Thailand Expats

Lightemup · #1 06-01-2006, 01:24

A colleague of mine(Who is Expat in Thailand, with Thaiwife and kids, waterbuffaloes etc...) turned me on to this website.

http://www.thailandelite.com

Snipped parts from the website explaining about it:

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Members are entitled to special privileges which cover multiple services provided by both the Thai Government Sector as well as Private Sectors. These include special assistance regarding investment opportunities and investment privileges reserved for Members only.

Amenities

VISA
* Virtually indefinite stay visa
* Immigration formalities taken care of at Thailand Elite Member Service Centre

Perhaps the most important and attractive benefits attached to Thailand Elite membership are the enhanced immigration and visa privileges. Membership confers the right to stay in the Kingdom virtually indefinitely, with five year renewable multiple entry visas issued to all members - as well as renewable 90-day extendable stays without the usual need to leave the country. In addition, you will not be required to perform immigration formalities at Thai Immigration offices. Instead, your visa arrangements will be taken care of in the relaxed surroundings of the Elite Member Service Lounge at Thailand Elite's head office.

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2.2 Validity of the Membership

Membership shall be for the lifetime of the Member provided that the Annual Fee is consecutively paid per annum by the Member to the Company. The unpaid Annual fee will be treated as delinquent. If the Company does not receive full payment of the Annual Fee, then all Privileges provided to the Designee(s) will be suspended until the Member shall thus pay in full of accrued monetary costs based on yearly compounded delinquent(s) plus late payment assessment at the rate of 5% of the said delinquent.

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5. Fee(s) and Conditions

Membership Fee
Baht 1,000,000 per Membership or an equivalent in USD/ GBP / JPY/ Euro subject to an Exchange Rate notified by the Company.

Annual Fee
Baht 40,000 per annum or an equivalent in USD/ GBP / JPY/ Euro subject to an Exchange Rate notified by the Company.

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So anyone heard of it and considered if it's worth it?

I would imagine that visa runs also run up to a certain amount over the years, so if one was determined to stay in Thailand, might it be something to consider? Or is there more to it than at first glance?

I know its a shitload of money, but for some its an affordable option.

Nicke · #2 06-01-2006, 03:27

I dont see any benefits with that card for that money, and the annual fee was never mentioned when I first read about this card.

When it was first was drawn up, you were able to own land in your name but it was later removed. As far I am aware of that Elite card company is also losing money and never sold as expected.

stevem · #3 06-01-2006, 03:27

This is years old. Its started out looking like a potentially OK proposition, but over the years they changed the rules and privileges to a point where its just not worth it.

Originally they were expecting to sell some really high stupid number of these, like 1,000,000 comes to mind at the moment. In reality last I heard only about 100 or so have been sold.

Save your money.

LivinLOS · #4 06-01-2006, 10:51

The whole elite system is one that is a house of cards waiting to collapse..

Started out they said you would be able to own a rai of land.. Then AFTER selling cards based on this promise they renaged on it.. Then they said we will own it for you !! This lets remember is a private company tetering on the edge of bankrupcy (they never did pay for the few 100k USD advertising bill on CNN) so I am supposed to sign my farang assets over to them.. I can see that going my way when they get foreclosed apon..

Now they have added a 40k per year bill to the card.. So do origional holders and buyers (not that there are many) have to pay that ???

The whole scheme is so badly thought out and planned its been a running mockery (read the ThaiVisa threads).. Even the VISA status is in doubt (I hear its no longer extendable and 90 days visa runs are now needed.. Same as my 90 GBP non imm O then !!!)..

Basically its a million baht for some limo rides from the airport and discounted Golf which is less discount than having a pegs card !!

Ohh I forgot.. Big face from flashing your card round at the airport.. Thats what they thought would sell just no one told them that farangs actually look for value in something rather than show and puffery... Hence the sales target of 1 million cards at 1 million each (Taxin loudly boasted 1 billion revenue for Thailand) is more like 1000 cards now and I hear that a good 50% have been gifts to celebs etc..

I will be stunned if its still around in 10 years time.. Swept under the carpet with little fanfare IMHO.. After all its not Thais that will lose when it closes is it ??

Lightemup · #5 06-01-2006, 14:12

Thanks for the input, my colleague is/was considering doing it, but I definetively wont. I'll hand him the info.

Thanks.

Crustasian · #6 06-01-2006, 15:50

A friend of mine has bought one.He is a London based businessman with many Thai business interests as well.He is married to a Thai lady.He was offered the card by the Thai embassy in London.He makes about six trips from London to here on business each year and for him he considers great as he is escorted VIP style through the airport and some lacky fetches his bags.

(This means no customs inspections or immigration hassles)

As he is a wealthy man he does not mind the annual fee as he gets as much out of it as much as he puts in.

One thing he did tell me was that the entire project is being underwritten by the Prince of Thailand and so will probably not be allowed to go under.

LivinLOS · #7 06-01-2006, 16:00

I have never heard it connected to Thai royalty.. Kinda embarrassing that they just left bills hanging with CNN then isnt it ??

The whole thing has been hashed over again and again.. They dont clearly spell out what the benefits are and 25k USD to have someone carry my bags at the airport is a bit rich for my blood..

geespot · #8 10-01-2006, 15:21

5555 jeez give a thai 1 million baht and see where it goes!!!!

Trust a Thai? Get out what u put in? then they would be seriously losing face

Let us own land, can never see that happening sometime soon

G

me123 · #9 10-01-2006, 15:43

Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited (TPC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The company is responsible for the Thailand Elite membership management and recruiting as well as distributing the revenue to the tourism-related operators who are selected as service providers

(TAT) do thay have noodle stalls too.....good investment must be the prince running it (good man)

.or TIGER WOODS..great golf privilieges...

me123 · #10 10-01-2006, 15:56

MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATION...#3 leaves us out i think

Qualification for Membership (Individual)

#1..The applicant/ the Member has not been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of any countries for more than 6 months, irrespective of whether or not he/she has been imprisoned.

#2..The applicant/ the Member has not been declared bankrupt.

#3...The applicant/ the Member has not been declared as a person of unsound mind, incompetent or quasi-incompetent.

#4...The applicant/ the Member is allowed to stay in Thailand in accordance with the immigration laws or any related laws of Thailand.

#5....The applicant/ the Member is not a Thai citizen (or is not a permanent resident in Thailand)

#6.....If any applicant/ Member is under 20 years old, applicant/ Member also represents that he/she has received consent from his/her parent or guardian to be bound by all of the Terms and Conditions in this Membership Agreement.