Today, we present a 2025 update on tax and visa regulations in Thailand. You will find information about changes in tax residency, foreign income taxation, tax rates, and, above all, visa options for foreigners. This is undoubtedly essential information for tourists and expatriates.

Thailand, known for its low cost of living, tropical climate, and paradise-like landscapes, has always been one of the favourite destinations for digital nomads, perpetual tourists, and expatriates, mainly because of its low cost of living, tropical climate, hospitable people, and paradise-like landscapes.

Unfortunately, however, the tax situation changed in 2024. According to ordinances, Paw. 161/2566 and Paw. 162/2566, anyone who spends 180 days or more in Thailand during the fiscal year is considered a Thai tax resident and, therefore, will have to pay tax there. Although this was already the case, this measure will be applied more strictly to foreigners. However, the change that might affect you the most is not even that, but the fact that foreign income obtained by Thai residents will be taxed in the calendar year it is brought into Thailand, regardless of the year in which it was obtained.

Before the new rules, foreign income of Thai residents was only taxed if it was brought into Thailand during the same calendar year it was obtained. This allowed, through clever planning, for income to be transferred to Thailand in a subsequent year to avoid taxation.

This option is no longer available; therefore, it is more important than ever to avoid becoming a tax resident if that is not your goal. The main points now would be:

• Avoid becoming a tax resident: Ensure you don’t exceed the 180-day limit. If you want to live in Thailand long-term, you can force yourself to stay below the 180-day limit one year out of every two or three years. This way, in the year when you’re not a tax resident in Thailand, you can bring money into the country tax-free.
• Don’t bring money to Thailand: If you become a tax resident, don’t transfer any income from abroad to Thailand to avoid taxation. If you need cash urgently, arrange it as a repayable loan that will be paid back later to avoid taxation. If this isn’t possible, bring only the necessary money to cover your daily expenses.

There are some rumours that starting in 2025, all income, not just income transferred to Thailand, could be taxed. This would mean that Thailand would move from a territorial taxation system to a residence taxation system, meaning taxation on universal income, regardless of its source.

Naturally, we will be attentive to any changes in this direction. However, the current rules will continue to apply. Panoramic Citizen believes they are unlikely to implement this measure as it would lead to a massive capital flight and emigration of wealthy foreigners and Thai nationals. However, applying for an LTR visa would protect you against any other changes in Thai taxation, as it guarantees that foreign income would remain tax-exempt (explained below).

Paper Residence in Thailand (also for crypto investments)

Many perpetual travellers use Thailand not only as a place to plant their leisure flag (or playground) but also as a paper residence or for legal compliance outside Europe.

Naturally, this raises the question: What now? Of course, this will change the plans of many perpetual tourists and proves, once again, that you should never trust a country 100%: laws can change at any time, and you never know what to expect. Furthermore, you should never assume that solutions that work today will work forever for the same reasons.

A suitable legal compliance domicile allows you to manage your global financial affairs smoothly and legally without taking on unnecessary tax obligations or risks.

The most important criteria are a stable political environment, obtaining a tax identification number without incurring tax obligations (a tax ID number doesn’t necessarily imply the obligation to file a tax return), flexible residency rules, and a network of non-double taxation agreements. International financial institutions should accept this residence to facilitate the handling of documents, such as utility bills.

Thailand meets many of these criteria, especially if you combine a long-stay visa with a tax identification number, third-party utility bills, or purchasing your own home.

Some banks in Thailand may require a tax identification number if you want to open an account, especially as a non-resident. You can ask the bank to help you with the application. You can also apply for a tax identification number directly from Thai tax authorities for a valid reason, such as anticipated business transactions or real estate investments.

Flexibility and vigilance are essential.

For those who applied for compliance residency in Thailand due to MiCA, we have bad news: Thailand also took essential steps in cryptocurrency regulation in 2024.

MiCA (Markets in Cryptoassets Regulation) is a new EU regulation that aims to create a regulatory framework for the crypto-asset market. It will regulate all crypto-assets not yet covered by other EU financial regulations, from cryptocurrencies to stablecoins and utility tokens.

Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adjusted its rules to open the market further. For example, the investment limit for private investors in digital tokens backed by real estate or infrastructure was removed. Previously, this limit was 300,000 baht (about US$ 8,400) per offering. At the same time, custodial wallets must now be managed by subsidiaries of listed companies, which should provide more security. Here is a complete Baker McKenzie report on cryptocurrency regulation in Thailand.

However, the legal framework can change quickly in this area, too, so it’s important to stay updated and act flexibly.

Tax Rates in Thailand

Income earned in Thailand, whether from employment, business activities, or real estate, is subject to income tax.

As of January 1, 2024, the new rule will apply to income earned abroad: it will be taxed if you remit it to Thailand and spend at least 180 days in Thailand in the same fiscal year. It doesn’t matter what year the income was originally earned; the decisive factor is the transfer to Thailand.

Regarding personal income tax rates, you can find them in the table below:

Tax Base in (THB)	Tax Rate
0 to 150000	0%
150001 and 300000	5%
300001 and 500000	10%
500001 and 750000	15%
750001 and 1000000	20%
1000001 and 2000000	25%
2000001 and 5000000	30%
more than 5000000	35%

The same rates apply to capital gains.

Social security contributions are 5% and are charged on monthly income up to THB 15,000. Therefore, the maximum contribution is 750 THB per month or 9,000 THB per year.

The obligation to file a tax return applies if annual income exceeds THB 120,000 for a single person or THB 220,000 for a couple, even if no tax is paid. The tax return must be filed within three months after the end of the year.

Regarding deductions:

Deduction	Value
Personal benefit	60000 THB
Partner benefit	60000 THB
Children benefit	30000 THB by children (60000 THB for the second children born from 2018)
Parents support benefit	30000 THB for each parent (special conditions apply)
Life insurance benefit	Up to 100000 THB (special conditions apply)
Health insurance benefit	Up to 25000 THB (the insurance premium cannot exceed 100000 THB)
Parent’s health insurance benefit	Up to 15000 THB for each parent (special conditions apply)
Pension Fund Benefit (PF)	Up to 500000 THB (the contributions cannot exceed 15% of the base salary)
Pension Fund (RMF)	Up to 500000 THB (the contributions cannot exceed 30% of the taxable income)
Super Saving Fund (SSF)	Up to 200000 THB (the contributions cannot exceed 30% of the taxable income)
Environmental, Social and Governance Fund (ESG)	Up to 100000 THB (the contributions cannot exceed 30% of the taxable income)
Interest benefit (mortgages)	Up to 100000 THB (special conditions apply)
Donation benefits	Up to 10% of the taxable income.
Benefits for partner/parents/children/dependent people who need support	60000 THB by person (special conditions apply)

Your Thai Visa

Thailand is known as a country where paperwork and bureaucracy are part of daily life. Multiple documents are required for everything, often in duplicate. Rest assured, our partners can help you obtain your residence permit or visa in Thailand without problems.

You don’t need to speak Thai; our local team speaks English, French, Russian, Italian, and Spanish. And, of course, you don’t need to fill out tedious forms; they take care of everything. Our associates accompany you and stay with you until all formalities are completed.

All we need from you is your presence, your passport (valid for at least 6 months or the required visa duration), and your entry visa. You will only need to travel to Bangkok or Pattaya to submit the documents.

Below, we explain the different types of visas currently available to you:

Retirement Visa

You can apply for a retirement visa through either the standard procedure or the fast-track procedure. One month before the visa expires, you can extend it for another 12 months, year after year, for as long as you wish. This visa is only available from the age of 50 and requires a deposit of 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account.

• Fast-track procedure: costs 1,500 euros and includes a 15-month visa, bank account, bank certificate, address, and multiple-entry visa. Annual renewal: approximately 600 euros per year.
• Standard procedure: costs 1,200 euros and includes a 15-month visa, bank account, bank certificate, and address—annual renewal: approximately 600 euros per year.

Study Visa in Thailand (only in Pattaya)

Costs 1,600 euros, all-inclusive (school registration, 3-month visa, and 3-month extensions each)—annual extension: about 1,600 euros per year. You should actually attend school and take exams. However, there are some options to avoid attendance.

Privilege Entry Visa (formerly known as Elite Visa)

This visa category constantly changes. The government now offers four packages whose fees have increased by 50 to 250% since last year: the 5-year package, for example, used to cost 600,000 THB, now costs 900,000 THB. If you have resources and want to stay in Thailand long, this is the ideal visa for you. It allows you to purchase a residence permit, so to speak, while giving you additional benefits and discounts in the country.

Other Residence Permits

The three visas above are just the most popular and most straightforward to obtain. However, there are other visas for long-term stays in Thailand. Don’t hesitate to contact us to let us know your plans and needs.

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

There is also a new visa category for digital nomads with stays of up to six months, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV). This five-year visa allows stays of up to 180 days per entry, with the possibility of multiple re-entries. To obtain it, applicants must prove they have at least THB 500,000 (approximately US$ 13,920) and are travelling to Thailand for a recognized purpose, such as telework, self-employment, business travel, training, etc.

It is intended for digital nomads, perpetual travellers, and anyone wishing to participate in such activities as Muay Thai or Thai cooking classes, sports training, music events, seminars, or medical treatment. This visa also covers the DFV holder’s spouse and children.

Long-Term Resident Visa in Thailand

It’s also worth mentioning the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa, a program developed especially for highly qualified foreigners.

The LTR visa targets four different groups with different requirements, which we won’t discuss individually:

1. High-net-worth international citizens
2. Wealthy retirees
3. Remote workers working in Thailand
4. Highly skilled professionals

For categories requiring high net worth, you must prove personal assets of US$ 1 million and annual income of US$ 80,000 for the past two years. Also, US$ 500,000 must be invested in Thai government bonds or companies. Alternatively, you can also purchase property above this value.

LTR holders have additional rights to acquire properties in Thailand. Additionally, you must have a valid health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of USD 50,000 or a bank balance of USD 100,000.

The visa grants a stay of up to 10 years, with the possibility of extension. Highly skilled professionals can benefit from a reduced income tax rate of 17%. At the same time, other categories are exempt from tax on foreign income remitted to the country.

Even if the taxation of foreign income in Thailand changes, LTR visa holders will remain tax-exempt.

Instead of the usual 90-day reporting, only an annual declaration is required. LTR visa holders and their dependents also receive a digital work permit. They are not subject to the usual quota regulations in Thai companies.

New Visa on Arrival for Tourists

To conclude this article, we have another piece of good news to give you. Thailand has improved its visas for tourists upon arrival. From now on, tourists can stay for 60 days, double the previous time, without needing to apply for an additional visa at a Thai embassy.

Citizens from over 90 countries can now enter Thailand without a visa simply by presenting their valid passports at the arrival airport. Citizens from some countries with bilateral visa exemption agreements with Thailand, such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and South Korea, can even stay in Thailand for up to 90 days without a visa for business purposes without needing to apply for an extension.

Finally, there is also the “Schengen visa” project for Southeast Asia, the so-called ASEAN common visa, which has been gaining increasing attention in recent years. This ASEAN countries initiative aims to create a common visa allowing travellers to access various countries in the region with a single visa, similar to Europe’s Schengen visa.

Some countries, like Thailand and Cambodia, have already signed bilateral agreements that can be seen as the first steps toward an ASEAN-wide visa.

Although the idea of an ASEAN common visa has been discussed for several years, member states have yet to fully agree on its implementation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Visas

What happens if I don’t stay in Thailand for the entire year?

If you travel during your visa’s validity, you must apply for a re-entry visa before leaving the country. This will affect your 90-day notification: you must report within 48 hours upon return.

What’s the difference between a non-immigrant O visa and a non-immigrant OA visa?

The difference is that the OA visa requires health insurance, while the O visa doesn’t.

Are there alternatives for those who don’t have the required minimum deposit?

As an alternative, you only need to show a monthly income of at least THB 65,000.

Do I need to be retired to benefit from the retirement visa?

No, you need to be over 50 years old and prove you have at least 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account.

What happens if I’m not in Thailand during the extension period?

Your visa must be extended one month before expiration. If you miss this deadline, you must start the entire process again. Our partners will contact you in a timely manner to remind you so this doesn’t happen.

Can I work in Thailand with a retirement visa?

No, you cannot work in Thailand with a retirement, student, or Privilege Entry visa.

How do I obtain a work permit?

You must be an employee of a Thai company or open your own company.

Which visa is right for me?

Your choice depends on your destination, age, financial resources, and desired length of stay.

How does the 90-day notification work?

Any foreigner staying in Thailand for more than 90 days must register to comply with this measure. This notification can be made 14 days before or 7 days after the notification date. If you miss the deadline, you may face fines and other penalties. Our team can handle filling out this notification for you.

Can I change my visa to another category?

Yes, as long as you meet the requirements for the new visa. However, you will lose the remaining time on your current visa.

Do I have to pay taxes on my retirement visa in Thailand?

If you stay in Thailand for more than 180 days per year, you must pay taxes. Your foreign income will be taxed in Thailand to the extent that it is brought into the country.

Can I include my family in my visa?

Yes, this is possible in many visa categories. However, for the retirement visa, both partners must be over 50 years old.

As you can see Thailand offers many options for who wants to travel or emigrate on this beautiful country.

If you would like to to receive more information from Thailand and know if this is the right choice for you get in touch here.