reallybigken

May the worker R.I.P.

Just ask the elite Visa team. They are very responsive. I would want to know before I traveled all that way and spent all that money. It is Thailand and money talks (just like everywhere else).

He isn't on a tourist VISA (Visa exempt). I know this for a fact.

It all started for him when he lost his job and girlfriend. He was just planning on getting away for a few months, but he ended up staying (but find out the details from him). He constantly states in his videos his lifestyle isn't for everyone. Its all about prospective. If a big car and house is more important than happiness .... go for it.

He doesn't talk about the Sexpat lifestyle, and when someone asks about it he tells them to find out on their own.

I find them fun and funny. If you don't like them ..... then DON'T WATCH them.

Yes, you can. I have one and love it. You just fill out the form (from Thailand Elite website). They do a background check, which can take up to 14 days. You pay the fee and you good to go. It takes about 15 minutes to put the VISA in you passport.

You still need to do 90 day reports. They can also provide a service to do the 90 report for you,  if you live in Bangkok, Chang Mai, Phuket, or Pattaya.

If you can afford it, it is well worth it!!!

I have the Thai Elite Easy Access 5 year, and it is great. Just contact them they are very helpful and will discuss all the options. They go out of there way to help. You will need to fill out the application,which you cab download on line. I highly recommend it, if it is within your budget.

Ubonjoe,

Thanks for all your input. I have been watching the forum for a while and appreciate your input. Even though some don't.

Thanks again for all you help and support in the forum!!!!!

I have had mixed luck with airbnb (mostly good). I have rented some great places, and only had one that didn't meet or match the pictures (East cost of Costa Rica). In that one instance, they used old pictures and only had a couple of reviews. The caretakers at the place were outstanding and went out of their way to make up for it as best they could. I reviewed the place and gave it an honest review to help others. The host still gave me a positive review.

All the other rentals have been great and we have enjoyed the accommodation provided.

I read the AirBnB agreement through and through. Both the host and guest agreement. Never pay outside the AirBnB site, and report immediately if they ask you to.

Also, I have rented using AirBnb both in Phuket and Bangkok. I have another upcoming stay in Phuket using AirBnB in November.

I think with any travel you need to do your research. They is always going to be a scammer here and there.

I also looked into TripAdvisor but I didn't real like the agreements. My first attempt to use it in Phuket the Host wanted me to pay 10000 THB deposit in cash when I showed up, which is allowed on TripAdviser. I didn't like that idea. I wouldn't any recourse  to get it back.

Good luck and I glad to hear you got you money back.

6 hours ago, JayBird said:

Is there the possibility that they may deny if you carry cash in a currency they do not see often (pesos, liars,etc) or if in large denominations (1000 chf, 500 eur).

 

If they accepted the 1000 chf note then it would be easy to permanently keep one in passport purely for IO.

 

I'm concerned they may start to insist it has to be THB.

 

also do visa elite people need to show cash when coming in?

I have an Elite Visa and have never been ask for cash. Also the concierge escorts you through immigration. They do a background check before you can be accepted into the Thailand Elite program. It took a week or two after I applied (not sure what they check). I assume that if you can afford it 20000 THB isn't an issue.

I have flown from Portland, OR and Los Angeles several time to Thailand and I have never been asked. They know you have a return ticket. That is all they care about.

35 minutes ago, Crossy said:

All three open fine from within Thailand (on ToT).

 

BUT They seem to be geo-blocked for some reason and won't open via a VPN that comes out in the UK or US.

 

 

Thanks. That's what I thought was happening. I'm in the US right now.

I'm trying to get to any of the AOT (Airports of Thailand) websites and they all seem to time out. Is anyone easy having this problem?

Tried:
 

    http://www.airportthai.co.th/
    http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/
    http://www.phuketairportthai.com/

On 2/7/2017 at 0:21 AM, koo said:

800G deposit? That's 800 giga baht = 800.000.000.000 baht. 

 

I guess 800k (=kilo) = 800.000 baht would be appropriate for the mentioned reason.

G's or Grand was an old colloquial term meaning 1000. It was replaced with K, from kilo, when the world (mostly) adopted the metric system. If you watch old gangster movies from the USA you will see it used a lot.

Excessive Drinking is a symptom of deeper issues. If you want this  relationship to work, you need to find out what the issue is or are. Our take her to some that can.

Wish you and her the best.

I have a drone, Ok Several drones. First, I do not fly them at night. Its against regulations, in Thailand and the USA (where I'm from), to fly at night. You are not allowed to fly near buildings or people. So the person flying it is in the wrong.

Should we also ban cars because drivers violate the laws with them as well. Should we also ban cameras because they ... could ... be used to spy on people.

Every time I hear about some seeing a small drone and they think someone is spying on them I get a laugh and annoyed at the same time. First, I have no interest in anything any you are doing in your personal life. Second, if I did there would be a lot cheaper and easier ways to do it, than using a drone.

All the consumer drones have wide angle lenses (this help see more of the subject matter closer to the camera), so you have to be fairly close to see any kind of detail (even make out a face). The cameras are designed for scenes and not individual details.

If you can barely see the drone than it can barely see you!!! It would be easier, give better detail, and more covert, to use my 1000mm lens on my camera than to use a drone. Also, drones aren't very reliable. This is why most of the more advanced ones have automatic return to home, and other fail-over features.

If someone is breaking the law with a drone then tell them. If they don't stop report them. If some one complains to me about my drone I stop and put it away. Its a new technology and not everyone knows the rules.

The other day I was flying one of my drones on Pattaya beach. It had just stopped raining so no one was on the beach. A bunch of people ,from the walking path above, started to gathered around and was interested in it. I let a young Thai kid fly it a round (while I closely supervised, keeping my hand on the controller just in case he lost control), and I also allowed an older couple to  fly it.

There are good sides to them as well and can be a lot of fun, but they (like a lot of things) can be use improperly, which gives them a bad reputation. So if someone uses a drone improperly then tell them and/or report them (I sure the Thailand cops want to make a some extra money). Just, please, don't start shooting at them. It maybe just a misunderstanding. Someone could get hurt or injured as well.

This is the opinion from an drone owner. I don't like seeing them misused. It gives all of us drone owners a bad name.

There are two important things I learned from a Psychologist:

First,

    "Don't worry about things you can't change". (Example ......Trump won , there isn't anything I can do about it)

Second,

    "Don't depend, or rely, on others for your happiness" (This is know as Co-dependence)

So, if you are going to retire .... then retire. Don't depend on her, or anything she has (House), to be part of your happiness (retirement). It is just setting yourself up for disappointment.

This is just my simple two cents worth. Good luck on your decision.

I maybe missing something but I thought it said, on their site, they do the 90day reporting for you. Can someone with a Thia elite visa confirm this?