gerry1011

People who actually have money, seldom if ever talk about it, its considered "vulgar".

Those that insist on talking about it, generally dont have anything to shout about, they just "think" they do by comparing themselves to what they perceive as a poor Thai farmer, when in reality, that Thai farmer probably has land worth more than the loud mouth farang anyway.

People like that, frankly, are best avoided.

does that mean that people "who actually have money" should not participate in Thaivisa's financial forum because that would be "vulgar" but people who do not meet the afore-mentioned criteria are welcome?

are Warren Buffet, George Soros, Bill Gross, Mohamed El-Erian and hundreds of other individuals "who actually have money" vulgar when they talk about it?

I've never seen Warren Buffet, George Soros, Bill Gross, Mohamed El-Erian posting how much they paid for their car or house or whatever they own.

I've also never see them brag about how wealthy they are, it are always others that write how wealthy those people are.

But I see at least 3 members, who's names are visible on this page, do this frequently.

I would never dare to say (on here) how much I pay for my car(s)

Some on here would be shocked

I hope none of you guys are friend with me on Facebook, you will hate me for sure

These TEV "debates" always deteriorate.

The TEV is an option, which, for some people meets their needs.

Can this be accepted ?

The arguments are pointless.

If you allow me, I would say that the "debates" about Thailand Elite on this forum, however pointless they can be, are still very important to bring awareness about the program to those who may never have heard about this great option.

Each baseless critic of the program gives an occasion to existing members to share their views.

And since all members are happy about their Thailand Elite membership, it is easy for interested future members to make up their mind based on real facts.

As a long long time member (I became member since the begining of the program) I am always happy to repeat how pleased I am with the services and the visa... Since 13 years

Not sure why Thailand is called a third world country.

I am also not feeling comfortable with this classification.

Similarly, in my (European) country we also call the poorest / lowest part of our society the "fourth world".

It seems that a good number of farangs belonging to that "fourth world" in their own country end up calling Thailand "third world"... Funny.

Ye,s you said it, you don;t have millions and will never have. End of story.

Every time someone post about the Elite all the cheap charlies rush to tell how stupid are the people who can spend 500k for it, so ridiculous !

Hey, I just bought a new 10MB car, am I even more ridiculous ? Please tell me I love it <3

If 500k means nothing to you fair enough I guess.

I would rather spend the money on something else.

And yes Thailand is a very third world country.

Check the latest thread on the pensioners being arrested by 50 police in Patts for playing bridge. what a joke.

As I said already I spend around 6 months a year in Thailand every year on a combo of tourist visas andentry visas.

It is no hassle at all.

And now they have this new six month tourist visa which is pretty easy to get I hear as well.

Anyway as the thais say up to you if you are happy with it.

Even if I had millions of dollars in spare cash I wouldn't get one. It is for me a rip off.

buythisdashcam, I happily join you in the "stupid" club

I have the full Thailand Elite membership, I must be very stupid I guess.

I love cars too

(And several other things as well)

But even if they are all stupid, the Thailand Elite members are quite fortunate to be able to enjoy 5 years PE visas, 1 year stamps, warm welcome at the airport by the golden girls, the feeling of being welcome back to thailand each time they fly in, no queues, no immigration visits, no interview, no paperwork, limo transfers, golf and spa privileges, assistance here and there, ... Not bad for just 100,000b a year. And maybe not that stupid, after all

The 90 day report when on a Thailand Elite PE visa is the last and only argument left to those who still want to criticize the Thailand Elite program.

This can however been done online, as with any other type of visa. And in Bangkok the Thailand Elite staff do the report for the members.

There has been some rumors that Thailand Elite is trying to remove the need for its members to do the 90 day report.

When this happens I guess that 100% of tv posters will agree that it is the best and most convenient option to stay in Thailand.

But, as I said in a previous post, nobody should be surprised to see the membership joining fee go up...

Anyone can pay someone to report for them which is what TE members are doing.

TE cannot "remove the need for it's members to do the 90 day report" as it is the law. And even if they could somehow change the (immigration act) law in their favour it still wouldn't make the TE worthwhile for many as 90 reporting is no big deal anyway.

Not so long ago some tv posters would not believe that there actually was a "Thailand Elite visa"...

I guess that the day Thailand Elite members do not have to do the 90 day report, some will take quite a long time before to believe it. Let's see what comes up in the future

Good to read that the 90 day report is not a big deal in your opinion... as it seems to be the last possible critic against the program

I don't think that the 90 day reporting is the last possible critic against the TE card.

From my perspective it is the 500k for a visa that is the sticking point.

Ridiculous amount of money to stay in a third world country still with no rights

If you consider 500,000 (baht) a lot of money, I respect your view. But it's obviously not a product suitable for your personal situation and lifestyle.

Thailand Elite is aimed at foreigners who at least have "some" funds, and look for convenience.

Personally I think that the price of the membership is negligible.

Compared to the advantages that Thailand Elite gives to its members (apart from the PE visa), it a bargain.

Question of perspective indeed...

I've had the TE visa for one year now and I love it. These days I have more money than years left to spend it, so I am very happy to pay for convenience and lack of hassles.

After years of applying for many tourist visas, lots of extensions, several overstays, innumerable border runs, etc. I'm so happy to no longer do that.

I've yet to do any 90-day reports. Has anyone here had TE staff do your 90-day report for you? How does that work? Do they need your passport? If so, how do you get it to TE staff and how do you get it back?

You leave your passport and the 90 day report form at the Thailand Elite office any Tuesdays.

They do the reports every Wednesday.

You can pick up your passport on the Thursday.

The TE office is at the BKK immigration building, so having to go to and fro from Sukhumvit Soi 10 on two different days is way more trouble than just going one time, doing the 90-day report myself, and then returning to Soi 10 on the same day.

Maybe I'm missing something. Is there perhaps a TE office in a more central location in BKK?

The office is on Sathorn, next to W Hotel.

Thanks Gerry ... Good to know. Maybe I can get my favorite moto-cy guy to deliver/pickup my passport at Sathorn office nd I won't even have to leave my condo. Anyway, I'll give TE staff a call and see what are the possibilities.

Yes, you don't need to go yourself.

Send anyone to drop your passport.

And inform TE about who is the person who will pick it up after the 90 report is done.

I've had the TE visa for one year now and I love it. These days I have more money than years left to spend it, so I am very happy to pay for convenience and lack of hassles.

After years of applying for many tourist visas, lots of extensions, several overstays, innumerable border runs, etc. I'm so happy to no longer do that.

I've yet to do any 90-day reports. Has anyone here had TE staff do your 90-day report for you? How does that work? Do they need your passport? If so, how do you get it to TE staff and how do you get it back?

You leave your passport and the 90 day report form at the Thailand Elite office any Tuesdays.

They do the reports every Wednesday.

You can pick up your passport on the Thursday.

The TE office is at the BKK immigration building, so having to go to and fro from Sukhumvit Soi 10 on two different days is way more trouble than just going one time, doing the 90-day report myself, and then returning to Soi 10 on the same day.

Maybe I'm missing something. Is there perhaps a TE office in a more central location in BKK?

The office is on Sathorn, next to W Hotel.

The 90 day report when on a Thailand Elite PE visa is the last and only argument left to those who still want to criticize the Thailand Elite program.

This can however been done online, as with any other type of visa. And in Bangkok the Thailand Elite staff do the report for the members.

There has been some rumors that Thailand Elite is trying to remove the need for its members to do the 90 day report.

When this happens I guess that 100% of tv posters will agree that it is the best and most convenient option to stay in Thailand.

But, as I said in a previous post, nobody should be surprised to see the membership joining fee go up...

Anyone can pay someone to report for them which is what TE members are doing.

TE cannot "remove the need for it's members to do the 90 day report" as it is the law. And even if they could somehow change the (immigration act) law in their favour it still wouldn't make the TE worthwhile for many as 90 reporting is no big deal anyway.

Not so long ago some tv posters would not believe that there actually was a "Thailand Elite visa"...

I guess that the day Thailand Elite members do not have to do the 90 day report, some will take quite a long time before to believe it. Let's see what comes up in the future

Good to read that the 90 day report is not a big deal in your opinion... as it seems to be the last possible critic against the program

I've had the TE visa for one year now and I love it. These days I have more money than years left to spend it, so I am very happy to pay for convenience and lack of hassles.

After years of applying for many tourist visas, lots of extensions, several overstays, innumerable border runs, etc. I'm so happy to no longer do that.

I've yet to do any 90-day reports. Has anyone here had TE staff do your 90-day report for you? How does that work? Do they need your passport? If so, how do you get it to TE staff and how do you get it back?

You leave your passport and the 90 day report form at the Thailand Elite office any Tuesdays.

They do the reports every Wednesday.

You can pick up your passport on the Thursday.

The 90 day report when on a Thailand Elite PE visa is the last and only argument left to those who still want to criticize the Thailand Elite program.

This can however been done online, as with any other type of visa. And in Bangkok the Thailand Elite staff do the report for the members.

There has been some rumors that Thailand Elite is trying to remove the need for its members to do the 90 day report.

When this happens I guess that 100% of tv posters will agree that it is the best and most convenient option to stay in Thailand.

But, as I said in a previous post, nobody should be surprised to see the membership joining fee go up...

I miss the heated conversations of the past between Thailand Elite haters and Thailand Elite members...

It seems that by now (after years of discussions) everybody agrees that Thailand Elite is the easiest way to spend time in Thailand (at a fee).

It is indeed

For those who still are undecided about enrolling into this program or not, I would advise not to wait too long.

500,000 for the Easy Access card (5 years) is quite a bargain.

I would not be surprised to see the fee go up soon. Or maybe an annual fee will be added...

Just my opinion, of course...

When I was 12 I was reading about how Trump or Branson got rich. I was collecting newspaper stories about big businesses. I was wondering why my teachers did not apply their own advices in the own life...

I have had some difficulties in my young years. But I guess I have always been a capitalist, pro-employer, anti-union kind of person.

I still am...

The strong get rich. The others can't figure out how to get rich.

I don't like socialists, I must admit.

They all seem to think that the rich people's wealth is illegitimate.

Acquiring weatlh and retaining wealth is not as easy as they tend to believe.

But it does of course not mean that rich people should not help the society. Most do.

I applaud Sukhumbhand for trying to be independent of political parties - he's here to serve all Bangkok residents.

Sukhumbhand can tell the Democrats and Phua Thai to shove it.

You are very naive

(Or maybe you were just joking)

I admire their perseverance.

The more I read the more attractive the Elite Visa gets. Yes it costs a bit more, but it saves trips and visa runs. No need for re-entry permits, etc. No need for income statement affidavits, embassy trips, bank account money seasoning issues, etc. If one can afford it, and if one comes and goes a lot or travels in and out, it has a lot of pros. Less chance of overstay issues and penalties as there is only one yearly thing to check on each year correct? You are still stuck with the 90 day resident reporting stuff, but that applies to all > 90 day stay processes.

Being myself convinced about the advantages of the Thailand Elite visa, I don't see why any financially comfortable foreigner would chose any other type of visa.

Because the Thai system of government may not be stable and you would be spending 500,000 baht on a system of rules and regs that could be negated at any moment ?

That would be one reason

Second reason is you might change your mind...I know it's rare...but relationships with Thailand and more importantly with Thai women can go awry leaving you with the dreaded "I can't wait to get the hell outta here" feeling. 500k baht is a big chunk of change to walk away from.

With retirement extension you give up nothing but a little flexibility on where your funds are held. And when you leave you take it all back.

Your first argument against opting for the Thailand Elite visa has been repeated since years and years...

Many members (including myself) enjoy highly convenient long term visas since 13 years (!), while, in the meantime, some others keep worrying and prefer to queue at immigration instead.

Second reason is not a reason for financially comfortable people. 500 thousand baht is not worth much in today's world.

Of course, any other option is better for all those who think that 100 thousand baht a year, for the best possible visa, is such an enormous amount of money that they prefer to deal with the immigration requirements and headaches.

The option for an easier life is there though...

The more I read the more attractive the Elite Visa gets. Yes it costs a bit more, but it saves trips and visa runs. No need for re-entry permits, etc. No need for income statement affidavits, embassy trips, bank account money seasoning issues, etc. If one can afford it, and if one comes and goes a lot or travels in and out, it has a lot of pros. Less chance of overstay issues and penalties as there is only one yearly thing to check on each year correct? You are still stuck with the 90 day resident reporting stuff, but that applies to all > 90 day stay processes.

Being myself convinced about the advantages of the Thailand Elite visa, I don't see why any financially comfortable foreigner would chose any other type of visa.

I don't mind you to label my post "s....d" (my good education prohibits me to use these words).

Also not sure if Thais feel united in hospitals or even schools. But to everybody his own opinion.

It is still a bright idea to increase the price of the land and create value, in my own view.

Farang teachers may think otherwise, of course

But since it is his money... why should anyone care?

The local community will certainly appreciate the jobs this flag will create. But that is of no importance to many on here it seems...

Hey guys what would you rather have? Some new schools, hospitals, parks, community centers etc or a massive, pointless, flagpole?

The flagpole is good for stroking his ego only.

I defenitely go for the flag pole

Invest in the highest flag pole is quite smart.

He uses his own money, so nobody can say anything about it.

It will make him look quite good in the society. His company will gain reputation.

The flag pole will attract many visitors.

The area directly around the flag pole can be used to open new businesses.

The price of the land will increase.

Smart guy

(Certainly smarter than those who quickly jump on this story to say that it is a silly idea).

If he has this money to BURN, and is a decent man who doesn't care about the odd millions, give it to good causes, he then will be better thought of and be more admired for his deeds

Well, apparently not on this forum...

He says that he does it to unite the people, for the Nation, the Religion and the Monarchy, with his own money, without asking for donations, ... but still immediately gets the usual critics of thaivisa posters.

On my side, I wish him all the best and hope he gets lots and lots of return on his investment.

Your post is so stupid that it has actually made me agree with ginjag.

The community would feel a lot more united with new schools, hospitals, community centers than it would with a massive flag pole.

Christ almighty.

I don't mind you to label my post "s....d" (my good education prohibits me to use these words).

Also not sure if Thais feel united in hospitals or even schools. But to everybody his own opinion.

It is still a bright idea to increase the price of the land and create value, in my own view.

Farang teachers may think otherwise, of course

But since it is his money... why should anyone care?

The local community will certainly appreciate the jobs this flag will create. But that is of no importance to many on here it seems...

Will a couple of young lasses be swinging from it?

Another good use of public funds.

It is private funds.

You should read before to write depressing posts...

The one in Saudi Arabia is quite nice.

The Thai pole will be even higher. Can't wait to see

Invest in the highest flag pole is quite smart.

He uses his own money, so nobody can say anything about it.

It will make him look quite good in the society. His company will gain reputation.

The flag pole will attract many visitors.

The area directly around the flag pole can be used to open new businesses.

The price of the land will increase.

Smart guy

(Certainly smarter than those who quickly jump on this story to say that it is a silly idea).

If he has this money to BURN, and is a decent man who doesn't care about the odd millions, give it to good causes, he then will be better thought of and be more admired for his deeds

Well, apparently not on this forum...

He says that he does it to unite the people, for the Nation, the Religion and the Monarchy, with his own money, without asking for donations, ... but still immediately gets the usual critics of thaivisa posters.

On my side, I wish him all the best and hope he gets lots and lots of return on his investment.

Invest in the highest flag pole is quite smart.

He uses his own money, so nobody can say anything about it.

It will make him look quite good in the society. His company will gain reputation.

The flag pole will attract many visitors.

The area directly around the flag pole can be used to open new businesses.

The price of the land will increase.

Smart guy

(Certainly smarter than those who quickly jump on this story to say that it is a silly idea).

Angry or abusive posters belong to the "less brights" of us (quite a number of posters it seems).

Since they are less able to write well thought and sensible comments, they quickly become angry and abusive.

The fun is to see how quickly they turn angry and abusive