rimpsstar

I paid my 500,000 last week. Regardless of the issues, for many it is only the option for returning. 

21 hours ago, asiacurious said:

True!  And yet.....  Giving people 7 days actual notice

Months notice

2 hours ago, Alldar said:

I would double check that you would be able to enter Thailand with the Elita Visa. Was just reading this post where the Richard is saying it was not possible and he also got the wrong information that it should be possible.

It's possible this was before Thai Elite holders were approved. I have had it confirmed that I will be able to enter so it should not be a problem

1 hour ago, FlyingThai said:

The Thailand Elite Visa has never been given at embassies abroad. It was always affixed upon arrival in Thailand or at CW with help of the TE concierge.

 

I'm surprised because just 10 days ago it was documented here on TV that Thailand Elite informed new members that it's explicitly NOT possible to get their visa at an Embassy but they're working on a solution and might start sending labels to the missions abroad.

I have been told directly by Thailand Elite that my Visa will be affixed in London before I travel

I'm from Scotland. Looking to return to Thailand as soon as I can.

I have had it confirmed by Thai Elite Visa and the London Embassy that I can apply and get an Elite card membership, have it fixed into my passport in the UK, and have TEV instruct the Embassy to give me a COE and return. The whole process taking 8-12 weeks.

I have however read that there is now a 90x3 tourist visa coming, with specific details unknown. 

I was wondering if those on here who are knowledgeable about these, could make a guess on how likely it would be that this would soon be available?

Money is not really issue, but I would prefer to do the 90x3 Visa over the elite card as I will be eligible for an investment Visa in mid 2022 and feels like a waste to get the elite visa given this. 

14 hours ago, STD Warehouse said:

I would actually like to bet quite a lot on the amnesty getting extended in some shape or form. But since betting would most likely be against the law, I can’t take your bet, but I would love to.

 

yes of course they are not debating it, for most Thais it doesn’t even pop into their head to think about it, doesn’t really effect most Thai people. It effects all the foreigners which is why this forum is going mental with threads on it but the media is not even writing about it.

 

And Ive got plenty of options btw, no problem for me to stay past the 26th, regardless if amnesty gets extended.

 

But it seems pretty clear to me it will get extended. I know it’s easy to come up with arguments for it not being extended. But the real factor is what would happen if it didn’t get extended, which is why it will get extended. If the outcome is just to extreme, whilst preventing that outcome holds few of any drawbacks, then that outcome will rarely occur, simple really.

 

i cannot be sure, but I’m 99% confident the amnesty in some way will get extended.

I can see where you are coming from with this, but I think you are viewing it from your perspective and thoughts on it, instead of their perspective. 

Many Thais view this current situation as "The foreigners were told at the start of the amnesty that they have until 26th September to leave the country, which is plenty of time for them to make arrangements". The Government and immigration then (in their minds at least) did whatever they could to make sure those remained knew they had to get onto an appropriate Visa. 

Many foreigners, however, seem to have interpreted the amnesty as "We can stay until 26th September, and then we have to leave OR we get extended again". I think this is why to many foreigners it seems like madness to expect everyone to now leave, but from the perspective of Thais, they cannot understand how 4-5months has not been enough to do this, or at least get one of the Visas. 

I really do not think there is going to be any extension. 

4 minutes ago, BritTim said:

Thailand Elite's customer service can be mixed, especially if they are busy. However, unlike with almost all the other services agents provide, they cannot simplify the application or circumvent any of the normal requirements. All they do is put up an opaque barrier between you and Thailand Elite which makes it more difficult to know the current status of your application. If Thailand Elite is busy, they cannot magically make all the other applications go away. If you are lucky, they will just get you in the queue in the same position as if you submitted your application to Thailand Elite rather than the agent.

I understand this. my concern isn't about speeding it up, but more what happens with issues that come up. I have read of people sitting waiting for a long time and it turned out the reason was that Thailand Elite just forgot to send them something that needed filling out. With an agent I am assuming they would be chasing up Thailand Elite on their end as they would want their commission?

I have seen on the forum people say to not use an agent when applying for an Elite Visa. I was wondering why this is.

My idea was to use an agent rather than direct as I have heard that the elite visa company is not the best when it comes to customer service and followings things up, so I assumed using an agent would give me an intermediary who would do this? and also is the cost not the same?

Thanks

From speaking with Thai people, I think the current situation of many people being stuck has come about through misunderstanding. 

Foreigners seemed to see the amnesty as "We get to stay in Thailand until Sep 26th, then we have to go home", Wheras the Thai's viewed it as "Foreigners have until Sep 26th to arrange their departure, which is plenty of time". Thais I speak with seem to not understand how anyone can still be having a problem given they have had so much time, and the fact there have been plenty of flights they could have gotten on since the Amnesty was approved.

I had previously considered getting an Elite card to enter Thailand, however according to the agencys, it seems probable that only a certain type of existing Elite card members will be allowed in.

I have therefore begun looking at other options for entering Thailand in September/October. Would an ED visa with a language school be a potential option in order to get a COE?

14 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said:

I'm sure I'll find something to occupy my mind, single female travellers love those places, just don't mention Thai ladies when talking about Thailand 555.

 

That's if they are still issuing them, you better check. I don't think anything will be easy for general tourism.

Yes it seems they are.

Based on my research in the last few hours it seems my options are:

Apply for Elite card

Book a business class seat on a repatriation flight as apparently the majority of economy tickets are prioritised to Thai nationals

Receive visa when I arrive, then undergo 14 day Quarantine at an approved Hotel from the list

19 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said:

Was in the Bangkok Post and the Thaiger today, no international flights for tourists until the situation impoves. Q1 or Q2 next year maybe, I'm not hopeful of anything this year. I'm heading into EU land next week, Italy and Greece, it's not Thailand, but better than nothing 555.

Yes but as I understand it, if you have an Elite card you are allowed entry I believe

1 minute ago, tribalfusion001 said:

Better off waiting until the borders open, the same as everyone else, no easy routes back in just for holiday.

It doesn't seem like that would happen anytime soon, and even if they were to open, without a tourist visa I would not be able to enter. 

Thank you everyone for the advice so far. I will first apply for the elite visa and then once they approve I will request the list of flights from the Embassy.

Hi

I am in the UK, I often spend a large part of the year in Thailand using Tourist Visas.

As It seems that Tourist Visas are not going to be issued anytime soon until next year, I am looking at what options I have for returning in September. Money is not an issue. 

As far as I can see, my only option is the Elite card, which will take around 2 months and I can collect at the airport on arrival in Thailand. 

However, I am confused somewhat about how I get there. I have read about "repatriation flights" and how there is a limited number of them, yet when I search for flights to book I see a lot of them heading from the UK to Thailand, are these not real?

Would I then receive confirmation from the Elite Card agent, book a flight, and then visit the London Thai Embassy to get a COE?

My main question is whether it is possible to enter at all, I wouldn't want to spend the money and then find out I either did not need it, or that it does not allow me entry

Many thanks