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Thailand Elite Visa flaws my review!


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On 3/20/2019 at 12:51 AM, richard_smith237 said:

I'm not so sure about 'no advantage'....  I've been Married for 9 years (erm, I think...) so I am eligible for the Type O Marriage Visa....(or a visa based on supporting my Son).

 

According to the T&C I signed at the time my membership is transferable. I've been offered 1MB for my Elite Visa, which If I understand it provides the 'purchaser' (person buying membership off me) the same terms (AOT Transport, Airport service, Golf, Massage etc), but for only for 20 years (from date of Purchase).

 

But, the Thai Elite Visa has been of such convenience I figured it was worth keeping, for the speedy pass through Immigration, someone picks up my baggage, we head straight through customs and into a waiting car...  Then there's the Yearly Medical, Massage and Golf if you want it... 

 

I consider renewing my Driving License as much hassle as waiting in an Immigration Queue for an hour after a long flight... and a lot less hassle than renewing my Type O visa at Chaeng Wattana on a yearly basis. 

 

I don't like renewing my Driving License every 2 years, but while we're at it, shouldn't we also be cliticising the need to renew every 5 years.... especially in a country with such poor quality of testing. Why not provide foreigners living here with a license for 25 years and be done with the 5 year renewals?

 

 

 

 

 

 

A 20 year old ELite visa is 1 million, so why would anyone offer you the same price ?

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1 hour ago, AtoZ said:

You can get 1 year visa in Vietnam - just pay $360 if I remember correctly and fill the forms.

I love Vietnam, especially the north like Hanoi, cold in the winters but very nice and friendly people. I could live there for a few years. 

 

 

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Just now, balo said:

I love Vietnam, especially the north like Hanoi, cold in the winters but very nice and friendly people. I could live there for a few years. 

 

 

I've only been to Hanoi and surroundings but I don't know if I could handle all the motorcycles and the crossing the street thing. I've heard it's much worse in HCM. Hard to even imagine that. 

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33 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

don't know if I could handle all the motorcycles and the crossing the street thing.

I have been bicycling there during my trips and yes bikes everywhere, but if you avoid the main centre , it's not really that bad. Crossing the street as a pedestrian can sometimes be a challenge but not as bad as in Bangkok. 

 

The only minus for me is the cold winter months, where temperatures can get down to freezing point.

 

Talking about the hospitality, the locals are more curious about foreigners than in Thailand.

I was invited into a stranger's home once for a cup of tea. They showed me pictures from the 1970's and relatives who died during the war. Many people speak a little bit of English or French so I think they just want to know what we think about their past and try to understand the outside world, Very different from Thailand. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by balo
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2 hours ago, AtoZ said:
On 3/19/2019 at 4:44 PM, richard_smith237 said:

With all the complaints - I'm struggling to find a country where those who don't meet the Immigration requirements can still live (i.e. Non working, Single, Sub-retirement age) yet still pay a lump of money to live where they want long term.

 

Have you visited any other country outside of Thailand before making assumptions?

 

You can get 1 year visa in Vietnam - just pay $360 if I remember correctly and fill the forms.

 

You can stay in Philippines as soon as you are 35 years old with refundable deposit. The visa is for life, without extensions, reporting and other crap

 

Just to name two, nearby and comparable countries.

 

Should have clarified my comments...  rephrase... I'm struggling to find a country [I'd want to live in] where those who don't meet the Immigration requirements can still live.....

 

I've both worked in and visited Philippines and Vietnam - I wouldn't wish to live in either country. 

I wouldn't wish to live in Cambodia, Burma or Malaysia or Singapore either (for varying reasons). 

 

Spain could be an option or Greece....  But, I don't need to move, because I found a perfectly reasonable option in the Thai Elite Visa (valid for life when I purchased it), but if that fails I still have the Type O (either through Marriage or my Son being a defendant), or in 6 years the retirement Visa...  there are plenty of Visa options in Thailand....  you just have to be able to meet the requirements. 

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1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

I've only been to Hanoi and surroundings but I don't know if I could handle all the motorcycles and the crossing the street thing. I've heard it's much worse in HCM. Hard to even imagine that. 

It's truly frightening, the first time I went there, a local had to help me across the road.

Step into the road making eye contact with all the oncoming m/cs, and walk at a steady pace across the road and they will miss you.

 

It worked, I survived.

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2 hours ago, AtoZ said:

You can stay in Philippines as soon as you are 35 years old with refundable deposit. The visa is for life, without extensions, reporting and other crap

But $1,400 application fee, then $360/year, includes health care.

Covers your wife and child as well.

 

Cambodia is cheaper at a straight $300/year (multiple entry)

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7 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

But $1,400 application fee, then $360/year, includes health care.

Covers your wife and child as well.

 

Cambodia is cheaper at a straight $300/year (multiple entry)

There is a newer thing about the Philippine program. They have a plan for people with medical conditions. The pension requirement is higher than the others. I've brought this up before and someone said no worries, because I don't believe it. That's because they do a medical evaluation as part of the application. It seems to me that if you some typical chronic medical conditions associated with old that will show up and you will be in the medical class. I don't think it's only for people in comas. I could be wrong but I wouldn't even invest in an application (which includes a bank deposit there) without being sure and you might not be sure until it's too late, and then if your pension is under that medical class option, you're screwed.

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15 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

There is a newer thing about the Philippine program. They have a plan for people with medical conditions. The pension requirement is higher than the others. I've brought this up before and someone said no worries, because I don't believe it. That's because they do a medical evaluation as part of the application. It seems to me that if you some typical chronic medical conditions associated with old that will show up and you will be in the medical class. I don't think it's only for people in comas. I could be wrong but I wouldn't even invest in an application (which includes a bank deposit there) without being sure and you might not be sure until it's too late, and then if your pension is under that medical class option, you're screwed.

No/Yes, it's for everyone, there's even a special retirement VISA for the chronically ill SRRV Human Touch.

(But you need Health Insurance acceptable in Philippine hospitals)

 

https://pra.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/SRRV-Info-Guide-04.14.15.pdf

Mind you the medical evaluation is probably the same as Thailand, if you can walk in, you've passed.

I don't have any medical problems, despite being really old, so it doesn't really worry me.

 

Still a bit pricey IMHO (but cheaper than Thailand).

I'd just go as a tourist and extend indefinitely with a jump out and in every 3 years.

That's a lot cheaper at around $300/year, no deposit or financial.

Edited by BritManToo
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5 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

No, it's for everyone, there's even a special retirement VISA for the chronically ill SRRV Human Touch.

(But you need Health Insurance acceptable in Philippine hospitals)

 

https://pra.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/SRRV-Info-Guide-04.14.15.pdf

Mind you the medical evaluation is probably the same as Thailand, if you can walk in, you've passed.

I don't have any medical problems, despite being really old, so it doesn't really worry me.

You misunderstood my post. I was talking about the medical one. It's not described as people that are chronically ill. 

 

This is the language. That could mean lots of things. Again, many older people have chronic conditions, often multiple ones, that certainly require visiting doctors, and who knows who they would push into this class or not. Also lets say you go in otherwise and develop conditions that would fit their human touch definition. Then what happens? It seems to me they could push you  into that and you might not qualify for that financially.


 

Quote

 

SRRV HUMAN TOUCH

For ailing retirees, 35 years old & above, who need/require medical/clinical care. A monthly pension of at least US$1,500.00, a health insurance policy accepted in the Philippines, and an SRR Visa deposit of US$10,000.00 are required.

 

https://pra.gov.ph/srrv/

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6 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Also lets say you go in otherwise and develop conditions that would fit their human touch definition.

Once you're in, you're in as long as you keep paying the $360.

And you don't have to use their doctors, or even apply from within the Philippines.

Thai doctors certificate, Thai police certificate, certified by the nearest Philippine Embassy (if not in English).

You can get all that done before you pay for the application.

You can even pass on your SRRV to your partner/kid if you die.

Although I wouldn't bother, I'd stay as a permanent tourist, or maybe marry a local, much cheaper.

(I actually prefer Cambodia and Vietnam, Philippines would be my 3rd choice)

 

You worry much too much and overthink everything.

Edited by BritManToo
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1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

Once you're in, you're in as long as you keep paying the $360.

And you don't have to use their doctors, or even apply from within the Philippines.

Thai doctors certificate, Thai police certificate, certified by the nearest Philippine Embassy (if not in English).

You can get all that done before you pay for the application.

 

You worry much too much.

Really?

So you put money in the bank there and then they don't like your medical application and then they say your pension isn't enough for the program we think you belong in. No thanks. I won't bother with that kind of uncertainty. It could be you don't have medical issues and can't relate.

Edited by Jingthing
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4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

So you put money in the bank there

I don't put money in any foreign countries banks, unless it's for monthly living expenses.

My money stays firmly in the UK.

 

Thailand ain't getting 800k, Philippines ain't getting $10,000 ...... end of.

(There might be some wiggle room in my decision if they gave me citizenship and a passport)

Edited by BritManToo
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They require bank deposits! I think they are required BEFORE application. 
 

http://www.mylawyer.asia/node/36

  1. Quote

     

    1. SRRV SMILE: for active/healthy principal retirees 35 years old and above who would like to maintain their Visa deposit of USD20,000.00 in any of the PRA designated banks;
       
    2. SRRV CLASSIC: for active/healthy principal retirees who would opt to use their VISA deposit of USD10,000.00 or USD20,000.00 (50 years old and above) or USD50,000.00 (35 to 49 years old) to purchase condominium units or use for long term lease of house and lot;
       
    3. SRRV COURTESY: for former Filipinos (35 years old and above), and foreign nationals (50 years old & above) who have served in the Philippines as diplomats, ambassadors, officers/staff of international organizations.
       
    4. SRRV HUMAN TOUCH: for ailing principal retirees (35 years old and above), who are shown to have medical/clinical needs and services. Under this option. The retiree only needs to have a Visa deposit of USD10,000.00, a monthly pension of at least USD1,500.00 and a Health Insurance Policy.

     

     

Edited by Jingthing
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I don't put money in any foreign countries banks, unless it's for monthly living expenses.
My money stays firmly in the UK.
 
Thailand ain't getting 800k, Philippines ain't getting $10,000 ...... end of.
(There might be some wiggle room in my decision if they gave me citizenship and a passport)
Looking at the foreign exchange charts that wasn't a good decision... [emoji28]
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It depends what year you decided to do it.
If I'd put my money in a Thai bank in 1997, I'd have been very sad.
3rd world countries are volatile, and you might lose all your money, or 50% in a moment.
The Dutch cannabis businessman put millions in a Thai bank, and lost it all along with his liberty.
Spanish guy had his Elite VISA cancelled by the police without any due process.
 
I have enough to last me until I die, if I'm not stupid.
Stupid to me is 3rd world banks/investments/properties/expensive multi-year VISAs.
I doubt you have ever seen a third world country. Let me guess, you are a Brexiteer? [emoji28]
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4 minutes ago, ExpatDraco said:

I doubt you have ever seen a third world country. Let me guess, you are a Brexiteer? emoji28.png

I've visited plenty of countries that were never part of NATO or part of the Soviet Bloc.

Another one for my ignore list.

Edited by BritManToo
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10 hours ago, Jingthing said:

It might be more fun to order the limo drive to drop you off at a homeless shelter. Do they have homeless shelters in Bangkok? Would the Elite Card people cancel your membership for being a hobo? 

Best place for drop off would be down at the docks, where the huge klong toei slums are. Such a destination would strike terror into the heart of any BMW 7 series limo driver. 

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33 minutes ago, Benroon said:

Excellent post and one that's got me thinking about it - the massage thing, like you I don't like the bone re-arranging thai massage thing - could they not have just done you an oil one, or other, but billed for a thai massage ? 

Oil = 300 baht, and Thai 200.  Maybe a bit more in Bangkok.  I usually pay 300 for the Thai version, including 100 baht tip.  I find the "bone-rearranging" makes paying a chiropractor unnecessary.

I can only guess 1000 was for "special" / happy-ending types?

 

10 hours ago, Jingthing said:

It might be more fun to order the limo drive to drop you off at a homeless shelter. Do they have homeless shelters in Bangkok? Would the Elite Card people cancel your membership for being a hobo? 

That's the beauty of it - after you pay, no more requirements to meet.  Even if you go-broke from buying it, you get to stay.  "But only a fool would blow a huge chunk of their savings," on such a thing, right?  Nope - see "casinos." 

 

That they offer this, and agent-extensions, puts a huge laugh into the pretense that they "really care" if you meet some convoluted income/bank requirement scheme.

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2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

(I actually prefer Cambodia and Vietnam, Philippines would be my 3rd choice)

Just curious why this choice? For me it's 1. Philippines, 2. Vietnam, 3. Thailand

 

only reason I spend way too much time in Thailand is because we have (farang) friends there and my gf is Thai

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12 minutes ago, AtoZ said:

Just curious why this choice? For me it's 1. Philippines, 2. Vietnam, 3. Thailand

Maybe because he is thinking about his own safety and natural disasters like the endless tropical storms and earth quakes , and the poor infrastructure.

 

For me Philippines would be at the bottom of the list.  I don't like a country where you can't walk out late at night alone without looking over your shoulder . 

 

 

 

Edited by balo
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2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Step into the road making eye contact with all the oncoming m/cs, and walk at a steady pace across the road and they will miss you.

Slow, regular and predictable movements are the order of the day. No sudden lurching left and right, jumping forwards etc such as they recommended when the Washington sniper was at large. 

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1 hour ago, ExpatDraco said:

And that's your definition of third world countries? Ouch... ignore list. emoji28.png

Uhh... that's exactly the definition of 'third-world' country.

 

The term 'third-world' was originally defined by political ideology, not economics and is only used by folks to denote an economically developing country who don't know any better.

 

The folks who use the term 'developing country' instead of 'third-world' are not bowing at the alter of political correctness when they use that term; they're simply using the correct term for a country that is economically advancing.  

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3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Should have clarified my comments...  rephrase... I'm struggling to find a country [I'd want to live in] where those who don't meet the Immigration requirements can still live.....

No, you made your point clear. But didn't expect anyone to show you otherwise.

 

If there are only 2 or 3 countries in the world to fit your requirements then your previous comment is fluff with no substance.

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