Thailand Elite easy access 500k THB card

[alyx]

It would be quite boring to read all the posts, therefore I have read the op and some posted on the last page

I don't know if I must be amused or shocked by the comments but obviously, some posters definitely do not know what they are talking about, passing judgment....hold on....can someone prejudiced can be a fair judge and...above all, what is there to judge?

[ATF]

It would be quite boring to read all the posts, therefore I have read the op and some posted on the last page

I don't know if I must be amused or shocked by the comments but obviously, some posters definitely do not know what they are talking about, passing judgment....hold on....can someone prejudiced can be a fair judge and...above all, what is there to judge?

Alyx let me sum it up for you. On one hand you have the people who can afford the card and on the other the people that can't.

That's why it's called Elite because it's for people who have plenty of cash and appreciate all the perks that come with the card. It's not just a visa.

[paz]

That's why it's called Elite because it's for people who have plenty of cash and appreciate all the perks that come with the card. It's not just a visa.

It's really little more, the perks are worth, at most, bt 50,000.

[ATF]

That's why it's called Elite because it's for people who have plenty of cash and appreciate all the perks that come with the card. It's not just a visa.

It's really little more, the perks are worth, at most, bt 50,000.

I don't want to get deep into this discussion but it all depends on how often you use the card. You save a small fortune on green fees if you play golf 3-4 times a week. Limo to airport again if you travel every week that's worth over 100k per year. Membership of Clubs again substantial savings but unless you use it regularly you will not save much I agree.

[CroBiker]

I have been on Non-O marriage visa since 2000 and still am at least till midnight tonight when visa acually expires. Sick and tired of annual visits to KL Thai embassy and re-applying, not to mention doing extensions with that rough immigration crew here in Phuket. Yes, still happily married, 15 year old son, house, condo and normal life....Nevertheless I applied for 500k card and received approval within 72 hours uppon immigration blacklist clearance. That was on August 5th. I made an aappointment with Thai Elite folks to meet them in Chaeng Watthana immigration on 14th. Whole process took 45 minutes, never even seen any immigration officer. Quite efficient, first class customer service. Since I am still in my 40's I think I'll add another THB 1.5 million sometime next year and extend this baby to 20 years.

Edited August 16, 2014 by CroBiker

[paz]

I have been on Non-O marriage visa since 2000 and still am at least till midnight tonight when visa acually expires. Sick and tired of annual visits to KL Thai embassy and re-applying, not to mention doing extensions with that rough immigration crew here in Phuket. Yes, still happily married, 15 year old son, house, condo and normal life....Nevertheless I applied for 500k card

Don't take it personally, but if I was conducting a normal family life (meaning of normal economic means) there would be no chance on earth I would give gov.t $15,700 to save myself 5 years of discomfort, I would feel selfish.

I would rather spend it for education, home improvement, trips abroad, additional insurance, anything except a Thai elite card.

[CroBiker]

Not a problem. This amount equals month and a half of my earnings so it's not a big deal. And all other things you mentioned I got under control already. It is not like I spent last red cent on Elite card

[rickthailand]

i have this card also and people dont seem to understand that the money i paid for it i can easily walk away from if i ever had to. i guess it is just about personal decisions like everything else in someones life

rick

[alyx]

It would be quite boring to read all the posts, therefore I have read the op and some posted on the last page

I don't know if I must be amused or shocked by the comments but obviously, some posters definitely do not know what they are talking about, passing judgment....hold on....can someone prejudiced can be a fair judge and...above all, what is there to judge?

Alyx let me sum it up for you. On one hand you have the people who can afford the card and on the other the people that can't.

That's why it's called Elite because it's for people who have plenty of cash and appreciate all the perks that come with the card. It's not just a visa.

Well, I think that it is a little bit more subtil/complex or maybe simpler than that

500,000 isn't really "plenty of cash": Of course it isn't petty cash but, nowadays, it is feasible.

It "was" called "Elite" because, at the beginning, it was aimed at "la crème de la crème" but, due to (un?)foreseen use of the advantages (or/and poor management), it did target another kind ( not less honourable but not as golden as initially planned )

Not as many perks as you seem to think are attached to this card and, sincerely, the one who have the money couldn't care less about what they already get on a regular basis.

If you remember the hatred that the launch provoked among the posters, the comments were more based on "who do they think they are to call themselves "elite"? " or " for a born dumb, a dumber comes along"

I really see 5 categories of posters:

1) envious ( for whatever reasons, actually some don't even know why )

2) angry ( because they didn't catch the train and, against all (wishful) odds, the train hasn't derailed

3) in the know ( they don't post here or in rare cases )

4) curious ( genuine or not )

5) the others

Indeed, members claiming they are so loaded that they wouldn't bat an eyelid if the program was terminated, always amaze me: it is not about the money, it is about the reason why one has decided to enrol. If one has the money, one invests it and losing an investment is never a good a thing, correct me if I am wrong.

I rest my case

Edited August 16, 2014 by alyx

[ATF]

^^^^^^

Alyx it's very much a personal decision. The Elite card was never something I considered because I had a WP and visa with my job a driver and lots of my friends were members of clubs and golf courses so there wasn't much of a benefit for myself.

The type of person the Elite Card is aimed at is independently wealthy people residing in Thailand or using Thailand as their base.

It's not aimed at Digital Nomads or other people who want to skirt around the law instead of setting up a company and doing things according to Thai Law.

Again this card provokes a lot of emotions and is of course a legacy of the Thaksin Regime. However Thailand will honour their promises regarding the card. I'm 100% on that.

[gerry1011]

Thanks Stanley78 and everyone else who has posted in this thread. It is very helpful and informative.

I have just one question, is there any restriction about the nationalities that are eligible for this program? Can an Indian passport holder apply? If I (Indian passport holder) am in Bangkok on a tourist visa, do I just fill out the form and pay the money without even leaving Thailand? This is amazing. I know many people here in India who would jump at such an offer.

Hello and good morning, the mechanic.

The Thailand Elite program is pretty simple.

Fill the form, send a copy of your passport, a photo, wait a few days for them to make a background check... and welcome to Thailand Elite.

No more visa hassle, great service, and peace of mind while in the country.

I am a member since 10 years... and still happy about it.

Forget about the bitter comments from posters on this forum, just go for it!

A visit at the Thailand Elite office (or a phone call) will answer all your questions.

Welcome to the club

Sent from my HTC One using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ukrules]

There are no nationality restrictions.

Which adds to the fact that foreign criminals are buying them.

I see what you mean... You're not a criminal, so you do not buy it.

Exactly, the one year stamp in my passport speaks for itself.

[CroBiker]

There you go fellas

[rickthailand]

There you go fellas

maybe you dont want your passport number on the picture

[larsjohnsson]

There are no nationality restrictions.

Which adds to the fact that foreign criminals will be buying them. Not to mention illegal workers here, which is what the whole crack down was supposed to clean up.

Just a short term revenue raising exercise by Thai authorities, which they may regret, and therefore cancel, in the future.

Why would an illegal worker buy it? He would still be working illegal.

[khunerik]

The new card is actually pretty amazing, 5 year visa in passport, 1 year permission of stay extendable in country, no need for re-entry permits, come and go as you wish.

If you have some money, it's an excellent way to stay 5 years in Thailand

[khunerik]

@ themechanic

So, they issue a new law, revoking the Elite Card 5 year visa, just like they issued new laws of blacklisting people for 5 years, 10 years etc for oversatying.

They can do what they want. You may get a refund, 10 years from now.

Since when did you EVER think you had any rights here. You certainly do not have rights just because you paid 500k baht for an Elite Card.

I wouldn't trust the Thai authorities, in the same way I wouldn't trust a bar girl.

I have never seen a more jealous person than you NamKangMan. Obviously you can't afford it, but would love to own the Elite card.

Instead of complaining and whining in 200 post about the card and the people that owns it, you should be happy for them.

Edited August 17, 2014 by khunerik

[Christie Paul]

Sometime ago I spoke to my guy who specialises in jurisdictional asset protection and he was of the view that the Thai Elite Card is in the category of academic honorariums from the University of Ulaanbaatar, passports from the Congo and diplomatic credentials issued by Liberia. Not totally valueless - but not worth much either.

He was also of the view that Thailand might sell a lot more of these cards, if it meant that holders could avoid having their passports stamped.

In its current form he put the value at around USD 2000.

[larsjohnsson]

That's why it's called Elite because it's for people who have plenty of cash and appreciate all the perks that come with the card. It's not just a visa.

It's really little more, the perks are worth, at most, bt 50,000.

The Limo service alone is worth more than 50k for the people that use it a lot Edited August 17, 2014 by larsjohnsson

[Christie Paul]

@ themechanic

So, they issue a new law, revoking the Elite Card 5 year visa, just like they issued new laws of blacklisting people for 5 years, 10 years etc for oversatying.

They can do what they want. You may get a refund, 10 years from now.

Since when did you EVER think you had any rights here. You certainly do not have rights just because you paid 500k baht for an Elite Card.

I wouldn't trust the Thai authorities, in the same way I wouldn't trust a bar girl.

I think you are not a logical person. Once again you mix some people breaking the law by overstaying with the clients of a very official program started by the thai government.

I never met any bar girls but I wouldn't stay in a country where I am afraid of the government.

Once again, there is no "Government" here. There was a military coup. Google it.

After elections, there will be some form of Governmnet, and they may see fit to change certain aspects of the Elite Card, possibly into something quite different to what you had originally purchased.

TIT (This Is Thailand) - never say never.

What if this "form of governmnet" decided to ban tourism? To turn blue colour into black, to forbid beef meat and to have all people dressed with chicken costumes?

Wow... You're right, wee need to think about all those infinite possibilities. Thanks.

The chicken costumes are going a bit far, but the rest would seem to be increasingly possible.

[gerry1011]

There are no nationality restrictions.

Which adds to the fact that foreign criminals are buying them.

I see what you mean... You're not a criminal, so you do not buy it.

Correct. Not a criminal, and not stupid.

It is interesting how insults directed at the Thailand Elite members and those who consider to join the program are generally well accepted on this forum. It is kind of fashionable it seems...

At the same time, if I tell you that I bought a brand new McLaren 650S for 29 million (without the options) yesterday (for example), and put a picture of it on this thread, ... I will most probably be warned not to "flame", brag, flash, or whatever.

Of course, we can't consider this forum as a rendez-vous of wealthy people... It is a rather "leftist" place.

Now, this said, I must say that I am rather happy to be categorized among the "stupids".

Not only because I did pay to become a Thailand Elite member.

On other occasions I branded myself as stupid too.

For example, when I bought the new Aventador Roadster, I have been laughing a lot with my friends, telling them that I must be really stupid to buy such a car for three times the price (compared to my country, because of the taxes).

Stupid Thailand Elite member I am

And happy to be

Any other foreigner who feels stupid but has money and wants an easy life in Thailand wants to join?

I love Thailand Elite

Sent from my HTC One using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Mark79]

Being under 50 I'm considering joining the Thai Elite 500k card when my current extension of stay runs out in the New Year.

I can only really see the visa itself being of any use to me though, I usually fly in and out with Emirates which gives complimentary chauffeur service and fast track for business class anyway.

Does the elite fast track differ in anyway from what you get with business and first class, other than being met at the plane? and do they have the golf buggy service in Swampy?

[gerry1011]

Being under 50 I'm considering joining the Thai Elite 500k card when my current extension of stay runs out in the New Year.

I can only really see the visa itself being of any use to me though, I usually fly in and out with Emirates which gives complimentary chauffeur service and fast track for business class anyway.

Does the elite fast track differ in anyway from what you get with business and first class, other than being met at the plane? and do they have the golf buggy service in Swampy?

The convenience of the Thailand Elite PE visa is priceless.

The assistance at the airport too.

Even if you already fly First Class and have a good service from Emirates, you will quickly switch to the Thailand Elite service.

It is even quicker, they meet you at the plane, you find yourself on a Thailand Elite "golf style" cart before anyone else, clear immigration before the other First Class passengers, and on to your (already waiting) car. Priceless

The only bad point is that I think the members who chose the Easy Access card don't get a BMW transfer. It is a Camry. Not sure what type of car Emirates offers.

But just test it and you will see by yourself

Sent from my HTC One using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[grantbkk]

I think AKA Iceman actually is a shill for Thai Elite. Using clever psychological techniques he is pushing those considering buying the Elite Card to the "Buy" option. Genius marketing not seen prior to this thread prepatrated right before our eyes.

Using fuzzy logic, false hypothesis, falsehoods, false hatred of people with some Baht and reverse psychology he is actually goading people into purchasing the Elite Card. Think about it. No person can be that fervently negative for so long in the face of irrefutable fact. Those of us on the fence are being subtly pushed by the Iceman to the "Buy" group.

Well played Thai Elite. Very well played Iceman.

Edited August 17, 2014 by grantbkk

[yoslim]

Would the Thailand Elite Limo service take you to Pattaya or is it too far?

[bim]

Would the Thailand Elite Limo service take you to Pattaya or is it too far?

They take 50 km from the airport. Phuket and Swampy are the only 2 airports they serve

[gerry1011]

I think AKA Iceman actually is a shill for Thai Elite. Using clever psychological techniques he is pushing those considering buying the Elite Card to the "Buy" option. Genius marketing not see prior to this thread prepatrated right before our eyes.

Using fuzzy logic, false hypothesis, falsehoods, false hatred of people with some Baht and reverse psychology he is actually goading people into purchasing the Elite Card. Think about it. No person can be that fervently negative for so long in the face of irrefutable fact. Those of us on the fence are being subtly pushed by the Iceman to the "Buy" group.

Well played Thai Elite. Very well played Iceman.

Every single bitter and critical post regarding the Thailand Elite program gives an occasion to real members to write counter arguments, with real facts and real reports of the convenience provided by the program.

Every single negative post is free advertising for Thailand Elite.

Please keep posting guys

[yoslim]

Would the Thailand Elite Limo service take you to Pattaya or is it too far?

They take 50 km from the airport. Phuket and Swampy are the only 2 airports they serve

Thanks, really disappointing they won't offer service to Pattaya from Swampy

[gerry1011]

The BMW limo transfer to the airport...

[NamKangMan]

It would be quite boring to read all the posts, therefore I have read the op and some posted on the last page

I don't know if I must be amused or shocked by the comments but obviously, some posters definitely do not know what they are talking about, passing judgment....hold on....can someone prejudiced can be a fair judge and...above all, what is there to judge?

Alyx let me sum it up for you. On one hand you have the people who can afford the card and on the other the people that can't.

That's why it's called Elite because it's for people who have plenty of cash and appreciate all the perks that come with the card. It's not just a visa.

"On one hand you have the people who can afford the card and on the other the people that can't." - and then there are the people who can afford the card who do not see the value in the card, and the weigh up the risk it will be canceled.