The Chiang Mai Expats Club wishes to express our deep sadness at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Royal family, to the people of Thailand, and to all those whose lives she touched.
FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK Hello everyone, In many ways last week was a quiet week, but it did offer one really exciting thing to spice it up. A week ago we unveiled our Activity List, a selection of small tasks that members can help us with which require very little time. It was in response to your telling us
you’d help if we made it easy, so we did. In fact, many of the tasks can be done from the comfort of your home, and most require 2 hours per week or less —it can’t get much easier! The response has been enthusiastic, people are still coming forward and we’re grateful for the support. We’ll be sorting it all out very soon. Now, I don’t want to give you the impression we have all the help we need. The way it will work best is to have more than one
person capable of handling each task, both as cover for each other and also for continuity, so if you haven’t already offered your help please take another look at the list and see if there isn’t something you could lend a hand with, we’d appreciate the assist. If you can offer your help, or if you have any questions, just email Rick at treasurer@chiangmaiexpatsclub.com. There are a couple things to remind you of. First, if you’re planning on going to The
Duke’s for their fabulous Thanksgiving dinner, don’t forget that the 200 baht discount for CEC members is only valid through November 10th. You must purchase your tickets by then, which can be done at any Duke’s location. Also, our upcoming Expat Connection meeting on November 22 is just around the corner, offering an outstanding lineup of speakers on a variety of topics. There’s literally something for everyone, including the latest update from
Thomas Carden on the income tax situation that could affect us all. Check out the details below, including a new feature Peter Bell has come up with, a short video (about a minute) introducing the speakers and their topics to you. It’s kind of cool, give it a look. Don’t forget to buy your tickets to save some cash, prepaid tickets for members are 240 baht (including the ticketing fee), without a ticket you’ll pay 350 baht. Non-members get a break with a pre-purchased
ticket as well, 290 baht (including the ticketing fee). See below for the button to purchase yours now! I’ll keep it short, so that’s it for this week. The weather here in Chiang Mai is still a bit iffy so be aware. Wherever you are please be careful and stay safe. -Kent
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NEXT EXPAT CONNECTION - NOVEMBER 22 DUANGTAWAN HOTEL - 3RD FLOOR 9:45 - 10:30 - Coffee/Tea/Snacks/Sponsors 10:30 - 12:00 Meeting
Peter Bell has put together an outstanding program for the November meeting, headlined by a visit from Ben Svasti Thomson, the Honorary British Consul. He’s going to speak to us about Chiang Mai Festival City, a comprehensive year-round festival covering a variety of events from art, to sports, food and entertainment, and more. It’s an incredible project, Ben is
going to give us an insider’s look at it. We’ll also welcome Joe Lynch, an attorney as well as a long-time member and sponsor of the club, who’s going to give us a presentation on estate planning in general, with an emphasis on living wills. If you attended our End of Life seminars a couple of years ago you know how important this is, and for those of you who missed the seminars this will be eye-opening. Also on the program is Dr. Thanawat
Benjanuwattra from Bangkok Hospital, to talk to us about blood pressure, and what we can do to maintain a healthy reading. To make it really interesting, Bangkok Hospital will have a team giving blood pressure tests before the meeting, be sure to stop by and get yours to make the most of Dr. Thanawat’s presentation. Finally, it’s time for a visit from our friend Thomas Carden, from another of our long-time sponsors, American International Tax Advisers. Thomas has
an update for us on the moving target otherwise known as the impending income tax. He has been advising us on this matter since it was announced, and his information and predictions have been right on the nose. If you bring money into Thailand you’ll want to her what he has to say. Don’t be surprised if Peter doesn’t have a few other things up his sleeve, so come join us for what should be a fun, interesting and informative morning, and remember, there’s still
plenty of time to get to the Citylife Fair afterward.
INCOME TAX LAW UPDATE Hello Members, I am planning to attend the November meeting to discuss the ever-changing Thai tax landscape but given the recent Bangkok Post articles dropping, I wanted to provide a quick update via the
newsletter. Thailand’s tax policy on remitting foreign income has undergone notable changes since January 1, 2024. Under the current law, Thai tax residents are required to pay personal income tax at progressive rates (5% to 35%) on foreign-sourced income when it is brought into Thailand, regardless of the year in which the income was earned. This represents a shift from the previous rule, where only foreign income earned and remitted in the same tax year was taxable,
while remittances made later were not subject to Thai tax. We have recently confirmed that for most countries, social security or old-age pensions are not taxable in Thailand under tax treaties, with Australia being the major exception. The previous government was drafting legislation to exempt foreign income from Thai personal income tax if it is remitted within the calendar year it is earned or the following year. However, this policy does
not appear to have carried into the new government. Recent Bangkok Post articles have suggested that the current government is attempting to increase tax revenue rather than reduce it. There are hints that they are considering moving to a global basis of taxation rather than a remittance basis. We will keep you posted. In summary, the Thai tax policy on foreign income remittance currently taxes all foreign income brought into Thailand. However, foreign income earned
before January 1, 2024, remains exempt under a grandfathering provision, even if remitted afterward. Regards, Thomas M. Carden Director American International Tax Advisers
As stipulated in the Bylaws, elections for new members to the Board of Directors are to be held each year at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in January. Any member can be nominated for the Board, but must be sponsored by two members who are eligible to vote at the AGM, which is defined as membership commencing before Oct 1 of the year immediately preceding the AGM, which for this election means Oct 1,
2025. Completed nomination forms must be submitted to the Elections Officer no later than the last Saturday of November (Nov 29, 2025). Currently the Board can have up to 11 members. Current Board members stand for re-election along with new candidates. If the total number of candidates is less than 12 there will be no election and all candidates will form the new Board, effective with the Board of Directors meeting in February. If an election is
required it will be conducted according to the CEC Bylaws. If you would like more information or a nomination form please send your request to info@chiangmaiexpatsclub.com.
SATURDAY BREAKFAST AT THE DUKE'S
Meet with other Members and make new Friends
Saturday Breakfast at The Duke’s will be here before you know it. As the weather improves attendance will continue to grow, but the walls of the restaurant won't so don't
procrastinate. It's the hottest ticket in town and getting hotter, get ready to make your reservations starting next week. Walk-ins will also be accepted, but maybe with a bit of a wait. Saturday, 6 December 2025 9:30 AM TO 11:30 AM @ THE DUKE'S - RUAMCHOKOnly 345 baht (Normally 445 baht) Kids under 12 only 195 baht! Reservations will be opened next week
Expat Ladies Lunch, Thursday 13th November, 12pm CHOW CHOW Thai Contemporary
Restaurant This popular restaurant is situated 17, 4. Charoen Prathet Rd, Chang Khlan Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Near the Iron Bridge. Serving Contemporary Thai food with an Asian fusion twist Please make your reservations by Wednesday 12 th November, before noon. Reply to: ladiesdolunch44@gmail.com For details of travel and more about the restaurant open the following: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2EAuiWfwcZmDi58c6
Parking: Available in adjacent venues and on street. See you later, Stephanie
Come Join Us for Tuesday DinnerEvery Tuesday from 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Currently at the Wine Connection restaurant at Central Festival - they host us for free. They have easy parking, a great selection of food and drinks for members to buy, and a separate area we can use. This is scheduled to be a regular event every Tuesday between 5pm and 8pm. Everyone is welcome, come along, bring your friends and meet new ones! Cheers, Jim Please
plan to join us! No reservations! No fees! Just come and socialize with your fellow expats in a delightful venue.
BRIDGE CLUB OF CHIANG MAIWe are a friendly bridge club with our own club house not far from the city centre. We have both Thai and expat members. Members and guests get together three times a week to play duplicate. We also offer periodic beginner bridge lessons. Please go to our website for further information (search Bridge Club of
Chiang Mai).
CMGeeks (Chiangmai Geeks) is a Special Interest Group (SIG) affiliated with the CM Expats Club in Chiangmai that focuses on information and communication technology. Just a quick reminder that our regular Tuesday lunchtime meeting is happening as usual at the Gymkhana Club. If you’re a regular or thinking of joining, we’d love to see you there! Contact / Information Addresses follow
this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10...
This Week's Club Specials
The Duke's Traditional Thanksgiving Buffet on November 27, 2025 at all branches from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm ~Special 200 Baht Discount for Adults and 100 Baht Discount for Children of The Duke's Insider and Chiang Mai Expats Club (CEC) members for paid reservations made between October 27 to November 10. ~ Please prepay at any of the four branches of The Duke’s: Ping River,
Ruamchok, Maya, or At The Gallery.
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offers 15% of in all 4 cafes with CEC/BG Card and 15% off all online orders with code CEC_15
Thank you to our valued sponsorsClick on their image or name to visit their website
offers 15% of in all 4 cafes with CEC/BG Card and 15% off all online orders with code CEC_15
"Expert Legal Services for Expats in Chiang Mai and throughout Thailand
Assist Thai Visa has been helping it’s clients obtain their Thai Visas in Chiang Mai since 2008, and offers members a discounted rate on a 45-minute consultation. Regular price is 50 USD (approx 1600 baht), members price is 35 USD (approx 1120 baht). Click the button above to book your consultation.
Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai is so much more than just a hospital. Our state-of-the-art facility is staffed with skilled, caring professionals who are dedicated to the health and wellness of the patients they serve. Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai was established in 2014 as the 36th tertiary care hospital in the Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) Group, the most prestigious hospital network in the
Asia-Pacificregion, with 49 hospitals across the BDMS network. Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai is the center of specialized healthcare for diagnostic and curative services in northern Thailand.
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What to do this coming week
To see more detailed information go to https://tiny.cc/stevesemail We hope to have a list by date for you starting next week (if you think you've seen this before, you're right...but we really do mean it!).
The Chiang Mai Expats Club (CEC) publishes various types of information for the purpose of helping fellow expats become acclimated and thrive in Chiang Mai. While we try to keep such information current and accurate, we do not have sufficient resources to provide assurance as to timeliness and accuracy. We advise members to confirm the information for themselves.To contact us - Email: info@chiangmaiexpatsclub.com which is the preferred method of communication. ©2025 Chiang Mai Expat Club | Chiang Mai Expats Club,
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