On 6/25/2018 at 10:10 PM, digbeth said:

They seem to be selling the 'eilte' experience as a concierge service, they already do the 90 day report for you and book all sort of place at a discount, maybe if there's a reason they can't legally do the yearly extension, maybe most of the jetsetters don't need to... at least they could have a data on every of their client, when they entered and how long their stamps last until and at least made an effort to reach out and contact the customer.

 

Even if for legal reason you have to be at immigration in person to make the extension, they could at least make an appointment for you to skip the queue or check your documents that everything in order and escort you through the process.

 

The only recourse now is maybe try to sue them for the overstay fine, but I'm pretty sure when you signed up they had tried to explain and had you sign things that cover their asses already.

Maybe they could and should manually check every single passport for the latest entry stamp. That is of course only for those who hand in their passport to them for the 90 days report. It would be nice for TE to do it so that those completely oblivious to immigration regulations are spared from breaking the rules. Mind you, with regards to your "data point" comment, TE have no idea when your last entry to the country took place.

46 minutes ago, DUS said:

Maybe they could and should manually check every single passport for the latest entry stamp.

I can see your point, considering the initial outlay, however, as per every single temporary resident of Thailand (or any other country for that matter) it is the responsibility of each individual to know and understand when they are permitted to enter until and what must be done to extend this if possible, being oblivious, ignorance or laziness cannot be used as an excuse, yes, people make mistakes and sometimes those mistakes have consequences.

48 minutes ago, Mattd said:

I can see your point, considering the initial outlay, however, as per every single temporary resident of Thailand (or any other country for that matter) it is the responsibility of each individual to know and understand when they are permitted to enter until and what must be done to extend this if possible, being oblivious, ignorance or laziness cannot be used as an excuse, yes, people make mistakes and sometimes those mistakes have consequences.

 

I couldn´t agree more with you! That´s why I said it would be a nice extra service if they did check the stamps in those passports that are being handed in for the 90 days report. I am a TE member myself but would never expect them to tell me when I have to renew/extend my permission of stay. As I said, they have no idea when I entered the country the last time, so how could they possibly send me reminders for the extension deadline? They can´t ... 

 

 

5 hours ago, DUS said:

TE have no idea when your last entry to the country took place.

Only when you use their 'meet and greet' service at the Airport?

1 minute ago, digbeth said:

Only when you use their 'meet and greet' service at the Airport?

 

Sure, but how should they know if I entered the country at a border/place where there is no "meet & greet" service, such as any land border or at DMK. I sometimes use their service at BKK but then leave and return via DMK. Again, they have no idea when I entered the country the last time. And it really doesn´t matter. Every time I re-enter LOS I set up a little reminder on my phone for +330 or so days just in case. I do the same with the 90 days report. Job done! No need to rely on any third party.

 

 

The moral of the story is to know what you are getting before you buy it.

As a 74-year old on a Non-Imm "O" Visa retirement extension, I would be interested in a Thai Elite 5-year Visa if that meant I don't have to bother going to Immigration every year.

But Thai Elite clearly stated in an email to me dated 6/9/2020:

 

According to the immigration regulation, if you enter and stay in Thailand for the entire 1-year period without leaving the country, you will be subject to apply for the extension of stay which will extend your stay for 1 more year. The application for the extension of stay can be filed at the Immigration office at the area where you reside in with the government fee THB 1,900 (without the need to leave the country). The application of extension can be done every year until the expiry of your visa.

 

It seems crystal clear to me, and as a result I will not be applying for the TE visa.