Hua Hin Today Podcast

How this expat went big in Hua Hin, Thailand

In the latest episode of the Hua Hin Today podcast, we sit down with Matthew Garnet, a British expat who moved to Hua Hin just a year ago and has already gone all in. From luxury property and a premium nail bar to his new restaurant, Matt’s Place, located in front of the Hilton, Matt talks openly about building a life and business in Hua Hin, and why his motto is simple: go big or go home. In this episode, we discuss: 🏡 The reality of buying property in Hua Hin ⚠️ Scams and red flags expats should watch out for ⚖️ Why using a proper corporate lawyer is essential 🍷 The idea behind Matt’s Place and its elevated dining concept 🥗 Sourcing organic ingredients from local farms ⛳ Golf societies, land investment and the coming high-speed rail link 🤝And much more! It is a wide-ranging and honest conversation about expat life, business, property and opportunity in Hua Hin.

Thailand tax changes explained: what expats really need to know (no panic, no fluff)

Confused about Thailand’s new tax rules on foreign income? Heard horror stories about huge tax bills? You’re not alone. Over the past two years, expat groups, forums and social media have been flooded with talk about Thailand’s updated approach to taxing foreign-sourced income. Along the way there has been a lot of noise, mixed messages and in some cases outright scaremongering. In this episode of the Hua Hin Today Podcast, we aim to cut through all of that. Jonathan sits down with Khun Janjira Sumanus, CEO of MBMG Group, to explain in a clear and relatable way what has actually changed, what hasn’t, and what the rules really mean in practice for expats living in Thailand. No jargon. No speculation. No panic headlines. Just straightforward information. In this episode we cover: • The 180-day rule and Thai tax residency • What counts as taxable foreign-sourced income • How remittances into Thailand are treated • How Double Taxation Agreements help prevent paying tax twice • Why Thai banks may now ask for your Tax ID • Why, with some basic planning, most expats are unlikely to face a large surprise tax bill If you live in Thailand, spend part of the year here, or are thinking about relocating, this is an essential conversation to understand. For more information about MBMG Group, visit: https://mbmg-group.com/ [https://mbmg-group.com/] 🔔 Subscribe for more essential updates for expats living in Thailand! Podcast Filmed at Ananas Video Studio https://ananas.video/ ► Our Newsletter https://huahintoday.com/subscribe/

Janjira Sumanus on Thailand's nominee crackdown | Why company-owned property is now high risk

If you're one of the many foreigners in Thailand who bought property in a company name, using nominee shareholders, you need to listen to this. Thailand’s nominee crackdown is intensifying — and foreign property owners in Hua Hin and across the country are now under closer scrutiny. In this episode of the Hua Hin Today Podcast, we speak with Janjira Sumanus, CEO of MBMG Group, about what the nationwide investigation into nominee companies means in practical terms for foreigners who bought land or villas “in a company name”. For years, setting up a Thai-registered company with Thai shareholders was widely seen as a secure way for foreigners to control property. That assumption is now being challenged. Authorities are conducting systematic reviews under Thailand’s Foreign Business Act and Land Code, examining who provided the capital, who controls the company, and whether Thai shareholders are genuine investors or nominees. Prachuap Khiri Khan is among the provinces under heightened review. Thousands of property-linked companies are being examined, and some foreign residents have already received formal letters from the Department of Business Development requesting documentation. In this episode, we discuss: • What the nominee company crackdown actually involves • Why enforcement has shifted to a multi-agency nationwide review • What documents authorities are requesting • Potential penalties, including fines, company dissolution and deportation • Legal alternatives such as leasehold and usufruct arrangements • What foreign homeowners in Hua Hin should do now If you own land in Thailand through a company structure — or are considering buying property in a company name — this is essential listening.

George Anderssen: How ThaiVisa Became the #1 Expat Site in Thailand

In this episode of the Hua Hin Today podcast, we talk with George Anderssen, the founder of ThaiVisa.com — the most influential English-language website for expats in Thailand. George shares the full origin story of ThaiVisa, from launching a single webpage in 2002 to building a massive online forum and news platform used by millions of foreigners. We discuss: • Why George started ThaiVisa in the early internet days • How it grew into the #1 expat resource in Thailand • Building a trusted community with volunteer moderators • The site’s role during the 2004 tsunami and major political events • Early monetization via Google AdSense • The rebranding to ASEAN Now • How social media changed everything for expat platforms • Lessons learned from managing forums, trolls, and viral news • Behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of the web in Thailand A must-listen for anyone who’s lived in Thailand or is curious about the digital expat scene. 👍 Like, share & subscribe for more interviews and local insights! 🎙 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. 🍍 Podcast Recorded at Ananas Video Studio https://ananas.video/

Tim Critchley: Expat in Thailand: Why the UK didn’t work and Thailand did

In this episode of the Hua Hin Today podcast, we meet Tim Critchley, who shares a raw and revealing story of what it’s really like to move your family halfway across the world — twice. Tim first arrived in Thailand as a 28-year-old backpacker and ended up spending nearly a decade living, working, and raising a family here. But when COVID hit, everything changed. He and his Thai wife made the difficult decision to relocate to rural Devon, UK, where they took over a 17th-century pub, hoping to rebuild a life from scratch. But the UK wasn’t what they expected... Listen to the full story now.