Thailand Elite Card is pleased to announce the release of four new membership programs

[Ronuk]

3 hours ago, john_bkk919 said:

Is that in the main area alongside the other counters?

Looking at the premium lanes, the TE area and immigration office are to the far right of the other Premium desks. It is a dedicated Premium lane for TE members.

 

3 hours ago, john_bkk919 said:

Let's say you're a member but not interested in the electric cart, luggage service, ground transportation, whatever.

 

But you are interested in clearing immigration (on arrival at Suvarnabhumi) with minimal queueing.  Are members allowed to use the Premium or VIP counter or whatever it's called?  If not, would someone describe in more detail where the 'hidden behind a screen like it's part of the immi office' Elite counter is located?  Are there signs off to the side as you enter the main holding pen type area?

I have no idea why you would want to do everything yourself when you have paid for the service? Using the TE service is by far the quickest way to clear immigration and customs without any hassle at all. I believe the TE members dedicated Premium lane is in a secure area and not sure if you can just walk in alone without an escort.
The only people I have seen there are passengers escorted by immigration for questioning and TE members being escorted by TE staff.

[wordchild]

I have used that area unescorted on a number of occasions. I have TE membership (original version), though i dont use the visa currently as i have a work permit. I was challenged once, i showed my membership card, and was waved through. i travel pretty frequently (2/3 times per month) in and out of swampy, usually for short  business trips. I prefer to drive myself to the airport and leave my car there. I dont use the TE limo service very often and, for me, the airport  escort service is a waste of time. I can find my own way around the airport.

Edited September 9, 2016 by wordchild

[john_bkk919]

10 hours ago, wordchild said:

I dont use the TE limo service very often and, for me, the airport escort service is a waste of time. I can find my own way around the airport.

 

Exactly.

Edited September 10, 2016 by john_bkk919

[The Dark Lord]

On 2 August 2016 at 8:32 PM, elviajero said:

• 90 day reporting is still required.
• They will do the 90 day report for you, but I believe you need to deliver/collect the passport from their office.

I do my 90 day reporting at Nakhon Ratchasima Immigration which lays approx 18km from my home.

 

my last 90 day extension was done so quickly that the cup of freshly poured coffee I left at home was still hot when I got home.

 

sounds like a brilliant investment to me and am saving for it now.

 

for info the Nakhon Ratchasima Immigration team are absolutely superb. Efficient, helpful, honest and multi lingual. 

 

Prefer my my frequent trips there than the annual pilgrimage to the surly, unhelpful, unreasonably overpriced, non British national staffed "British" Embassy in BKK who beg a redefinition of the expression "fit for purpose"

[anotheruser]

This doesn't make sense, you would do your 90 day report at Chaeng Wattana not the British embassy. People can also enquire directly to TE with enquiries, they are very responsive. Why not get info from the horses mouth if you are seriously considering it? If you are just testing the waters and have no intention of buying the product I understand the need to ask here. 

 

However if you are seriously considering becoming a member the TE staff will get back to you promptly and remove any doubts you may have from asking on TV. 

 

They will give you a email address and phone number dedicated to your questions if you ask for an application form.

Edited September 13, 2016 by anotheruser

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, anotheruser said:

This doesn't make sense, you would do your 90 day report at Chaeng Wattana not the British embassy.

 

I think we was referring to getting the annual declaration of income from the British Embassy, and stressing that avoiding it is one of the perks of Thailand Elite.

[Stray]

On ‎10‎/‎09‎/‎2016 at 5:26 AM, wordchild said:

I have used that area unescorted on a number of occasions. I have TE membership (original version), though i dont use the visa currently as i have a work permit. I was challenged once, i showed my membership card, and was waved through. i travel pretty frequently (2/3 times per month) in and out of swampy, usually for short  business trips. I prefer to drive myself to the airport and leave my car there. I dont use the TE limo service very often and, for me, the airport  escort service is a waste of time. I can find my own way around the airport.

I do not understand your second last sentence; ". . . escort service is a waste of time."

 

Are you saying that you can get off the aircraft, run through Swampy airport, pass through immigration, pick up your bags, get to the long term car park, load up your car and high tail it onto the expressway faster than utilising the TE arrival escort service and Beemer?

Edited September 14, 2016 by Stray

[falang07]

OK, looks good, but I do not like this:

 

The Member agrees that the Company may from time to time amend or supplement the Individual Membership Agreement.

 

It means you as a member have to agree that they can do any changes later on, shorten the validity, introduce new yearly fees, etc. This clause should not be there. If I sign an agreement and pay big money, I want the rules cast in stone. This effectively enables them to do what they want, even cancel it.

Edited September 14, 2016 by falang07

[falang07]

and another BIIIG problem:

 

Termination due to government policies
In case there is any order, rule, regulation, or law announced by any related government authority which has an impact on the business operation of the Company to the effect that the Company is unable to continue its business or perform its operation as usual, the Company shall be entitled to terminate the Membership by giving an advance written notice to the Member.

 

WOW!!!! So you pay but get no guarantees. Nice from them. Thank you but I am used to rules that hold.

Edited September 14, 2016 by falang07

[wordchild]

4 hours ago, Stray said:

I do not understand your second last sentence; ". . . escort service is a waste of time."

 

Are you saying that you can get off the aircraft, run through Swampy airport, pass through immigration, pick up your bags, get to the long term car park, load up your car and high tail it onto the expressway faster than utilising the TE arrival escort service and Beemer?

no i am not saying that.  most of the time i  use swampy its for a short business trip , i rarely have checked luggage.  i always fly business or first so  i have access to the  premium immigration  lanes, incl the TE one,  anyway.  occasionally the cart service form the gate would be useful but most of the time it wouldnt make much difference, at least in terms of time  

Edited September 14, 2016 by wordchild

[wordchild]

Also I don't get the Beemer I believe its a Toyota, or similar, for original members!  

[richard_smith237]

6 hours ago, wordchild said:

Also I don't get the Beemer I believe its a Toyota, or similar, for original members!  

 

Original Member here (1 MB - Lifetime).... We used to get the 7 Series BMW... but they changed it to the Camry. 

Doesn't bother me too much... But if New Members are getting the 7 Series, I wonder why Original Members are not.

 

 

[baansgr]

On ‎9‎/‎14‎/‎2016 at 10:38 AM, falang07 said:

and another BIIIG problem:

 

Termination due to government policies
In case there is any order, rule, regulation, or law announced by any related government authority which has an impact on the business operation of the Company to the effect that the Company is unable to continue its business or perform its operation as usual, the Company shall be entitled to terminate the Membership by giving an advance written notice to the Member.

 

WOW!!!! So you pay but get no guarantees. Nice from them. Thank you but I am used to rules that hold.

Small print in T&Cs to cover oneself such as act of God etc is always going to be there. The Elite card has already weathered 2 Military Coups, major floods, and economic disasters

[falang07]

1 hour ago, baansgr said:

Small print in T&Cs to cover oneself such as act of God etc is always going to be there. The Elite card has already weathered 2 Military Coups, major floods, and economic disasters

strangely enough, no acts of God in these T&Cs, and instead "any order, rule, regulation, or law announced by any related government authority"

 

very strange indeed

Edited September 15, 2016 by falang07

[DUS]

1 minute ago, falang07 said:

strangely enough, no acts of God in these T&Cs, but rather any order, rule, regulation, or law announced by any related government authority

 

very strange indeed

 

Nothing strange about it at all, imho. 

 

At the end of the day there is no guarantee whatsoever regarding ANY visa etc If Prayuth said tomorrow that all extensions of stay, visas etc shall be changed, scrapped or god knows what, then it will happen. 

 

But as ubonjoe repeatedly said in this thread: "This thread is not for the discussion of a possible termination of the TE program." :-)

[elviajero]

19 hours ago, falang07 said:

and another BIIIG problem:

 

Termination due to government policies
In case there is any order, rule, regulation, or law announced by any related government authority which has an impact on the business operation of the Company to the effect that the Company is unable to continue its business or perform its operation as usual, the Company shall be entitled to terminate the Membership by giving an advance written notice to the Member.

 

WOW!!!! So you pay but get no guarantees. Nice from them. Thank you but I am used to rules that hold.

If it was owned by a private Company I would be concerned, but as it owned by the Government it is highly unlikely they would wind it up. In my opinion, if necessary, they will prop it up at all cost. 

[falang07]

4 hours ago, DUS said:

 

Nothing strange about it at all, imho. 

 

At the end of the day there is no guarantee whatsoever regarding ANY visa etc If Prayuth said tomorrow that all extensions of stay, visas etc shall be changed, scrapped or god knows what, then it will happen. 

 

But as ubonjoe repeatedly said in this thread: "This thread is not for the discussion of a possible termination of the TE program." :-)

OK, they can cancel an extension of stay, or standard visa for a reason (and we all know there must be some reason to cancel it), but not if I pay 1 million Baht and buy the visa. If I pay this money, I want to be sure that unless I give them a reason, they will not cancel it unilaterally. This is one of the reasons I would consider buying this but if I have to worry that it can be cancelled any day, well, this is not so good offer in the end and does not make me sleep well. Why buy something with 20 years validity when it can be void the next day. I will stick to standard visa, they did not convince me with this offer, especially in a country ruled by the military, this can change anytime.

[falang07]

11 minutes ago, elviajero said:

If it was owned by a private Company I would be concerned, but as it owned by the Government it is highly unlikely they would wind it up. In my opinion, if necessary, they will prop it up at all cost. 

Why? Is there come compensation that they would have to pay in such a case? I do not see anything in the T&C. They can cancel it and you do not get anything since you agreed to the T&C and signed it.

[DUS]

Ok, ok, falang07, we hear you and you said it yourself: TE is not for you. 

[DipStick]

I applied last month and was accepted, but due to our business requirements in China, I asked for a 9 month deferment , which was accepted.

i read all posts very carefully, and I am left with the impression that the negative posters are possibly aware that this scheme is out of their financial abilities, which is totally understandable, but does being jealous come into the mix ? If so again totally understandable but they should stop being negative and cease posting 

[elviajero]

35 minutes ago, falang07 said:

Why? Is there come compensation that they would have to pay in such a case? I do not see anything in the T&C. They can cancel it and you do not get anything since you agreed to the T&C and signed it.

 

Yes there is. If the Government wind up the scheme (Clause 2.5 (3)) the following compensation clause would apply;

Quote

4. Rights and duties after termination

b. In case of the termination pursuant to Clause 2.5 (3) above, the Membership hereunder shall immediately become invalid and the Company shall refund the remaining Membership Fee (if any) to the Member, within thirty (30) days after the Card has been returned to the Company, less the following balances (if any) and costs:
 

i. The Penalty Charge and/or outstanding fees; and
 

ii. The costs of Privileges which has been used by the Member during the validity of Membership.

I am pretty sure that winding the scheme up would cost them a fortune as well as upset a lot of influential foreigners that were, IMO, a big part the reason the scheme was set up in the first place.

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, elviajero said:

If it was owned by a private Company I would be concerned, but as it owned by the Government it is highly unlikely they would wind it up. In my opinion, if necessary, they will prop it up at all cost. 

 

First, I would say everything in life is a risk. The Thailand Elite program is not exempt from this rule. Terms and conditions are drafted by lawyers who are extremely risk averse, and will always try to cover their clients against all eventualities, however unlikely. I would estimate the chance of Thailand Elite folding at about a half of 1% within the next 5 years (gut feel, based on considerations others have already pointed out). If the program folded, perks other than the visa would definitely be terminated, and any compensation would likely be minimal. Even if Thailand Elite folded, I think the chance is better than 90% that the visas would continue to be honored. This costs the government nothing , and the negative publicity from reneging would be colossal.

 

So, if your major reason for buying a Thailand Elite package is the visa, based on my calculations, you would need to factor in the risk amounting to (0.005 * 0.1) * 100% = 0.05% of losing a portion of your payment, depending on the number of years left at the time the government goes nuts. If this happened after 3 years of a 5-year package, the loss is around 200,000 baht and a risk calculation of 200,000 * 0.0005 is 100 baht. It is appropriate to add this risk factor to the cost you are willing to pay. I would say, if willing to pay 500,000 baht but consider 500,,200 as too expensive, bearing in mind the risk, you should not buy it. If you do not accept my risk assessment, plug in your own.

[falang07]

1 hour ago, DipStick said:

I applied last month and was accepted, but due to our business requirements in China, I asked for a 9 month deferment , which was accepted.

i read all posts very carefully, and I am left with the impression that the negative posters are possibly aware that this scheme is out of their financial abilities, which is totally understandable, but does being jealous come into the mix ? If so again totally understandable but they should stop being negative and cease posting 

 

Well, I can easily afford to buy tens of TEs so rest assured you have absolutely nothing that I could envy you :-) I just do not like this clause, it is unilateral and not fair.

[falang07]

1 hour ago, elviajero said:

 

Yes there is. If the Government wind up the scheme (Clause 2.5 (3)) the following compensation clause would apply;

I am pretty sure that winding the scheme up would cost them a fortune as well as upset a lot of influential foreigners that were, IMO, a big part the reason the scheme was set up in the first place.

 

Indeed, I overlooked this one. Thanks for pointing it out.

[gerry1011]

The main advantage of the Thailand Elite membership is the peace of mind. That is priceless.

[gerry1011]

OK, they can cancel an extension of stay, or standard visa for a reason (and we all know there must be some reason to cancel it), but not if I pay 1 million Baht and buy the visa. If I pay this money, I want to be sure that unless I give them a reason, they will not cancel it unilaterally. This is one of the reasons I would consider buying this but if I have to worry that it can be cancelled any day, well, this is not so good offer in the end and does not make me sleep well. Why buy something with 20 years validity when it can be void the next day. I will stick to standard visa, they did not convince me with this offer, especially in a country ruled by the military, this can change anytime.

You think too much.

I am a member since 2003... and will be a member for many more years. Luckily I, and all the other members, did not worry as much as you do.

Just go for it.

If you have the funds that is...




Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[Ronuk]

4 hours ago, falang07 said:

 

Well, I can easily afford to buy tens of TEs 

Of course you can Malcolm

Best you stick to your minibuses and visa runs.

Edited September 15, 2016 by Ronuk

[Topah]

I think I did not read about the question I have. Sorry if there is answer already....

 

My question is:

 

I am planning on taking 20 years Elite Card but how it works if you need to work or you sometimes need some other kind of visa? Does it get cancelled or you can apply work permit with this visa? Start a business?

 

I just wonder that if times come and I need some different visa and they say that you are Elite, you need to cancel that first... In my understanding you can have only one visa at a time. So if I go Elite, I will be in Elite status 20 years nothing else...or?

 

 

[ubonjoe]

1 minute ago, Topah said:

I think I did not read about the question I have. Sorry if there is answer already....

 

My question is:

 

I am planning on taking 20 years Elite Card but how it works if you need to work or you sometimes need some other kind of visa? Does it get cancelled or you can apply work permit with this visa? Start a business?

 

I just wonder that if times come and I need some different visa and they say that you are Elite, you need to cancel that first... In my understanding you can have only one visa at a time. So if I go Elite, I will be in Elite status 20 years nothing else...or?

 

 

If you wanted to work you would have to change to a non-b visa and get a work permit but your membership would still be valid.

If you finished working you could go back to the 5 year PE visa without a problem.

[wordchild]

16 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

If you wanted to work you would have to change to a non-b visa and get a work permit but your membership would still be valid.

If you finished working you could go back to the 5 year PE visa without a problem.

Exactly as Ubonjoe says; I have one of the old style TE memberships. I have worked in Thailand now for  a number of years and have a work permit and non b. When i got my first non b i still had a valid TE visa in my passport. I checked what to do about this with the TE staff at the time, they checked with immigration on my behalf. The conclusion was there was no issue but they advised me to be clear which visa i was using anytime i entered the country. For a couple of years i had both a TE visa and a non b in my passport. I did not bother to renew the TE visa when it expired but my membership is still valid and i am able to use TE  services  eg the meet and greet, car service, fast track etc. I could request a new TE visa anytime should i need one.