20 year Elite card - 1Million Baht

[BritTim]

2 hours ago, Onerak said:

Yes I am aware of that but trying to do least number of exits and least number of visits to immigration offices. I have been to the neighboring countries multiple times. I don't have any more desire to do travel to neighboring countries. New Zealand may be an option. How easy to get a TV in New Zealand? I have not been New Zealand. Want to do it before I die.  I know New Zealand is not a neighboring country but want to take a mini vacation. 

My understanding is that, for most nationalities, the embassy in Wellington and honorary consulate in Auckland are both good for tourist visa applications. However, New Zealand is a hell of a trek from Bangkok. Rather than using it for a visa run from Thailand, you might be better off going there before or after Thailand.

 

What is your nationality? If you are from a country that has introduced the eVisa system, you can apply for a new tourist visa while still in Thailand, and just do a border bounce anywhere convenient to use your new visa and get the fresh 60-day entry. 

[DrJack54]

6 hours ago, Onerak said:

New Zealand may be an option. How easy to get a TV in New Zealand? I have not been New Zealand. Want to do it before I die.  I know New Zealand is not a neighboring country but want to take a mini vacation

New Zealand is a mini vacation from Australia not Thailand. 

Tickets from Thailand to NZ would be expensive and long and involve a stopover.

If you wish to go to NZ do it, but not as a visa run. 

[ubonjoe]

11 hours ago, scorecard said:

Do Elite holders need Exit/Re-entry stamps?

No

A Thai Elite visa is a multiple entry visa that allows unlimited 1 year entries until it expires.

[PeachCH]

If one don't like to have any money in the bank and also don't want get bothered with the 90 days reporting, many visa agencies will be happy to do the task for you. 

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, PeachCH said:

If one don't like to have any money in the bank and also don't want get bothered with the 90 days reporting, many visa agencies will be happy to do the task for you. 

Or do it online for free. https://tm47.immigration.go.th/tm47/#/login

[Onerak]

6 hours ago, BritTim said:

What is your nationality? If you are from a country that has introduced the eVisa system, you can apply for a new tourist visa while still in Thailand, and just do a border bounce anywhere convenient to use your new visa and get the fresh 60-day entry. 

Wow, that is good news. I am from USA. So, I can apply for an e-Visa while in Thailand and  hop to SIngapore or Penang and come back with a TV entry for 6-month. Great. Will do that. Thanks for this valuable info. This may be my permanent process to stay 6-month in Thailand. Get an e-Visa from USA and then get another e-Visa while in Thailand. Exit once to a neighboring country and then fly back. ????

Edited June 27, 2022 by Onerak

[KaputtAlreadyNa]

Answer to your questions are no, except for 4.

Warmest 

[Tropposurfer]

I hold a 20 year Elite.

UbonJoe is entirely correct.

 

The benefits are weighed up and appreciated differently by all ... there's lots of support from Elite about all things to do with I.O. - your pal can explore these in your correspondence with Elite.

 

NOTE: Elite are NOT an agency of the Thai Immigration Department!

 

Those who say 'Elite is a waste of money' are entitled to their opinions but if they don't hold one how would they know what it does in actuality? I have found it is very different in practicality to holding a regular retirement visa, although like any visa it can be revoked.

 

It is a truth about Thai society that money talks and so holding an Elite brings a different reception when dealing with Thai authorities.

 

If you have one you will enjoy the benefits it brings ... all sorts of perks which are claimable in LOS e.g. no hassle, no limit entry and exit from the nation as much as you like - up to 20 times a year - which if you travel as we do is great.

Super easy and assured (well, as much as any junta interactions can assured) I.O. contacts, dedicated concierge at arrival back to LOS if you ask for it who accompany you to the I.O. checkpoints from the plane door... all the way to baggage (help with that) your car taxi whatever and all with courtesy smiles and gentle kindness. Which, if you'v just flown from Australia or Europe via the Middle East is very welcome.

For some, such upper level perks mean nothing. For some other folks these sorts of Elite privileges are taken as an affront and reason to be angry and resentful towards both the holder and the institution of Elite. 

Personally I appreciate them and enjoy being cared for in the ways Elite provides. 

I can attest to the difference in attitudes by I.O. because I hold an Elite, compared to both on arrival and ED visa's which I have held in the past.

They are always super-nice to me at Swampy (you get to move through the Express Business/First class dedicated I.O. checkpoints which are quick calm uncrowded).

I get a golf cart ride to Swampy I.O. from the plane every time☺️.

 

I never actually have had any cause to go to I.O. in Phuket at all ... Elite help me with my online reporting e.g. they call me when the time comes to do my 90 days (online) to check all is ok and not to forget, and when I initially emigrated they took me through the online reporting step by step!

I save thousands of AUD a year on complimentary golf fees around LOS with my Elite so in reality it doesn't cost me anywhere near 1 million baht.

I get discounts at other places like Emporium, MQartier, and some beautiful hotel chains.

 

There are lots of other features which I wont labour about here but if you contact Elite you'll get a dedicated concierge person who will lead you through everything it offers and all its legal ramifications. If you call them and talk direct they will keep the phone contact going from their end to support your queries and application. 

[FriendlyFarang]

19 hours ago, Tropposurfer said:

I save thousands of AUD a year on complimentary golf fees around LOS with my Elite so in reality it doesn't cost me anywhere near 1 million baht.

I get discounts at other places like Emporium, MQartier, and some beautiful hotel chains.

You only get those if you bought the 2 million baht membership, so you paid one million baht extra for these perks.

[BeerAttractedPerson]

Lots of perks with Elite visa. Free lounge access at the airport. Fast track immigration. None of that onwards ticket nonsense when checking in abroad headed to Thailand. Limo (BMW 730) service driving you home or pickup from home to the airport. No hassle at the bank if you need to transfer money out of Thailand. ( They always ask for work permit first, just flash the membership card). Assistance getting drivers license etc etc