I have an Ed visa for which the cost if has increased dramatically recently due to having to renew each year and extend every 90 days (3500 baht each time I have been told although I have not done an extension yet).

Once you include the cost of the lessons (25000 baht) then with the extensions etc total cost rises to about 40000 baht.

A teacher at my school has told me that next year there are plans to bring in a visa similar to a retirement visa but for those under 50 that wish to stay in Thailand, to be granted based on having a sufficient bank balance (rumoured to be circa 900 000 baht)

Has anyone else heard this or have any more info?

It is only 1900 baht to extend for the 90 days. Someone is having a nice drink on you.

Some people have been asking for that for a long time already.

Therefor I'd say it is rumours and not going to happen.

The fee for all extensions of stay is 1900 baht. If somebody at immigration asks for more they are corrupt.

Perhaps that is what your school is charging you to do them.

Anything about a new visa or extensions of stay for those under 50 is just unfounded rumors.

Thanks for the replies. The original post does state that I haven't done any extensions yet under the new rules. Ordinarily I've paid 1900 baht for a 1 year extension but thi

s changes with the new rules as of 29th August. Obviously I've been misinformed re the extension fee and advice as always is to go to immigration in person as opposed to letting your school sort things out for you.

What changed is that for a study at non-formal educational facilities, such as language school, you now only get extensions of stay for 90 days at a time at the regular cost of 1,900 baht per extension.

After 1 year you have to leave the country and get a new ED-visa.

That Visa that you talk about that let you stay if you are under 50 demand a membership that cost 2 million baht plus 20,000 each year for a 20 year membership or 500,000 for a 5 year, but with this you do NOT need to do 90 days reports apparently. And you will get a multiple entry.

More info can be found here: http://www.thailandelite.com/index.php

That Visa that you talk about that let you stay if you are under 50 demand a membership that cost 2 million baht plus 20,000 each year for a 20 year membership or 500,000 for a 5 year, but with this you do NOT need to do 90 days reports apparently. And you will get a multiple entry.

Not correct, one needs to do 90 days reports even with Thai Elite card. As long one can provide an address in Bangkok, the company staff can do the reports.

That Visa that you talk about that let you stay if you are under 50 demand a membership that cost 2 million baht plus 20,000 each year for a 20 year membership or 500,000 for a 5 year, but with this you do NOT need to do 90 days reports apparently. And you will get a multiple entry.

Not correct, one needs to do 90 days reports even with Thai Elite card. As long one can provide an address in Bangkok, the company staff can do the reports.

You are correct, the service is included in the member fee. And only applies to people that should report 90 days at Chaeng Wattana.