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

[ubonjoe]

1 minute ago, gk10002000 said:

Oh, so every time they cross back into Thailand they get a one year permit from that date? 

A PE visa is like any other multiple entry visa. Every time you enter the country you get a new one year entry from the visa up to the date it expires.

[jankan88]

This maybe correct, although technically, regardless of the visa type, if you are resident in Thailand for longer than 183 days in a calendar year, then you are deemed tax resident, so therefore would be treated as a Thai in the case of VAT refunds, however this may not be strictly applied by the VAT refund folks at the airports, not sure it is worth it though, unless you purchase something of a high value.

I see. Well I was planning on buying a high valued watch before flying out in July and thought it could be worth it to get the VAT refund at the airport. I called them regarding this but regardless of how many times I repeated my question, they just kept answering "yes you get fast track and limousine transfer". Guess I'll try to email instead. Thanks

[4evermaat]

7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Wrong again. The extension is only needed if you don't leave the country for a year to get a new one year entry. No fee to do the new one year entry.

 

I thought it was 1900 baht regardless of the type of extension at local immigration.  Do they waive the extension fee for TE members?

 

Border entries are still free as far as I know.  You only pay for the cost to get to the border and whatever visa or fee to enter/exit the border country.

[ukrules]

9 minutes ago, 4evermaat said:

 

I thought it was 1900 baht regardless of the type of extension at local immigration.  Do they waive the extension fee for TE members?

 

 

You are correct, the extension fee is 1900 Baht if you're extending on the TE visa.

[ubonjoe]

14 minutes ago, 4evermaat said:

 

I thought it was 1900 baht regardless of the type of extension at local immigration.  Do they waive the extension fee for TE members?

 

Border entries are still free as far as I know.  You only pay for the cost to get to the border and whatever visa or fee to enter/exit the border country.

I said nothing about the extension being free a or reduced.

I was correcting a post that implied that the extension had to be done every year for a fee of 1900 baht.

[jankan88]

TE answered me that we are not eligible for VAT refund at the airport with this visa.

[huberthammer]

On 2017-6-16 at 9:32 AM, ubonjoe said:

A PE visa is like any other multiple entry visa. Every time you enter the country you get a new one year entry from the visa up to the date it expires.

The samui immigration guys seem to get a bit miffed when they have to change their stamp to 2018 for me. Worse, every trip out of the country the airport checkin staff tells me that I overstayed. 

[DUS]

I am just on my way back home after visiting CW to have my TE visa affixed. It went very smoothly!

 

Had an appointment for 10:30. Got a call from TE at 10:00 checking that everything was OK and asking me to give them a call on my arrival. Arrived at 10:15, called them, was welcomed by a member of their staff 2 minutes later. We went inside and 20 minutes later I got my passport back with my 5 year visa. Nice ... Smooth as silk.

[khunpa]

I signed up for the Thai Elite, 5 year membership not long ago. No matter what some people say about the Elite Membership, I am so happy I bought it.

 

I am married to a Thai, so I could just have got a Marriage Visa, but choose the membership mainly due to the following:

 

1) I honestly dont think paying 3.000 USD pr. year is expensive for a 5 year trouble free visa. 

 

2) I do not have to worry about e.g. my wife suddenly divorcing me, dying or anything like that for the next 5 years. No matter what you plan, you can never know what the future brings you. 

 

3) The fact that I do not have to deal with Immigration each year is a huge relief. I just find it a complete waste of my time.

 

4) I do not have to show THB 400K in my Thai-account for 2 months, every year. Again something I do not have to think about. 

 

5) The fast track airport service with the "Golden Girl" is quite a unique experience. For sure a plus. No flying bonus membership can bring you anywhere near "The Golden Girl" experience.

 

Anyway, just my thoughts. I will for sure either renew or upgrade my membership, if I am still around in 5 years time :-)

 

For me the Membership means "Peace in mind", which makes it totally worth the money. 

Edited June 22, 2017 by khunpa

[Robert24]

I couldn't agree more with khunpa's comments before. It's definitely a worthwhile investment. Aside from the 'peace of mind' about staying in Thailand, you get a great 'VIP' service every time you travel in/out of Thailand.

I got it mainly because I'm not eligible yet for the retirement visa but even once I am, I think I will just renew the Thailand Elite membership.

Sent from my SM-J710F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[YetAnother]

if they would price these 'offerings' appropriately there would be many takers

[DUS]

6 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

if they would price these 'offerings' appropriately there would be many takers

555 ... U again ... welcome back to your favourite thread on TV ... ;-)

[midas]

1 hour ago, Robert24 said:

I couldn't agree more with khunpa's comments before. It's definitely a worthwhile investment. Aside from the 'peace of mind' about staying in Thailand, you get a great 'VIP' service every time you travel in/out of Thailand.

I got it mainly because I'm not eligible yet for the retirement visa but even once I am, I think I will just renew the Thailand Elite membership.

Sent from my SM-J710F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Money to burn eh ?

Why would you spend 500,000 baht when you can achieve the same results for less than 10,000 (5×1900)

when the global economic bubble bursts you might be glad of that  490,000 which will buy you an awful lot of VIP services

[DUS]

11 minutes ago, midas said:

Money to burn eh ?

Why would you spend 500,000 baht when you can achieve the same results for less than 10,000 (5×1900)

when the global economic bubble bursts you might be glad of that  490,000 which will buy you an awful lot of VIP services

 

Thank you for revisiting this thread and for providing more publicity for the TE program! 

 

Well, I am sure Robert24 will answer your question if he considers you not to be just another troll. 

 

Personally, I don´t know yet if once my membership ends in 5 years from now I will re-new or see what the score is then w.r.t. the other visa options. But I can fully understand why many opt to re-new even when they have other VISA alternatives because they think that the money spent for the membership is worth it in terms of avoiding preparing annual application forms, making sure to have X amount of money in your bank account for X months etc etc. After all, for some 500k or 1mn for 20 years isn´t a lot of money. Not everyone´s a cheap charlie and some people couldn´t care less about paying that amount of money in return for having the easiest possible stay in TH.

 

But as I said on previous occasions, it is great that Thailand offers options for many different people. Everyone´s a winner..... ;-))

 

[midas]

1 hour ago, DUS said:

 

Thank you for revisiting this thread and for providing more publicity for the TE program! 

 

Well, I am sure Robert24 will answer your question if he considers you not to be just another troll. 

 

Personally, I don´t know yet if once my membership ends in 5 years from now I will re-new or see what the score is then w.r.t. the other visa options. But I can fully understand why many opt to re-new even when they have other VISA alternatives because they think that the money spent for the membership is worth it in terms of avoiding preparing annual application forms, making sure to have X amount of money in your bank account for X months etc etc. After all, for some 500k or 1mn for 20 years isn´t a lot of money. Not everyone´s a cheap charlie and some people couldn´t care less about paying that amount of money in return for having the easiest possible stay in TH.

 

But as I said on previous occasions, it is great that Thailand offers options for many different people. Everyone´s a winner..... ;-))

 

There is a huge difference between a " cheap charlie " and spending your money wisely and I would rather train and mentally prepare for the tough economic times that are ahead when the global Ponzi collapses.

 

Edited July 20, 2017 by midas

[TwinkleToes]

I'm eligible for the retirement visa but I'll definitely be going for the TE 1million baht/20 year option in just a few months. I think it's a real bargain.

 

20 years of hassle free visa extensions and fast track immigration with a daily cost about the same as a mug of sheep-dip at Starbucks.

 

And it's not too difficult to imagine that the currently modest financial requirements for a Non-Immigrant O extension of stay based on retirement will be heading north over the coming years.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 20, 2017 by TwinkleToes
spelling

[DUS]

1 minute ago, midas said:

There is a huge difference between a " cheap charlie " and spending your money wisely and I would rather train and mentally prepare for the tough economic times that are ahead when the global Ponzi collapses

 

What makes you jump to the conclusion that those spending a few hundred thousand Baht are not prepared for the financial catastrophe/ ice nine situation that will ensue in the not too distant future?

 

Besides: 500k more or less won't make ANY difference if your portfolio isn't properly structured for the scenario you and I seem to expect. 

 

Hey, whilst I laugh at you about your ridiculous sounding critique of TE I actually DO applaud you for having noticed the huge Ponzi scheme that's about to fail very soon! 

[midas]

4 minutes ago, DUS said:

 

What makes you jump to the conclusion that those spending a few hundred thousand Baht are not prepared for the financial catastrophe/ ice nine situation that will ensue in the not too distant future?

 

Besides: 500k more or less won't make ANY difference if your portfolio isn't properly structured for the scenario you and I seem to expect. 

 

Hey, whilst I laugh at you about your ridiculous sounding critique of TE I actually DO applaud you for having noticed the huge Ponzi scheme that's about to fail very soon! 

" What makes you jump to the conclusion that those spending a few hundred thousand Baht are not prepared for the financial catastrophe/ ice nine situation that will ensue in the not too distant future?"

 

We can talk about it again after October 26

[DUS]

4 minutes ago, midas said:

 

 

We can talk about it again after October 26

 

Whatever ... deleted a rather long response because you wouldn't  understand it anyway ... 

 

Edited July 20, 2017 by DUS

[DUS]

13 minutes ago, TwinkleToes said:

I'm eligible for the retirement visa but I'll definitely be going for the TE 1million baht/20 year option in just a few months. I think it's a real bargain.

 

20 years of hassle free visa extensions and fast track immigration with a daily cost about the same as a mug of sheep-dip at Starbucks.

 

And it's not too difficult to imagine that the currently modest financial requirements for a Non-Immigrant O extension of stay based on retirement won't be heading north over the coming years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well said! 

 

I might do the same when my TE visa expires in 5 years time and if I want to continue to stay in TH then.... 

[Robert24]

Money to burn eh ?
Why would you spend 500,000 baht when you can achieve the same results for less than 10,000 (5×1900)
when the global economic bubble bursts you might be glad of that  490,000 which will buy you an awful lot of VIP services:giggle:

I'm below 50 so the retirement visa option is not available to me. Hence I went for the 5 year TE option simply because it will get me closer to when I'm eligible and it's a timeline I somehow have a view on where I am and what I am doing.

Once my TE visa expires I will revisit options available. Right now I would probably go for the 20 yr TE option or look at the new 10 year visa the government is introducing.

Hope this helps you understand my rationale.

Sent from my SM-J710F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[YetAnother]

these 'offerings' are totally regressive; after 10 years' consecutive 1 year renewals; it should be an extra 10 at 10,000 baht with a thank you

[DUS]

16 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

these 'offerings' are totally regressive; after 10 years' consecutive 1 year renewals; it should be an extra 10 at 10,000 baht with a thank you

 

You are right! It should be at least for free.

 

;-)))

[HampiK]

I think if you have the money the 1 million 20 years is a good deal.

 

But I see 1 negative point. You still have a tourists visa and therefore your driver license will only be a 2 year instead of the 5 year with an O visa.

And I not sure if there are more small negative points, because of the tourist like visa instead of a O visa like.....

[DUS]

6 hours ago, HampiK said:

I think if you have the money the 1 million 20 years is a good deal.

 

But I see 1 negative point. You still have a tourists visa and therefore your driver license will only be a 2 year instead of the 5 year with an O visa.

If true that's a fair point for those who consider a 5 years driving license to be of high importance to them. Personally, I couldn't care less since I don't even bother applying for a 2 years license.

Edited July 21, 2017 by DUS

[James2020]

On 7/20/2017 at 8:34 AM, HampiK said:

I think if you have the money the 1 million 20 years is a good deal.

 

But I see 1 negative point. You still have a tourists visa and therefore your driver license will only be a 2 year instead of the 5 year with an O visa.

And I not sure if there are more small negative points, because of the tourist like visa instead of a O visa like.....

You cannot get an IDP (International Driver's Permit) with a 2 year Thai DL, only a 5 year DL.  Therefore if you need an IDP to accompany your Thai DL for international travel, you cannot get one with a Thailand Elite Visa.  At first I was told by National Car Rental that I needed an IDP with my Thai DL in order to rent a car from them in the US, but after I sent them a copy of my 2 year Thai DL, they told  me that I didn't need an IDP since the Thai DL was also in English, and they didn't have a problem because it was only a 2 year DL.  If you are able to maintain a DL in another country, you are also probably fine.  I cannot maintain a DL in the US because I have no residence there.  

[huberthammer]

On 20/07/2017 at 9:20 PM, YetAnother said:

these 'offerings' are totally regressive; after 10 years' consecutive 1 year renewals; it should be an extra 10 at 10,000 baht with a thank you

Well it actually is free for the second 10 years if you take the 20 year option.

[MartinBKK]

Was really impressed with the fast track and service I received flying out for the first time from Suvarnabhumi last Wednesday. Received a call shortly before I arrived at the airport asking what time I would be arriving. I said I would check in myself then give the lady a call back when I was ready to go thru immigration. As soon as I had finished checking in I did this and the lady came to meet me very quickly. Took me straight thru security and immigration in around 5 minutes only. I mentioned that I was a little bit hungry and she said she would take me to the lounge with the best food. Had a full breakfast in the lounge and departed to the gate feeling full and refreshed. Hope the arrival service is as good :-)

[DUS]

Good to read your comment Martin!

 

 

[khunpa]

On 20/07/2017 at 8:25 PM, midas said:

There is a huge difference between a " cheap charlie " and spending your money wisely and I would rather train and mentally prepare for the tough economic times that are ahead when the global Ponzi collapses.

 

Well for some 500.000 THB is a lot of money. For others it is really not that much.

 

Personally, I find it good value. Like I also sometimes like to go to a fancy restaurant and spend my money on expensive wine and food. We all have and make choices in life. A lot based on our financial situation.

 

If I see a guy driving a Super Car, I do not see this as a waste of money for the guy owning and driving the car. Obviously he can afford it and I would not mind driving one myself (that is if I could). That does in my eyes not make him an idiot. It just makes him richer than me :-)

Edited July 23, 2017 by khunpa