sholaisen

For my self and I guess many others, Thai Elite is not about calculating if you can save money on it or not... It's about conveniance! Not having to do visa runs, renawals of non-imm every year outside the country, not having to read forums like this every week to see if there are changes in policy... spa and golf is just a bonus... if you are a heavy user then great value, but really just a nice thing to have...

If it turns out that visa benefits are cancelled then call me an idiot for vasting my money... but until then... I'm enjoying the conveniance and pampering every day and don;t regret a second about buying a membership...

(I actually joined this forum in the first place to get info about Thai Elite... and what I found confirmed that they have been around long enough not to be a scam and they have delivered what they promissed for many years already... some benefits have chnaged over the years but do not affect those who signed up in the beginning, they still enjoy what they where offered when they signed up... changes are only for new members)

Mr. H

As this is my second post you might find it more credible...

Frankly, no, it isn't.

After contacting Thailand Elite customer service they gave me the below reply in writing:

"Please kindly be confirmed that our 5 years multiple entry visa policy still remain same."

Please post a scanned copy of this "in writing" updated change from what the OP produced and posted OR a news link that says Abhisit and the government have approved extending this visa aspect of the Ponzi scam.

YES, they have a clause saying that they can cancel or alter their policy if gouvernment policy changes etc. But in the case they can no longer fulfill their promisses they will also refund you according to how much you have used your membership.

Any ideas on just how they go about calculating those figures? I'm sure they are very creative and could easily rival the charges some unscrupulous landlords use to keep entire rent deposits.

After I had recently paid my member fee I found that some of the benefits was different that what I had understood by the sales staff

Please share with the rest of us just precisely what they lied about to you during their sales pitch to you for the Ponzi scheme. Doesn't say much for their credibility.

I don't intend to post any of my private e-mails on internet...

The amount is calculated according to how many services you have used. Spa, golf, limo etc... and I assume visa services as well (fees etc)...

When I signed up I was under the impression that they give you Gold status with Royal Orchid Plus for life... however this is only for 2 years unless you travel enough with Star Alliance to keep your Gold status... Was offered a full refund as I was not informed about this not beeing for lifetime as everything else... however desided to stay on...

Mr. H

I recently became a member and received my 5 year visa without any hassel (about 3 weeks ago). So far they seem to deliver what thet have promissed.

Seems that the recent issue is just an official confirmation needed every time there is a change of gouvernment. So unless they surprise us all and decline the current policy, no need to panic just yet.

There are absolutely no reasonable explenation why they should decline the current program. The latest information that they are now voiding all visa fees for the next few months is a step in the softening of visa policy to attract more tourists. So why should they distroy their reputation by cancelling the SE visa offered by Thai Elite. Wouldn't make sense. Thai Elite is not Mr. Taksins company! He only supported it after it started...

The implementation of the 15 day rule crossing over land is to reduce the amount of "free loaders" in this country. Who do you think leave the most behind, the guys in Pattaya driving up to Cambodia every month or the members of Thai Elite? It's all about money unless you where ever in any doubt...

Mr. H.

This is slightly off-topic, but I am curious, not being an "Elite" and not having studied up on the program:

What class visa does the program provide? Non-O? Or is it a variation on the extension of stay? Do you have to do 90-day reports? Does it include a re-entry permit (either single or multiple)?

Perhaps you could scan the relevant pages of your passport and post it here?

The Elite membership gives you a "Special Enty" 5 year multiple entry visa. You have to register at Immigration every 90 days as all "non immigrants" in the coutry. The fee every 90 days is 1900 baht (not covered by Thai Elite)...

Hope this answers your question.

Mr. H.

I'd like to see one Thai Elite member here simply request a full refund from the agency, and see what happens.

And post the results, of course.

And...if you ARE a member, you should print out the webstie, page by page in the event you DO have to sue. As of today, they are still advertising "the benefits and priviledges last for a life time".

I don't see a problem with trashing failed Thaksin programs. I do see a problem with promising customers a lifetime benefit and then taking it away. There really ought to be a lawsuit for members to recover the cost of the cards as the visa program was a huge portion of the benefit sold, for many, the only thing they were spending the money for. At one time I considered it, and the only reason I wanted it was the visa feature. I didn't really expect it to be honored for life, but that is what they at least implied. Thaksin may now be a wanted fugitive but at one time he represented the government of Thailand and put the reputation of the government of Thailand behind this card, even though it was administered by a private company (how convenient).

No need to print any web sites... Even if you have money, do you think people throw away 1,5 million without a contract?

On which grounds should people ask for a refund if they have delivered everything as promissed? Again, jumping the gun a bit on this one aren't you?

Mr. H.

As this is my second post you might find it more credible...

After contacting Thailand Elite customer service they gave me the below reply in writing:

"Please kindly be confirmed that our 5 years multiple entry visa policy still remain same."

I think you are all jumping the gun on this one... Why don't you wait for the outcome before you judge everyone?

I can also inform you all that refunds ARE possible and a part of the contract. YES, they have a clause saying that they can cancel or alter their policy if gouvernment policy changes etc. But in the case they can no longer fulfill their promisses they will also refund you according to how much you have used your membership.

After I had recently paid my member fee I found that some of the benefits was different that what I had understood by the sales staff and was offered a full refund I was didn't wish to continue my membership...

I will not say you are wrong. I will wait with my judgement until all is sorted.

One thing hits me though... why are you still here if you are so negative to Thailand and it's policies?

Mr. H

I recently became a member and received my 5 year visa without any hassel (about 3 weeks ago). So far they seem to deliver what thet have promissed.

Seems that the recent issue is just an official confirmation needed every time there is a change of gouvernment. So unless they surprise us all and decline the current policy, no need to panic just yet.

There are absolutely no reasonable explenation why they should decline the current program. The latest information that they are now voiding all visa fees for the next few months is a step in the softening of visa policy to attract more tourists. So why should they distroy their reputation by cancelling the SE visa offered by Thai Elite. Wouldn't make sense. Thai Elite is not Mr. Taksins company! He only supported it after it started...

The implementation of the 15 day rule crossing over land is to reduce the amount of "free loaders" in this country. Who do you think leave the most behind, the guys in Pattaya driving up to Cambodia every month or the members of Thai Elite? It's all about money unless you where ever in any doubt...

Mr. H.