gerry1011

Just bought the new iPhone7.

Could not resist :)



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I like to watch the news from both sides.

CNN, BBC and the likes for the Western side.

RT Int'l for the eastern side.

Having done that everyday since some years now, it obviously gives me more than a single perspective to base my opinion on what happens in the world.

Both versions certainly defer, but it's an interesting exercise to do, rather than simply swallow - and repeat - the information given by the western media without a second thought.

After some years of listening to both sources and both sides, I became kind of "anti west", and pro-Russia though...




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You can be rich and buy a Ferrari, but doesnt mean you can drive it

Thailand would be much better without the moaners, indeed.

Yes, it would be so nice if they finally all decided to go home instead of complaining about everything here.

But without the moaners, this forum would suddenly feel very empty :)

Or maybe I am wrong... They would probably keep moaning from their own country.


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avoid toilet at 3 bahts. these places are a complete rip-off. they even ask 5 bahts for toilet paper. instead go pee and poo behind your bus, near the engine, and use your t-shirt as toilet paper. when finished, just wear your t-shirt up side. just smart saving.

18 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Perhaps it was when the PE visa that allows one year entries became available. Prior to that they only got 90 day entries. I think they made an offer to change to the 20 year membership to get the PE visa but not aware of all the details.
 

Indeed.

The "founding members", who bought the lifetime membership for 1 million baht, have been offered the option to switch to the "new" 20 years membership.

The only difference is the PE visa (instead of SE) that comes with the one year stamp each time the member enters the country.

The members could switch to the new membership at no cost, the 20 years starting at the time the member would actually switch, and the yearly fee is waived.

I am one of the members who switched to the new 20 years membership. Even if I travel quite much, I thought that the one year stamp was cool
I guess I will make better use of the stamp when I get older and travel less...


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I prefer live in a room like a prison and live in a cool town than living in an American house and be in detroit.
sitting 7h a day in front of a TV watching Netflix or else and eat frozen pizza is very boring.

sometimes I live in a shit room, sometimes in a 5 stars hotel. sometimes in a high rise condo in Pattaya. at the end, I sleep well, I eat well.. and I m happy.

life is not about your house and your junks in your garage . life is about experience and love.

 

 

Jeeeez, he´s living in a prison cell???

 

 

OK, they can cancel an extension of stay, or standard visa for a reason (and we all know there must be some reason to cancel it), but not if I pay 1 million Baht and buy the visa. If I pay this money, I want to be sure that unless I give them a reason, they will not cancel it unilaterally. This is one of the reasons I would consider buying this but if I have to worry that it can be cancelled any day, well, this is not so good offer in the end and does not make me sleep well. Why buy something with 20 years validity when it can be void the next day. I will stick to standard visa, they did not convince me with this offer, especially in a country ruled by the military, this can change anytime.

The main advantage of the Thailand Elite membership is the peace of mind. That is priceless.

I just saved 279,000,000 baht.
I did not buy this wonderful yellow diamond.
Life in Thailand is so cheap, if you can resist buying such diamonds



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BTS - Skytrain

MRT - Underground

Cafes, Bars, Restaurants

Walking down the street

Driving car, riding scooters

Doing the shopping in the store

At the markets.

At home, at work, doing nothing particular at all

 

I am so sick and tired of seeing every single Thai Person, with their noses in their mobile phones.  Their eyes bulging, completely transfixed to the latest comings and goings on Facebook or Line.

The only time they take their eyes off their screens is to post yet another stupid lucking narcissistic photo of themselves doing a "selfie".

 

It gets right up my nose.  

haha 1mio for 20 years visa. What a punch in the face for the customers who paid 500k for 5 years.

I believe TE  is actually part of the Thai immigration department.

No idea why people keep on and on about whether the TE program could fail. Not a chance after it has been promoted throughout Asia.

It would be the biggest PR disaster ever to hit TAT. No a hope of it being allowed to fold with the high profile businesses and people on board.

Some people keep on and on about whether the TE program could fail... because they have no more arguments to speak against the program. It is the best option for those who can afford it.

The program started in 2003, it is still around, and will be around for many many more years.

The program is, and has always been under TAT, the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

The early members of TE already enjoyed over a decade (!) of comfortable stay, while countless others were moaning about their immigration problems.

I don't see what drives some posters on this forum to keep coming with the "risk" that the program will fail and stop.

It will not happen, the vast majority understands that, and that is why more and more people join this great program.

If the fee to become a member seems too much of a sum for someone, he should just forget Thailand Elite.

If the fee seems reasonable, he should not hesitate, and sign up today!

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Guys... I found a new way to save UP TO 600,000b in an instant !!!

One of my super smart friend gave me the trick. Unbeatable. Result guaranteed !

Here it is:

If you buy a Ferrari 488 Spyder (Around 26 million), you should NOT order it with the options. 

You should order the car first, and fit the options later on, once the car is in Thailand. 

This is because the spare parts are taxed differently. 

Amazing!

The only thing you have to do to instantly save 600,000b is to buy a car... 

Imagine how many noodle soups this represents... Years of free food. Amazing, really. Life in Thailand is sooooo cheap 

9 hours ago, anotheruser said:

 

This actually looks like a fun event. I can't make it but if anybody goes please share what the experience was like. 

Unfortunately I can't go either. 

I hear that, besides the Pagani, there will be 8 kilos (!) of caviar too

I will go to the next one. 

1 hour ago, MalandLee said:

Been watching this thread with interest... 

 

MY WISH LIST.................. 

1. Include health insurance (Even at a public hospital) No medical required AND for ALL age groups
2. Include health insurance (Even at a public hospital) No medical required AND for ALL age groups
3. Include health insurance (Even at a public hospital) No medical required AND for ALL age groups

That's all, now I must stop dreaming.....

To be honest if they could develop a reasonably priced "Elite Membership" with a health insurance component - it would prove VERY attractive to many long term expats.....

It's actually a good idea. 

But it would come at a price. 

Insurance companies are in business to make money, so, with the terms that you wish in your post, it would come at a serious premium. 

But Thailand Elite could well try to include such insurance at a negociated "preferential rate". Why not. 

But... No public hospital for me

Personally I would only go for a "premium package". 

At the moment I pay over 120,000 a year for my insurance (worldwide except USA)... No way I would take anything less than that. But if Thailand Elite was able to offer different packages to its members, from reputable insurance companies... yes, why not.

11 hours ago, DipStick said:

I find this topic interesting, can anyone guide me from the following.

 

i am 69 years old, married to a little bit younger Chinese lady who runs a legitimate business in Thailand and has a valid work permit. I worked in BKK from 2002 - 2009 and in 09 left for China . We visit my wife's BKK office regularly, I being a Brit can get a 30 day visa on arrival, but my wife can only get 15 days. And with the hoardes of Chinese at airport Immigration who shout, hustle, queue jump , and are not even able to fill out the required immigration forms properly, this is becoming a severe embarrassment to my wife, so seems to be forever berating the peasants in Chinese then trying to apologise for her country folk to immigration

 

And the Koreans are alone ? Wake  up smell the coffee. Anyone can enter Thailand on a normal visa which is low cost, to commit crime. Why should criminals go the high cost route . Sorry don't k ow you but ridiculous comment

The Thailand Elite program could be something suitable for you. 

There are many members who have business interests in Thailand and just want to be able to fly in and out, in comfort, and as often as they want. Mainly Asians (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea...). 

I believe that there are much fewer members who actually need a work permit. But there are quite a few. 

The Thailand Elite program would certainly eliminate the bad feelings you and your wife get when traveling to Thailand. And since you seem to come over on a regular basis, it is an interesting option. As a member, no more queues, and the whole process suddenly gets extremely smooth. 

You wife can very well become a member while staying on her other visa, as long as she needs the work permit. But she will benefit from all the other privileges... including the supperb airport assistance.  

There are new packages designed for foreign couples, you should have a look at the website www.thailandelite.com or visit their office when you are next in Bangkok. 

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5 hours ago, Ronuk said:

I have just checked into Suvarnabhumi Airport. I was amazed to see the amount of passengers using the TE service. Mostly non Farang.

The TE staff say the programme has really taken off since the 4 new options were introduced and have themselves taken on more staff.

Fantastic service once again from Condo in Bangkok to the airport lounge.

Good money coming in now for immigration and the government through this program. Imagine if just 1000 people take up the 20yr option. That's 1 Billion baht into the economy. I can see this soon being the government's preferred option for long term stayers in Thailand that are under 50 or not married or working.

Actually, the biggest group of Thailand Elite members has never been the farang group. It is the Asian group, Koreans being the biggest one. 

2 hours ago, theguyfromanotherforum said:

This is a good price. I am glad Thailand Elite listened to market demands and not the characters like Gerry who wanted to make visa even more expensive. At least the program has some future now. Heck, I'll even say 1 million for 20 years looks too good to be true. There you go. I just got my marriage extension in July, but this 20 year visa is something I will definitely consider in the future. 

 

Thank you.

Waaaaaa... We finally got you on board

You will now "definitely" consider the Thailand Elite option. What a smart (however late) (very late, actually) decision. 

Be welcome in the club. 

Maried or not, retired or not, wealthy or not (well, you need a "minimum" of wealth, of course), it is the most comfortable option. 

I am really happy that you finally will join us in this club of people who enjoy convenience. The sooner the better. 

Concerning a more expensive option, it is coming too (news soon) (but that one will not be for everyone, for sure). 

I've been living in Thailand in and out past 10 years. I have wife and son and seems like there won't be any other place I want to be. I will probably travel alone lot more in next few years so the convenience is there with elite option. I am 40 now so maybe wait couple more years and take that 20 years card. When you get older, you value more these things I guess.

Indeed, this program is for those who value "these things", such as convenience.

I am also under 50.

The program is the best - and only - option for those under 50, with a bit of disposable funds, who want to stay comfortably - and legally - in Thailand (No need for the usual posters to come up with the ED, tourist, METV, visa runs, etc... option, we all know that too).

For those who are above 50, it may not be the only option, but it is certainly the most comfortable.

I would not imagine switching from the Thailand Elite option back to the "Retirement option" once I reach 50. Unimaginable, really.

If you are not totally sure, go for the 5 years option first.

But if you go for the 20 years option you will not be disappointed.

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