Answered9 years ago
What are the experiences and opinions of the Thailand Elite program?
Does anyone have negative experiences or remarks about the Thailand Elite program? I wonder if it will be around in 15 or 20 years after I pay 1,000,000 baht. Thank you in advance.
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around various experiences with the Thailand Elite program, which is seen as a beneficial option for long-term stay, offering various privileges. Long-time members express high satisfaction, emphasizing the convenience of not dealing with frequent visa renewals and enjoying VIP services. There are thoughts on the investment value and concerns regarding potential changes in government policies. Some participants express skepticism, suggesting that similar outcomes could be achieved through other visa types, but overall, the tone remains positive, with no significant negative experiences reported.
92 repliesnewest first
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Alex ******
Thai Elite is 100% government owned.
Alex ******
I think they also have a 5 year program. You can also contact Henley & Partner in Singapore (Dominik Volek) who have partnered with Thailand Elite if you want to find out more.
Jeff *****
OPgood to know...i think
Mike ********
I'm confused about the non O visa, I was under the impression that all you had to do was the 90 day reporting at immigration. Do you still have to leave Thailand, and if so how often?
Mike ********
o.k.
Tod *********
Sorry, but you need to make a new topic about this, because it comes up a lot.
This post is about the Thai Elite Program, :)
This post is about the Thai Elite Program, :)
Terary **********
Now if only they would sell at a yearly rate..
Jon ********
It wouldn't be very elite though if they did that ..
Michael ********
yes if they allowed 3x 330k...would be a bit nicer...:)
Terary **********
I have disposable income.. I can easily throw away 1-200 baht a week..HAHAHA.. But really I spend well over 1500USD a year on my trips to places other than Thailand so I can stay in Thailand. Though I could do it cheaper.
Jeremy ********
They are targeting the well off with disposable income on their hands...but yes if you could make 2-3 payments rather than a lump sum they would get way more people to sign up...
Michael ********
I agree that would make a lot of sense....
Michael ********
Now that they have a 20 year for 1 mill, it is much better value. That is 50k or 1500USD per year. and you never have to leave, they do reporting for you, trips to the airport, spa, golf....for 1500USD....That is pretty good. With visa renewals, going out of the country, trips to the airport, I spend that easily in a year.....plus all of the hassle added on.....If I had the spare cash I would prob go for it...but for retirement extensions, if you never leave the country it is only 1900 baht a year...so the price does not really compare...but I am not 50 for a while yet....
Jeff *****
OPI did notice the 20 year membership with no benefits.
Michael ********
Yes that is correct. It is the skimmed down version which gives you only discounts on spas, etc, which is why it is cheaper. Still a good deal though. If you need the benefits then the 10 year for 1 mill is better.
Luke ******
You are describing the Elite Superiority Extension, 20 years for 1M baht, which is non transferrable / non refundable, does not include all the perks such as golf, spa or limousines. It only includes the visa, use of dedicated lanes upon arrival / departure and lounge access (apparently). I also believe they charge a service fee for the 90 day reporting but I may be mistaken.
Richard *******
I think it depends where you live as to them doing the reporting for you.
Tod *********
Just so everyone is clear, the Thai Elite Program and the various visa plans they offer cannot be compared in any way shape or form to anyone on Non-O visas (where they border bounce) or ANY yearly extension of stay.
That's like comparing apples to durian.
If you don't want or can't afford the Thai Elite program that's fine, BUT believe me when I say it's not like anything else you can get extension or visa wise for thailand.
That's like comparing apples to durian.
If you don't want or can't afford the Thai Elite program that's fine, BUT believe me when I say it's not like anything else you can get extension or visa wise for thailand.
Robert ********
Huh???
Jeff *****
OP@Tim *******
I can learn from uRobert ********
Great to hear you are enjoying life!
Tim ********
I'm the luckiest guy just to be above ground... My days of suffering and remorse are behind me... I delight in Thailand and my many friends and adventures... 🤔🤣👍
Paul *********
For 100k a year it would want to be
Robert ********
Very sorry to learn about your condition Tim and hope you are without pain or any discomfort.
Tim ********
Yes, and I don't mean to come off cranky... I've got terminal cancer so long term things are not for me... It is just the hand I've been dealt and I'm playing my own cards... 🌴😎👍
Robert ********
I'm very relaxed and loving life, thanks. But I'd rather choose my vacations on my terms rather than to satisfy a visa requirement. To each their own :-)
Tim ********
Please, don't get boggled down. Some people like to do things differently. Some appreciate knowing alternative options. Relax, my friend...
Robert ********
And no matter how many times this fact is stated, the same people will still question the logic of those who have chosen to join. It boggles the mind.
Tim ********
Agreed... Personally, I'd rather give myself a nice border bounce vacation with the money. I guess it's all up to the individual, their budget and what the want to do with their time and money...
Tim ********
Why not just get a non-O, do the annual renewals and do something better with the money?
Robert ********
I enjoy the free daily massage, but I do not play golf. Annual physical is also very helpful...plus the other perks.
Bim *******
I must admit I don't use the privileges. I just wanted to live here and not go anywhere.
Robert ********
Yes, I am very happy I invested in the lifetime version and never have to travel to extend or apply for new visa, plus many daily / unlimited privileges.
Bim *******
Yes they were great and all sorted. I get a year stamp on mine so you must have the original lifetime one. Lucky you.
Robert ********
If you have problems, just call the member contact center and they can help. Sometimes I travel via land crossing and some borders are not familiar with the 90 day stamp Elite members receive, one call to the contact center and problem solved.
Bim *******
It was my only option to stay here as I was under 50. Very easy yearly extensions takes me 15 minutes although you do have to apply for an approval letter from Thailand Elite and you have to give three days notice. Also I live outside Bangkok and my first extension my local immigration had never heard of it.
Robert ********
If you cannot understand the difference, then just do your non-o, nobody asked you to join.
Robert ********
Also, if you search this group under my name you will see some information I posted regarding a recent visit to Immigration to apply for my 90 day extension and how fast the process took since Elite members do not need to use queue numbers.
Robert ********
My membership requires I extend every 90 days at Immigration, but I never spend more than 30 minutes for the process, so I don't mind it that much and have never been asked to queue for years.
Jeff *****
OPSkip a queue is golden
Robert ********
You are welcome to your personal opinion. But the program is very real as has been stated multiple times by those who know.
Tim ********
I still feel a person can achieve the same things with much, much less expense and no risk of the rules or government policies changing.
Jon ********
I am getting this next year for sure :)
Jeff *****
OPEssentially, nobody has made any negative comments. The program has been around a while and will probably be around a while. Thank you to all !
Robert ********
My pleasure Jeff.
Jeff *****
OP@Robert ***********
appreciate the infoRobert ********
Feel welcome to PM me if you have any specific questions Jeff.
Jeff *****
OPI am surprised how little info is needed and how little time the approval takes compared to a 1 year visa from the USA.
Joe ***********
He is speaking of a U S Visa
Richard *****
why FBI check? We obtained a two year retirement visa with a local police check only!
Robert ********
Once you apply, they approve within 1 week.
Jeff *****
OPic. I wait 1
***
months for an FBI record check for a 1 year visa in the US.Robert ********
They perform a background check with Immigration police, similar as other visas.
Jeff *****
OPI think of other countries like the Philippines that don't require a buy-in.
Jeff *****
OPhaha. I'm over 50. 20 years of hassle free entry into Thailand seems ok.
Ivan ************
If you are over 50 you are basically spending $30,000 to avoid some minor annual paperwork. Depends what your time is worth to you I guess.
Jeff *****
OPI am eligible for whats' no longer called a one year 'retirement' visa. It takes some scheduling to be back in the US shortly before the visa expires and to wait for approval of a new visa.
Robert ********
Jeff, both services are available as a member, plus more.
Jon ********
Why not just get retiremnt?
Jeff *****
OPare you referring to the fast pass thru immigration and airport transfer? Or are you referring to benefits when living in Thailand - hospital and banking.
Robert ********
The privileges are very useful.
Johnsuma ******
my own opinion is : not interesting, if you die before the end of the visa there is NO refund, so less money for you heirs.
Robert ********
True Paul, but I don't know of anybody willing to sell..and I have been offered a lot. There are 2 other membership categories which are also transferrable.
Paul *********
You can also sell if life one
Robert ********
No refund, but you can transfer some memberships to your family.
Jeff *****
OPi am reading on the website that Thai Elite has the right to terminate the agreement at any time. for what thats' worth.
Bim *******
The original lifetime only gave you 90 extension not yearly like the current one.
Rob ********
@Ivan ***********
oh. Big difference. In that case; never mind. 555Jeremy ********
@Ivan ***********
can you really put a dollar amount on happiness?Ivan ************
Rob worth noting that in both cases it is "tie up" and the money remains yours and you get it back. You are only forgoing the investment opportunities. Elite requires a one-way purchase at $30,000 (or $15k for the five year) that you never get back, you aren't just losing the return on the money, the money itself is gone. Poof.
Rob ********
Jeremy Miller hmm. That’s a great way of putting it. The MM2H cost us $34,000 USD that has to be tied up in a Malaysian fixed deposit while in the program. BUT, it pays 3.5% albeit in Malaysian Ringgit. Still more than we can make if we withdraw it while living in Thailand unless we invest it in the stock market. But here in Thailand, I only need to tie up $23,000 USD making 0.5% for 90 days a year.
Jeremy ********
@Ivan ***********
it’s whatever terminology you need to word it to make you justify the investment into it....Rob ********
And almost any nation issues non immigrant visas with small print stating they have the right to change the program rules without notice at any time. Our Malaysian MM2H is an example of that.
Ivan ************
Jeremy it's nothing like citizenship or even permanent residence, it's a long term tourist visa.
Robert ********
They offer you VIP services as a long term visitor, no more and no less.
Jeff *****
OPInteresting way to look at it.
Jeremy ********
@Jeff *********
it's basically like buying a Citizenship/Passport but at a cut-rate price for a period of time...or if you have the original for a lifetime...Jeff *****
OPInteresting. Good to know.
Robert ********
You cannot have a work permit with this visa, but it does make investing and banking much easier.
Jeff *****
OPThanks. not worried.
Robert ********
Yes, they are legally required to include such phrases. I wouldn't worry too much about that.
Jeremy ********
well, there are people that do take advantage of it...mainly working illegally on the TEV, or get into issues with the law, or other things that warrant the termination for a cause....
Jeremy ********
you can always buy the 5 year membership for 500,000 THB
Jeff *****
OPYes. I noticed that. thanks.
Jeff *****
OPIs Thailand Elite associated with the government?
Robert ********
They are owned by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and will be around for a very long time.
Jeff *****
OPThey sent information. I will read the website more closely.
Robert ********
Have you read any information on their website?
Jeff *****
OPI did not know the program has been in existence for 10 years ...
Robert ********
They no longer offer life memberships, but the privileges are great if you intend on remaining here for the long term or if you travel frequently or even if you don't want to travel to get a new visa.
Robert ********
I've been a member for over 10 years and expect to remain one for the rest of my life. I'm quite happy with all the services offered.
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