Lovethailandelite

Just now, Lite Beer said:

Yes it is illegal.

Providing false information , even with the connivance of an Immigration Officer could get one in big trouble.

You sign the application form.

If you say so. Maybe go and tell all the agents, some directly opposite immigration openly advertising the fact. There are millions and millions of Baht involved. Do you think anybody really cares? The only time anybody would care is if it was stopped! Why do think that once your using an agent and attempt to do it yourself, your told by immigration, 'Use your agent'? It will never be stopped, it's how it is. Not discussing it isn't stopping it. As I said, if it's so illegal why are the banks and immigration happy for it to continue?

Just now, Lite Beer said:

Discussing illegal activities is against Forum Rules.

That takes about 50% of topics out then. Is it illegal when banks and immigration quite openly do it? There are certain people involved that you wouldn't want to tell them it's illegal  And is discussing it anymore illegal than advice to use consulates for marriage extensions in other country's who are to lapse to check if the person applying actually has the funds and the discussing of using fake airline tickets to obtain tourist visas?

Just now, Lite Beer said:

Or 1,900 Baht if you do this very simple process yourself.

As said, Immigration will only issue an extension of stay up to the expiry date of your Passsport if less than a year.

When you apply in you will get 12 months.

Not if you haven't the required funds to do it isn't. Why do think people pay 26000 Baht to an agent?

5 minutes ago, glegolo said:

UbonJoe, you write to contradict my post,, saying that this is not a scam..... I thought when these VISA-companies pay off their contacts at the Immigration, who in turn then lie about the seasoning of the money involved, doing the whole procedure in just 1-2 days instead of 2-3 months.... is that not a scam, so what is a scam really????

 

Just asking??

Glegolo

The OP hasn't been scammed by the visa company. They acquired for him exactly what they promised. He failed to check his passport expiry date  
The 26000 was expensive though. 18000 is more the going rate.

22 minutes ago, Danielll said:

Yeah, thanks for the suggestion, issue for me is I'd arrive a day early and have to pay for another night of the hotel and book another day off work.

Are you applying for the right Visa if your working?

5 hours ago, elviajero said:

Unless you quote the source it's pointless quoting numbers.

 

I seem to remember reading that the number of members is only about 4,000, 2,500 of which are from the original 2003 scheme. 4,000 in 13 years considering the hundreds of thousands of expats and frequent visitors seems poor to me. 

 

IMO they changed their target market last year because they have clearly failed to attract many members wanting the expensive prepaid "privileges" and realise the visa is all that most people want.

 

They reportedly increased the membership by 700 members last year probably off the back of new options, but that equates to an increase of approximately one third of the membership in one year. I make that one good year in thirteen. Only time will tell if the changes make a long term difference. I expect the initial interest will slow quickly.

 

I would love to see the accounts for the last 13 years and I'd bet they don't equate anywhere near to your numbers on a year to year basis.

 

I think it's a very limited market as most people have far cheaper options and aren't willing to pay through the nose for convenience.

 

The accounts were actually posted by somebody around about Christmas time but there are so many threads on the TE programme I don't know which one. It was under the accounts of the Tourist Authority of Thailand as they are the sole share holder.

http://www.thailandelite.com/aboutus.php

These may well be accounts here of some sort but it's in Thai

http://www.thailandelite.com/company_announcement_view.php?id=9

Post 46. The figures should be a turn over of 800 million baht, not 800,000 million . A slip of the keyboard but now I cannot edit it.

2 hours ago, elviajero said:

Effectively yes. It's a five year visa with the promise of 3 more which IMO is out of order. I doubt very much if this scheme will be around for the whole of the next 20 years. Based on the low sales it seems a failure to me and last years new options were to prop it up.

 

That said as it is government backed I think refunds would be honoured if it is wound up, although, the T&C's aren't clear about how much would be returned.

I would hardly call it a failure with 7000+ members generating an annual turnover of 800,000 million baht and a reputed 4 billion baht going into the economy a failure? Considering last year saw between 60 and 70 members a month joining the club each putting between 500,000 and 2 million baht, then I would say that is great business? Of course, we all know there are plenty that would love nothing more than to see it fail and be discontinued.....I think you may be disappointed and waiting a while for that to happen. 

Just now, The Dark Lord said:

( is blue ok?)

Not really as the death sentence could only be commuted to life imprisonment.

1 minute ago, bikerbri said:

Can I buy a bottle of wine on Friday afternoon after 5pm and take it to my local restaurant for consumption on Saturday evening before midnight? I would of course pay corkage. It seemed to work for Thai diners last year and when I complained to the restaurant staff,they simple said they had not sold it. I think the group where celebrating the retirement of a local police man,but I couldn't be sure.

Probably not if the restaurant has licence to sell alcohol. Although I am pretty certain these bans don't apply to hotels. 

5 minutes ago, everett kendall said:

You still have to do the 90 day report

I know. It's hard taking an hour out of your day every 3 months to do it yourself, or put it in an envelope and  post it or even ask TE to do it for you.

2 minutes ago, LivinLOS said:

 

Oh really.. Care to explain how that works for the under 50s ?? 

 

 

It was for the benefit of meatboy who is over 70 and said he would pay 25000 a year if he never had to go to immigration 

50 minutes ago, paul18620 said:

Yes it is funny to see you pay 1 million bhat for a "tourist visa " from TE.

It won't be as funny as seeing you and your serial border running mates denied entry in the near future. 
We all know by now you cannot afford the TE visa. No need to keep on an on about it.

2 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

Lunch time on the eleventh until lunchtime the 12th.

Stock up before hand.

God give me strength......

6 minutes ago, MJCM said:

 

Rumours from where ? Bar stools in Pattaya ?

Link please

 

Never discount anything changing within 24 hrs at any immigration office, Embassy or consulate when somebody above considers them getting too lapse in how they operate. 

3 minutes ago, meatboy said:

i for one WOULD PAY for not having to travel to immigration 5times a yr.especially after having 2visits above,its only 20minute's drive to korat immig.and the 90days report is done in less that 5minutes.

as for the extension,that is no great shakes,one letter from the bank[the wife gets] every thing else is photo copies and not forgetting,

1,900bht.

50,000bht. HALF that amout might get me thinking.

For 25,000 a year an agent would rip your your arm off to do everything for you, including your 90 day report. You would never need to go anywhere near an immigration office ever again.

30 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Yes, you couldn't make it up. People being allowed out of there own country's to travel that cannot even fathom the time out.

20 minutes ago, meatboy said:

what fantastic value,50,000bht.per.yr.for back door retirement,which you have to do ONCE A YR.

but you still have to DO YOUR 90DAYS REPORT.

i would call that DAYLIGHT ROBBERY.

 

136 bht a day is a real killer to stay here LEGALLY for 20 years with no immigration issues isn't it? Oh, and if the 90 day report is too hard for you, then Thailand Elite will take on that burdensome task and do it for you.....For free.
Personally, I would start saving up as it could very well be the future. 

2 hours ago, steve187 said:

yes we know, but not sure about the 100's, but this thread is about a tm30 form, landlords form and you keep posting about a tm28 visitors form, 2 different forms and as ubonjoe posted 2 different fines.

 I am posting regarding a TM30 form which also a form residents and any other foreign visitors need to report with or get reported. The TM28 form is a change of address notification form so until you understand exactly what is being discussed and what each form is actually for, I suggest you keep quiet.

Just now, ripstanley said:

 

I live near Phayao which has a new Immigration office, but not highly populated by farang. They require a TM30 when you travel and stay away from your permanent address

Thanks for your post. There certainly seems to be a pattern building.

Just now, Bangkok Barry said:

You can get their Premier League football for 299 baht, although I think you have to have another package too. I have a 299 family package as well to keep them happy.

I don't mind the Platinum package to be honest. There is plenty of English channels there and some carry a good bit of fishing related stuff too.

1 minute ago, JackThompson said:

 

Thank you for the detailed reply.  I will be following those rules on my next out-and-back.  Appreciate the info.  You may have saved me some trouble in the future. 

They are actually nice people there and only doing there job at the end of the day.