Nobody knows, rumors are just that, rumors.. Anymore thought on this will confuse you further..

Brilliant, you have come to a perfect place for advice, let me grab my popcorn..

Go to Cambodia or nearby country right before the completion of 1yr and save 3800 for yearly extention, practically free small trip every year on elite visa by saving on extention..

@London ****

I guess its a matter of interpretation or something is lost in translation, the emphasis is on money must be sent from overseas and then converted to Thai baht and most importantly the purpose of sending money must be clear on FET form.. My FET form says something along the line, FYI its in Thai so there you go, chances of something lost in trans.. Larger point is my form is legit and the fact that WISE declaring and DM issuing it is the proof, they wouldnt play with Thai authority if its not legit..

@London ****

Just curious where is such writtem law? Perhaps some misconception or random requirement by specific bank branch, happens quite often in Thailand, law changes from bank to bank and branches.. If you look at WISE website, they have clearly explained procedure to get FET form from its partner and my form clearlt mentions the purpose of remitting money..

Who says WISE doesnt qualify, i have done with thema dn their local banking partner DeeMoney has issued me FET form.. Excellent service by DeeMoney sending me overseas by courier for a small fee, very smooth.. You neex to cjeck transaction details in WISE to see who is local banking partner, more often its DeeMoney..

@Todd ********

Fair enough though depends on individual circumstances, someone planning to make Thailand a long term base and wanting max security/certainity at today's cost would see Elite as bargain. LTR guarantees max 5 yrs and then requalify again, no financial flexibility, future requirement could change and go higher, yearly retirement visa (O types) min deposit requirement could go higher, min insurance requirement could go higher and so on, factor in opportunity cost of all those items plus hassle, today's cost of roughly USD 1500 for Elite with zero string attached would look no-brainer and i would assume someone making 100k plus a year is possibly a smart investor investing/moving millions around would prefer financial flexibility over just 25% of one year income for 20yr visa.. Anyway, end of the day to each its own. :-)

@Giovanni ***************

Fair enough, boils down to individual circumstances, for someone planning long term in Thailand can go for Elite 5+15 (Upgrade) for prudence, point being LTR hardly gives any real benefit compared to onerous requirement it puts in..

@Giovanni ***************

Yes i applied for 20yr Elite visa and got it last month, there is nothing to brag here about being rich or poor, im neither, just a simple math and common sense, factor in financial flexibility and future uncertainities vs locking in fixed cost for 20 yrs and we are talking about wealthy retirees here who are potentially savvy investors.. If i had over 80k/year income, would look at bigger picture and keep the flexibility of moving income generating portfolio to something else, if need be, rather than worrying about 90day reporting... LTR is the most redundant half-baked visa solution (except work permit category which again is already there under failed Smart visa category)

2) LTR need to buy insurance, factor in that cost and future inflation

3) LTR gives 5 yr visa upon first approval, need to prove eligibility again for renewal, factor in personal financial situation/ adjustments, may or may not generate 80k/year for whatever reason

4) If someone is making 80k/year, cost of Elite hardly matters compared to financial flexibility, no burden of declaring actual income to Govt, potential tax liabilities...

5) Bottomline, no point being penny wise dollar fool..