Any Info On When Thai Elite Cardholders Will Be Allowed To Return?

[sukhumvitneon]

Will Thai Elite members be able to apply for a COE in July?

Edited June 26, 2020 by sukhumvitneon

[ubonjoe]

Simply stated the answer is no.

Thai Elite holders are not included in the new rules allowing entry.

[Myran]

Probably at the same time as other people with tourist visas.

[Mulambana]

They should allow elite card holders to return to Thailand with 14-day qurantine. It will definitely boost the elite membership and people will be releived that an elite membership has some advantages. 

[lordblackader]

2 hours ago, Mulambana said:

They should allow elite card holders to return to Thailand with 14-day qurantine. It will definitely boost the elite membership and people will be releived that an elite membership has some advantages. 

They "should" but they won't. I can't think of a better example of how absolutely worthless Thai Elite actually is given how the Thai government treats it when the chips are down. 

 

If I had Thai Elite I'd be asking for a refund. 

[ubonjoe]

6 minutes ago, lordblackader said:

They "should" but they won't. I can't think of a better example of how absolutely worthless Thai Elite actually is given how the Thai government treats it when the chips are down. 

They did do something for their members. They did a 6 month extension of all memberships/visas to give people more time.

Now that they are easing the rules a bit they might try again for their members to enter the country by meeting the requirements they set for those working, permanent residents and those with Thai families.

[fourpack]

Sorry but why should they get any preferential treatment married guys who wife's and family are here should have priority. Seems the word Elite has been over used its just another visa that costs

[Sundown]

If not What's the advantage of having Elite visa? Setting up a company for the sole purpose of the visa is cheaper and you don't have to shell out all the cash at one time. Ri-di-cu-lous

[cerox]

I was thinking about buying the Elite visa in the past few days, under the assumption I would be able to get back with paid quarantine (same as WP and marriage guys). This would have been on top of the other advantages as e.g. 5/20 years IO-hassle-free stay and entry possible via Bangkok airports.

 

Elite staff answered me next months certain countries would be allowed back. So it seems like Elite members get the same priority as other tourists.

It really shocks me because I thought they were selling a product here and this would have been so easy money (more applications, more quarantine bookings). I can only conclude that we have been too arrogant thinking they would want our money.

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, Sundown said:

If not What's the advantage of having Elite visa? Setting up a company for the sole purpose of the visa is cheaper and you don't have to shell out all the cash at one time. Ri-di-cu-lous

The elite visa is excellent option for those under 50yr and not married but wish long term hassle free option to live in Thailand.

It's a long term tourist visa. Simple.

[Sambotte]

I was once considering this Elite visa.

I am not anymore ????

 

What could be the point now, with all this covid panic mess and uncertainty, very probably for the YEARS to come ?...

Sorry for those who are stuck outside, i hope it will be fixed (but i would not bet on that).

 

And i mean lol : quarantine seriously (ho at 100K bahts i understand better ????) ? What next ? : assurance, vaccination, bubble corridors ?

 

Last : i don't think they care anymore about this visa (actually like all other long stay visas, does not fit well with official farang xenophobia). Not enough high worth maybe ?...

I applied end of february, i have since just "status : your application has been sent to immigration for approval"... AND NO ANSWER by e-mail when i ask about it !!! (from Thailandelite witch is supposed to be the official channel).

 

That and "Elite" members not allowed yet to come back, it tells me enough about how it's not elite... It's a common "dirty"-tourist visa for 5 years at 1/2 million bahts, when "normal-normal" tourism is dead for long ? No thanks, i fold ???? 

[Sambotte]

35 minutes ago, cerox said:

I was thinking about buying the Elite visa in the past few days, under the assumption I would be able to get back with paid quarantine (same as WP and marriage guys). This would have been on top of the other advantages as e.g. 5/20 years IO-hassle-free stay and entry possible via Bangkok airports.

 

Elite staff answered me next months certain countries would be allowed back. So it seems like Elite members get the same priority as other tourists.

It really shocks me because I thought they were selling a product here and this would have been so easy money (more applications, more quarantine bookings). I can only conclude that we have been too arrogant thinking they would want our money.

Indeed.

And i would not be so sure about the IO hassle-free at airport. Considering the anti-farang mind, and how they don't make it easy even for retiree with 800K in bank account...

 

Anyway with travel uncertainty for years to come (imagine any big second wave or mutation of the virus and you can bet on another world panic lockdown...), requirements changing all the time, countries authorized or not changing all the time, etc.

Why pay 1/2 million bahts or more with absolutely no garantee ???...

[Sambotte]

1 hour ago, Sundown said:

If not What's the advantage of having Elite visa? Setting up a company for the sole purpose of the visa is cheaper and you don't have to shell out all the cash at one time. Ri-di-cu-lous

Could be a better way indeed.

I don't know how complicated it is though ?

Very easy in Panama for example. I guess Singapour too. Still international easy business oriented countries.

[Sambotte]

If they really want high-worth tourists / long stay, they should change the Elite visa :

- 1 year (nobody will bet on 5 years from now), renewable.

- No quarantine obviously (like IATA intelligently said : 

- No TMxyz whatsoever...)

- No lottery at airport of course.

[ukrules]

I'm in Thailand at the moment and the Thailand Elite visa seems to be working out just fine for me.

 

They granted a 6 month membership extension due to the COVID situation.

 

I got my second 5 year visa in November 2019 so with the extra six months credited to my membership period I'm good until May 2025 and I don't need to leave the country at all.

 

I will be over 50 when this membership expires, at that time maybe I'll get another one or go down the retirement route, I guess I'll weigh up the available options in about 4 years time, for now I'll just forget about it and do the extension once a year.

[cerox]

ukrules,

yes, it is great once you are in Thailand and I see the value of the visa for you because you are in Thailand now and got something extra although not affected.

But how would you think if you were abroad and they would tell you you are not in the list of preferred customers to enter the country as it is now?

[Sambotte]

Can be good if you do not have or do not want to travel, from now, considering the situation.

 

For those outside, it looks like a bad deal imo.

 

And travels will not be "normal" before long i am pretty sure.

[ukrules]

1 hour ago, cerox said:

But how would you think if you were abroad and they would tell you you are not in the list of preferred customers to enter the country as it is now?

Well I would still get the extra six months on my membership so there's nothing lost unless they don't allow foreigners back in for more than 6 months, if that is the case then I would expect TE to increase the 6 months of additional membership granted but only time will tell on that.

 

The only reason I wouldn't have traveled back to Thailand immediately (once I became aware of the global threat) had I been in the UK at the time would be because I had made the conscious decision to stay in the UK for the duration of the pandemic, which could last for a year or more as it moves slowly around the world.

 

This kind of thing (closing the borders) was not entirely unexpected and many of us called for it well before it happened, that it happened so late was the only surprise to me.

 

So it comes down to awareness. For me, I've been watching this developing situation since January when it popped up on my radar. I took action immediately purchasing various types of masks, gloves, goggles, etc, etc in February as I expected supplies to run out. That's when I would have got to where I needed to be.

 

I guess that would be much harder to do if you need to work in a foreign country, in which case it's completely out of your control.

[DrJack54]

4 hours ago, cerox said:

how would you think if you were abroad and they would tell you you are not in the list of preferred customers to enter the country as it is now?

I would feel fine because I purchased a long term tourist visa. Do not  be confused with the word ELITE or the price. It's a tourist visa. IMO down the food chain from extensions based on marriage etc.

In fact there would be outrage if elite visa folk put ahead of others. IMO EV conditions same as tourist entries.

Edited June 27, 2020 by DrJack54

[BritTim]

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I would feel fine because I purchased a long term tourist visa. Do not  be confused with the word ELITE or the price. It's a tourist visa. IMO down the food chain from extensions based on marriage etc.

In fact there would be outrage if elite visa folk put ahead of others. IMO EV conditions same as tourist entries.

I personally think it would be appropriate to place Elite visa holders on the same level as retirement extension holders, and ahead of casual tourists. Like those who retire to Thailand, Elite visa holders have made the decision to spend significant time in the country, and likely committed to things like condos. They come behind critical workers, permanent residents, and spouses/parents of Thais.

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, BritTim said:

I personally think it would be appropriate to place Elite visa holders on the same level as retirement extension holders, and ahead of casual tourists. Like those who retire to Thailand, Elite visa holders have made the decision to spend significant time in the country, and likely committed to things like condos. They come behind critical workers, permanent residents, and spouses/parents of Thais.

Haven't even seen gov talk about long stay retirement etc.

Marriage mentioned for list 2.

Annual extensions eg retirement surely after that and elite should be included.

If elite  excluded would not surprise.

Edited June 27, 2020 by DrJack54

[CANSIAM]

Non O retirement waiting patiently..............

[BritTim]

35 minutes ago, CANSIAM said:

Non O retirement waiting patiently..............

Assuming quarantine will remain, I think allowing those on retirements extensions, and elite visa holders to return is going to be prevented by the limited capacity in quarantine hotels. This will also slow the arrival of those with Thai spouses and children. What could reduce pressure on quarantine facilities is travel bubbles that mean some returnees will not need to undergo quarantine. Perhaps, that will be the point where retirees and elite visa holders (even from countries outside travel bubbles) might start to be allowed in. It will surely be at least a few months.

[CANSIAM]

I think you are right BritTim.....

[Mulambana]

5 hours ago, BritTim said:

some returnees will not need to undergo quarantine.

The day they will allow entries from disease infested countries to live in Thailand for longtime without qurantine and unrestricted movements is the day when Thailand will be doomed and rampant spread of the virus will overwhelm Thai health care system and Thailand will become another disease infested country. I hope it does not happen and if it happens I will take my chance in the USA and go back. 

Edited June 28, 2020 by Mulambana

[merijn]

21 hours ago, cerox said:

I was thinking about buying the Elite visa in the past few days, under the assumption I would be able to get back with paid quarantine (same as WP and marriage guys). This would have been on top of the other advantages as e.g. 5/20 years IO-hassle-free stay and entry possible via Bangkok airports.

 

Elite staff answered me next months certain countries would be allowed back. So it seems like Elite members get the same priority as other tourists.

It really shocks me because I thought they were selling a product here and this would have been so easy money (more applications, more quarantine bookings). I can only conclude that we have been too arrogant thinking they would want our money.

As the elite visa is classed as a tourist visa it is correct to assume that they will be allowed back into the country at the same time as (normal) tourist visa holders are allowed back.

[ajarnmarc]

23 hours ago, cerox said:

I was thinking about buying the Elite visa in the past few days, under the assumption I would be able to get back with paid quarantine (same as WP and marriage guys). This would have been on top of the other advantages as e.g. 5/20 years IO-hassle-free stay and entry possible via Bangkok airports.

 

Elite staff answered me next months certain countries would be allowed back. So it seems like Elite members get the same priority as other tourists.

It really shocks me because I thought they were selling a product here and this would have been so easy money (more applications, more quarantine bookings). I can only conclude that we have been too arrogant thinking they would want our money.

For sure the Thai's want your money, just no benefits come from it.

I've learned over the years, that everytime a Thai ask how long I've lived here, and they ask this question often... the best thing to say is just a few months. I've seen how the Thai's treat me better than if I say 21 years. So it appears the higher you are up the ladder in finances or experience, the less you mean to them or at the very least, the less you are deserving of their hospitality, as that is short lived and reserved for the people who come and leave. 

[wasabi]

17 hours ago, BritTim said:

I personally think it would be appropriate to place Elite visa holders on the same level as retirement extension holders, and ahead of casual tourists. Like those who retire to Thailand, Elite visa holders have made the decision to spend significant time in the country, and likely committed to things like condos. They come behind critical workers, permanent residents, and spouses/parents of Thais.

I have an Elite visa but since I've fortuitously been in Thailand since December reentry doesn't concern me. I am happy with the visa but think this is a missed opportunity for Thailand and the Elite visa program. At a minimum they should've offered Elite visa holders the chance to come back and after a 14 day quarantine reenter Thailand. That would have boosted membership and kick started the so-called high end tourists they seek. Thailand sets lofty goals but often fails to take the necessary steps to achieve them. Through a combination of luck and skill they have successfully controlled the Covid pandemic. Why not keep the winning streak going by giving high end tourists a way to come back right now?

[Max69xl]

On 6/27/2020 at 8:38 AM, Mulambana said:

They should allow elite card holders to return to Thailand with 14-day qurantine. It will definitely boost the elite membership and people will be releived that an elite membership has some advantages. 

"Some advantages"?

Faster route out of the airport? The Thai Elite Card is for people who doesn't meet the requirements for a normal long stay visa/extension. It's a total waste of money. I prefer 5x ฿1,900 instead of 500,000. 

[mjakob007]

18 hours ago, BritTim said:

I personally think it would be appropriate to place Elite visa holders on the same level as retirement extension holders, and ahead of casual tourists. Like those who retire to Thailand, Elite visa holders have made the decision to spend significant time in the country, and likely committed to things like condos. They come behind critical workers, permanent residents, and spouses/parents of Thais.

That’s a valid argument 

 

elite visa holders committed to long term in thailand and paid a premium for the service