Chinese jump at 'elite' Thailand visas to escape coronavirus

[webfact]

Chinese jump at 'elite' Thailand visas to escape coronavirus

Beijing's new outbreak prompts wealthy to seek second home, agents say

JASON TAN, Contributing writer

 

Chinese tourists pose on a beach in Thailand's Phang-Nga province in January, before the coronavirus pandemic upset travel to the Southeast Asian destination. Now, Chinese may be looking for another escape.   © Reuters

 

BANGKOK -- China's initial coronavirus outbreak and the current resurgence in Beijing have driven many Chinese to apply for long-term residency in Thailand as the kingdom enjoys plaudits for its handling of the pandemic.

 

Thailand Privilege Card, operator of the Thailand Elite Card, has seen a surge in applicants since February, especially in recent weeks, three agents told the Nikkei Asian Review. The card offers a re-entry visa renewable for up to 20 years and other perks for those who can afford it.

 

"We have received many queries after China saw a potential resurgence of COVID-19 cases" starting in mid-June, said Bobby He, an Elite Card agent based in Bangkok. The agent said he received seven applications on one day this week.

 

Full story: https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Chinese-jump-at-elite-Thailand-visas-to-escape-coronavirus

 

-- © Copyright Nikkei Asian Review 2020-06-29

[ezzra]

Thailand have been remarkably lucky in containing the virus thanks to the good efforts of the government and the thai people themselves, hopefully it will stays that way and none of those new Elite card holders will spoil the good run by bringing anything with them...

[richard_smith237]

The Thai Elite Visa holders cannot enter Thailand at the moment, or it seems, during phase 2 of reopening (which may allow foreign spouses and those on Non-Imm visas).

 

The Thai Elite Visa is just a glorified tourist visa - tourists are not allowed in to Thailand at the moment.

 

 

I guess it is possible that Thailand allows holders of the Thai Elite Visa entry, after all, those Visa Holders have paid a premium and committed financially to Thailand. If the same entry requirements (Covid-19 tests etc) are followed, I see no issue and thing Thailand should look after those prepared to financially commit. Those paying 500,000 baht for a Visa are hardly package tourists. 

 

 

Edited June 28, 2020 by richard_smith237

[tiocfaidh]

If it would speed up my return to Thailand I would buy one

[mr mr]

i say go for it thailand. what could possibly go wrong. 

[eeworldwide]

Woaaah guys. Batten down the hatches!!!

 

7 Enquiries in ONE DAY!!!

 

It will be the solution to all of Thailand's woes.

[stephenterry]

Yeah, why not get a few coachloads of high quality chinese tourists spreading high quality covid 19 around the country. But deny any Tom, Dick or Harry access as they only spread inferior covid 19 about.  

 

 

[ukrules]

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

hopefully it will stays that way and none of those new Elite card holders will spoil the good run by bringing anything with them...

They will be quarantined when they enter the country same as everyone else until those restrictions are lifted.

 

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

The Thai Elite Visa is just a glorified tourist visa - tourists are not allowed in to Thailand at the moment.

I guess it is possible that Thailand allows holders of the Thai Elite Visa entry, after all, those Visa Holders have paid a premium and committed financially to Thailand. If the same entry requirements (Covid-19 tests etc) are followed, I see no issue and thing Thailand should look after those prepared to financially commit. Those paying 500,000 baht for a Visa are hardly package tourists. 

Yeah, this is not about tourism regardless of the TE visa literally being a long term glorified tourist visa which is an accurate description of it.

 

Apparently these Chinese are looking for a place to flee long term should things get bad in China - I don't blame them, and if they can afford it then why not?

I expect things will open over the next few months but an outbreak with severe lockdown restrictions could return at any time (especially in China), there's talk of a second wave expected in September / winter - personally I doubt that will happen. But you never know, it could happen and it could happen again and again for years.

 

The question is, are we in the eye of the storm between outbreaks or is it over?

 

I have a feeling that those with countless millions in the bank would hedge and just buy one anyway so they can hop on a plane at the first signs of trouble before the restrictions kick in.

Edited June 28, 2020 by ukrules

[Card]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

The Thai Elite Visa holders cannot enter Thailand at the moment, or it seems, during phase 2 of reopening (which may allow foreign spouses and those on Non-Imm visas).

 

The Thai Elite Visa is just a glorified tourist visa - tourists are not allowed in to Thailand at the moment.

 

 

I guess it is possible that Thailand allows holders of the Thai Elite Visa entry, after all, those Visa Holders have paid a premium and committed financially to Thailand. If the same entry requirements (Covid-19 tests etc) are followed, I see no issue and thing Thailand should look after those prepared to financially commit. Those paying 500,000 baht for a Visa are hardly package tourists. 

 

 

Its whether they are likely infected that should be the criterion for entry, not how rich they are. The virus does not discriminate so why should Thailand's immigration system?

[bluesofa]

2 minutes ago, Card said:

Its whether they are likely infected that should be the criterion for entry, not how rich they are. The virus does not discriminate so why should Thailand's immigration system?

Yes, 'should be the criterion', but don't forget the phrase 'money number one'.

[M71]

Still amazed at how many believe this Covid-19 BS

 

It's just a bloody common seasonal flu blown way out proportion to facilitate a world economic reset.

 

Wake up sheeple.

[upena]

Thailand Elite can call it what they want - 5-year visa, 10-year visa, or 20-year visa. In reality, it is a one-year visa that has to be extended annually. Same-same Non-O or Non-OA.

[Kerryd]

"7 applications in one day" - probably followed by 7 cancellations when asked to fork over the (550k-2,000,000) baht for which ever level of card they were seeking.

And the Immigration stats for last year show a whopping 444 people in Thailand on "Thailand Elite" cards and just over 2,000 more on "Thai Privilege" cards. Somehow I doubt there will be an "explosion" of Chinese suddenly flooding the country using a TE card.

How many years have those programs been running now ? They started when Thaksin was in charge and he was ousted in 2006, so at least 14 years now.

Imagine how many members they'd have if they made a realistic card that catered to Non-O (retirement, marriage) holders. One that granted a similar length of Visa (automatically renewed each year so long as the membership was maintained) and Fast Track at the airport.
Screw the golf and massage package c.rap and the "limo" rides to a hotel.

Once a year show up at your local Immigration office, swipe your card and wave good bye for another year. (Add in one free Single Re-Entry permit per year or, for an extra fee, a multi Re-entry permit each year).
When your membership period is up, report to Immigration, pay the fee for the next period or get a different Visa (or leave the country).

I'm sure they'd get a whole lot more members than they have now, unless they decided to charge some ridiculous fee of course. It would also reduce the traffic at the airports (slightly) and the Immigration offices (a lot).

But not likely to happen anytime soon and especially not under this gov't unless they can figure out a way to make it only available to the Chinese.

[Nip]

25 minutes ago, M71 said:

Still amazed at how many believe this Covid-19 BS

 

It's just a bloody common seasonal flu blown way out proportion to facilitate a world economic reset.

 

Wake up sheeple.

Youve got it all worked out. All on your own. Good for you. Maybe you could advise the W.H.O. in your spare time. You may well be right but would you take the risk? 

[PatOngo]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Beijing have driven many Chinese to apply for long-term residency in Thailand

It's called infiltration!

[ChakaKhan]

47 minutes ago, M71 said:

Still amazed at how many believe this Covid-19 BS

 

It's just a bloody common seasonal flu blown way out proportion to facilitate a world economic reset.

 

Wake up sheeple.

FLU has a vaccine....dont forget to sign the waiver at the Next Covidiot rally for the Stable Genius.....

[Mr Meeseeks]

This article seems to be a sponsored piece so take it with a large pinch of salt. 

 

Also, the Elite Card does not give any residency rights whatsoever. It is just another temporary visa similar to a Non-O, albeit with long term validity. 

 

Unless you get Permanent Residency you are, according to official immigration rules, a temporary visitor for purposes other than tourism. 

[mr mr]

1 hour ago, M71 said:

Wake up sheeple.

maybe you hit the snooze button. sheeple is so 2010. 

[crazykopite]

Only problem is they the Chinese don’t like spending money compered to Europeans I have one who lives next door to me he is so tight he squeaks when he walks 

Edited June 29, 2020 by crazykopite

[spiekerjozef]

There is your second wave.

[johnarth]

Nip is only restating what he,me and many health people believe, and sooner or later it will be proved right, for now China and the news parties run the world, it is not going to be good to look back on, I always think of Bill and his conning of the world over computer shut down in 2000 he should be in jail but he free and the richest man in the world, so rich even god has overlooked him lol for now

[bbi1]

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

The Thai Elite Visa holders cannot enter Thailand at the moment, or it seems, during phase 2 of reopening (which may allow foreign spouses and those on Non-Imm visas).

 

The Thai Elite Visa is just a glorified tourist visa - tourists are not allowed in to Thailand at the moment.

Anyone who bought a Thai Elite is now wishing they didn't waste their money on this overpriced piece of trash.

Edited June 29, 2020 by bbi1

[Keesters]

Rats abandoning the sinking ship. 

[johnarth]

by the way the leader of the who is not a doctor and knows nothing about medicine, probably doesnt even know what a codon is

[VocalNeal]

^ Isn't that a soaring Andean bird?

[StayinThailand2much]

3 hours ago, ukrules said:

Apparently these Chinese are looking for a place to flee long term should things get bad in China - I don't blame them, and if they can afford it then why not?

Wonder, if they know/suspect something we don't. Currently, the Covid-19 case rate in China is (officially) barely higher than Thailand's, with 58/1M population, vs. Thailand's 45/1M.

Edited June 29, 2020 by StayinThailand2much

[BobbyL]

Is there any info about how many Elite Visa holders there actually are? 

 

I know one guy who has a 10 year visa in Bangkok as he owns a company in Europe and works here remotely, but I literally wouldn't have a clue if I had to guess how many people have that type of visa. 

[bluesofa]

3 minutes ago, johnarth said:

by the way the leader of the who is not a doctor and knows nothing about medicine, probably doesnt even know what a codon is

You're quite right about that, no medical qualifications at all:

Roger Daltrey attended Acton County Grammar School for Boys and girls and was expelled.

 

 

[Expat Tom]

Everything is for sale in the marketplace of life...even Thailand

[bluesofa]

5 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

^ Isn't that a soaring Andean bird?

Ha ha ha! Excellent reply!

A cutting comment about a sawing bird.