@Uwe ***

I agree with you on the tax issue...it's merely a reinterpretation not a new law anyway.

Anonymous participant Phuket is worse. Just accept the fact that some checkpoints are not that friendly and in fact, they're starting to scrutinize people more, in general, regardless of where you enter.

@Elías ***************

You can charge your way through Thailand to some extent, but you'll be limiting yourself to upper middle class and higher end facilities (not a bad way to live) but just saying, it could mean missing out on markets (except for some of the higher end, expat oriented farmers markets where some merchants accept card payments), street food and a lot of other things.

On the positive side, nearly all stores at malls, 90% of gas (petrol) stations, hotels booked through booking agents and any hotel of 3 or 4 star and above standing will accept cards.

All major supermarkets, convenience stores such as 711 (for amounts above 200 Baht), most expressway booths (but not all...you have to know which ones accept cards and which ones don't), most chain restaurants, many cafes (except those in more out of the way locations), all higher end restaurants etc. take card payments.

However, a good 50% of the economy does not.

@Nestor *******

Fair enough. Yes, Vietnam imposes some absolutely ridiculous rules. Vietnam is perfectly fine for a vacation though, as long as you don't mind being Chauferred around (although you can also rent a motorcycle or scooter with little effort) just not a self-drive car.

@Nestor *******

Not necessarily much more expensive than self-drive in another country, but depends on the distances traveled. Yeah, Vietnam is super strict on driving rules. They also neither recognize foreign licenses and with IDPs they may or may not be recognized. Equally, foreign plates aren't allowed to enter without a tour. Very nanny state like behavior. Granted, driving in Vietnam isn't easy, but it's becoming easier thanks to more lane separation between cars and motorcycles and the emergence of expressways and such. Yet Vietnamese officials are stuck in a 1970s timewarp on this issue.

@Johnny *******

It's probably the opposite actually. Approvals from western countries seem to be much easier.

Anonymous participant 265 Vietnamese immigration officers are rude. The only difference though is that they almost never deny someone entry. Thus, a Vietnamese officer will never say things like "what are you doing in my country" unless you have a bad immigration history, such as having been on overstay.

@Abas *****

I totally agree. However, keep in mind, for the foreseeable future, there won't be any enforcement. Continue paying tax to your home country authority (or the jurisdiction your work is based in) but unless you're on a work visa for Thailand, chances are, you will neither be allowed to apply for a tax ID number (TIN) nor will you be asked for one as immigration is not in the business of becoming tax inspectors. Except of course when it comes to working in Thailand, which is different.

@Travelling *******

That's why I blocked Luit. He's such a pedantic troll. Always thinks he knows everything and believes European laws also apply in Thailand when obviously they don't.

@Uwe ***

I totally agree. It's all a WEF scheme and there's no new tax law, only a different interpretation. In practice, not much will change for most foreigners living on Thai soil.