gk10012001

4 minutes ago, Bobbie Davies said:

I’m sure they get a commission, from where I do not know. It’s probably part of the price scheme. If you are asking if you can do a run around these agents and pay cheaper prices, no that is not possible. Only official agents of Thailand Elite Privilege Card, ltd. Can sell these. And approval is not automatic either, they will vet you.

No.  I wasn't asking about any sort of run around.  I just get leary about giving out information.  And then of course when approved, where does one actually send the money to?  That would be interesting to know in advance.

Just now, Bobbie Davies said:

Yeah, the elite card is not technically an official visa. It is a wink and a nod side run for those with enough money so investors are encouraged. Just so you know. I a tourist Visa mock up. Cannot be used to apply for permanent residence or citizenship. And can not be used for work permit. Must apply for Non-B then work permit.

Quote

 

yes.  I am aware of the visa.  Been contemplating it for years.  I was just about to buy it in a few years ago but between COVID, the visa price increase, and a ridiculously high paying contract job I got, I kept working.  Now that I got medicare all started and sorted out, and plenty of cash and income, and getting tired and bored with test engineering, I am about to head out on Trip 16k to Thailand for a long stay.  May just start with the usual visa exempt on arrival, get a 30 day extension and check things out, see if I can line up a good long stay condo, etc.  Good to have options.  I just like the idea of arriving and being able to exit and entry at any time with no issues and stay for a long time.  And they say they will handle the 90 day reports which is fine with me.  Granted those often can be relatively easy, it is the times when the system objects, documents don't load, mail gets lost, etc.  when you want some agent involved over there to fix things.

Wait a while.  The Thai Baht to USD exchange rate seems to be getting better every week.  Now over 36 baht to 1 USD. 

2 minutes ago, Bobbie Davies said:

Technically both work. They are sales agents. There is no official, official, page as in Thai government.

Thailand Elite, is operated by Thailand Elite Privilege card., ltd., a state-owned enterprise status within the Tourism Authority of Thailand (“TAT”), its sole shareholder.

Do these "agent" sites tack on an sort of fee or do they get commission or whatever from somewhere?

Just now, Bobbie Davies said:

Technically both work. They are sales agents. There is no official, official, page as in Thai government.

Thailand Elite, is operated by Thailand Elite Privilege card., ltd., a state-owned enterprise status within the Tourism Authority of Thailand (“TAT”), its sole shareholder.

ah.  OK.  Thanks

11 minutes ago, Bobbie Davies said:

https://thailand-elite.com/member-application-process/

 

here it is.

Thanks.   Interesting.  I was thinking the following was the official place because this hyper link is on the Thaiembaccy DC org site

https://www.thailandelite.com/

Do arriving tourists still have to register or sign into this app or any others either before traveling or upon arrival at the airport or their hotel later? 

I tried searching the forums because I know some people have posted what the official Elite Visa website is, but did not find a result.  I search the internet and a few sites show up.  Each website starts asking for an account setup and personal information.  So I doubt they are all really official sites.  One clearly looks like some sort of agent interface middle man thingy. 

1 minute ago, Iamfalang said:

doesn't have a job?  his health?  intelligence? experience? has zero baht to his name?

 

I think people just like to say others have absolutely nothing.    Doesn't sound like a friend.

so this is an example of a hater.

I recently befriended a fellow contract engineer here at work.  he does software, I do system test on the project.  He lived in Thailand for 9 years.  He blew through all his money.  he made a few bucks on line, bought and sold two condos to string things along.  But now at age 56 he has nothing.  I mean absolutely nothing.  He is not bitter though.  A bit mad at himself for sure.  he gave it a go and missed the mark.  He is lucky he did not burn out totally and become too much of an alcoholic and can still function and make money back home in the USA.  He does not make too much, but certainly can save now. Just a caution to try and strike a balance with things.  

Me thinks many complain because can't afford to spend long stays in Thailand, either due to financial constraints, family, or whatever reasons

Just now, KIngsofisaan said:

Zelle is not international, and the app is only available to US residents.

 

Sender and recipient bank accounts must both be in the USA.

oh.  OK.  Thanks. 

OMG.  I thought I could get a Tourist visa in advance as the OP was trying.  Before it was easy, get 60 days visa before leaving home, then later extend for another 30 while in Thailand.  That's all I needed.  Now, I'm afraid to even start the darn process! Thanks for the posts and updates.  I will sweat this out a few more months and see if things get smoother before about Dec 1 when I hope to get back to the LOS for trip number 16.6  I may just go the visa exempt on arrival and extend for 30 days and be done with it, but I was hoping for an easy 80 to 90 day stay

Anybody use Zelle yet for their visa monthly income retirement transfers to Thailand?  Are deposits/transfers encoded properly, i.e. as foreign?  Fees or exchange rate oddities if any?

On 7/21/2022 at 8:14 PM, KhunLA said:

Watch your timing for 'full' benefit:  "If you were born between 1957 your full retirement age is 66 and 6 months If you start receiving benefits at age 66 and 6 months you get 100 percent of your monthly benefit."

 https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/1957-delay.html#:~:text=If you were born between,percent of your monthly benefit.

 

The Full retirement age is really a meaningless number.  the bottom line is, every year you wait after first eligible at 62, your benefit increases by about 7 %.  Any other names are meaningless.  the one thing that starting after full retirement age does mean, is if you start working while collecting benefits, they no longer reduce your benefit while working.  Other than that, call any year whatever you want.

5 minutes ago, flexomike said:

It is just a report that you have to do once a year so that they know you are still alive, during Covid years they suspended it. This year they started it up again. This pertains for all US citizens collecting Social Security in a foreign country. In some countries you only have to do the report every other year.

Do they require the Alive thing if living in the USA, as far as they knowor if really living in the USA

Taxis really are an OK deal.  Have taken many over the years, especially the times I arrived on a 2 am flight, although I tried to avoid those flights and arrive during daylight hours if possible.

  You can head to Ekamie bus station and probably find mini vans hanging around that will take 5 or 6 people to Pattaya.  Not the best though because sometimes they do NOT go directly to Pattaya, but sometimes go out of their way to pick up as many people along the way as possible.  Did that once because a van was ready and the next bus was an hour away.  How bad could it be I thought.  Well, 3 hours later we finally got to Pattaya!  We went down a lot of roads I did not know existed between Ekamie bus terminal and Pattaya!

  On my very first trip I flew into Don Mueng before Suvi existed.  There were several mini van options one could reserve in advance and that worked out well.  I suspect there are similar at BKK.  Check online for some ads or maybe others will post something about them here

59 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Fid doesn't care, as I've been here 22 yrs, keep an USA address, and now use my ATM about once every 2 or 3 month.  Down from at least 2 or 3 times a month.  Now have SS DD, which alone is enough for retirement visa.  I use the ATM to bring my pittance of a pension over as can only be DD in USA financial institution.  I could wire it over, but I think BBL charges 200-500 baht for incoming.

 

Also use the Fid ATM/VISA for online purchases if COD not available, though that is getting rare anymore.  Don't have a Thai bank ATM, as I won't pay fees to access my own money.

yeah, I just passed 65 and my social security is actually going to be over 3K usd a month if I start it in january.  Plenty for a modest living, and yes, I understand the SS direct deposit into USA bank accounts only.  Luckily I doshed up quite a bit and have twice my SS coming in right now as dividends and interest in my IRAs I accumulated over the years.  Now time to trade off money for number of years left to live.  A few more months should wrap things up now that Thailand is or may be getting back to normal a little bit

47 minutes ago, Mike Teavee said:

Bell are no longer operating & there are no buses running BKK to Pattaya Nua but there is a Roong Reuang bus that will take you to Jomtien. 

 

 

@NZAMBOY2nd the recommendation for Nam Taxi service, safe lady drivers, nice cars & 1,000 THB (includes tolls) for BKK - Pattaya.

really? I have not been in two years due to covid.  Not even the cheap bus to pattay north eh?  wow.  I always traveled with just my carry on so I loved the convenience of either bus.  Many times I walked down to Pattaya Klang from Sukhumvit where that cheap bus would stop, then catch a baht bus to wherever.  Many 30 and 60 day stays.  Thanks for the update

Just now, gk10012001 said:

yes always.  I would not be giving up my USA presence.  Own and rent and will be returning home 2 or 3 times a year.  Just will be getting O multiple entry for convenience.  And wondering about dealing with fidelity while overseas.  Calling with my phone if I have to get a Thai Sim card, if my email shows me logging in from overseas, or if the Fidelity website pukes at seeing a foreign IP address, etc.  But I like the idea of monthly auto

and still working a few more months.  Thought I was punching out two years ago, but covid made world and USA travel a pain so I kept doshing up.  that;s ok.  My SSA benefits have gone up over 2k a year each year I postponed.  Medicare is more pricey than I would like, so I have to watch my investments income, IRA withdrawals, dividends, etc and tax wise and Medicare wise premium things to find the sweet spots

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

Are you keeping a USA 'home' address ?

yes always.  I would not be giving up my USA presence.  Own and rent and will be returning home 2 or 3 times a year.  Just will be getting O multiple entry for convenience.  And wondering about dealing with fidelity while overseas.  Calling with my phone if I have to get a Thai Sim card, if my email shows me logging in from overseas, or if the Fidelity website pukes at seeing a foreign IP address, etc.  But I like the idea of monthly auto

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Take a peek at Fidelity Investments, as you can set up monthly transfer, no fee.  Receiving bank may have a fee though.  Also their 'Cash Management' account ATM card reimburses foreign ATM fees, and is also no fee from FID.

I thought Fidelity had issues with people calling or updating things while overseas?  Maybe it was just they would not let one open a new account(s) while overseas

On 7/19/2022 at 10:19 PM, OneMoreFarang said:

Maybe you should go out there and talk to Thais.

Or just talk to one of you regular massage girls.

Tell her you struggle with 50k per month. And maybe ask her how much she makes per month.

Maybe one of those girls will suggest to move in with you. She will manage to live with that money for both of you and still save some of it.

yeah. living in a one room small studio.  No air con.  Futons for beds, one room mate at least

.  how those girls still manage to bath and wash their hair amazes me

My Etrade reimburses ATM fees in the USA but they stopped reimbursing fees from overseas ATMs many years ago.  I am about to open a CS account as my portfolios have grown and a better company that at least addresses international issues is on my list.  I wonder how CS is at handling monthly retirement deposits to Thailand?  Etrade does NOT have any sort of automatic transfer and I hate the idea of having to wrestle with their form all the time.  I would love to set up a regular monthly transfer to Thailand for my OA retirement extension monthly income method.  Set it up for the middle of each month so there is plenty of time for me to check that the transfer worked properly, was properly foreign transaction coded etc