@James ********

no need to join

John Foose wait until you have an accident, but then if you are driving unlicensed, you probably don’t have adequate insurance either.

Post a photo of how you were dressed when applying.

Also, what was the amount of initial deposit?

No one ever answers this.

@Jeffrey ********

Im not intimately familiar but I read on the official website you still must report annually (in Bangkok?), and renew the LTR after 5 years.

I think I get fast track with Thai Airways status and *everyone* has to wait for their luggage together.

@Marty ********

Where do you get ฿20,000/year from. What is that for?

The Non-O extension is ฿1900/yr or with an agent slightly more and 30 minutes of time.

90 day reporting can be done online in minutes, or you can hire an agent to do it for you for ฿2000/year.

I cannot fathom why those eligible for a Non-O visa extension based on retirement would ever consider a LTR or worse, an Elite Visa.

It’s not a financially literate decision.

@Peter *******

A few weeks ago I challenged a guy to come meet me at K Bank in CM, not dressed like a begpacker and open an account with a minimum deposit of ฿20,000.

He arrived early without me and accomplished it himself.

I don’t have the energy to convince you it’s a really bad decision based on inaccurate information.

Good luck.

@Linz ***********

Opening a bank account takes all of one visit, and 30 minutes at the Maya mall.

Driver’s license is 1-2 hours at most with a valid license, IDP residency certificate and Doctors exam.

You need to read the fine print of the elite visa and talk to people that have tried to use the services.

Many of the services are severely limited or restricted (read the fine print), apply only to Bangkok, or are one time only.

A Non-O is ฿1900 or $55/year.

An elite visa is about $10,000 over a five year term ($2,000/year).

That’s 36 times more expensive.

For $1000, we might be able to get the Governor of the province to assist you in opening a bank account and getting a license.

Finally, there is not as much peace of mind with an elite visa (or any visa) as you may think. Thailand can revoke your visa for any reason, at any time.

@Linz ***********

The Non-O for you is a much better and much less expensive option IMHO.

Your wife can come as a trailing/dependent spouse. Her lack of income is irrelevant.

The dog does not require a visa or proof of income.

You need to do much more research before you waste money.