BKKTRAVELER

You love the country so much and since you don't have to work currently, you decided to take some well deserved extended holidays in your favorite country. If you have a Thai girlfriend, say you don't want to be separated from her as well (make sure to have photos of the 2 of you on your phone). Most importantly, act like someone who is on holidays. Big smile and so happy to be back here. Don't go in there looking anxious, they'll probably smell it. Have enough or too much cash on yourself as well. No guarantee of success unfortunately...

Good news is, you also know how to say goodbye as well ????

You will certainly feel better once you have the Elite visa in your passport. To be honest, when I applied for it back in 2014, there was no 20 years 1 million baht option. Otherwise, I would have gone that path.

So the 1 million figure should clearly be domestic and foreign tourism combined. The title is very misleading. It's still not a bad numbers of foreign flights though, all things considered.

I was more talking of people who have assets abroad and want to live in Thailand. Anyway, there is Elite visa yes. It's just a big bullet to bite for a visa.

That's my point, if people below 50 can show proof they can support themselves (800k in account or 65k monthly), why would the government not want them to stay? Many people under 50 own properties, companies or inherited and have passive income that is enough to live by. The difference is they can have a better quality of life here than in their home countries for the same amount of money. Some people also want to take a couple of years off work and enjoy life a bit. I don't see the reason why they wouldn't create a visa category for these people. I had Elite visa, it was good but I won't pay this price anymore for a visa with extra services.

I think the main issue is that there is non long stay visa for people under 50 who want to stay long term here with their own means. Yes, there is Elite. But paying a minimum of 600K Baht to stay doesn't suit most (rightfully so). That's why many people have to resort to dodgy Volunteer, ED, Medical visas etc. I don't see any reason for not extending the same retirement requirements for people under 50. They show they have enough money, either lump sum or income methods and they can stay. They contribute to the local economy and everyone is happy.

I'd like to know how many people have come so far this year, this would be a good indicator. Sure, they will get more people in November and December if restrictions are truly lifted, but really curious regarding current results.

You're a great help, thanks for posting...

Immigration will charge 1,900 Baht ????

Are you fully vaccinated? That will help determine your cost.

You'd be much lower than 50% of your original capital unfortunately. Lose 70%. Left 30%. Gain 10% of the current capital the next year: 33% of your original capital. The next year with 10% gain: 36.3% from original capital. Truth is, Thailand is going to create a bigger gap between classes. Riche people getting richer and poor people getting... well... you know.

I think what TVC meant is that they can offer this service but only for customers who obtained a visa through them. It will not be at MTT since they obtain visas upcountry through their connections. OP, do it yourself, sounds most efficient and not really difficult.

Thai firms going green and sustainable... ok... ????

If you got 7 days, it is unlikely. Did you check with any agencies? Otherwise, have a nice trip it seems.

Unfortunately not in your area. Go on google right now and find some that have an office and good reviews. Contact them and you'll get an idea. Do it now, best advice I can give you.

I think if the OP already got his extension rejected and obtained 7 days, he will not have the opportunity to apply for another Covid extension. I may be wrong though and he should contact visa agencies right now for confirmation.

No, because they might end up ordering 10 kgs of food each which is completely ridiculous and the restaurant will go bankrupt. Not sustainable and without common sense. The concept is "all you can eat". Not all you can order...

I personally hate wasting food. Every time I go to an all you can eat shabu or Japanese bbq, I order plate by plate, eat at my pace and order only what I know I can eat. I find it disrespectful when I see other customers ordering dozens of plates at a time and then try to hide the food they can't eat (trust me, they are creative at that...). Same for hotel buffets, I often see empty trays on display and plenty of full plates on customers tables who are leaving. The staff never says anything but it doesn't sit well with me. They had 2 kgs of food leftovers... That is just insane and serves them right to pay the fine.

That is a tragic story obviously. I saw the name of the agency when you first posted. My advice, go talk to them first. Maybe things will get settled between you and it will turn out better than expected. Keep your cool in any case. This agency provides receipts when you pay for their services, so keep the receipt if you need to show to the relevant authorities later on (I hope it won't go that far). Also, please check all the answers made by members, acknowledge them and offer more details. Otherwise, people will have doubts about your claim's credibility and won't help. Finally, please restrain from publicly naming the agency, otherwise things could get ugly real fast. Wish you all the best and good luck.

Sounds like words for: "don't ask what meat is that"

I'm very glad to see more reports from members, they are most helpful. Thank you for taking the time to detail everything and happy your trip went well.

OP, hang in there and I wish you all the best! Ubonjoe seems to have your questions answered.

True, but I do not know many places that ask you to show cash in hand to enter their country... Hence why ATMs might not be such a bad idea right before immigration.

Didn't have much of a choice when they told us to get a "proper" visa or leave in September 2020 When you use an agent that does a visa for you in weird provinces, you have to do your 90 day report through them. Thanks a lot for that. I guess the agent did my 90 day report in multiple provinces until they got one that didn't allow past current extension's expiry date. Thanks for the comments. Also, it's supposed to be for "aliens" staying here for 90 days after arriving or after their earlier registration. Making it earlier than that defeats the purpose...