22 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

It is a 10 year Visa, for which you are stamped into the country first for 5 years, then after a review of the requirements to ensure you still meet them, you are stamped in again for a 5 year term. Not sure what your trying to say or ask.

His question is valid. When you got your visa, you got the 10 year visa stamp, valid 7Oct22 to 5Oct32. Plus you got a permission of stay stamp, "from" 7Oct22 "until" 6Oct27. Plus you got a reentry stamp, valid "until" 6Oct27. All understandable -- you've got a 10 year visa, with two 5 year permission of stay periods. You were advised that, two months prior to the end of your first 5 year permission of stay, you're to go back to BoI and reaffirm your bonafides to receive your second 5 year permission of stay. Straightforward (except, what happens if you're out of the country during that 2 month reaffirmation renewal period?).

 

Now, today when you travel, when you reenter Thailand, they'll look at your visa and reentry permit, and stamp you in "until" 6Oct27. And this is a fixed period, always ending on 6Oct27 (until your next 5 year period, ending on 5Oct32).

 

Thus, there's no floating permission of stay, like when you reenter on a unexpired OA visa, and get a new one year permission of stay, irrespective of the OA visa's expiration date. LTR visa has two fixed permissions of stay -- and they *do* depend on the visa's expiration date.

 

But I can see where JJJ's question comes from. Aublumberg got his LTR visa in Hong Kong, applied in his passport on 20Oct22. Then, on 29Oct22, he traveled to Thailand, where he met a head scratching Imm officer at the airport, unfamiliar with the LTR visa. I can only assume the Hong Kong Thai consulate didn't enter a permission of stay stamp, nor a reentry permit in his passport, unlike with Ryan's example above, which was obtained here at BoI (aublumberg, can you verify?). Thus, the Imm officer, briefed that LTR permissions of stay are for 5 years, followed the example of the OA visa 1 year stamps and stamped him in for 5 years, from the today's date (the "admitted" date), less one day (in this case, two days -- I guess for leap year), "until" 27Oct27.

 

But, the correct stamp should have read: "Admitted," 29Oct22, "until" 19Oct27 -- commensurate with the visa's expiration date of 20Oct32, divided by 2. Again, there's no floating permission period -- with the LTR visa, the visa's expiration date determines the "until" permission of stay date.

 

Certainly can understand how this went astray at airport Imm. Sure we'll see more of this until at least the supervisors get adequately briefed.

15 hours ago, JimGant said:

His question is valid. When you got your visa, you got the 10 year visa stamp, valid 7Oct22 to 5Oct32. Plus you got a permission of stay stamp, "from" 7Oct22 "until" 6Oct27. Plus you got a reentry stamp, valid "until" 6Oct27. All understandable -- you've got a 10 year visa, with two 5 year permission of stay periods. You were advised that, two months prior to the end of your first 5 year permission of stay, you're to go back to BoI and reaffirm your bonafides to receive your second 5 year permission of stay. Straightforward (except, what happens if you're out of the country during that 2 month reaffirmation renewal period?).

 

Now, today when you travel, when you reenter Thailand, they'll look at your visa and reentry permit, and stamp you in "until" 6Oct27. And this is a fixed period, always ending on 6Oct27 (until your next 5 year period, ending on 5Oct32).

 

Thus, there's no floating permission of stay, like when you reenter on a unexpired OA visa, and get a new one year permission of stay, irrespective of the OA visa's expiration date. LTR visa has two fixed permissions of stay -- and they *do* depend on the visa's expiration date.

 

But I can see where JJJ's question comes from. Aublumberg got his LTR visa in Hong Kong, applied in his passport on 20Oct22. Then, on 29Oct22, he traveled to Thailand, where he met a head scratching Imm officer at the airport, unfamiliar with the LTR visa. I can only assume the Hong Kong Thai consulate didn't enter a permission of stay stamp, nor a reentry permit in his passport, unlike with Ryan's example above, which was obtained here at BoI (aublumberg, can you verify?). Thus, the Imm officer, briefed that LTR permissions of stay are for 5 years, followed the example of the OA visa 1 year stamps and stamped him in for 5 years, from the today's date (the "admitted" date), less one day (in this case, two days -- I guess for leap year), "until" 27Oct27.

 

But, the correct stamp should have read: "Admitted," 29Oct22, "until" 19Oct27 -- commensurate with the visa's expiration date of 20Oct32, divided by 2. Again, there's no floating permission period -- with the LTR visa, the visa's expiration date determines the "until" permission of stay date.

 

Certainly can understand how this went astray at airport Imm. Sure we'll see more of this until at least the supervisors get adequately briefed.

@Misty, Can you look at your stamp? Is it the same as Aublumberg?

15 hours ago, JimGant said:

His question is valid. When you got your visa, you got the 10 year visa stamp, valid 7Oct22 to 5Oct32. Plus you got a permission of stay stamp, "from" 7Oct22 "until" 6Oct27. Plus you got a reentry stamp, valid "until" 6Oct27. All understandable -- you've got a 10 year visa, with two 5 year permission of stay periods. You were advised that, two months prior to the end of your first 5 year permission of stay, you're to go back to BoI and reaffirm your bonafides to receive your second 5 year permission of stay. Straightforward (except, what happens if you're out of the country during that 2 month reaffirmation renewal period?).

 

Now, today when you travel, when you reenter Thailand, they'll look at your visa and reentry permit, and stamp you in "until" 6Oct27. And this is a fixed period, always ending on 6Oct27 (until your next 5 year period, ending on 5Oct32).

 

Thus, there's no floating permission of stay, like when you reenter on a unexpired OA visa, and get a new one year permission of stay, irrespective of the OA visa's expiration date. LTR visa has two fixed permissions of stay -- and they *do* depend on the visa's expiration date.

 

But I can see where JJJ's question comes from. Aublumberg got his LTR visa in Hong Kong, applied in his passport on 20Oct22. Then, on 29Oct22, he traveled to Thailand, where he met a head scratching Imm officer at the airport, unfamiliar with the LTR visa. I can only assume the Hong Kong Thai consulate didn't enter a permission of stay stamp, nor a reentry permit in his passport, unlike with Ryan's example above, which was obtained here at BoI (aublumberg, can you verify?). Thus, the Imm officer, briefed that LTR permissions of stay are for 5 years, followed the example of the OA visa 1 year stamps and stamped him in for 5 years, from the today's date (the "admitted" date), less one day (in this case, two days -- I guess for leap year), "until" 27Oct27.

 

But, the correct stamp should have read: "Admitted," 29Oct22, "until" 19Oct27 -- commensurate with the visa's expiration date of 20Oct32, divided by 2. Again, there's no floating permission period -- with the LTR visa, the visa's expiration date determines the "until" permission of stay date.

 

Certainly can understand how this went astray at airport Imm. Sure we'll see more of this until at least the supervisors get adequately briefed.

I understand what your saying, and after leaving and returning from the Philippines you are correct, I was restamped in until October 6th 2027, just like the first time they stamped me in.  As you can see from the date it was processed for me the 5 years started ticking.  I have no idea how it would affect someone who was issued their Visa and then waited years to enter the country.  I mean why would you wait, I mean I understand maybe a few weeks or a month but years?  That to me was a waste of time and resources for someone who had no plans on entering Thailand shortly after being issued the Visa and thus are not using it.   The stamping in is done upon arrival and should be for the ten year period of the Visa, unless the IO thought differently as you indicated using the O-A Visa example you gave.  I have no answer for that Tidbit

33 minutes ago, JJJJJJJJ said:

@Misty, Can you look at your stamp? Is it the same as Aublumberg?

My LTR e-visa says:  "Date of grant 25 October 2022....Visa must be used by 24 October 2032

 

The stamp in my passport says:  "Admitted 11 Nov 2022....Until 09/11/2027"

 

 

40 minutes ago, Misty said:

My LTR e-visa says:  "Date of grant 25 October 2022....Visa must be used by 24 October 2032

 

The stamp in my passport says:  "Admitted 11 Nov 2022....Until 09/11/2027"

 

 

So it appears that the first stamp for 5 years goes from the date of entry into the country.  I wonder how that effects the end date on the visa and the second 5 years.  Scratching my head on this one.

15 minutes ago, Misty said:

The stamp in my passport says:  "Admitted 11 Nov 2022....Until 09/11/2027"

Another error by airport Imm, I believe. The LTR is one situation where visa validity and permission of stay validity coincide -- you do NOT get a new 5 year permission of stay every time you reenter Thailand. In your current reentry, your permission of stay stamp at the airport should have reflected an "until" date of of 24Oct27 (or maybe 23Oct27 -- not sure how they're figuring in leap year).

 

Fast forward to when you travel and reenter Thailand on, say, Sept 3, 2027. Based on your current experience with airport Imm, if they're still using the OA example mind set of floating time period, they'd crank that stamp up to 5 years, and stamp you in for 5 years, until Sept 2, 2032. But the correct "until" date on your permission of stay stamp at the airport should reflect 24Oct27; thus no 5 year permission, only what's remaining on your 5 year visa partition, and related permission of stay, namely: about 50 days ("admitted" Sept 3, 2027, "until" Oct 24 2027.)

 

If embassies/consulates are issuing LTR visas without accompanying permission of stay and re-entry stamps, certainly a problem for airport Imm, at least in the near term.

6 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

I wonder how that effects the end date on the visa and the second 5 years.  Scratching my head on this one.

Going to your second 5 year visa chunk, which expires on 5 Oct 2032 -- if you reenter Thailand on 2 Sep 2032, you should get stamped in until visa/permission expiration date of 5 Oct 2032 -- a 32 day permission, not a new 5 year permission. But, as we've seen, airport Imm are going (erroneously) the 5 year stamp route.

 

So, say this still happens in 2032 for you, your airport permission of stay stamp will have a validity "until" date of 1 Sep 2037. I guess you could not renew your LTR visa in Oct 2032, but pretend your latest permission of stay stamp, until 1 Sep 2037, will get you back into the country. But, without an accompanying reentry permit for that period, doubt you'd get by even the sleepiest of IO's.

 

Anyway, purely hypothetical, as all this will be sorted out long before you renew your LTR visa.

22 hours ago, K2938 said:

Based on this it appears that the BOI does not seem to have one big pile of applications which are consecutively processed, though maybe they have different piles for the different visa categories  

Yes, for sure they have different case officers specialising on the various four LTR types. They mentioned it when talking to them over the phone. Makes some sense given the qualification requirements for each type differ.

 

 

17 hours ago, JimGant said:

[...] Now, today when you travel, when you reenter Thailand, they'll look at your visa and reentry permit, and stamp you in "until" 6Oct27. And this is a fixed period, always ending on 6Oct27 (until your next 5 year period, ending on 5Oct32).

 

Thus, there's no floating permission of stay, like when you reenter on a unexpired OA visa, and get a new one year permission of stay, irrespective of the OA visa's expiration date. LTR visa has two fixed permissions of stay -- and they *do* depend on the visa's expiration date.

 

But I can see where JJJ's question comes from. Aublumberg got his LTR visa in Hong Kong, applied in his passport on 20Oct22. Then, on 29Oct22, he traveled to Thailand, where he met a head scratching Imm officer at the airport, unfamiliar with the LTR visa. I can only assume the Hong Kong Thai consulate didn't enter a permission of stay stamp, nor a reentry permit in his passport, unlike with Ryan's example above, which was obtained here at BoI (aublumberg, can you verify?). Thus, the Imm officer, briefed that LTR permissions of stay are for 5 years, followed the example of the OA visa 1 year stamps and stamped him in for 5 years, from the today's date (the "admitted" date), less one day (in this case, two days -- I guess for leap year), "until" 27Oct27.

 

But, the correct stamp should have read: "Admitted," 29Oct22, "until" 19Oct27 -- commensurate with the visa's expiration date of 20Oct32, divided by 2. Again, there's no floating permission period -- with the LTR visa, the visa's expiration date determines the "until" permission of stay date.

 

Certainly can understand how this went astray at airport Imm. Sure we'll see more of this until at least the supervisors get adequately briefed.

Correct, no 'floating' end date, it is fixed and doesn't change when you fly in and out upon reentry. 

 

The Hong Kong Royal Thai Consulate gave me a visa sticker for LTR-T for 18 Oct 2022 to 17 Oct 2032 for the 5 + 5 = 10 year visa.

 

When I entered Thailand for the first time after obtaining the LTR-T visa sticker on 29 Oct 2022, I got a stamp 'admitted until 27 Oct 2027' i.e. 5 years. Then I flew out again and last weekend returned and got another 'admitted until 27 Oct 2027' so the same end date. I assume they will grant you the first 5 years in full (no 'divide by 2') and then upon qualifying for the second 5 years they may top out at the end date of the original LTR visa, in my case 17 Oct 2032. But who knows. In my case the difference is immaterial.

 

50 minutes ago, JimGant said:

Another error by airport Imm, I believe. The LTR is one situation where visa validity and permission of stay validity coincide -- you do NOT get a new 5 year permission of stay every time you reenter Thailand. In your current reentry, your permission of stay stamp at the airport should have reflected an "until" date of of 24Oct27 (or maybe 23Oct27 -- not sure how they're figuring in leap year).

 

Fast forward to when you travel and reenter Thailand on, say, Sept 3, 2027. Based on your current experience with airport Imm, if they're still using the OA example mind set of floating time period, they'd crank that stamp up to 5 years, and stamp you in for 5 years, until Sept 2, 2032. But the correct "until" date on your permission of stay stamp at the airport should reflect 24Oct27; thus no 5 year permission, only what's remaining on your 5 year visa partition, and related permission of stay, namely: about 50 days ("admitted" Sept 3, 2027, "until" Oct 24 2027.)

 

If embassies/consulates are issuing LTR visas without accompanying permission of stay and re-entry stamps, certainly a problem for airport Imm, at least in the near term.

The E-visa has the permission of stay but no re-entry stamps. So let us take an example, it your visa is Jan 1 Year 1 and your first entry is Jan 1 Year 4, The stamp you get in Airport is Jan 1 Year 5 or Jan 1 Year 9? If you don't enter first before Jan 1 Year 5, can you still use the visa? say April Year 5? 

1 hour ago, JJJJJJJJ said:

The E-visa has the permission of stay but no re-entry stamps. So let us take an example, it your visa is Jan 1 Year 1 and your first entry is Jan 1 Year 4, The stamp you get in Airport is Jan 1 Year 5 or Jan 1 Year 9? If you don't enter first before Jan 1 Year 5, can you still use the visa? say April Year 5? 

Now we have entered the territory where only the LTR Unit can answer this type of question I am afraid, as to answer that would be just a supposition.

I just looked back through my on-line application and on the 4th screen where the uploads are, I had deleted the uploads for certain documents 2 weeks ago, and now those documents are back on the app.  Seems that one can not delete the uploaded documents, at least not until the Check Status screen shows completed, which mine does not.  Tried to Call the LTR Unit today and so far can not get through.....trying to add a dependent..

11 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

I just looked back through my on-line application and on the 4th screen where the uploads are, I had deleted the uploads for certain documents 2 weeks ago, and now those documents are back on the app.  Seems that one can not delete the uploaded documents, at least not until the Check Status screen shows completed, which mine does not.  Tried to Call the LTR Unit today and so far can not get through.....trying to add a dependent..

You'll need to create a separate account login and application for the dependant.

 

Then link to them from your approved application.

 

 

 

 

18 hours ago, JimGant said:

Another error by airport Imm, I believe. The LTR is one situation where visa validity and permission of stay validity coincide -- you do NOT get a new 5 year permission of stay every time you reenter Thailand. In your current reentry, your permission of stay stamp at the airport should have reflected an "until" date of of 24Oct27 (or maybe 23Oct27 -- not sure how they're figuring in leap year).

 

Fast forward to when you travel and reenter Thailand on, say, Sept 3, 2027. Based on your current experience with airport Imm, if they're still using the OA example mind set of floating time period, they'd crank that stamp up to 5 years, and stamp you in for 5 years, until Sept 2, 2032. But the correct "until" date on your permission of stay stamp at the airport should reflect 24Oct27; thus no 5 year permission, only what's remaining on your 5 year visa partition, and related permission of stay, namely: about 50 days ("admitted" Sept 3, 2027, "until" Oct 24 2027.)

 

If embassies/consulates are issuing LTR visas without accompanying permission of stay and re-entry stamps, certainly a problem for airport Imm, at least in the near term.

Could be an error, I wondered about the dates when I saw them.  If it is an error, presumably BoI will correct the stamp at some point.  I'll ask when I'm next in touch, probably whenever they finally get issuing the digital work permits underway.  With many years to go, should have some breathing room.

3 hours ago, anrcaccount said:

You'll need to create a separate account login and application for the dependant.

 

Then link to them from your approved application.

 

 

 

 

When the new login and application for the dependent is created, there will be place in the dependent's online application to enter your own LTR "DOC No." to link the two.  After that's done, you should be able to go to your login and "approve" the dependent.

Logging into my application site, I see there is some change to the initial "Check Status" page.

 

A new heading/column has been added called "Work Permit".  When I click on that heading I get the screen below:

 

 

 

 

1 minute ago, Misty said:

When the new login and application for the dependent is created, there will be place in the dependent's online application to enter your own LTR "DOC No." to link the two.  After that's done, you should be able to go to your login and "approve" the dependent.

@Misty Thank you for the information, I would have thought you could re-open your app and account and add it from there, but as you say I will need to create a new Application in my Dependents name.  Since finances are not needed to be shown, as she will be under my LTRWP, all I need is to upload her PCH Health insurance certificate which was just obtained, as well as showing proof of relation to myself I would guess.  I will give it a whirl and get back to you folks when I complete the necessary steps.

16 minutes ago, Misty said:

...With many years to go, should have some breathing room.

I bet it feels good to be able to say your renewal is many years down the road....don't need to worry about it anytime soon.   A feel good benefit of a l....o....n.....g term visa vs a year-by-year visa.  I'm jealous.  ????

5 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

@Misty Thank you for the information, I would have thought you could re-open your app and account and add it from there, but as you say I will need to create a new Application in my Dependents name.  Since finances are not needed to be shown, as she will be under my LTRWP, all I need is to upload her PCH Health insurance certificate which was just obtained, as well as showing proof of relation to myself I would guess.  I will give it a whirl and get back to you folks when I complete the necessary steps.

Yes, that is how we did it for a family member - create a new LTR-O application.  Much less information is needed - the link to your own LTR No. is the key piece of information.

5 minutes ago, Pib said:

I bet it feels good to be able to say your renewsl is many years down the road....don't need to worry about it anytime soon.   A feel good benefit of a l....o....n.....g term visa vs a year-by-year visa.  I'm jealous.  ????

Yes, yes, yes, after all the increasing level of attempted malarkey by the various institutions involved going on each year with the annual NonB & work permit renewals - it has become so dysfunctional - yes!  

 

You will get there!

9 minutes ago, Misty said:

Logging into my application site, I see there is some change to the initial "Check Status" page.

 

A new heading/column has been added called "Work Permit".  When I click on that heading I get the screen below:

 

 

 

 

I just checked my App and on Step 3 the Work Permit screens are now open to add information to them, however i checked the box No and then submitted a letter explaining I did not require a Work Permit. However the screen shows I did check the box, where if I remember right @Misty you checked Yes and then it showed as No when checked by the BOI LTR unit.  This Step 3 section for WP is the only one I can add anything to on my Application.  Maybe that is why it shows Pre-Approved for my Status, and not completed.....

 

33 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

I just checked my App and on Step 3 the Work Permit screens are now open to add information to them, however i checked the box No and then submitted a letter explaining I did not require a Work Permit. However the screen shows I did check the box, where if I remember right @Misty you checked Yes and then it showed as No when checked by the BOI LTR unit.  This Step 3 section for WP is the only one I can add anything to on my Application.  Maybe that is why it shows Pre-Approved for my Status, and not completed.....

 

Many thanks for this -  all the work permit docs I'd uploaded back on 2 Sep are all still there.  Maybe that's what they are processing now. But I'll have to check to see what they've done with that pesky box and make sure it is checked "Yes".  Seems like progress, though.

7 hours ago, Pib said:

I bet it feels good to be able to say your renewal is many years down the road....don't need to worry about it anytime soon.   A feel good benefit of a l....o....n.....g term visa vs a year-by-year visa.  I'm jealous.

A long-term visa is certainly better than an annual visa, but one should not rely on it too much.  Not far away Indonesia thus just changed its visa policy for retirees and told its existing visa holders regardless of their remaining visa length either to pay up in line with the new visa demands or leave the country within 180 days

https://michaelwest.com.au/digital-nomads-preferred-australian-retirees-in-bali-being-told-to-pay-up-or-move-out/

 

And the Thailand Elite visa even in its terms and conditions mentions that there is no guarantee that the program will not be terminated prematurely with visas losing their validity (though you then receiving a pro-rata refund of the visa fee paid).

So yes, long-term is much better than annual, but do not rely on it too much.

Yes...Visa requirements can always change....usually slowly over the years or a fast change.   Like how Thailand has slowly raised income requirements over the years and without any grandfathering even implemented medical insurance requirements for some visa types.

 

Now I don't even qualify for the novice knowledge level on Visas offered by Indonesia but the jess I get from the news article is Indonesia appears to be telling folks under the old/current style retirement visa is they will soon need to meet the higher income/investment requirements of the new Second Home visa. 

 

Kinda like if Thailand would suddenly announce that a few months from now those on Non O/OA type retirement visas will need to meet the requirements of the new LTR visa which has higher income requirements.

 

 

Quote

 

The real catch causing uproar among existing and prospective expat retirees is that the new visa is supposed to replace the current retirement visa – the KITAS (KITAP for longer term).

The retirement visas have been in place for years, allowing people over 55 to use their home nation’s pension or savings to settle in Bali, get a long-term home lease and hire staff to service it. The only caveat is that you have to show proof of having the money to sustain yourself, have health insurance and a guarantor, usually organised by a local visa agent. KITAS/KITAP holders also cannot work or earn income in Indonesia.

Although it allows holders to work, the new Second Home Visa has other restrictions. To qualify, a deposit of approx. $200,000 is required to be made into an Indonesian bank, and to remain there for the duration of the visa (five or ten years). Alternatively, a “luxury home” may replace the bank deposit as surety. The definition of “luxury home” is unclear, and it only applies to certain types of leases. There are also many restrictions on foreigners owning property in Indonesia.

This is what has retirees on the existing visas so concerned. Thousands have arranged their lives and finances based on the existing rules, and they will now have to either comply with the rules of this new visa, or leave.

 

 

12 hours ago, Misty said:

Logging into my application site, I see there is some change to the initial "Check Status" page.

 

A new heading/column has been added called "Work Permit".  When I click on that heading I get the screen below:

 

 

 

 

 

Another minor change over the last day or so is there use to be a "My Agency" column heading where I have circled below.

 

Just now, Pib said:

 

Another minor change over the last day or so is there use to be a "My Agency" column heading where I have circled below.

 

You are correct, it seems to have vanished, but I wonder if that is only for certain types of Visas where that field is not needed. I know the LTR Visas at one time did include a Government Employment category, which has now vanished, or was I heavily intoxicated when I saw that one 

Instead of spending their time on making cosmetic updates to the application webpage I wish BoI spend more time on actually processing applications.

"[T]he [LTR] programme has had a faltering start. According to unpublished data from the BOI, by 10 October 2022, only 1,003 foreigners had applied for the LTR visa, of which 56 per cent were filed by domestic applicants – meaning foreigners who already resided in Thailand in some other visa status, while just 44 per cent came from new overseas applicants."

"All things considered, the LTR could turn out to be unremarkable like the 2003-2021 Thailand Elite project, which attracted only about 15,000 visa holders in its 18-year run. This suggests deeper issues are at work and may not have been completely thought through: Thailand’s BOI might want to consider what makes other regional or global long-term visa programmes succeed and improve the LTR scheme, while there is still time to aim high and fix things. "

( https://fulcrum.sg/thailands-long-term-resident-visa-for-global-talent-and-wealthy-residents-aiming-too-high/ )

26 minutes ago, K2938 said:

"[T]he [LTR] programme has had a faltering start. 

( https://fulcrum.sg/thailands-long-term-resident-visa-for-global-talent-and-wealthy-residents-aiming-too-high/ )

Was about to post the same article, another sobering stat mentioned: "The LTR visa data confirms the low proportion of highly skilled professionals, with 142 applicants (or 14 per cent) applying for the tech category but just 20 candidates being approved."

 

Just 14% success rate. Would love to know what the rate is for the other three LTR categories.

If as the article says 56% of applications were from Domestic Applications, that means that many like me who were doing the Non Imm O-A, or O visa extensions decided that this LTR Visa was better in the long run.  I know I did it because of the ability it creates to travel and then only have to report once a year while getting 5 years and then 5 years more for the tidy little sum of 50K Thb versus paying 7K more over the 10 year period and having to extend yearly as well as doing the 90 day reports and paying for the ME Re-entry permit...to me it was a no brainer, and then for the same price (50K Thb) and features you can add up to 4 dependents, So for 100K Thb, you and your spouse get up to 10 years......perfect for those that go back and forth.  The TE Visa runs 600K Thb up to 2 Mthb.  With this Visa you can save money and use it for Travel, or for increasing your wealth.  Again this is just my view, but it is my reality.