None of that will include me. Not that I have anything against it. It's that I don't understand it. Bitcoin, crypto currency - I have no idea what it is or even those are two terms for the same thing. I don't know how to invest in it. I don't know how to keep track of it. I don't know how to get my money out from it and into my bank account. I know zilch - less than zilch.
Maybe I'm just behind the times, but along with knowing nothing about it, I also am not the slightest bit interested in it. If anyone wants to enlighten me about it, please do.
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Expats in Thailand offered a further tax holiday with bitcoin
By Barry Kenyon
June 18, 2025
In an ambitious move, the Thai finance ministry has announced that investors – Thai or foreign – will be exempt from paying tax on profits from their crypto gains provided they trade through exchanges or brokers licensed with the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission. The exemption runs from January 1 2025 through to the end of 2029. The measure is designed to strengthen Thailand’s position as a global financial hub and one of the early countries to adopt laws for digital assets and their taxation.
Thus Thailand is doubling down on waivers already promised to expats and Thai residents to transfer overseas income without personal tax. A detailed ministry circular is awaited, but the proviso in this particular case is that the cash arrives here in the calendar year, or the following year, in which it was earned. The finance ministry has separately promised that tourists will soon be able to pay for accommodation, meals and other items with cryptocurrency at registered businesses by linking their credit cards to digital assets for domestic spending.
If the tax-free crypto works out as planned, Thailand will be able to compete with Singapore and Hong Kong for the title of Asia’s crypto hub. In reality, the country is abandoning its former policy of trying to tax everything in sight and to bet that temporary breaks will bring more benefits in the future. But the new move is accompanied by a crackdown on unlicensed offshore crypto exchanges and the cyber crime associated with them. The hope is that the latest policy shift will attract investors rather than speculators.
But ExpatTax Thailand, in an email to subscribers about crypto, advises that specific details are awaited. The exemption applies to actual crypto gains solely from buying and selling and not (it appears) on income from business activities. It isn’t clear how gains will be reported or what happens tax-wise if you cash out on a non-licensed platform or an offshore wallet and transfer that money into Thailand.
ExpatTax concludes, “This five-year crypto tax break could be excellent news for expats – but it’s not automatic and not without limitations. Be prepared for further clarification from the Thai Revenue Department.” Separately, a government spokesperson said there were no plans to allow visa payments or immigration charges by cryptocurrency. Not for now anyway. As Whistleblower’s Edward Snowden reminded us, “It is very unpopular but also very true that bitcoin is the most significant advance since the creation of coinage.”
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... oin-505785
By Barry Kenyon
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Gaybutton
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Re: By Barry Kenyon
Maybe next they'll entice all you on-line cyber-crazed crypto dudes with BitBaht.
I'm sure it's right around the corner.
I'm sure it's right around the corner.
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thewayhelooks
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Re: By Barry Kenyon
Introducing tax incentives for investing in productive businesses might be better than tax incentives for speculating in crypto currency, which has no useful output.Barry Kenyon wrote: ↑Fri Jun 20, 2025 4:00 pmIn an ambitious move, the Thai finance ministry has announced that investors – Thai or foreign – will be exempt from paying tax on profits from their crypto gains provided they trade through exchanges or brokers licensed with the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Gaybutton
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Re: By Barry Kenyon
Border runners should head for Laos and not Cambodia
By Barry Kenyon
June 24, 2025
The Royal Thai Army has closed all border posts between Thailand and Cambodia except for special cases such as medical patients. The closure includes the two locations in the Pong Nam Ron district, technically known as Ban Phakkat and Ban Laem, which are popular with Pattaya-based tourists and expats.
The closures are part of the ongoing territorial spat between the two countries which also includes bans on trade and problems with electricity and petrol supplies in border areas. Cambodia insists on arbitration from the International Court of Justice whilst Thailand demands an agreement between the two countries.
Visa agents are advising border hoppers to join organized minibus tours heading for the Laos capital, Vientiane, via Nong Khai. Most transport leaves Pattaya in the evening and requires an overnight stay. Inclusive prices start at around 12,000 baht and include travel, accommodation, the bureaucracy and the Laos visa. Variables include the standard of the one-night hotel and the varying cost of the Laos visa for different nationalities.
Border runners of most nationalities receive 60 days for tourism on returning to Thai territory, with a further month’s extension available at local Thai immigration. A spokesperson for Thai Visa Services said, “It’s best to book with an agent who will know all the detail and current rules to avoid a wasted journey.”
Another category of visa runners are those holding some types of non-immigrant visas which give 90 days on arrival, but require leaving the country to reactivate. The Destination Thailand Visa offers a new six months’ permission every time the holder enters Thailand by air, land or sea. Flights between Cambodia and Thailand are currently unaffected by the territorial dispute.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... dia-506668
By Barry Kenyon
June 24, 2025
The Royal Thai Army has closed all border posts between Thailand and Cambodia except for special cases such as medical patients. The closure includes the two locations in the Pong Nam Ron district, technically known as Ban Phakkat and Ban Laem, which are popular with Pattaya-based tourists and expats.
The closures are part of the ongoing territorial spat between the two countries which also includes bans on trade and problems with electricity and petrol supplies in border areas. Cambodia insists on arbitration from the International Court of Justice whilst Thailand demands an agreement between the two countries.
Visa agents are advising border hoppers to join organized minibus tours heading for the Laos capital, Vientiane, via Nong Khai. Most transport leaves Pattaya in the evening and requires an overnight stay. Inclusive prices start at around 12,000 baht and include travel, accommodation, the bureaucracy and the Laos visa. Variables include the standard of the one-night hotel and the varying cost of the Laos visa for different nationalities.
Border runners of most nationalities receive 60 days for tourism on returning to Thai territory, with a further month’s extension available at local Thai immigration. A spokesperson for Thai Visa Services said, “It’s best to book with an agent who will know all the detail and current rules to avoid a wasted journey.”
Another category of visa runners are those holding some types of non-immigrant visas which give 90 days on arrival, but require leaving the country to reactivate. The Destination Thailand Visa offers a new six months’ permission every time the holder enters Thailand by air, land or sea. Flights between Cambodia and Thailand are currently unaffected by the territorial dispute.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... dia-506668
Re: By Barry Kenyon
Unless I missing something, they've closed border crossings in 7 of the 8 border crossing provinces, not just the two locations that Barry mentioned.Barry Kenyon wrote: ↑Thu Jun 26, 2025 7:55 am
......The closure includes the two locations in the Pong Nam Ron district, technically known as Ban Phakkat and Ban Laem......
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Gaybutton
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Re: By Barry Kenyon
The Thai-Cambodia border disputes: the case for Thailand
By Barry Kenyon
July 3, 2025
All senior Thai politicians, with or without Paetongtarn Shinawatra in the driving seat, are adamant that they will not debate the Cambodian border disputes at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Netherlands. Cambodia will seek a favorable judgment alone on several ancient temples and surrounding land in north east Thailand known as the Emerald Triangle.
Although the ICJ was set up by the United Nations in 1946 with 15 nominally independent judges, its record is sketchy to say the least. The US withdrew from being bound by its findings as early as 1986 (human rights in the war in Nicaragua) and Iran refused a judgment against itself in 1979 (the US hostages crisis). Australia declared in 2002 that it would not be bound by decisions about maritime boundaries.
In the last two years, Israel has rejected arbitration about genocide in Gaza, whilst Russia has denied violating the genocide convention of 1948. There are many more examples. In 1962 the ICJ awarded the Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia without clarifying ownership of the surrounding territory. Critics say that decision is typical of ICJ decisions which rely on judicial diktats without resolving the underlying disputes.
The confusion, of course, is the fault of France which formerly ruled Cambodia. In 1904 a French treaty signed with Siam decided the Dangrek Mountains to be the natural watershed barrier creating the borders. The treaty thus placed the disputed Preah Vihear complex in Thailand, although the exact demarcation was left to a mixed commission which never reached a conclusion. A further treaty of 2007, drawn up by French surveyors with little Siamese input, deviated from the natural boundary of the mountains and placed the temple in Cambodia’s orbit. Thailand later contested that amid arguments over which maps were reliable.
Thus Thailand rejects reliance on colonial cartography 120 years old to prove contemporary geopolitics. Still the ambiguity led the ICJ in 1962, generously confirmed in 2012, to support Cambodia’s claims largely on the grounds that Siam’s leaders at the time had – de facto – accepted the 1907 demarcation, only to complain later. The 1962 judgment was a split decision: 9 to 3 in favour of Phnom Penh. Thailand had given notice beforehand she would not accept foreign ownership of Thai territory based on disputed maps.
Whilst Cambodia certainly views the clutch of temples and adjoining land as a proud national heritage and a symbol of sovereignty, the same is true of Thailand. Both nations are currently in a frenzy of intense patriotism. Obviously Phnom Penh will seek to refer the issues to historically-friendly international arbitration, even though there is no realistic mechanism or political will to force agreement. Pie in the sky is an appropriate summary.
In 2000, Cambodia and Thailand agreed to set up the two-country Joint Boundary Commission to resolve border disputes. It last met in June 2025 and unsurprisingly failed to make any progress. But it is just as capable as the ICJ in boundary demarcation , including the use of LiDAR technology to orthophoto maps. The best way forward is likely dual discussions under ASEAN auspices. Joint sovereignty of some border areas and treasured ancient temples offers the best chance of resolution. Borders are fickle entities at the best of times. Thailand controlled Siem Reap and its temples from 1795 to 1907 and the ownership dispute dragged on until the end of world war two. Cool heads, not rhetoric are needed once again.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... and-507955
By Barry Kenyon
July 3, 2025
All senior Thai politicians, with or without Paetongtarn Shinawatra in the driving seat, are adamant that they will not debate the Cambodian border disputes at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Netherlands. Cambodia will seek a favorable judgment alone on several ancient temples and surrounding land in north east Thailand known as the Emerald Triangle.
Although the ICJ was set up by the United Nations in 1946 with 15 nominally independent judges, its record is sketchy to say the least. The US withdrew from being bound by its findings as early as 1986 (human rights in the war in Nicaragua) and Iran refused a judgment against itself in 1979 (the US hostages crisis). Australia declared in 2002 that it would not be bound by decisions about maritime boundaries.
In the last two years, Israel has rejected arbitration about genocide in Gaza, whilst Russia has denied violating the genocide convention of 1948. There are many more examples. In 1962 the ICJ awarded the Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia without clarifying ownership of the surrounding territory. Critics say that decision is typical of ICJ decisions which rely on judicial diktats without resolving the underlying disputes.
The confusion, of course, is the fault of France which formerly ruled Cambodia. In 1904 a French treaty signed with Siam decided the Dangrek Mountains to be the natural watershed barrier creating the borders. The treaty thus placed the disputed Preah Vihear complex in Thailand, although the exact demarcation was left to a mixed commission which never reached a conclusion. A further treaty of 2007, drawn up by French surveyors with little Siamese input, deviated from the natural boundary of the mountains and placed the temple in Cambodia’s orbit. Thailand later contested that amid arguments over which maps were reliable.
Thus Thailand rejects reliance on colonial cartography 120 years old to prove contemporary geopolitics. Still the ambiguity led the ICJ in 1962, generously confirmed in 2012, to support Cambodia’s claims largely on the grounds that Siam’s leaders at the time had – de facto – accepted the 1907 demarcation, only to complain later. The 1962 judgment was a split decision: 9 to 3 in favour of Phnom Penh. Thailand had given notice beforehand she would not accept foreign ownership of Thai territory based on disputed maps.
Whilst Cambodia certainly views the clutch of temples and adjoining land as a proud national heritage and a symbol of sovereignty, the same is true of Thailand. Both nations are currently in a frenzy of intense patriotism. Obviously Phnom Penh will seek to refer the issues to historically-friendly international arbitration, even though there is no realistic mechanism or political will to force agreement. Pie in the sky is an appropriate summary.
In 2000, Cambodia and Thailand agreed to set up the two-country Joint Boundary Commission to resolve border disputes. It last met in June 2025 and unsurprisingly failed to make any progress. But it is just as capable as the ICJ in boundary demarcation , including the use of LiDAR technology to orthophoto maps. The best way forward is likely dual discussions under ASEAN auspices. Joint sovereignty of some border areas and treasured ancient temples offers the best chance of resolution. Borders are fickle entities at the best of times. Thailand controlled Siem Reap and its temples from 1795 to 1907 and the ownership dispute dragged on until the end of world war two. Cool heads, not rhetoric are needed once again.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... and-507955
Re: By Barry Kenyon
OK, so Thailand has approximately 198,000 square miles of territory & Cambodia 70,000 square miles.
In total, how many square miles of territory are disputed here ? 1 ? 5 ? The media don't seem to report this.
It's a lot of fuss & economic disruption for 0.0025% of their land area, or whatever the number is.
In total, how many square miles of territory are disputed here ? 1 ? 5 ? The media don't seem to report this.
It's a lot of fuss & economic disruption for 0.0025% of their land area, or whatever the number is.
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Gaybutton
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Re: By Barry Kenyon
As the Thais and Cambodians see it, I don't think that is the issue. To Buddhists these temples are absolutely sacred, and who this one belongs to is the issue, to the point that the situation has become close to violence over it, without economics being considered as a factor.
To many of us the matter could easily be settled by the toss of a coin. But to Thais and Cambodians, it is a highly serious issue. I don't see how the issue could ever be settled to the approval and satisfaction of both parties and so far neither side seems to be interested in any form of compromise.
In my opinion, if enough evidence can be provided as to who built this temple in the first place, Thais or Cambodians, based on the borders of the time, that ought to settle the issue. But I doubt either side would go along with that.
I think it ought to be the monks negotiating and deciding - if they can reach a decision - and the politicians ought to stay out of it..
Re: By Barry Kenyon
I thought they were all Khmer temples, built by the Khmer empire ? The one I visited certainly was. Thailand is not going to accept that.