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Mover1

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    Thailand Elite Card is pleased to announce the release of four new membership programs

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    14 hours ago, DUS said:

    I am not sure if it is a good idea to ask (again) since whenever TE gets a mention it usually ends in a massive heated exchange of words. But lets see ....

     

    So, here´s a brief summary of my personal situation:

     

    48 1/2 years old, planning to live in TH without working for many years to come. But as a newbie to the country (having moved here last May) making long-term commitments surely is what many would at best describe a leap of faith. My second METV ends at the end of April of 2017 and I will leave and re-enter TH at the end of that month so that I can get another 60 days (+30 if I can get myself to apply for an ext at CW). This would then let me stay here till the end of June or July before I need a new visa.

     

    Now, I have the option to get an "ED visa" but, honestly, I don´t want to apply for an extension of stay every 60 days PLUS do the 90 days report at CW for a year. I just don´t fancy spending so much time there (at CW). Going for SETVs for 18 months till I hit 50 is also something which doesn´t sound too appealing to me and that´s why I already decided to finally join the TE program this summer. Now the question I asked quite some time ago is the question I would like to ask again, today: Which membership level to go for?

     

    Based on the user feedback given quite a long time ago my current thinking is to go for the 5 years membership for 500k. That opinion was heavily influenced by those who said things such as

     

    - "Go for the 5 years membership because this will take you over the 50 years "threshold" and then you can have a look and decide if you fancy doing the visa and extensions based on retirement."

    - "Go for the 5 years membership because it will give you plenty of time to figure out if Thailand is the right place for you and if you like it you can then decide between renewing the TE membership or going down the route of "extension based on retirement".

    - "5 years is long enough a commitment to make in the first place, so don´t go for the 20 years membership."

     

    All this sounded and still sounds reasonable to me today..... Still, there is that silly voice in my head saying "C´mon, for the sake of 500k extra you should just go for the 20 years version and only if it is for peace of mind and the convenience factor." Now, I can afford the 1mn BUT it would still be quite an investment for me. I am not a millionaire in GBP or EUR terms by any stretch of the imagination. That´s why I also think that at this stage in my life over here the 5 yrs plan probably is the better choice. But with that nagging voice in my head re the 20 years program, I´d at least want to ask you here on this forum, if there are any valid reasons that I´ve missed so far that would change my mind and opt for the 20 and not the 5 years version of Thailand Elite. 

     

    I´d certainly appreciate your thoughts and comments. Thank you!

     

    DUS

     

     

    I was in a similar situation last year DUS, but am currently 44 yrs old. I considered a lot of things but i really don't know whether i'll still choose to be here after 5 (or 6) years. I checked out requirements for an ED visa, looked at maybe buying a business for an OB visa and work permit, but they all seemed so much hassle and no one could ever give the true cost of anything which really bugged me, there was always another hidden charge or fee somewhere whenever i asked another question.

     

    So i got the 5 years for 500k last December purely for peace of mind. I figured if i really like living here after 5 or 6 years then i can either go for the retirement visa or change to the 20 year TE, but who knows what might happen in 5 years time let alone 10 or 20 years? I didn't want to commit to 20 years right now, and that ultimately made my mind up.

     

    I can see JayBird's point about having to have 800k tied up in the bank for a retirement visa, but if you have a regular monthly income this can be offset to bring that figure down (as far as i'm aware), and if you leave you can take that 800k with you. Don't forget you're essentially 'saving' yourself having to pay out another 500k right now, and that could be put somewhere earning 4-10% compound interest per annum, or more if you're lucky. 

     

    In the end it's 'up to you', the more people you ask the more different opinions you'll get. Whatever happens it sounds like you're in a good position to be in, good luck to you.

     

    PS. Be prepared for some people to think you're an idiot for having anything to with TE and paying out 'all that' money, ignore the neg heads ;)

     

     

     

     

    • Like 3

    Fat bike parts

    in Phuket

    Posted

    Hi, i'm looking for somewhere that sells fat bike parts, preferably in Phuket. I've tried the bike shop in Chalong but they don't stock the parts i need.

    Looking to get a new crank and derailers and add more gears.

     

    Can anyone help?

    Expressions by Thai people that raise my blood pressure:

    in ASEAN NOW Community Pub

    Posted

    6 hours ago, chowny77 said:

    One of my students today asked me why I not speak Thai or understand a lot of Thai. With this I was lucky to have a map on the wall where I pointed to Thailand and said in Thai this is the only place that Thai is spoken as a first language. I then pointed to other countries and pointed out that English is either the first or second language spoken. My student soon realised that she had put her foot in her mouth. The arrogance of the student about Thai language was what annoyed me the most.

     

    I can't believe how arrogant this comment is! Your attitude as a teacher is terrible, i'm sure you made a lovely impression on your student who pulled you up on it, they must all love you haha. So what if most countries speak English, you're in Thailand. You're the one who's arrogant not the student.

    Thailand Elite Card is pleased to announce the release of four new membership programs

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    9 hours ago, James2020 said:

    I think I found another glitch with TE Visa.  I got a Thai Driver's license yesterday and was told (through translation by my Thai wife) by two people that I cannot obtain an International Driver's Permit (sometimes referred to as a license) with the Thai two year temporary driver's license that I received.  I have to wait two years until I qualify for the permanent 5 year Thailand Driver's License, but this also requires a long term stay visa, for which the special PE Visa does not qualify - it is a type of Tourist Visa.  So, as discussed in another thread, you will only receive the 2 year temporary driver's license with the TE Visa, which apparently can be renewed for another 2 year temporary driver's license, never a 5 year permanent license.  The problem for me is when I visit the US, a foreign driver's license and an International Driver's Permit are required to rent a car.  Unless I can maintain a US based driver's license, which requires US residency (another set of problems...), I would be unable to rent a car in the US.  I have no idea what would happen in another home country.

     

    I emailed TE about getting a Thai driving license after joining last month on the 5 year PE visa, and was told i can only get a 1 year driving license with the option to renew for another year when it expires. Not sure what happens after that, i guess you keep renewing every year..?

    • Popular Post
    • Popular Post

    Thailand Elite Card is pleased to announce the release of four new membership programs

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    I just got a new 5 year TE visa after weighing up the options of staying long term and being under 50. Not the cheapest but at least i don't have to worry. It's a bit crap that the limo doesn't cover you for internal flights, and it doesn't cover Don Muang airport, and you can't take at least one person through immigration with you, but i'm not going to piss my pants and cry about it ;)

    • Like 4

    Where I can have a signature "certified" or "notarized" in Phuket

    in Phuket

    Posted

    On 21/04/2015 at 6:14 PM, McFarang said:

    There are no notaries public in Thailand, some lawyers are given the authority to function as Notarial Services Attorney in the country. In Thailand, it is the Lawyers Council of Thailand which regulates the practice of notarial services in the State. A Thai lawyer is required to be registered as a Notarial Services Attorney.

    Just Google a Lawyer in your area and check the website to see if they have a suitable Lawyer (Attorney) approved by the Lawyers Council of Thailand. I live in Rawai and there are 3 practices that can perform Notarial Services.

    Hope this is of help.

     

    Hi McFarang, i need a Notarial Services Attorney in Rawai. Any chance you could tell me where the three in Rawai are? Google isn't being much help!

     

    Certified Passport copy needed in Rawai

    in Phuket

    Posted

    Hi,

     

    I need - "A colour passport copy certified in English (signed, stamped and dated in the last 6 months) from an Embassy, Consulate, Police, Notary or Town-hall." 

     

    Does anyone know where i can get this done in (or near) to Rawai, and a rough estimate for how much i should be charged for it?

    Thailand Elite Card is pleased to announce the release of four new membership programs

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    5 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

    Not sure who is telling you to wait until after December 1st or why.

    What kind of entry to the country do you have now (from a tourist or non immigrant visa or extension of stay)?

    It should not take more than a week to have your application approved.

     

    Hi ubonjoe, i'm on a 30 ext from a METV until mid December so need to sort something out. A week for the application would be fine.

    As i understand things, the new king takes over on 1st December so was going to see if it will affect anything to do with the Elite Visa, but am probably worrying over nothing. Thanks for the info 

    'Bar Keepers Friend' product needed

    in General Topics

    Posted

    Yeah i should've checked the shops for vinegar first before posting, got some today but it still hasn't cleaned the white water marks off. Also tried the Duck limescale remover and a brillo pad but that hasn't worked either! Thanks for the replies and suggestions though. 

     

    Seems like nearly every video for cleaning fish tanks on youtube says Bar Keepers Friend is the only thing that really works well, i'll have to try and get some sent over from UK.

    'Bar Keepers Friend' product needed

    in General Topics

    Posted

    Hi,

     

    I'm looking for some 'Bar Keepers Friend' glass cleaner, to clean an old fish tank i've acquired. Here's the stuff i mean - https://www.barkeepersfriend.com/cleaning-products/cleanser-polish/ 

    Apparently this is the best stuff for getting rid of white hard water stains on glass, has anyone come across it in Thailand, or more specifically in Phuket?

     

    Failing that the next best stuff is apparently distilled white vinegar, does anywhere sell this stuff as well?

     

    Thanks for any advice :)

    The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa Topic (METV)

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    6 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

    By last 60 days I assume your visa has already expired.

    You have two choices. One get a re-entry permit to keep your 60 day entry valid so that you can still apply for a 30 day extension. Two enter the country without a re-entry permit and get 30 day visa exempt entry.

     

    Thanks, yes the METV expired in September. 

    Can you tell me how i get a re-entry permit please?

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