip.
Bars
I went to 2 bars during my weekend trip; Frolic & ChinChin. It was pretty packed on Friday night in both bars, celebrating the start of Pride month.
On Friday night, I was at Frolic first, before going to ChinChin later that night. Frolic had 2 gogo boys dancing as opening for the drag show. The crowd was kind of a mixed bag in terms of age and local vs foreigner. People tend to stick to their own click at first, until the alcohol and whatever they were taking in from the balloons kicked in. Frolic also has an entrance fee for Saturday night (around 100k VND, I think), which does not include drinks.
I only went to ChinChin on Friday night, and it was pretty late by then but the crowd was still pretty big. The vibe I get from ChinChin is that it's more for the "bougie" crowd. The bar's set up gives off a more upscale feel, and the guests actually dressed up decently. Again, people tend to stick with their own crowd, and there are more locals here with maybe the odd few foreigners. But the guys were, IMHO, hotter than the those in the Frolic crowd 😅.
Sauna
I only went to one sauna, Nadam. It was a Saturday evening (around 5pm) and there was pretty big crowd, with varying ages. Though, I seem to be the only non-oriental looking guest from what I can see. A lot of guys with great bodies there. The crowd tend to be more reserved, with a few guys giving a grope if they're interested, to see if you are too. There is a pretty well equipped gym, and the layout of the sauna provides for different areas (multiple lounging areas, saunas (including steam room, hot & cold jacuzzi) are on the ground floor, with the mazes on the first and secord floor. The entry fee was less than 100k VND if I'm not mistaken. Saunas are not really my thing but if you enjoy it and are into oriental asians, this would be a good place for you.
Online MBs
I received several offers on the apps (Grindr and HeeSay), ranging from 500k VND to 2 mil VND depending on what you want. There are surprisingly more gym fit MBs than the twinkier guys.
My experience hiring one of the guys was, unfortunately, not that great. The guy looked masculine with a gym fit body in the pics, but in person he was more effeminate. When I showered, he went ahead and helped himself to the snacks and drinks I had in my room...without asking me. I didn't realise it until after he left. The service itself was rather mediocre, so all in all, it wasn't really a good experience.
But I am eagre to come back and explore a bit more of the HCM scene. I met several amazing local guys over coffee and some of the expats I met at the bars. Looking forward to my next trip.
 

Frim The Thaiger
In an unprecedented global crackdown, a leading cybercrime organisation, described as the world’s most sophisticated hacking group, has been successfully dismantled. This victory comes as a result of a tireless combined operation between Thai and US security services.
The operation orchestrated by the FBI and Thailand’s Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), resulted in the arrest of three top-ranking members of the international cybercrime syndicate. The fallout of the arrests, unlike any seen before, is set to have a significant impact on global cybercrime activities.
The syndicate had been operating extensive illegal activities involving unauthorised system access, theft of confidential information, and cryptocurrency fraud across borders, wreaking havoc on the global digital economy. The arrested individuals are now facing serious charges under the Computer Crimes Act, which could equate to a decade-long sentence for each charge.
Officers searched a target house in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, and three condominium rooms in Na Jomtien. They found 7.5 million baht in cash, both Thai and foreign currencies, 13 luxury watches including 3 AUDEMARS PIGUET watches worth over 30 million baht, 23 pieces of jewelry worth over 50 million baht.
 

From The Thaiger
hai police dismantled a sprawling network that illegally enabled foreigners, predominantly Russians, to secure long-term stays in Thailand through deceptive company setups. This elaborate scheme, orchestrated by a 45 year old Russian woman and her Thai accomplice, has rocked the idyllic province of Phuket.
 
Police revealed that the Russian mastermind arrived in Thailand in 2012 and, alongside a Thai woman, facilitated the registration of over 270 shell companies. These companies were fronts to sidestep Thai laws that limit foreign businessownership to 49%, a rule designed to safeguard local competition.
Puttidej Bunkrapue, commander of the police Economic Crime Suppression Division explained that foreigners can operate a business in Thailand, but it must be a joint venture with a Thai partner. Through this illicit service, foreigners were either listed as shareholders or employed by these shell entities, securing them work permits and long-term residency.
Authorities suspect the operation has been running since 2016 but noted a surge in clientele following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Chief investigator Krit Woratat confirmed that at least 50 foreigners had been officially charged by yesterday.
Phuket, renowned for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife, has seen a marked influx of Russian tourists and expatriates. From 2019 to early 2024, over 90,000 Russians visited the province, reported Thai PBS World.
The number of companies registered under Russian names skyrocketed to over 1,600 from 2023 to early 2024, a dramatic increase compared to the annual average of 30 companies between 2016 and 2022.

It was certainly my twin brother, just 5 months older

Suggest you stay elsewhere. The building site on old Soi Twilight is working noisily from 07.00 to 19.00 so if you are unlucky enough to get a room on that side of the building (60% chance from memory) then you will not be getting much sleep

Well I’m back.   After making my first trip to Bangkok in November 2022, I am going back in July.  I’ve booked the Raya again.  This will be a relaxing break for me.   I plan to spend afternoons getting massages and hit the shows/bars at night.  I think I can handle the BTS, this time I may try the MRT. 
I want to revisit the Grand Palace, and this time I want to take one of the fast boats on the river.   I may hire a guide from Siam again as that was fun and informative last time.
I’d also like to try some different places for dinner.   Any recommendations? 
Can’t wait!

From The Nation
Thaksin Shinawatra will be indicted on charges of lese majeste (royal defamation) and computer crime, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) said on Wednesday.
Attorney General Amnart Jetcharoenrak issued an order to indict Thaksin on both charges on Monday, OAG spokesman Prayut Phetkhun said. The charges stem from an interview Thaksin gave in South Korea in November 2009.
However, the filing of charges in court was today postponed after Thaksin’s lawyer submitted a medical certificate showing his client had contracted COVID-19 and had been advised by a doctor to rest for seven days. The lawyer asked for the indictment hearing to be postponed to June 25. 
After considering the request, the prosecutor granted the postponement and ordered Thaksin to appear at an indictment hearing on June 18.
“Currently, Thaksin is a suspect, which will change to a defendant once the court accepts the case,” the spokesman said.
Police allege Thaksin committed lese majeste in an interview with Time magazine on November 9, 2009.
In 2015, the Army filed a police complaint over the interview. In 2016, the AOG decided there was enough evidence to prosecute Thaksin and issued an arrest warrant. The statute of limitations for the offence is 15 years, starting from 2015.
Thaksin had requested fair treatment in the case after returning from self-exile in August last year, prompting the Office of the Attorney General to investigate again.
Thaksin is currently on parole after serving six months of a one-year jail sentence, commuted from eight years, for abuse of power during his tenure as prime minister from 2001 to 2006.

Whatever one may say I still strongly believe there are very few places in the world where on may hire hunky model material for 120-150 USD if not less for overnight company .

@Matthew285 hits the nail on the head. Gay visitors to Thailand are spread out over a spectrum. At one end would be those who have been regular visitors for years, even decades. So naturally, their point of reference would be the prices that used to be. Moreover, by now they are likely to be older and retired and on fixed incomes, so they will notice how prices have moved.
At the other end of the spectrum are newer and generally younger visitors to Thailand (Thank heavens for them, otherwise the scene would be well and truly dead). Their point of reference would be prices in their home countries. My guess is that the ratio between prices in Thailand and prices the West have not budged very much, though in dollar terms, both prices have moved up. So, the new generation of visitors to Thailand are as delighted with the happy discounts they see today in a similar way as the previous generation saw (and were delighted) back then.