Stray

You expected a revenue of 10k for 1 ngan grass and 30k from 1 ngan fruit trees?

surprised you can read Thai too?....that's right that was my first plan....there is some adjustment later on as everything is new and need to improve a lot until we can reach the goal that i posted. please wait and see i will surely update all the progress here i'm sure it will be better than before

regarding Napier i already talked to some of the customer they also need a lot of grass to feed their animal and Napier grass is better than sugarcane as it can be cut 4 times a year (if the irrigation is good provided) and total production per year per rai is ranging from 40-50 tones and the price per tone is 1200-1300 Baht excluding transportation cost.

one person i know, he growing only Napier grass and export to Korea generating a lot of money. since i don't have the market yet i just grow to feed my 4 cows. and right now i grow only 0.5 rai...will see if this is enough to feed 4 cows all year round.

Mr Kie, your goals are admirable, however, you may have to rethink your cattle feeding strategy.

On our farm, in Australia, we used to run 500 head of dairy cattle and required 1500 acres to do it. To put things into perspective, that's 3 750 rai for 500 head. Therefore, each head required 7.5 rai of land for grazing.

The farm was roughly divided up into three paddocks of 500 acres, each. As the grass was eaten and trampled down, in the first paddock, we would move them into the second paddock. Followed by the third paddock. By the time the third paddock was reaching the end of it's grazing term, the first paddock had sufficiently recovered to move them back.

Again, it's fantastic to see someone putting their energies into something positive.

WOW!!! So many people who own houses/condos/shacks with separate toilet and bathroom facilities for males and females. So many who only fly on airlines with separate facilities for different genders. So many who only stay in hotels that provide separate bathrooms for each gender in the rooms.

Unisex toilets are more prolific than you think. Ever seen/used 'handicapped' toilets?

thai personality traits are not conductive to investing money or creating passive income streams.

not sure why, but likely has to do with inability to control emotions well and being much more closely emeshed others resulting in needing to be accepted and gain face. makes living frugally and saving for the future a rare trait.

the money will be gone soon unless they happen to buy a better business which succeeds with its own income stream and which can be seen by friends and relatives and gain face (shown off basically).

So, by that logic, there are no rich Thais and there are certainly no Thais living well on their investments and passive income streams?

Just looking at some of the wealth around Bangkok, there be an huge number of foreigners in Thailand.

there are a few, usually have higher education and better thinking skills.

but on the whole most thais dont have the education and thinking skills to manage large amounts of money or to set limits when faced with emotional demands from others.

those skills translate into ability to plan for the future and delay gratification for future reward. also dont usually have the math skills to deal with it from elementary or high school classes.

most of it is just about havinf fun now. and most people dont find self control that fun. im sure you caught onto that somewhere diring your visit.

And this only applies to Thais?

What's that old statistic regarding the richest and poorest in the world?

Most people, globally, are living beyond their means. Be they perceived as rich or poor.

While this thread is concerned with a local in Thailand, the sudden influx of wealth affects most people (regardless of their country of birth, standard of education, emotional ties to family and friends) who have not had such financial security, in the past.

The saying, "easy come, easy go", as far as I'm aware, was not coined in Thailand.

thai personality traits are not conductive to investing money or creating passive income streams.

not sure why, but likely has to do with inability to control emotions well and being much more closely emeshed others resulting in needing to be accepted and gain face. makes living frugally and saving for the future a rare trait.

the money will be gone soon unless they happen to buy a better business which succeeds with its own income stream and which can be seen by friends and relatives and gain face (shown off basically).

So, by that logic, there are no rich Thais and there are certainly no Thais living well on their investments and passive income streams?

Just looking at some of the wealth around Bangkok, there be an huge number of foreigners in Thailand.

Thanks again Joe and thank you, Stray.

@Stray... How long was your "proof of address" from the Aus Embassy valid and is it a single use original only?

@Joe... I'm seriously debating it or trying to figure out how to build my own house faster. She's inspiring if nothing else. =p

The 'proof of address' form was valid for 30 days and was single use, i.e., the land transport office took it and did not return it when I applied for my driving licences.

If you require more than one copy of the form, I assume, you will have to fill out several copies of the form and pay the fee for each copy.

Jeezo this thread dragged out some real cheapskates.

I'm with Don Mega on this one, but fifteen months for me on current lifestyle.

Much different story when the oil industry boots me out the door though!

Can't believe the 15k a month post, my electric bill, gardener and pool cleaning costs that.

So to not become a cheapskate you need a gardener and someone to clean your private pool ?

Try to get out of the bubble you're living in . If you live in a condo and pay the rent 7k , electricity is maybe 1200 baht . They even have a swimming pool inside the condo complex. 15 k is working fine for some people .

electricity only 1200 Baht = sweat is dripping in your lukewarm beer

1800 baht (or less) per month for electricity and, after tending the palm oil this morning, I'm sitting under the shade of mango tree (there's a slight westerly breeze blowing), in the back paddock, drinking a very cold beer on ice. (The bottles were sitting in ice, not ice in the beer.)

Taking the OP literally and having no other funds except the 3 million baht, at my current outgoing expenditure rate of 1000 baht per day (which includes 300 baht per day for my visa), I could survive a little over 8 years.

House, land and car are all paid for. Have no expenses (nor commitments) outside of Thailand and no debt. In my case, only day-to-day living expenses are required.

As ubonjoe has stated, the best place to go, in your situation, may be the embassy.

I understand that a trip to Bangkok is a pain (distance, time and inconvenience) but must sometimes be endured. (No, I'm not being sarcastic as I understand that not everyone lives within an easy taxi fare's ride of Sukhumvit.)

I can only comment on the ease of receiving 'proof of address' from the Australian embassy but, I assume, other embassies would have an easy procedure.

The Australian embassy provides a laminated pink example template. I simply copied the information from the sample form onto the blank 'proof of address' form, inserting my own details, handed the form in (with the proscribed fee - I don't remember the charge but it's included in the list of fees displayed on the wall) and, within several minutes, the form was returned to me with all the 'official' stamps and signatures.

The Australian embassy did not request (nor did I provide) any proof that the address existed nor any evidence that I was staying at the address I entered on the form. In the case of my Thai driving licence, the person completing the paperwork at the land transport office looked up the address on the computer to ensure that it was correct. (As there were three similar addresses, he turned the screen around and asked me to confirm which was the correct one.)

So what advantages does a TE Visa have over a 'multiple entry' Type O Retirement Visa ? Thanks.

Or, to put your question another way; what services does a 'multiple entry' Type O Retirement Visa offer over the TE membership programme and the PE visa?

As ubonjoe said, the Privilege Entry visa is a multiple entry 5 year visa and gerry1011 mentioned that Thailand Elite is a membership programme which offers, as part of it's membership services, a 5 year PE visa.

A visa/extension of stay is just that. A visa to visit and/or stay in Thailand. The visa does not offer any further services. However, when purchasing TE membership, you are paying for the visa AND the services offered by the programme. If you don't want the additional services, by all means, go with another long term visa alternative.

So what advantages does a TE Visa have over a 'multiple entry' Type O Retirement Visa ? Thanks.

Another advantage of the TE visa is you don't have to apply for a reentry permit when you depart Thailand.

And other advantages of the 5 year PE (Privilege Entry) visa are the airport limousine and fast track services. No more taxi hassles and no more queuing at immigration/customs (entry and exit).

The 'meet and greet' personnel can stand in line for you at the airport check-in counter (but, obviously, you do have to 'front' the desk when it is your turn) while a porter takes care of your baggage. You get access to business lounges on departure (if you're on an economy flight) and the 'golf buggy' service on arrival. Also, on arrival, you do not have to stand around and wait for your baggage at the luggage carousel. Give the porter your 'bag tags' and they will retrieve your baggage for you, take it through customs and out to the car.

Not to mention the assistance they gave me with obtaining Thai car and motorcycle licences.

After stuffing around with other visas and entry waivers, my only regret with the Privilege Entry visa (and the Thailand Elite service) is that I did not get it sooner.

The question asked was "So what advantages does a TE Visa have over a 'multiple entry' Type O Retirement Visa ? Thanks."

• A multiple entry non 'O' visa would not need a re-entry permit either. Someone on an extension of stay can buy a multiple re-entry permit.
• ​Limosine and fast track services are services TE members have paid for, in advance, as part of the membership fee. Any visa holder can buy these services, as needed. Seems to me a that it's a disadvantage paying up front for something that you may never use or that is only available in certain areas.[/size]

I am not against the TE visa and considered it myself, but I am still to read of one "advantage" the TE visa offers over someone that qualifies for a 1/2 year multiple entry visa or 1 year extensions of stay.

Out of interest how did TE assist with obtaining driving licences?

I already have driving licences from a foreign country. I contacted Thailand Elite and asked them what was required to obtain the equivalent Thai licences (car and motorcycle were okay, however, heavy articulated truck and articulated bus would be an issue so I didn't bother with the latter two). They sent me an e-mail listing all of the documentation that would be required and, from there, I arranged an appointment to meet the TE representative at the licencing office in Bangkok.

The TE representative handled all of the 'interview' process, i.e., they did all the talking and translating. All I had to do was perform the (extremely) basic practical tests (colour blindness, lining up the posts, reaction timing and peripheral vision). While I had to pay for the two 2 year licences (car and motorcycle), the assistance given by TE is included in my membership.

Yes, I know that ANYONE can do all of this themselves but not everyone can be bothered with working out the intricacies in obtaining a licence (and then posting on this site about how they got screwed around).

With regards to your point about arranging limousine and fast track services; yes, anyone can arrange them but, if you want to do it yourself, it is not a 'one step' process. A simple e-mail to TE, prior to departure or arrival and all of this is taken care of. Along with all of the other formalities.

And, on arrival, are you aware that there is 'fast track' (where everyone seems to queue up) and there is 'faster track' where no one is queued?

The Thailand Elite service and the Privilege Entry visa are not an attractive proposition for everyone. I'm under 50 and semi-retired. I will be over 50 when my 5 year PE visa expires but will have no hesitation in purchasing another TE membership and PE visa. As someone mentioned, the benefits and peace of mind only costs the equivalent of a few beers a day.

I honestly can't respond to what went wrong but, as far as reapplying, does the US have a 1 year exclusion after a visa has been denied?

Don't forget you will also have to pay for the visa, when you arrive in Vietnam. The money you have paid for the online service is just for the service, not the visa.

While not a new Thai visa option, bringing it back into the spotlight may be a reaction to Malaysia's current attempt at coaxing retirees to settle in Malaysia.

According to the recent article in the Australian press, "The Malaysian government has admitted the long-term visa program is an attempt to get foreign money flowing into the country.

"With this program there is a lot of money coming from overseas," tourism minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz told the ABC during an interview in the country's Parliament House.

"The money is big. Each person I can say is bringing in 1 million Malaysian ringgit at least."

Also in the article, "To qualify for the (10 year) MM2H visa, applicants over the age of 50 are required to supply 100,000 ringgit (AUD32,700) for a long-term fixed deposit and purchase a property that costs 1 million ringgit (AUD327,000)."

I could be wrong but it seems that the Thai investment visa option is a better (and cheaper) option than the Malaysian offer. (I am only basing this on the 'glossies' I have read and not any in-depth research.)

On my last arrival (early August), I was asked for my telephone number which the immigration officer wrote on the arrival card.

After searching on his terminal, he also told me that my Thai address (which I had written on the card), didn't exist. I showed him my Thai driving licence, he did some more searching, found whatever it was he was after and finally stamped my entry.

This was at the fast-track/VIP area at Swampy.

I joined 1 year ago. I'm happy about the 5-year visa, but so far I'm not impressed with the service.

My first year of the visa was up and I asked Phuket Immigration if I could activate my second year of the visa at their office. No can do, I was told - they had never seen a 5-year Elite visa before and the officers took photos of it with their mobile phone. They told me to either go out and back from Malaysia on a visa run, or go to Chaeng Wattana.

I called the Elite help line to arrange to visit Chaeng Wattana. No can do they told me. You should reactivate it at Phuket Immigration. Even if you were living in BKK, we need 1 week's notice to reactive your visa for the second year.

Frustrated, I decided to do a visa run to KL, and arranged for the Elite rep to meet me on my return to Phuket Airport with the limo to take me back to my home.

The limo turned out to be a minibus......

So... not impressed at all with the service and lack of knowledge of the reps.

My suggestions for Elite:

- Provide a 90-day report service for members. I still have to travel an hour in Phuket traffic every 90 days to do a 90-day report. Because of the queues at immigration, this takes at least half a day or more, (because the immigration guys like a long lunch). The online reporting system that they announced seems not to work....

- If you are going to provide a limo, then do not bait and switch for a minibus

- Provide the annual visa extension service at Phuket Immigration office. Better still, come to my home, collect my passport and do the annual extension for me.

I made my post about Thai Elite before reading your post. As you can see, in my post, I was not aware of any 'major' negative experiences.

I do not understand your 'bait and switch' comment. When I book the transfer service, Thai Elite send me an e-mail with full details of the date, time and address of pick-up. The type of vehicle (AOT BMW Series 7) is also included in the confirmation letter.

The one time I was picked up in a mini-bus is because I requested it. I was travelling with a group (I was the only Thai Elite member in the group) and wanted a vehicle that would be large enough to carry everyone and their luggage. By the way, there was no additional charge for this service.

As far as the rest of your problems, I cannot comment. For me personally, Thai Elite have been extremely helpful in all of my immigration queries, the opening of a bank account and in obtaining Thai driving licences (car and motorcycle).

A quick question, are your negative experiences with Thai Elite enough to make you regret joining and enough to make you want to sell your membership?

Before joining Thai Elite I read many, many threads on this site to gauge the pros and cons. Like everyone, rich or poor, 500k is not money that can be just 'thrown' away.

When reading all of the negative responses on the programme, written by non-members of Thai Elite, I had to ask myself several questions:

• Are these non-members writing negative things about Thai Elite, out of the goodness of their own heart, in order to protect potential members? Apart from several remarkable individuals (on other topics), I would have to say that is not the case.
• Are these non-members writing negative things about Thai Elite as they are members of some secretive rival organization? I'm unaware of a rival so, again, I would have to discount that question.
• Are these non-members former members who have quit the programme due to some major problems? My own personal research didn't find any instances of this. Several people had quit the programme and sold their membership due to a change in their personal situation. Nothing about irreconcilable differences with Thai Elite.
• Finally, how many of the non-members used terms such as 'think' and 'my friend' or 'someone I heard about' when writing negatively about the programme?

I joined the programme several months ago. I was in another country and the entire process was done online. Payment was made by telegraphic transfer. Unbeknownst to me, due to currency fluctuations, I paid more than 500k for membership. Thai Elite informed me of that and refunded the excess into my bank account.

Now, for a negative experience from a Thai Elite member. On one trip back into Thailand, the Thai Elite escort met me at the sky-bridge and apologetically informed me that the golf cart was unavailable to take me to the fast-track immigration counter. The reason was that there was construction work at the airport and they couldn't fit the golf cart down the corridor, past the construction barricades.

Not the fault of Thai Elite but, upon reflection, I should quit my membership due to this 'extremely negative experience'.

I cannot comment whether the following is a perk/service of the programme but has occurred on the one occasion I had an economy flight booked for me, by a third party. When I arrived at the airport, I told the Thai Elite escort that I was on an economy flight. I was told that it was no problem and was escorted to the business class check-in counter. Again, I don't know if this is a common practice but I was more than pleased with that.

Bottom line. Do your research. Do you have options of other visas? Can you comfortably pay the fee? Ask members of the programme what they think of the service. Ask non-members why they are so against the service. Make a decision based on the results of your research.

When I obtained my 2 year 'temporary' car and motorcycle licences, earlier this year, I provided a declaration from my embassy as 'proof' of my address in Thailand.

Is this not also acceptable for the 5 year licences? Or, are there different criteria?[/quo

What would an embassy know or care about where you live,i feel the same about them.

I'm sure they don't care about where I live, however, I care that the 'proof of residence' document that they endorse is acceptable by the authorities in the country where I choose to live. How you feel is immaterial.

And, thank you to Anthony5 for giving me a sensible response.

When I obtained my 2 year 'temporary' car and motorcycle licences, earlier this year, I provided a declaration from my embassy as 'proof' of my address in Thailand.

Is this not also acceptable for the 5 year licences? Or, are there different criteria?

2 year???? is this a new thing or??? Thought it still was 1 year and than 5 years..

Glegolo

Two years, then five years.

However, that is not in question.

The OP's original question has been answered by falkan (#26). On the back of that question, is a declaration from the embassy 'proving' a Thai address permitted when applying for the five year licence, as it is for the two year 'temporary' licence?

When I obtained my 2 year 'temporary' car and motorcycle licences, earlier this year, I provided a declaration from my embassy as 'proof' of my address in Thailand.

Is this not also acceptable for the 5 year licences? Or, are there different criteria?

2 year???? is this a new thing or??? Thought it still was 1 year and than 5 years..

Glegolo

Seems he means one car and one motorcycle licence makes in total two.

Er, no khrab.

Seems he means one car licence validity is two years and one motorcycle licence validity is two years.

Both were done at the same time and both have the same issue date (2015) and same expiry date (2017).

When I obtained my 2 year 'temporary' car and motorcycle licences, earlier this year, I provided a declaration from my embassy as 'proof' of my address in Thailand.

Is this not also acceptable for the 5 year licences? Or, are there different criteria?

Maybe someone is doing a remake of "Apocolypse Now."

It would be interesting to see a version from the winning side.

Just turn on the television and you can watch any number of their locally made 'war victory' programmes. Usually black and white and . . . snore . . .

If this is indicative of what is being intercepted, makes me wonder how much is getting into the country.

It used to be a strange situation at the Moc Bai border crossing. People crossing the border legally were scrutinized at the border checkpoint but, within sight of this crossing, you could see the constant stream of loaded up motorcycles and bicycles at (what was termed) the 'green' border crossing.

Pardon me, a correction to the above. It wasn't an e-mail regarding TM7. It was the "Notification Form for House Master . . . ".

Seems there's been a bit of a shake-up at KCI, lately. Some of the older crew are being put out to pasture and are a bit upset.

With regards to the address reporting, I've always correctly filled it out on the arrival card but, during my last arrival (a few days ago), the immigration officer at Swampy airport told me that there was no such address. I showed him the reverse side of my Thai driving licence (same address only written in Thai). He pounded a few keys on his computer, stamped my passport (and arrival card) and I was on my way.

And, I've just received an e-mail (from my visa service) reminding me of the requirements of TM7 reporting.