Laid Back and Cheap: A Thailand Primer

Dear International Living Reader,

If you're looking for a laid-back and inexpensive tropical lifestyle in an environment friendly to westerners, consider Thailand. The official language is Thai, although English is widely spoken, particularly in the major cities.

The cost of living is very reasonable--in part a consequence of a collapse in the value of the Thai currency, the baht, in 1998. You can still rent a nicely furnished room in Bangkok for B3,000 (about US$70)--per month. Want something a little larger? No problem--the going rate for a two-bedroom townhouse is only about B8,000/mo. (US$190).

Tourists from most western countries, including all EU nations, the United States and Canada, can visit Thailand for up to 30 days as tourists, without obtaining a visa.

If you want to work in Thailand--and just about any native speaker of English can easily support themselves teaching English at one of Bangkok's many foreign language schools--you must obtain a non-immigrant visa category B (business visa) before entering the country. This is valid for 90 days but can be extended up to a year. This visa also permits you to eventually apply for permanent residence in Thailand and, after 10 years, Thai citizenship.

There are many other categories of visas, including investment visas for qualified investors. Application can be made to the Board of Investment or the Immigration Department (see below for contact details.)

Unfortunately, the granting of work permits and the extension of business visas can be a lengthy process. However, persons who are sponsored by a Thai employer may receive a work permit and immigration extension in three hours at the "One Stop Service Center" upon completion of the proper application (details below.)

Thailand also welcomes self-supporting retirees.

You must obtain a certificate that you are in good health; have no criminal record; and have sufficient income to support yourself in Thailand. This is currently defined as having B800,000 (US$19,300) in a Thai bank account or a monthly income of B65,000 (US$1,560).

The Thai tax system is relatively simple, although Thailand is not a tax haven. However,

offshore income not remitted to Thailand is not subject to income tax. If you spend more than 180 days in Thailand in a calendar year, you are considered resident for tax purposes. All earned income derived from Thai employment is subject to Thai personal income tax. You must also pay income tax on foreign source income remitted to Thailand. U.S. citizens living in Thailand who are subject to double taxation can obtain relief under the U.S.-Thailand tax treaty.

Mark Nestmann
Editor, The Sovereign Society
Contributing Editor, International Living