gerry1011

yesterday i told my wife "no more airconditioning, no more hot showers, no pool, no maid, no cook, no gardener, no driver/handyman! let's live on 7k Baht per head and experience true happiness."

she replied "<deleted> <deleted> <deleted> <deleted> <deleted> <deleted> <deleted> <deleted> <deleted> <deleted> <deleted> <deleted> <deleted> <deleted>"

then i kept quiet and sipped my Port

Now I am starting to be truly jealous of your (new) lifestyle.

Let me try to do the same!!!

After I succeed in emptying my wallet...

Be patient

(Where was the port imported from, by the way).

Or... Large bags?

But you need staff to carry them then... That may intrude a bit on your privacy

I rather like the idea of mountains of gold stowed at home, as opposed to a nearly empty account at the local branch of a bank.

The best would be, of course, to not even open the bag(s) to check the amount inside. Just to be on the same line as those who don't open their wallet

They made this video to explain the deal on YouTube.

i watched the video advertisement, and i laughed all the time.

The only true thing was all these mixed couple with a thai hooker.

Otherwise, once again, wealthy people they will NOT risk to come here and get a beating like the 68 yo grandmother in hua hin.

Wealthy people may not go to cheap Pattaya to buy a cheap condo

But for those who want to buy a condo anyway, 20 years of trouble less visa is a rather sweet deal.

Agreed.

But for those who want to buy a condo anyway, 20 years of trouble less visa is a rather sweet deal and if that doesn't work to sell their condos they can throw in an extra 20 year barfine paid at your bar of choice ...

I start to wonder if, in order to sell all (cheap) units in a record time, Southpoint Condos should not do away with the Thailand Elite 20 years of trouble less visas' promotion, and just offer such a "20 Years Bar Fine Mega Deal" instead.

Makes more sense indeed...

I don't have a wallet

You assistant takes care of all spendings?

That is smart

They made this video to explain the deal on YouTube.

i watched the video advertisement, and i laughed all the time.

The only true thing was all these mixed couple with a thai hooker.

Otherwise, once again, wealthy people they will NOT risk to come here and get a beating like the 68 yo grandmother in hua hin.

Wealthy people may not go to cheap Pattaya to buy a cheap condo

But for those who want to buy a condo anyway, 20 years of trouble less visa is a rather sweet deal.

Shall we start another thread about how much money we spend in Thailand?

I have real difficulties, ... I spend so much that it's really hard for me to close my wallet.

(If it's ok for one to brag about how little he spends, it is certainly ok for another one to brag about how much he spends, right?).

i spend so much that it makes no sense to close my wallet

You must be better than me at spending.

My wallet is still too fat... can't close it... even when on a spending spree. I should find ways to spend even faster

(Who is starting a new thread about our spendings? I promise to keep the thread alive for a long time)

Shall we start another thread about how much money we spend in Thailand?

I have real difficulties, ... I spend so much that it's really hard for me to close my wallet.

(If it's ok for one to brag about how little he spends, it is certainly ok for another one to brag about how much he spends, right?).

They made this video to explain the deal on YouTube.

.. the solution is to learn the Thai language fluently, make friends in the Thai society ..

I've never been good at learning new languages, even easy ones. Thai is so difficult with it's tones, plus the written language is so foreign to a Westerner. I fear I could never learn it fluently enough to hold a meaningful conversation with a Thai.

- Start with the writing.

- Take your time, no need to rush, but do it a bit every day.

- Do not try to learn to speak before your can manage to write. The secrets of the pronunciation are in the writing.

- After you can write (and read, of course), start to speak. Then, everything is very fast.

- It may take two years and a bit of efforts, but it will certainly eliminate several drawbacks you may experience now. It's worth to try. But many do without and can still enjoy life.

For me, there are two main drawbacks:

- The jet lag each time I come back "home" (Thailand).

- The serious lack of quality/interesting westerners.

For the first drawback, the jet lag, I don't have a solution. I suffer each time.

But for the second, the solution is to learn the Thai language fluently, make friends in the Thai society, especially in the upper classes, and avoid to mix with the foreigners. It works. There are lots of highly interesting persons in the Thai society. And, generally speaking, they are not only better educated than most farangs in Thailand, but also much more fun to spend time with.

(Having said that, I did meet a very limited number of interesting farangs in Thailand, over the past 15 years, so there are a few).

make friends in the Thai society, especially in the upper classes,

How?

Thai upper class its closed society.. Ofcouse its not deep closed as UK or Japan ... but..

yes you can get some comtact and meeting with.. but friend??

Are you sure?

PS

almast all High class Thai societe and well educated Thai can speak English( its not Japan and China) so ... Why you need "the solution is to learn the Thai language fluently" ... "make friends"..."in the Thai society, especially in the upper classes"?

There are plenty of wealthy, educated Thais who speak little to no English.

I would even add that, even if the upper class (or above) Thais do speak English, it is still very difficult for farangs to enter their circles if they do not speak fluent Thai.

Imagine a dinner of 7 Thais and youself, with only you not speaking Thai, and you hosts needing to translate every phrase. It must be horrible (for the Thais).

It has also something to do with the quality of the farang himself, of course. In such circles, one has to adapt to what the Thais enjoy speaking about (light hearted conversations, business and money, royalty, high level universities, family,...), and not speak about the usual farang "things" that are meaningless to the Thai upper, or high, society.

Many on this forum seem to think rather highly of themselves, while members of the Thai upper class are actually far above their level.

I guess there are many more drawbacks for those who don't speak Thai and still want to live in Thailand.

Seriously... for my own personal case, the only real drawback is the jet lag after a long flight from Europe, however comfortable the flight may have been. I need tips

For me, there are two main drawbacks:

- The jet lag each time I come back "home" (Thailand).

- The serious lack of quality/interesting westerners.

For the first drawback, the jet lag, I don't have a solution. I suffer each time.

But for the second, the solution is to learn the Thai language fluently, make friends in the Thai society, especially in the upper classes, and avoid to mix with the foreigners. It works. There are lots of highly interesting persons in the Thai society. And, generally speaking, they are not only better educated than most farangs in Thailand, but also much more fun to spend time with.

(Having said that, I did meet a very limited number of interesting farangs in Thailand, over the past 15 years, so there are a few).

I think that craft beers are sometimes interesting.

Not all craft beers are good, far from it, but it can be fun to try something new.

There are cheap beers, like Chang or Leo, beers, like Heinecken or Singha, premium beers like Stella Artois, super premium like Hoegaarden or Leffe, ... and craft beers, for the beer connoisseurs.

PassionDelivery, thank you for bringing something new to the market.

However, if you allow me, and with all due respect, your "selling techniques", as I read it here, are not in line with a "connoisseurs' product".

In my view, to market expensive, tasty, different, exclusive, ..., craft beers, "free this and that", "limited stock/hurry up to place your order", "promotion for a limited time only", etc, are not in line with the product.

A subtle product should be sold using subtle means, trying to get the readers interested in new tastes, new experiences, new feelings, etc..., rather than just price promotions.

You can't bring interest (and sell) craft beers with "Chang' style promotions"...

Just my opinion. I could be wrong, of course.

But in any case, I wish you all the best.

yesterday i saved 65 million Dollars because i did not buy a Gulfstream G650 but fly to Europe and back with Qatar.

this weekend i am planning to save more than 300 million Dollars by not ordering a 96m motor yacht. still have to figure out how much i save by not maintaining this yacht.

my breakfast today was approximately 300 Baht but i saved ~45,000 Baht by not eating a good portion of Iranian Beluga caviar.

my problem is where to put all these savings because i don't trust banks.

Meh, you get a G650 for 58 million these days.

http://www.gulfstream.com/preowned/aircraft/sn6030

A second hand G650?

Why?

Need to save on that too?

What a life

I already have explained that unless you are single or leave your loved ones behind while you get fast tracked this is a no go. This will prevent anybody with a partner from using that service. I have already said I find it somewhat insulting. Anybody who has a Thai wife would probably feel the same as Thai people don't normally have visas to leave or enter.

This is what I mean about areas of service that could be improved. I paid for a visa and the other so called benefits do not make me have the illusion of anything otherwise.

Uhm yes. You are right. I forgot you said that a few times.

Hopefully most of the members are not in your case.

But, would you be ready to pay for the benefits that your "loved ones" would receive?

I don't see why you would expect anyone (loved or not) to benefit from the membership without participating to its cost.

But what you say is interesting though.

They could have a "married to Thai" membership, at a higher cost. In that case the partner would also benefit. Or simply a system to add a "nominee", for an additional fee. That would be a good idea.

But I guess that if there was such an option, then people would say; "but what about my mother, my step daughter, my wife's siblings, etc... It's a never ending story. And by adding all sorts of "individual cases", the program would be looking a bit messy. But still worth thinking about it. The "nominee" thing could bring extra revenues for them.

Anyway, I am happy that you are happy you have your visa. That is already something you are positive about:)

Until now there are two interesting ideas:

- A 1 year membership.

- A "nominee" system to benefit the Thai partners.

- Both could make members happy and bring more revenues to TE.

Interesting.

It seems like you are sold on the product. Anyway they told me I can go anytime to Chaeng Wattana to affix the visa. My current visa run out on the 14th of June. I was accepted on May 17th. So my question is this, should I wait as long as I can? Is the meter already running and it will make no difference or is there any reason to rush right out and get the visa put in my passport? If it won't change the date of expiry in total I guess I will schedule it whenever it is convenient.

For the price it would be great if they would just send my passport instead of me going. Their service could use a little bit of tweaking.

I don't think it makes a difference if you go now or later.

I guess the visa is not valid after your membership expires anyway. But TE can give you the best advice.

When you go to affix your visa, the TE staff is there to assist you. I did my visas at the airport, but other members here can probably tell you precisely how it works at Chaeng Wattana.

You seem a bit frustrated because you "had" to buy the membership. I think you should cheer up a bit. You will see, it is just great.

It is great. It has achieved the goal it was meant to do which is a visa. I just don't share your opinions about that it is some revolutionary new service and the perks are wonderful. On the other hand I don't think too many other countries let people buy 5 year visas. Over all I am happy enough with it. However if this is the pinnacle of what is considered good service.... I digress.

Let's speak again after you use their service for the first time on an international flight. If you travel a lot you will love it, trust me

It seems like you are sold on the product. Anyway they told me I can go anytime to Chaeng Wattana to affix the visa. My current visa run out on the 14th of June. I was accepted on May 17th. So my question is this, should I wait as long as I can? Is the meter already running and it will make no difference or is there any reason to rush right out and get the visa put in my passport? If it won't change the date of expiry in total I guess I will schedule it whenever it is convenient.

For the price it would be great if they would just send my passport instead of me going. Their service could use a little bit of tweaking.

I don't think it makes a difference if you go now or later.

I guess the visa is not valid after your membership expires anyway. But TE can give you the best advice.

When you go to affix your visa, the TE staff is there to assist you. I did my visas at the airport, but other members here can probably tell you precisely how it works at Chaeng Wattana.

You seem a bit frustrated because you "had" to buy the membership. I think you should cheer up a bit. You will see, it is just great.

Oh so some people are probably going to say use of the lounge. I already have use of the lounge, if you have an American Express Platinum you get the Priority Pass free of charge. I could be wrong but I think it is the exact same lounge as the one offered by Elite.

Some apparently see value in having it all...

I, on my side, can certainly confirm that Thailand Elite provides a better service in Suvarnabhumi than the other options.

But Amex platinum is very good too. I do agree.

An advantage with Thailand Elite is that everything is taken care of at once. No need to use an agent to quickly clear immigration, no need to use the Amex to access a lounge, no need to call a limo, etc... All services under a single umbrella. It is convenient indeed.

I wouldn't hold my breath regarding anything new or exciting coming. I have been basically forced into buying a visa because I do not fit into any other category offered. Why would they offer me anything now?

Let's wait for June the 7th and see what comes up?

I am curious

End of the need for TE members to do 90 day reports?

I have the feeling that for that one we will have to wait some more.

I just try to put myself in the shoes of Immigration.

If the aim of the 90 day report is to make it easier for them to "trace" the foreigners, I would not be very keen on changing the system.

But I may be wrong, of course.

The best scenario (for the members) would be that I am wrong

I wouldn't hold my breath regarding anything new or exciting coming. I have been basically forced into buying a visa because I do not fit into any other category offered. Why would they offer me anything now?

Let's wait for June the 7th and see what comes up?

I am curious

Guys (at least the ones who like the Thailand Elite program), we apparently can prepare ourselves for "news" about the program this coming 7th of June.

Good news for sure

Source: The Thailand Elite (official) and Thailand Elite Members (unofficial) Facebook pages.

Same here, so impossible to spend more than 1 million baht a month here when in UK I was spending it in 2 weeks.

Wow. I thought I was the only one

I don't have an answer to that question.

However, when I take a plane in Europe, look by the window, and see "Muslim looking" baggage handlers loading the plane... I can't refrain from just hoping for the best.

Never had that feeling before, but with all what happens in Europe at the moment, I guess it's a human reaction.

For the rest... I don't see any solution coming and believe that we can only brace for more troubles. In airports and everywhere else.

For me I am applying for a card right now but I usually travel with my partner so the fast track service is pretty much a no go. My partner has a work permit and it is obvious he isn't going to pony up 500K just so he can be fast tracked with me. I am buying the visa because I am really out of any other reasonable options and I can justify this but just barely. As others have said if there was any alternative available to me I wouldn't do it. I am sure there are a few others that are less than thrilled but pony up as I have had to do.

Imagine the prestige of a business man from China bragging to all of his friends how he can get whisked through and then in the same breath explaining to them in order for them to join him they should all put up $15,000. I am sure they would be begging to get one considering as others have said they will get fast tracked anyway.

Anyway how does Elite handle the baggage? Could I at least check in both of our bags, get fast tracked through immigration and potentially save a few minutes waiting for bags? For me this will be the only perk I get from this before I get my own taxi as my partner can not join me. As others have said what if their significant other is Thai? This aspect of the program as actually in very bad taste. So if you want to use the meet and greet be single and remain that way.

Curious on the baggage though?

Ouch...

If you don't use the airport assistance your reaaaaally miss something.

This is my favorite perk.

The "Golden Girls" wait for you at the gate, you reach immigration faster than anyone else, you pass immigration with no queue, they take care of collecting your checked-in luggage if any, then accompany you through customs and on to your waiting limo... All that with smiles, charm and efficiency. Same when you fly out.

If you are a frequent traveler, you will really enjoy that service.

I personally nearly always travel alone.

But the very few times I was accompanied (3 or 4 times I think), my travel companion was offered the same service as I receive.

What I suggest is to mention that you travel with someone, and give the name of your travel companion, at the time you send your email to request the assistance and the limo.

No assurance that it will work, of course. But if nicely asked...

Trust me, you will be very pleased with the airport assistance.

Some farangs seem really stuck in the past.

Modern societies all evolve towards cashless societies.

Not only it makes the payment easy, no need to carry cash, no need to go to the ATM, but it also is safer for both sides, less possibilities of errors, etc...

I just hate to stand behind a farang who searches for small change in his wallet, till he finds the exact 147 baht amount needed to buy his items.

The world is moving fast. Some here seem totally idle.

The world is moving fast, but are we heading in the right direction? just a thought

That is a good question. Nobody can be sure about that.

But I believe it is better to adapt to the changing world than stay stuck in the past.

Some just can't adapt and end up really grumpy...

Having said that, I personally feel that life is better today than it was 20 years ago.

Social media, Facebook, online payment, easy of travel, smart phones, new technologies, Internet banking, etc... make life so much easier.

Some farangs seem really stuck in the past.

Modern societies all evolve towards cashless societies.

Not only it makes the payment easy, no need to carry cash, no need to go to the ATM, but it also is safer for both sides, less possibilities of errors, etc...

I just hate to stand behind a farang who searches for small change in his wallet, till he finds the exact 147 baht amount needed to buy his items.

The world is moving fast. Some here seem totally idle.