grantbkk

I live in Thailand on what is referred to by many as a retirement visa, but is actually an extension of stay.  I also have a multiple entry non-immigrant 'O' visa.  Both expire on 25th August and I am hoping to renew both prior to then and I see no reason why there should be a problem as I can prove I fulfill the criteria that is currently required, you'll note I say currently, because everything at the moment could be subject to change. During the period of the validity of my current extension of stay I have travelled out of and returned to Thailand at least 5 times on return tickets, i.e. from Thailand to my destination and back.  The last of these trips was 3 weeks ago when I returned from the UK.  Obviously my return ticket from the UK to Thailand was the 2nd half of a return, so I had no 'return' ticket to the UK or proof of onward travel, nor was I asked to produce any.  In fact I was asked in polite conversation whether I was living in Thailand and when I answered in the affirmative, I was asked how I liked it!  On my immigration form to enter Thailand I always write Thailand as 'place of residence', well I currently reside in Thailand, so why not, and again I have never been pulled up on this.  Am I just lucky, or is the fact that I have en extension of stay and a multiple entry non-immigrant 'O' visa sufficient to negate the necessity for a return ticket or proof on onward travel?  

So this Elite card really gets you a 5 year visa? Are there any entry/exit limitations? Any stay in country limitations or requirements? I thought this card was originally just an Airport check in thing, short lines through immigration, etc. I didn't realize it has official standing with Immigration and embassies and really gets you 5 years visa to stay in thailand for whatever purposes. Can one work while on this Elite "Visa"? Another Poster posted the "fact sheet". It seems to suggest the card was meant for a business person. has anybody filled it out with selections such as "retired" or "other" or "tourist"?

It's as real as it gets. There are photos on this thread of actual 5 year visas. I mentioned before I know two people on their third 5 year visa through Thai Elite. You get an unlimited multiple entry endorsement with the visa. I have no idea about the "work" restrictions. Really all you need is the cash and a passport for the 500,000 Baht model. With a little help from Thai Elite and immigration regarding an extension of stay you never have to leave the country.

I was never a big fan of the original Thai Elite "scheme" but I do know a couple of people who bought the initial offering for 1 million Baht. They are on their third five year hassle free visa as we speak. Nothing buy joy over buying that card. When traveling with one of these guys I could not fault the limo service.

There are a lot of haters for a lot of reasons on this site but the proof that the "scheme" works is absolutely evidenced by the positive posters on may threads over the years. I felt I missed the boat but with the new 500,000 option I will seriously consider it as my retirement visa is coming up for extension for the 11th time. Go ahead and flame away but it is an option. I have plenty of time to sit at CW but I may choose not to.

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Funny, in all the babbling by Thai officialdom on visas recently, they've never mentioned the PE visa and what it's intended for.

The cynical part of me had thought that the timing of the introduction of the cheaper Elite card followed by the crackdown on border runs was suspicious - a scheme to raise more money for the government.

The absence of promotion suggests that either I was being too cynical, or official incompetence. And in Thailand it's rarely possible to be too cynical.

Thai Elite had a huge promotion on page 5 of the July 16th edition of the Bangkok Post. It is pretty clear.

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What about my condo ? It's up for sale at 1.8 million. I was expecting to get my return of investment back. After all, I have invested money in this country but I'm still a tourist.

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why would you buy a condo on a tourist visa? Perhaps you saved so much money on hotel bills it was worth it. Where is your condo? Are you selling?

Never invest money in Thailand that you are not willing and able to walkaway from.

Dude! You are a tourist in every sense of the word. None of this applies to you and never will. Enjoy.

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Hopefully one of the mods will be able to offer some advice on my situation or maybe someone else in the same situation as me, im not looking to debate the rules as i agree with them being implemented, I am just looking for advice.

I work offshore 4weeks on 4weeks off and about 18 months ago i went to immigration to extend for 7 days on my exempt entry stamp. At this time i told the IO what i do and how i come in and out monthly and asked is there a better visa i could be using, his reply was just keep doing what you are doing it is fine.

So now it doesnt look like this is fine. I stay in a rented villa in a resort complex and am not married and not over 50 so i treat each trip back to thailand as basically a holiday, going to the beach, gym, restaurants and bars so i could pass as a "tourist" in my opinion.

I have applied for and been approved for the 5 year elite card however when i spoke to immigration in krabi they didnt even know about an elite visa. There is plenty of people on here saying it is a solution however the visa issued is a "special tourist" visa so there is a possibilty you could be denied entry even after buying it. I know this is highly unlikely but it is possible as other people are being turned away with legitimate visas.

What would you suggest is the best option for someone in my situation. Im just about ready to send off the form to pay for the elite visa but i am wondering if there is any other alternatives. I would not hesitate to take the elite visa if it was paid yearly however i am concerned that if the rules change again or my circumstances change in the 5 years.

It looks like 4 weeks on and 4 weeks off would not expose you to immigration problems if you are one of those people who are elligible for the 30 visa exemption on arrival. This costs you absolutely nothing.

There is no Elite Visa. There is a partnership with the government and Thai Elite that includes a five year visa. It matters not if if your local immigration office has heard of it or not, they will eventually. When you receive your visa from Thai Elite it will have an expiration date of five years from the beginning date stamped in your passport. You are good to go even if the Thai Elite program dies it will have no effect on your visa. Other Elite services would be gone but not the five year visa.

Grant,

I would like to think i am not going to have problems with immigration but i suspect i will as my passport is full of visa exempt stamps. They are a month apart but there is alot of them with very few stamps in between as i dont get stamped into Malaysia.

The elite card does not give you a 5 year visa, it only gives you a 1 year visa which is renewable 5 times, hence the reason i would prefer to pay only yearly.

Any other options anyone knows of. Im not trying to find loopholes, i would like a genuine solution to stay correctly.

I know a guy on his 3rd 5 year Elite program visa. Each one is for 5 years from the issue date. You only need to get the extension of stay if you do not leave Thailand for 12 months. Every time you arrive in the country the clock begins on that 12 months. No problem for you. In a recent thread there was a picture of a new 5 year visa expiring in 2019.

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The 5 year visa is only issued if you buy the 2million baht (+VAT+20,00 per year) elite card. The 500k elite card you are given a 1 year visa, renewable 5 times. Will still work for me.

This is the info i recieved from Thailand Elite as i have already applied and been approved and will go to Bangkok after this month at work to pay and recieve the visa in my passport if there is no other solution.

Hi Scotty. I went to the latest Elite thread and found the picture of the new "PE" visa. It is good for 5 years. I am not an expert but from what I read here and on the Elite website you do not need to re-up each year as long as you leave within 12 months. The stamp you get upon you return is good for another 12 months. Also, I feel you are still a tourist if you are doing 4 weeks out and back for 4 weeks no matter how many stamps in your passport. Good luck.

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Hopefully one of the mods will be able to offer some advice on my situation or maybe someone else in the same situation as me, im not looking to debate the rules as i agree with them being implemented, I am just looking for advice.

I work offshore 4weeks on 4weeks off and about 18 months ago i went to immigration to extend for 7 days on my exempt entry stamp. At this time i told the IO what i do and how i come in and out monthly and asked is there a better visa i could be using, his reply was just keep doing what you are doing it is fine.

So now it doesnt look like this is fine. I stay in a rented villa in a resort complex and am not married and not over 50 so i treat each trip back to thailand as basically a holiday, going to the beach, gym, restaurants and bars so i could pass as a "tourist" in my opinion.

I have applied for and been approved for the 5 year elite card however when i spoke to immigration in krabi they didnt even know about an elite visa. There is plenty of people on here saying it is a solution however the visa issued is a "special tourist" visa so there is a possibilty you could be denied entry even after buying it. I know this is highly unlikely but it is possible as other people are being turned away with legitimate visas.

What would you suggest is the best option for someone in my situation. Im just about ready to send off the form to pay for the elite visa but i am wondering if there is any other alternatives. I would not hesitate to take the elite visa if it was paid yearly however i am concerned that if the rules change again or my circumstances change in the 5 years.

It looks like 4 weeks on and 4 weeks off would not expose you to immigration problems if you are one of those people who are elligible for the 30 visa exemption on arrival. This costs you absolutely nothing.

There is no Elite Visa. There is a partnership with the government and Thai Elite that includes a five year visa. It matters not if if your local immigration office has heard of it or not, they will eventually. When you receive your visa from Thai Elite it will have an expiration date of five years from the beginning date stamped in your passport. You are good to go even if the Thai Elite program dies it will have no effect on your visa. Other Elite services would be gone but not the five year visa.

Grant,

I would like to think i am not going to have problems with immigration but i suspect i will as my passport is full of visa exempt stamps. They are a month apart but there is alot of them with very few stamps in between as i dont get stamped into Malaysia.

The elite card does not give you a 5 year visa, it only gives you a 1 year visa which is renewable 5 times, hence the reason i would prefer to pay only yearly.

Any other options anyone knows of. Im not trying to find loopholes, i would like a genuine solution to stay correctly.

I know a guy on his 3rd 5 year Elite program visa. Each one is for 5 years from the issue date. You only need to get the extension of stay if you do not leave Thailand for 12 months. Every time you arrive in the country the clock begins on that 12 months. No problem for you. In a recent thread there was a picture of a new 5 year visa expiring in 2019.

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'Saw this coming. More ahead no doubt. Preachy non-O holders, pack up your smugness in your old kit bag, 'cause you're next on the agenda. And it's not even 12 AUG yet. I actually doubt this is going to help Elite sales much. Turn-aways like this create confusion and uncertainty, which is the opposite of what someone buying an expensive visa (or any expensive investment, or expensive anything) for the long-term tend to look for and expect. The very few who allow themselves to be herded toward the Elite program will be outweighed baht-wise by the many wondering what the heck is going on, and just deciding they can live without the hassle & go elsewhere. Whoever's behind all this either has no concern for the long-term damage he's doing, or no understanding of it. It's like a store-owner telling customers they have to leave if they haven't bought anything within the first 15 minutes. He might have his reasons (e.g., fear of shoplifters), but he'll end up driving away all his business, even those who might otherwise be first-timers, who'll walk the other way just based on the bad hearsay without knowing or caring about the details.

And next after Non 'O' holders (who will be mostly forced to do Extensions of Stay for Retirement - if the qualify) - sometime down the road those on Extensions of Stay for Retirement (EoSR) with get the shaft in the arse. First just do away with the Embassy certificate in lieu of 800,000 in the bank (for those who are allowed to use the cert.)..... Then later push everyone on Extension of Stay for Retirement into the first level of the Elite Visa - 500,000 baht for five years by basically doing away with the EoSR all together. After all - all the EoSR folks have 800,000 in the bank don't they - the government wants that money - not just left lying around in a bank... Thailand has bills to pay ... Rice Scheme and all ...

In the end no one is going to be immune to this huge enforcement change which will lead to a whole mind set change by the Thai leadership.

But eventually the Thai Leadership will run into big problems when the Low Season in all the resort areas is the permanent season.

And you know all of this is true and correct exactly how?

Or are you looking for your 5 seconds of fame?

Do actually KNOW this or are you just making it up?

If it is true of course, you will have all the links and information and will be willing to post it so go ahead and prove it.

If not please stop posting rubbish and rumours.

He is either the smartest person in the room or the dumbest. No facts, just angry HE got caught up it this never ending morass of laws, loopholes and visa myths.

Hopefully one of the mods will be able to offer some advice on my situation or maybe someone else in the same situation as me, im not looking to debate the rules as i agree with them being implemented, I am just looking for advice.

I work offshore 4weeks on 4weeks off and about 18 months ago i went to immigration to extend for 7 days on my exempt entry stamp. At this time i told the IO what i do and how i come in and out monthly and asked is there a better visa i could be using, his reply was just keep doing what you are doing it is fine.

So now it doesnt look like this is fine. I stay in a rented villa in a resort complex and am not married and not over 50 so i treat each trip back to thailand as basically a holiday, going to the beach, gym, restaurants and bars so i could pass as a "tourist" in my opinion.

I have applied for and been approved for the 5 year elite card however when i spoke to immigration in krabi they didnt even know about an elite visa. There is plenty of people on here saying it is a solution however the visa issued is a "special tourist" visa so there is a possibilty you could be denied entry even after buying it. I know this is highly unlikely but it is possible as other people are being turned away with legitimate visas.

What would you suggest is the best option for someone in my situation. Im just about ready to send off the form to pay for the elite visa but i am wondering if there is any other alternatives. I would not hesitate to take the elite visa if it was paid yearly however i am concerned that if the rules change again or my circumstances change in the 5 years.

It looks like 4 weeks on and 4 weeks off would not expose you to immigration problems if you are one of those people who are elligible for the 30 visa exemption on arrival. This costs you absolutely nothing.

There is no Elite Visa. There is a partnership with the government and Thai Elite that includes a five year visa. It matters not if if your local immigration office has heard of it or not, they will eventually. When you receive your visa from Thai Elite it will have an expiration date of five years from the beginning date stamped in your passport. You are good to go even if the Thai Elite program dies it will have no effect on your visa. Other Elite services would be gone but not the five year visa.

'Saw this coming. More ahead no doubt. Preachy non-O holders, pack up your smugness in your old kit bag, 'cause you're next on the agenda. And it's not even 12 AUG yet. I actually doubt this is going to help Elite sales much. Turn-aways like this create confusion and uncertainty, which is the opposite of what someone buying an expensive visa (or any expensive investment, or expensive anything) for the long-term tend to look for and expect. The very few who allow themselves to be herded toward the Elite program will be outweighed baht-wise by the many wondering what the heck is going on, and just deciding they can live without the hassle & go elsewhere. Whoever's behind all this either has no concern for the long-term damage he's doing, or no understanding of it. It's like a store-owner telling customers they have to leave if they haven't bought anything within the first 15 minutes. He might have his reasons (e.g., fear of shoplifters), but he'll end up driving away all his business, even those who might otherwise be first-timers, who'll walk the other way just based on the bad hearsay without knowing or caring about the details.

And next after Non 'O' holders (who will be mostly forced to do Extensions of Stay for Retirement - if the qualify) - sometime down the road those on Extensions of Stay for Retirement (EoSR) with get the shaft in the arse. First just do away with the Embassy certificate in lieu of 800,000 in the bank (for those who are allowed to use the cert.)..... Then later push everyone on Extension of Stay for Retirement into the first level of the Elite Visa - 500,000 baht for five years by basically doing away with the EoSR all together. After all - all the EoSR folks have 800,000 in the bank don't they - the government wants that money - not just left lying around in a bank... Thailand has bills to pay ... Rice Scheme and all ...

In the end no one is going to be immune to this huge enforcement change which will lead to a whole mind set change by the Thai leadership.

But eventually the Thai Leadership will run into big problems when the Low Season in all the resort areas is the permanent season.

So what is the big concern here? It's their country. Thailand IMHO is bulletproof when it comes to tourism. A bunch of old guys, poor guys, old poor guys, criminals, whiners, sex-pats or men claiming to support families may find it's time to reassess their situation. Everyone knew this could happen. For the last 12 years while I was cooling my heels in the queue at Thai Immigration I wondered if it was all worth it. Blowing a few hours out of my life to get the proper visa now seems worth it.

Those familiar with this website and the posts on how to circumvent the laws and rules number in the hundreds of thousands. People bragging how they beat the system or looking to borrow 400,000 or 800,000 Baht for a day. Now the country wants to clarify and enforce reasonably laws and rules. If what you say is true and I can't or won't comply with the mandates from the government it will be time to move on. It is a bit more difficult with the wife, girlfriend and or kids but the reality is that change happens. Time to end your tourist experience and go home. We are guests here and some of us overstay our welcome.

Lets be honest about this guys - no more boolshit

There are genuine tourists who will not be affected by any of this, those that come here for an extended holiday once or twice a year possibly over the winter months from say November to January and are issued with a tourist visa, these people should not have a problem

Then there are those that are old enough and want to retire here or those that have wives and or children here and are still working back home (under 50) - there are choices for them to do so without any issues

Then you have the targeted group that don't fall into either of the above, the visa running clan who seem to fall into 3 categories - working illegally - on the run from their own country for various reasons - criminal activity in Thailand - or a mixture of all 3

If you think it's normal in any country going to a border and leaving for an hour or a day every 30 or 60 days then you are delusional - that is not normal anywhere

There are some genuine folks that are under 50 and have the funds to stay here but are going to end up the innocent fallout, their only option is the rather expensive Elite Card

You only have to look at the news stories involving falangs over the last 3 years or so and almost all of them have been on overstay visa expired - the authorities have noticed this too it seems

I honestly believe the next phase of this clampdown (very soon) will be active checking of falangs in locations such as Pattaya and Phuket for their visa status, I really believe this will happen, if you are currently on overstay and don't want to be in a situation were you can't even go outside without the risk of arrest and jail then you need to make a hasty exit ASAP

JMO

This is sage advise and will save overstays money, time and a stint in Thai jail. Overstays have an easy out right now but that window will close soon.

SCB did it in 28 days for a government check. I've bought homes with less paperwork.

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I'm a 13 and order mine online delivered in the US and brought to me. What a pain but better than checking all the shops in Bangkok only to be disappointed.

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I would ask that the moderators check out this story which is now running in several online publications including the largest english language media group. This has the potential to immediately negatively impact every tourist and resident except backpackers entering or leaving Thailand. Consider moving to the news thread for the widest possible dissemination.

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Finally some clarity! Awesome explanation of what is about to occur. I think the powers that be want to have a bit of control in place. Some of the abusers may be faced with yet to be defined obstacles. As for me if I have to humble myself more than once a year I'm out of here. What is the limit of what one will take to avail themselves of the fruits of Thailand? Options people. Is this really paradise? Yes, for now.

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Smoking is a choice but after about 1980 with all the facts in it's a very stupid choice. Most smokers are from ranks of the poor, school dropouts and have low intelligence.

I know what will work here in Thailand. Match the sales hours for smokes with those of liquor sales. The original justification for restricting liquor sales hours was to curb domestic violence and to reduce teenage drinking. This is Thailand.

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evidently, non smoking members of the population suffer this affliction as well...

That is, of course, assuming you are a non smoker...

Snap. Quit in 1977. Have one for me (outside, away from children and those who might be disturbed or afraid of the smoke).

thanks for the confirmation...just one thing I'm a tad confused about...you were a smoker and by your own admission smokers are poor, uneducated or stupid...so which were you?

I'm gonna go ahead and vote for the last one...as such you probably wouldn't realize that there's no cure for stupid...as evidenced by your posts above...

You're welcome. I don't want to antagonize you any more than I apparently already have but I mentioned that once everyone got the memo around 1980 about the consequences of smoking many people quit. Big tobacco markets to what you call stupid, poor and uneducated and the are very good at it obviously. Sorry about your confusion.

Smoking is a choice but after about 1980 with all the facts in it's a very stupid choice. Most smokers are from ranks of the poor, school dropouts and have low intelligence.

I know what will work here in Thailand. Match the sales hours for smokes with those of liquor sales. The original justification for restricting liquor sales hours was to curb domestic violence and to reduce teenage drinking. This is Thailand.

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evidently, non smoking members of the population suffer this affliction as well...

That is, of course, assuming you are a non smoker...

Snap. Quit in 1977. Have one for me (outside, away from children and those who might be disturbed or afraid of the smoke).

Smoking is a choice but after about 1980 with all the facts in it's a very stupid choice. Most smokers are from ranks of the poor, school dropouts and have low intelligence.

I know what will work here in Thailand. Match the sales hours for smokes with those of liquor sales. The original justification for restricting liquor sales hours was to curb domestic violence and to reduce teenage drinking. This is Thailand.

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The headline here is what is Thai Visa's motivation for describing a handgrenade harmlessly going off in a third world country of 63 million people as a, "Bomb explosion rocks capitol hours before curfew lifted"? Yes there was damage to property but although there was potential for injury no one was injured in the "bomb explosion". Are we selling newspapers here?

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When will "they" unblock the dailymail online ?

I look at the Daily Mail on my Android tablet and it was never down.

Roads deaths will be on the rise again once the curfew is lifted. Would be a good idea for the army to be on the streets with the police to stop the crazed drunk drivers. After all it should be the job of the police but...

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Way to rain on everyone's "Happiness" Chicken George. The sky is not falling. Roll with it. Wear a helmet.

Against all odds Thailand recovers quickly from all recent catastrophes and setbacks. SARS, bird flu, political unrest, a tsunami, coup d’état 2006, airport takeovers, 100 people murdered in the capital during the political violence of 2010, and a crazed madman whipping the masses into a frenzy this year which ultimately resulted in the military stepping in. Once the curfew is lifted the tourist will come back. This will be in spite of the TAT mismanagement and made up numbers from other ministries.

At least in the west no one likes to be controlled and most wish to have an option to stay up past midnight. Once those controls are removed tourism will stabilize and the perception everything is "OK" will prevail. The lifting of the curfew will actually do what our new military leaders want, to bring happiness and prosperity to all Thais. The fly in the ointment will be those pesky travel warnings.

Need someone to preach the Juntas propaganda to world. All these one sided stories coming out of Thailand by the Junta does nothing to boost Thailand's image. The Junta needs to allow everyone to have a voice and not just them, it is only being seen as a dictatorship where everyone must obey the Army or else.

The Junta has to realise that the world is not Thailand and it can't be fed propaganda and demand that they suck it up as facts. The rest of the world was never raised in the Thai education system where you were spoon fed rubbish by teachers and you were never allowed to question superiors. The world is laughing at the Junta and condemns them.

For the official record, i'm not laughing at the junta.