Chinese jump at 'elite' Thailand visas to escape coronavirus

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, BMW Overlander said:

5 hours ago, Max69xl said:

"The Thai Elite Visa is just a glorified tourist visa."

There's (almost) only one reason people applies for the Elite Visa. They don't meet the requirements for a long stay visa. They are either to young or don't meet the financial requirements, or both. 

Every time elite visa comes up as topic I can't wait to read all these stupid replies from "rocket scientists", "super rich", "former secret agents" and other envious deadbeats. Keep it up ????

But this ‘deadbeat, super rich, rocket scientist and former secret agent’ [Max69xl] is wholly correct.

 

A Glorified Tourist Visa is precisely what the Thai Elite Visa is. 

 

The very reason people get the Thai Elite Visa is because they are unable to see the requirements for alternative long stay visas - they are not married, too young etc.

 

The reason some of my friends and I have the Thai Elite Visa is for these very reasons: We were too young (early 30’s) and unmarried (at the time) - The Thai Elite Visa offered a simple and trouble free way to stay in Thailand while working rotationally throughout South East Asia & Middle East. 

 

The Thai Elite Visa has been the perfect simple solution for many, other than a few perks (such as expedited escort through Immigration (departure and arrival), AOT Car to and from the Airport, Full Medical Check-up (once per year), Massage and Golf (which I hardly used these days)), the visa is just a long term Tourist Visa, nothing more. 

 

 

[DrTuner]

29 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

The very reason people get the Thai Elite Visa is because they are unable to see the requirements for alternative long stay visas - they are not married, too young etc.

Mine was not being able to see the sour face at the #6 desk in Jomthien again without starting to have murderous thoughts. I was on a marriage extension before and simply thought "go <deleted> yourselves, I'll just buy it, keep your stinking A4 copies.

 

 

Edited June 29, 2020 by DrTuner

[Sambotte]

Yes just good if one plan to STAY in Thailand.

 

Otherwise with all travels uncertainties, it looks like a very bad bet to put minimum 1/2 million bahts for tourism for the next 5 years minimum (not to mention 10 or 20). Zero garantee and actually low chances to be able to travel normally for years to come, sadly. Unless the world goes back to some decent normalcy.

 

But yeah i guess Chineese who plan to live out of China for long can find this interesting.

Again : only if one plan to STAY in Thailand (and can actually come, it's not done now). Any travel after and the "Elite" visa could become "locked out"...

[wasabi]

3 hours ago, HenryC said:

I don't regret buying it as its a hassle free option for under 50's but lets not get into that argument.... However, as a TE member, this does seem is simply an ill timed marketing ploy, and a slap in the face for any current members like myself trying to return to Thailand - so far they have been of zero help, zero, and even seem to be behind with information readily available from immigration.

 

Therefore, I've applied/registered direct with the Thai embassy. I have Thai dependent. What remains to be seen is whether the TE visa adds weight to my case for reentry?

 

 

I agree with you and in another thread I posted that this is a missed opportunity from immigration and Thailand Elite to attract the high end tourists they seek. I could see some complaining that you shouldn't be able to buy your way into the country if they did allow TE holders priority access, but it is called the Privilege Card and this is Thailand not the west so those who took offensive wouldn't  carry much weight. If they let TE holders in early they would likely sell a record amount, most of whom willing and able to spend more than the average tourist. It is short sighted not to let TE holders in and I am disappointed even though I personally am already in Thailand and not effected.

[Marcuss Wings]

The Chinese that are coming into the Country paying for the visa might be Ok. It who they bring in with then after that could be a worry. You can never trust them. They are not as honest as you think.

[ravip]

1 hour ago, tifino said:

pity times have a'changed... 

 

remember the god ole bad ole days of Communism

 - when their peasants weren't allowed to leave the motherland, unless for Official purposes.

 - the different *CP countries stopped them leaving, assuming the peasant wouldn't come back home!

I wish some other countries too copied the *CP. The world would have been a better place to live-in.

[Sambotte]

25 minutes ago, wasabi said:

I agree with you and in another thread I posted that this is a missed opportunity from immigration and Thailand Elite to attract the high end tourists they seek. I could see some complaining that you shouldn't be able to buy your way into the country if they did allow TE holders priority access, but it is called the Privilege Card and this is Thailand not the west so those who took offensive wouldn't  carry much weight. If they let TE holders in early they would likely sell a record amount, most of whom willing and able to spend more than the average tourist. It is short sighted not to let TE holders in and I am disappointed even though I personally am already in Thailand and not effected.

Yep. Like i said in other topic, they should consider too an Elite visa 1 year. Would match the "high net" target.

But : real Elite so with privileges compared to tourist. (at least same priority to come back as business travellers).

And 1 year ! Obviously no one with sense would bet on 5 years from now (unless ready to stay in Thailand with travel lockdown or excessive restrictions to flight).

[David138]

4 hours ago, HenryC said:

I don't regret buying it as its a hassle free option for under 50's but lets not get into that argument.... However, as a TE member, this does seem is simply an ill timed marketing ploy, and a slap in the face for any current members like myself trying to return to Thailand - so far they have been of zero help, zero, and even seem to be behind with information readily available from immigration.

 

Therefore, I've applied/registered direct with the Thai embassy. I have Thai dependent. What remains to be seen is whether the TE visa adds weight to my case for reentry?

 

 

I am in a similar boat. Will be interesting to see if the TE membership will get us in by August. So far they seem not to be a priority .

[ukrules]

10 hours ago, upena said:

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.

I can assure you that it is a 5 year visa with a 5, 10 or 20 year membership, each visa lasts for 5 years. Entrance stamps are something very different.

 

 

[P100]

10 hours 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.

What the <deleted> are you talking about??? US mourns nearly 150 thousand dead people. Other countries tens of thousands. Are you living on the moon or what? or in your private bubble?? Wake up! People like you are those who spread illnesses because their disbelief, negligence and total lack of knowledge. You talk like that moron POTUS who denied covid and caused so many avoidable deaths. Wake up man!

 

 

[fdbob]

How did they get an elite visa Thailand’s not issuing visas yet

[ukrules]

10 minutes ago, fdbob said:

How did they get an elite visa Thailand’s not issuing visas yet

The Elite visa is issued only inside Thailand. Normally you get it at the airport on arrival or at an immigration office like Chaeng Wattana.

 

I believe they're not issuing regular tourist visas at foreign embassies right now - that's a very different process.

Edited June 29, 2020 by ukrules

[Paul DS]

Ok, I will offer my answer....I have a few Chinese friends who told me they are coming to Thailand for 7 days in October, so I asked them how much etc.

 

3000 Yuan is the price which includes flights, hotels, 3 meals daily and free excursions, so I hardly think they are going to pay 115,000 Yuan for a Visa!! 

(And that's repayable over 3 tyears!)

 

Okay, they are not the "Elite" Chinese, just middle class...but I have never seen the real rich Chinese in Thailand! Maybe I'm wrong, but even they know of other countries with modern facilities!

[Isaan sailor]

11 hours ago, bluesofa said:

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

Or as the girls say, “Show me the money.”

[MRToMRT]

There a massive amount of stereotyping of Chinese tourists on this board. Maybe some who are keen to stereotype them may wish to consider what the "farang" stereotype is? A fat, bald, cheap, dirty, opinionated, rude, self aggrandising sex tourist maybe? 

[ThailandRyan]

18 minutes ago, MRToMRT said:

There a massive amount of stereotyping of Chinese tourists on this board. Maybe some who are keen to stereotype them may wish to consider what the "farang" stereotype is? A fat, bald, cheap, dirty, opinionated, rude, self aggrandising sex tourist maybe? 

 

 

Opinions are like well, yes we all have one.

Edited June 29, 2020 by ThailandRyan

[somtumwrong]

38 minutes ago, Paul DS said:

Ok, I will offer my answer....I have a few Chinese friends who told me they are coming to Thailand for 7 days in October, so I asked them how much etc.

 

3000 Yuan is the price which includes flights, hotels, 3 meals daily and free excursions, so I hardly think they are going to pay 115,000 Yuan for a Visa!! 

(And that's repayable over 3 tyears!)

 

Okay, they are not the "Elite" Chinese, just middle class...but I have never seen the real rich Chinese in Thailand! Maybe I'm wrong, but even they know of other countries with modern facilities!

Yes, you are right. You do not mingle with wealthy people. You do now know any wealthy Chinese. Since you don't know any, you have no idea if they can afford an Elite visa.

 

 

[Sambotte]

I did not check seriously, but 6 more groups of foreigners are allowed to come back, and it still does not include the "Elite" (????) no ? 

[ronaldo0]

5 hours ago, Patts said:

Really? Please let us know of another virus kills over half a million people in 6 months and who are getting "very very" rich from all this?

Flu deaths worldwide on average are 300,000-650,000 . These are not the trumped up figures like COVID where they are blaming it on most deaths when the actual death rate from COVID as sole reason is 10-20% . Smallpox , about 300 million in a century. You don’t think all these PPE companies like 3M etc are making millions ?? 

[Bkk Brian]

13 minutes ago, ronaldo0 said:

Flu deaths worldwide on average are 300,000-650,000 . These are not the trumped up figures like COVID where they are blaming it on most deaths when the actual death rate from COVID as sole reason is 10-20% . Smallpox , about 300 million in a century. You don’t think all these PPE companies like 3M etc are making millions ?? 

Not sure where you're getting this figure from? There's plenty of credible reports out there that state COVID deaths are being under reported in many countries

[tomauasia]

8 hours ago, hotchilli said:

They don't want us to be permanent residents, they want the option open to kick us out at an time.

They are finished. They didn't get the memo. They will be broke and won't win any election. Thailand is doomed

[tomauasia]

7 hours ago, Expat Tom said:

According to several independent international studies, the true number of Wuhan CCP Coronavirus cases in China is well over 3,000,000. It completely amazes me that the Thai government would accept the numbers from the CCP...possibly the most corrupt band of thugs and lairs in the planet....and welcome with open arms, people from the country whence the disease came from in the first place. There must be some totally money hungry people pulling the strings in BKK. Of course, Thailand knows much better than the 100+++ countries in the world who want ot hold the CCP responsible. UNBELIEVABLE!!!! Why don't they just hang a "For Sale" sign on the country.

Thank you.. Someone here with brains. CCP own the Thai junta..Mafia underbelly. Virus is minor. But they are using it against farang. Honestly people should boycott Thailand.

[ChouDoufu]

2 hours ago, Paul DS said:

Ok, I will offer my answer....I have a few Chinese friends who told me they are coming to Thailand for 7 days in October, so I asked them how much etc.

 

3000 Yuan is the price which includes flights, hotels, 3 meals daily and free excursions, so I hardly think they are going to pay 115,000 Yuan for a Visa!! 

(And that's repayable over 3 tyears!)

 

Okay, they are not the "Elite" Chinese, just middle class...but I have never seen the real rich Chinese in Thailand! Maybe I'm wrong, but even they know of other countries with modern facilities!

 

3000 yuan indicates middle class?  that's less than the monthly salary of a factory assembly-line worker.  closer to a month's pay for an assistant manager at a burger joint.

[ronaldo0]

2 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Not sure where you're getting this figure from? There's plenty of credible reports out there that state COVID deaths are being under reported in many countries

I have seen at least 3 interviews on uk news with data groups and all stated that the numbers dying are what I said as a percentage and numbers under 60yrs old who have died are round 300 out of 50,000 .

The majority who had died all had previous serious health conditions like stroke , heart problems , diabetes and so on and were an advanced age and only around 1500 had died as a result of contracting COVID and were in ok health when contracted it . The nhs released some figures the other day on their own site with deaths , age groups and if had existing conditions.

[mbenson]

Bobby He? Better get the tone right on that.

[warcy]

Seven enquiries in a day is nothing. Wait until it becomes 1000 per day.

[Fairynuff]

16 hours ago, upena said:

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.

Wrong....but never mind, I see where you’re coming from 

[Fairynuff]

17 hours 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.

Uh oh.... the PLANDEMIC brigade are here again. Are they forcing you to wear a mask again? Did you know those masks are impregnated with 5G trackers so the government can track your every move? And all funded bu Bill Gates. 

[Fairynuff]

14 hours ago, bbi1 said:

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

No they’re not, they’re getting it extended FOC. Sorry to rain on your envy parade.

[Fairynuff]

13 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

I thought it was like 5 years and that was it, you renew annually, is that so? I never knew that.

Incorrect. Each time you arrive in the country you get a year entry. I suppose if you hardly ever leave you have to extend it....but do people really just stay here that long without leaving? It’d drive nuts!