My Elite Visa Application (Day 1 until the End)

[Ohyesuare]

1 minute ago, Jackie2013 said:

Hi guys, 

They have a 90-day report service here in Pattaya, apparently. Anyone used it, is it as hassle free as it's advertised?

 

I've never tried but doing it online after doing the first one in person takes a minute and is as hassle free as it gets. https://tm47.immigration.go.th/tm47/#/login

[Jackie2013]

7 minutes ago, Ohyesuare said:

I've never tried but doing it online after doing the first one in person takes a minute and is as hassle free as it gets. https://tm47.immigration.go.th/tm47/#/login

Bless, wasn't aware. Case solved!

[LASportsNut]

18 minutes ago, Jackie2013 said:

Hi guys, 

They have a 90-day report service here in Pattaya, apparently. Anyone used it, is it as hassle free as it's advertised?

 

Yes, I have used it over 5 times.

The Friday (or week before is ok too) your 90 days is up you drop it off on a Monday.

Then the following Friday you pick it up in the afternoon.

There is no money exchanged as it is part of the Thai Elite Service.

I have never tipped however I suppose you can.

[Jackie2013]

3 minutes ago, LASportsNut said:

Yes, I have used it over 5 times.

The Friday (or week before is ok too) your 90 days is up you drop it off on a Monday.

Then the following Friday you pick it up in the afternoon.

There is no money exchanged as it is part of the Thai Elite Service.

I have never tipped however I suppose you can.

Great! 

On another note: 

I'm in the early stages of reading the T&C - so this might be very clear to me later. 

- As the application completion date is somewhat of a moving number, is there any immediate downside (or upside) arriving in the country on a - let's say - tourist visa before the application is completed? Will I be asked to leave- and reenter? 

 

[LASportsNut]

12 minutes ago, Jackie2013 said:

Great! 

On another note: 

I'm in the early stages of reading the T&C - so this might be very clear to me later. 

- As the application completion date is somewhat of a moving number, is there any immediate downside (or upside) arriving in the country on a - let's say - tourist visa before the application is completed? Will I be asked to leave- and reenter? 

 

No.  The Thai Elite Visa is actually a tourist or holiday visa as well.  

I would just contact Thai Elite and make an appointment to get the elite visa inserted in your passport. They will do the rest or give you further instruction.  

[Jackie2013]

If we compare these 3 cards: 

https://www.thailandelite.com/membership/compare/?packages=606a9c448982db01f9dbcc7a&packages=606a9d2d8982db01f9dbcc7d&packages=6081aced0ddafa001474d6a7

Would you agree with me that the Elite Easy Access makes the most sense? Just upgrade it to a 20y for the same (total cost) - if you want to stay longer than 5 years. 

How come the card to the left cost as much as the 20y card, but the only benefit is 1 yearly health exam? Is there more to it? 

[LASportsNut]

I agree.

However, what if they raise the cost on the 20 year selection?

I don't see the price remaining the same in 5 more years.

[Just Browsing]

2 hours ago, LASportsNut said:

I agree.

However, what if they raise the cost on the 20 year selection?

I don't see the price remaining the same in 5 more years.

(Currently) you can choose to upgrade at anytime during the 5 year Visa so if after 6 months you get news/wind that they're going to up the price to move to the 20 year option then you should have enough time to upgrade before it kicks in. 

But I'm with you, if your mind is set on the 20 years then just get it done as soon as possible and then you don't have to worry for 20 years  

 

I keep having this inner fight with myself that the 20 year visa is "Only" 200K on top of the 800K that I have to keep in the bank (which is spent money to me) especialy as...

1. I Pay an agent 8,000 pa to do my extension (12,000 with the Re-entry permit) but with PE I would only have to pay 1,900b so would save 10,100 pa (202,000b over 20 years - am 2k in credit already  This assumes, erroneously, that I don't leave Thailand in that calendar year... Reality is it would cost me nothing at immigration (Saving a further 1,900 x 20 = 38,000 over 20 years) 
2. I tend to fly Business Class (Internationally) to/from BKK because I hate queuing up at immigration... (Used to pay Thailand Long Stay Management 20K pa for Fast Track in & out but it seems this is no more) - 1 economy flight (instead of Business) to the UK pa would save 70-80K. 

It feels like a no-brainer but pulling the trigger on a 1Million baht / 20 year commitment also feels very scary!

Edited May 9, 2023 by Just Browsing

[LASportsNut]

8 minutes ago, Just Browsing said:

(Currently) you can choose to upgrade at anytime during the 5 year Visa so if after 6 months you get news/wind that they're going to up the price to move to the 20 year option then you should have enough time to upgrade before it kicks in. 

But I'm with you, if your mind is set on the 20 years then just get it done as soon as possible and then you don't have to worry for 20 years  

I keep having this inner fight with myself that the 20 year visa is "Only" 200K on top of the 800K that I have to keep in the bank (which is spent money to me) especialy as...

1. I Pay an agent 8,000 pa to do my extension (12,000 with the Re-entry permit) but with PE I would only have to pay 1,900b so would save 10,100 pa (202,000b over 20 years - am 2k in credit already  ) 
2. I tend to fly Business Class (Internationaly) to/from BKK because I hate queuing up at immigration... (Used to pay Thailand Long Stay Management 20K pa for Fast Track in & out but it seems this is no more) - 1 economy flight (instead of Business) to the UK pa would save 70-80K. 

It feels like a no-brainer but pulling the trigger on a 1Million baht / 20 year commitment also feels very scary!

Ya, it was a little difficult to part with the million baht but at the time it was during covid and there were not too many options to get back into LOS.

I went for it and do not have any regrets, except.....555

1. When I purchased mine, I do not recall the 5 year visa with the optional upgrade to 20 years.
2. The investor visa was not an option then.  I would have considered this option as well.

[Jackie2013]

43 minutes ago, Just Browsing said:

(Currently) you can choose to upgrade at anytime during the 5 year Visa so if after 6 months you get news/wind that they're going to up the price to move to the 20 year option then you should have enough time to upgrade before it kicks in. 

But I'm with you, if your mind is set on the 20 years then just get it done as soon as possible and then you don't have to worry for 20 years  

You pretty much summarized my initial strategy. My fear is, however, that Thailand will do an overnight rug-pull i.e. the upgrade fee goes from 400k to 800k - or even worse - discontinued as an option. 

Please read this article, gents, as it gives some color on the history of the scheme: 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2496091/the-lowdown-on-the-high-end-scheme

I wasn't aware how close it was they shut it down completely. I'm relieved to read that one thing that stopped them from closing down, was to honor the earlier pre-payments (i.e. massive refunds). 

To be honest, I'm leaning towards the 1m 20y option as my first option. However, I've mailed TE and asked them if they honor the rules for "us" who buys now (for the coming 5 years, irrespective what changes are made to the scheme as a whole). I don't expect any answer, but I'll let you know if they reply. 

[Jackie2013]

And, to the credit of @LASportsNut, I do believe he was correct when stating that the 500k Early Access (5Y) didn't have the 400k upgrade to a 20Y plan - back when he bought it. I did some calendar/date adjusted Googling, and the only upgrade that was repeatedly mentioned was the 1,5m upgrade to the "Elite Ultimate Privilege Membership". 

If this is correct, it does strengthen my earlier "gut feeling" that the 20Y 400k upgrade could disappear, just as quickly as it appeared as a new option. 

 

Edited May 9, 2023 by Jackie2013

[LASportsNut]

Just an update on the Elite Personal Assistants they provide at the airport.

Due to covid, I was never able to use the service, as it was suspended.

Then last year, I requested it but they require a 24 hour notice, which I did not know about.  I gave 20 hours notice and was denied this service.

So this year, I gave them 45 days notice, to be told I could not give notice more than 30 days from arrival (WTF).

I arrived and my assigned Elite Personal Assistant was waiting for me. She had a sign with my name on it.

I greeted her and she escorted me to the Thai Elite golf cart.

We drove through the airport as she lightly tapped the horn moving aside the pedestrians blocking the path.

After about 6-7 minutes we arrived to the fast track immigration line.  She told me what line to go in and disappeared.

My passport expires in February 2024 so the immigration officer only stamped my passport until that date, instead of the entire 365 days I am normally entitled.   This works out as I plan on flying back to the USA in January 2024.

As I had my passport handed back to me I saw my Elite Personal Assistant suddenly at my side as I walked though to the luggage retrieval area.

We waited for my luggage and chatted, while another Elite Personal Assistant showed up.  This time a male.

After about 12-15 minutes my luggage had appeared and I attempted to gather them but was cut off by the male assistant.  He loaded both bags on a cart and escorted me past customs and to Gate #3 where one of Meow's drivers was waiting for me.

They took me all the way there.  I felt obligated to tip but was unsure.  I inquired if they accepted tips and the female indicated they do.

I was going to give them 500 baht each, but it seamed rather foolish, since my entire transportation with Meow was only gong to cost 1100 baht.  

So I gave them each 200 baht and we said our good-byes.

It was a very positive experience as they were professional, courteous, and not pushy whatsoever.

[Jackie2013]

6 minutes ago, LASportsNut said:

BKK Airport: TE Experience

May I ask, wouldn't a taxi ride to Pattaya be included in TE? I haven't reached all the perks yet, so I might be mistaking here. 

[LASportsNut]

Just now, Jackie2013 said:

May I ask, wouldn't a taxi ride to Pattaya be included in TE? I haven't reached all the perks yet, so I might be mistaking here. 

No.  Only BKK.

You can pay extra for Pattaya.

Also, the one I purchased does not come with some of the perks.  To have all the perks for 20 years you must pay 2 million baht instead of 1 million baht. 

I figured I can pay for my own transportation to save 1 million baht.

[Ohyesuare]

11 hours ago, LASportsNut said:

No.  Only BKK.

You can pay extra for Pattaya.

Also, the one I purchased does not come with some of the perks.  To have all the perks for 20 years you must pay 2 million baht instead of 1 million baht. 

I figured I can pay for my own transportation to save 1 million baht.

Just to add, they changed things last year so you do get transfers to Pattaya now but it uses up more of your yearly quota if you are on Easy Access or other plans that include taxi transfers.

[LASportsNut]

22 minutes ago, Ohyesuare said:

Just to add, they changed things last year so you do get transfers to Pattaya now but it uses up more of your yearly quota if you are on Easy Access or other plans that include taxi transfers.

Thank you for the clarification. 

[Jackie2013]

1 hour ago, Ohyesuare said:

Just to add, they changed things last year so you do get transfers to Pattaya now but it uses up more of your yearly quota if you are on Easy Access or other plans that include taxi transfers.

Aha, so the 24/Year Short Haul that comes with the Elite Easy Access can be "converted" to a a single Long Haul (i.e. 3:1, or something) - yes? 

[markhaenses]

2 hours ago, Jackie2013 said:

Aha, so the 24/Year Short Haul that comes with the Elite Easy Access can be "converted" to a a single Long Haul (i.e. 3:1, or something) - yes? 

True, so you get 8 long haul transfers per year, but the caveat is that the flight must be international one.

[Jackie2013]

Several affiliate-sites ("agents") that offer Thai Elite states that Credit Card is one of the available payment options. That would be very convenient for me. I will of course go via the official route, so I wonder - did you guys see CC as an payment option? 

[Jackie2013]

In regards to our earlier discussion of the viability of the program, and how quick the might terminate a certain perk etc. - today's news might provides us some insight. 

In short, they're terminating the Elite Family Excursion card. It was announced May 15th and sales will stop June 15th. Everyone that has applied before June 15th will have their card. All the perks with the card will be valid until the original  membership period ends.

https://www.thailandelite.com/news/64635900c09dcf531c2bc388/?category=privileges 

Pretty good. 

[Tingtong4Thai]

On 16/05/2023 at 21:24, Jackie2013 said:

In regards to our earlier discussion of the viability of the program, and how quick the might terminate a certain perk etc. - today's news might provides us some insight. 
 

Looks like price increases are on the way.   Not clear if there will also be changes that affect current elite visa holders who have an option to extend.

 

 

[Ohyesuare]

42 minutes ago, Tingtong4Thai said:

Looks like price increases are on the way.   Not clear if there will also be changes that affect current elite visa holders who have an option to extend.

 

 

May be true in the future but for now just clickbait of unsubstantiated rumors from sales agents who earn a commission.

[Jackie2013]

2 hours ago, Ohyesuare said:

May be true in the future but for now just clickbait of unsubstantiated rumors from sales agents who earn a commission.

Isn't everything a "unsubstantiated rumour" until an official declaration has been made...? 

I'm extremely confident that I substantial price increase is coming this autumn when TE Financial Year (September) ends. So, I've actually advised my friends that are on the fence of getting an TE, to do it quickly. 

One thing is certain: it will never be cheaper. 

A few things that "substantiate" my point: 

- Thailand Elite, according to several newspapers such as BangkokPost, have a huge uptake (in the 100% YoY) in 2022 and 2023

- Same sources claiming that TE, because of this enormous influx of new members, needs to hire a lot more staff to greet members at the Airport, and that the Elite Immigration Pass is actually getting congested. 

 

Now, if you look at this two points in a business sense of things (after all, TE is state owned but it's governed to be profitable - and they do run a P&L) - wouldn't you raise prices? 

 

I'm gonna be a bit edgy this afternoon and claim that we see a minimum 30% price increase on the 20Y Visa (costs 1m today) within 4 months. 

Edited July 23, 2023 by Jackie2013

[LASportsNut]

The Thailand Elite Visa has now been renamed to Thailand Privilege Visa.

Here is a LINK to the new site.

[ocka]

33 minutes ago, LASportsNut said:

The Thailand Elite Visa has now been renamed to Thailand Privilege Visa.

Here is a LINK to the new site.

Nice to see they have not raised the price on the 20 year option.