Thailand Elite easy access 500k THB card

[ukrules]

The reason I asked was that if the 5 year plan for the card gives you a one year entry to stay in country each time you enter, why would it need to be extended every 90 days (1,900 baht)? If it was just for normal 90 day reporting, then that is free unless you forget it and then it will cost you 2,000 baht.

Strange.

Chris,

You may have missed a bit.

They are 90 Day reports, free.

The yearly extensions are 1900 baht. Therefore there's only 4 extensions for 1900 in the 5 years.

This is a bit of a joke really but I wonder if you enter Thailand one month before the 5 year visa expires do you still get a one year entrance stamp ?

[DrTuner]

My understanding is you get a 90d permission to stay stamp when entering which can be extended to 1y at the immigration in Thailand. Not a 1y stamp upon entering, that's not allowed in the immigration act for the purpose of tourism.

[ubonjoe]

My understanding is you get a 90d permission to stay stamp when entering which can be extended to 1y at the immigration in Thailand. Not a 1y stamp upon entering, that's not allowed in the immigration act for the purpose of tourism.

There are other visas that give a one year entry. Ii is a non immigrant visa I am sure not a tourist visa.

You can't use what the immigration act for permits to stay because it gives the immigration commission a lot of flexibility,

[DrTuner]

My understanding is you get a 90d permission to stay stamp when entering which can be extended to 1y at the immigration in Thailand. Not a 1y stamp upon entering, that's not allowed in the immigration act for the purpose of tourism.

There are other visas that give a one year entry. Ii is a non immigrant visa I am sure not a tourist visa.

You can't use what the immigration act for permits to stay because it gives the immigration commission a lot of flexibility,

The problem is, it's been quoted as a tourist visa by Thailand Elite itself: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726441-thailand-elite-easy-access-500k-thb-card/page-11#entry7846916

[ubonjoe]

That is what they say it is. But it really dose not matter other than perhaps for getting a work permit. The immigration act says 90 days for all types of visas not just tourist visas.

[DrTuner]

That is what they say it is. But it really dose not matter other than perhaps for getting a work permit. The immigration act says 90 days for all types of visas not just tourist visas.

I guess we'll know once Stanley78 gets his stamp. Even if you get a 1y stamp right away at the border, you'll have to extend after that year. I don't see any clause in http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/doc/temporarystay/policy777-2551_en.pdf that would fit. Again, wait until the hard evidence is stamped on the passport and see what it's really about.

It bothers me that Thailand Elite does not clearly state exactly what kind of visa it is (TR, non-imm or something else), how long a permission to stay you get upon entry and what are the yearly extensions based on.

[ubonjoe]

That is what they say it is. But it really dose not matter other than perhaps for getting a work permit. The immigration act says 90 days for all types of visas not just tourist visas.

I guess we'll know once Stanley78 gets his stamp. Even if you get a 1y stamp right away at the border, you'll have to extend after that year. I don't see any clause in http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/doc/temporarystay/policy777-2551_en.pdf that would fit. Again, wait until the hard evidence is stamped on the passport and see what it's really about.

It bothers me that Thailand Elite does not clearly state exactly what kind of visa it is (TR, non-imm or something else), how long a permission to stay you get upon entry and what are the yearly extensions based on.

The extension does not fall under 777/2551 since it is done under special rules like BOI extensions are. Everything for the elite program is handled by the one stop center at Chamchuri Square.

[neverdie]

The reason I asked was that if the 5 year plan for the card gives you a one year entry to stay in country each time you enter, why would it need to be extended every 90 days (1,900 baht)? If it was just for normal 90 day reporting, then that is free unless you forget it and then it will cost you 2,000 baht.

Strange.

Chris,

You may have missed a bit.

They are 90 Day reports, free.

The yearly extensions are 1900 baht. Therefore there's only 4 extensions for 1900 in the 5 years.

This is a bit of a joke really but I wonder if you enter Thailand one month before the 5 year visa expires do you still get a one year entrance stamp ?

I did actually wonder how they handled that myself. I dismissed it as my own devious mind was thinking too much.

The problem with TE, is it's all just so mysterious and having been led down the odd garden path before I'm a little bit suspicious.

It's like they've have tried to fit this round visa into a square hole.

[neverdie]

Maybe it would be benificial if the great minds here (excluding mine) formulated a series of questions and sent off an email to TE in order to try and establish further answers, straight from the horses mouth. So to speak.

Stanley has already bombarded them with numerous contacts, however perhaps a fresh approach with a series of specific questions could help eliminate ALL of these issues?

I can think of a few people that might like to go down this route, I'm just not sure what are all the questions one should be asking in regards to this.

[LivinLOS]

The thing is, the system has changed and continues to change so much.. Is an answer we get this year going to stay valid ??

I will be very curious to see exactly what the visa and permission to stay stamps look like myself.

All concerns aside.. If you get a 5 year visa, placed in your passport, when you pay the 500k.. the rest of the service is in the 'nice to have' category. The value is the visa.

[LivinLOS]

Just had a thought.. One very logical reason they have crafted this as a 'special tourist visa' is that by not being a non imm, it then denies you the ability to piggyback a spouse visa onto it, or dependents etc.

It stops someone getting one of these and legalizing a whole family, my understanding is if it was a non imm then you can add the rest of the family to it.

Logical as you then need to add a second one for spouses etc.

[ubonjoe]

It would not matter the type of visa that was used for the first entry that is extended If the rules don't allow for a dependent extension for that type of extension.

For example under 777/2551 there are certain extensions that don't qualify for the dependent extension.

[DrTuner]

Maybe it would be benificial if the great minds here (excluding mine) formulated a series of questions and sent off an email to TE in order to try and establish further answers, straight from the horses mouth. So to speak.

Stanley has already bombarded them with numerous contacts, however perhaps a fresh approach with a series of specific questions could help eliminate ALL of these issues?

I can think of a few people that might like to go down this route, I'm just not sure what are all the questions one should be asking in regards to this.

That's quite easy. Have TE show the applicable immigration regulations & their translation. Should answer all questions.

[Sandman77]

Can the card payed year by year

100 k each over 5

Or must pay have million at one time ?

[Skint]

Can the card payed year by year

100 k each over 5

Or must pay have million at one time ?

All in one go

[ukrules]

Well I've started the process from inside Thailand.

They emailed me a form to fill out. I'm transferring the money to pay for this into my local bank account right now.

I can extend my current tourist visa by 30 days at the local immigration here next week so I'm in no particular hurry on this.

The ink ran out on my printer so I can't print anything at the moment, once I get some more ink later today I'll print, fill in and then scan and submit the forms by email initially for approval.

Once my application is approved I'll go to Bangkok at some point early next month where they will insert the visa into my passport. I'm not entirely sure what happens then but I'll find out one way or another.

[Sandman77]

Is it also possible to pay cash?

I not want send have million online

[Stanley78]

Is it also possible to pay cash?

I not want send have million online

For the sake of argument I will assume that's a serious question and say that I would really doubt that they accept payment in cash.

But if you are seriously considering applying for the TE card then I suggest you e-mail or call them and ask to make sure (the contact details are on the official site: thailandelite.com).

Edited May 21, 2014 by Stanley78

[Skint]

Is it also possible to pay cash?

I not want send have million online

Just stick it in a macdonalds bag should be fine.

[neverdie]

Is it also possible to pay cash?

I not want send have million online

For the sake of argument I will assume that's a serious question and say that I would really doubt that they accept payment in cash.

But if you are seriously considering applying for the TE card then I suggest you e-mail or call them and ask to make sure (the contact details are on the official site: thailandelite.com).

Personally if I needed one I would pay with my Platinum MasterCard, as it has the three year extended warranty. That way, if for some reason I couldn't get one of the yearly extensions in the first three years, I would apply for a refund through them and let them battle it out with TE.

Edited May 21, 2014 by neverdie

[ukrules]

Is it also possible to pay cash?

I not want send have million online

For the sake of argument I will assume that's a serious question and say that I would really doubt that they accept payment in cash.

But if you are seriously considering applying for the TE card then I suggest you e-mail or call them and ask to make sure (the contact details are on the official site: thailandelite.com).

Personally if I needed one I would pay with my Platinum MasterCard, as it has the three year extended warranty. That way, if for some reason I couldn't get one of the yearly extensions in the first three years, I would apply for a refund through them and let them battle it out with TE.

Payment is by bank transfer.

[neverdie]

Is it also possible to pay cash?

I not want send have million online

For the sake of argument I will assume that's a serious question and say that I would really doubt that they accept payment in cash.

But if you are seriously considering applying for the TE card then I suggest you e-mail or call them and ask to make sure (the contact details are on the official site: thailandelite.com).

Personally if I needed one I would pay with my Platinum MasterCard, as it has the three year extended warranty. That way, if for some reason I couldn't get one of the yearly extensions in the first three years, I would apply for a refund through them and let them battle it out with TE.

Payment is by bank transfer.

Interesting, especially for ppl without Thai bank account. They don't take credit card. I think my friend would go bank transfer, not sure what her card status is.

[ukrules]

Interesting, especially for ppl without Thai bank account. They don't take credit card. I think my friend would go bank transfer, not sure what her card status is.

They provide a SWIFT code for international wire transfer payments directly into the bank account of the Thailand Elite Company.

[neverdie]

Interesting, especially for ppl without Thai bank account. They don't take credit card. I think my friend would go bank transfer, not sure what her card status is.

They provide a SWIFT code for international wire transfer payments directly into the bank account of the Thailand Elite Company.

Yes, I understand that, however, that would require you to send THAI BAHT from overseas, an extremely expensive way to do it.....especially from countries like Oz & NZ where the powerful banks adjust the exchange rate for their own personal profits. It would be difficult to send for example x amount of Aussie dollars and have it equal out to 500k baht upon arrival as with the way the rate moves and incoming financial institutions have varying fees etc.

Anyway, my friend she has Thai account, so no problem but I thought they would take cards.

Reminds me of a car I purchased in Bkk, the dealer said.....You can't buy a car on a card. LOL.

[Sandman77]

Sounds nice!

Reading all post hear in the bank section I did not know yet that is any possibility to complain for cc online fraud in Thailand when someone not send goods , you always the 2. Best ..

I don't know about this platinum card

What banks issue , and guidelines monthly income?

In case of fraud always contact MasterCard and not the bank right?

Plz send me information about this!

3 Procent kk fees would bei around another add 20 k more to the price of have million after I got the card?

How long is the waiting time?

I realy can't be sure , the roll out the red carpet for me when I arrived on airport and immigration must confirm the 5 year visa right?

All the nice Mercedes limousines waiting, with 10 escort hotties on the side!

Sounds realy nice!

At least the lunch a iPhone app with a emergency button, when the gulf balls running out, or the service not coming in Nakhon nowhere!

[LivinLOS]

Is it also possible to pay cash?

I not want send have million online

For the sake of argument I will assume that's a serious question and say that I would really doubt that they accept payment in cash.

But if you are seriously considering applying for the TE card then I suggest you e-mail or call them and ask to make sure (the contact details are on the official site: thailandelite.com).

Personally if I needed one I would pay with my Platinum MasterCard, as it has the three year extended warranty. That way, if for some reason I couldn't get one of the yearly extensions in the first three years, I would apply for a refund through them and let them battle it out with TE.

I didnt know my cards had 3 years.. I thought it was 90 days for a claim..

Nice bit of free insurance.. Wonder if TE tries to add 3% card services charge

[LivinLOS]

Payment is by bank transfer.

Interesting, especially for ppl without Thai bank account. They don't take credit card. I think my friend would go bank transfer, not sure what her card status is.

Of course.. No refunds !!

[Lancelot]

I'm happy with my retirement extension of stay. B1,900 per year (If I don't leave the country and have to purchase a re-entry permit)

[Stanley78]

I'm happy with my retirement extension of stay. B1,900 per year (If I don't leave the country and have to purchase a re-entry permit)

I'm happy for you that you are 50+ and feel satisfied with the terms of your retirement visa.

I'm 35 so I can not get the retirement visa yet. But I'm happy that THB 500k is a relatively small amount of money for me so I am too satisfied with the terms of the TE visa.

Hope you are happy for me too.

[ukrules]

I hope they still process these memberships now there's a Coup in place !