Thread: Elite Visa still worth it?

Edtwat, don’t be so fucking stupid, they don’t offer PR after three years, they offer you in a fucking disingenuous way the opportunity to apply but successful applications are limited to the number of your brain cells each year, and that is evidently less than the number of your digits.

Christ, engaging with you morons is akin to talking to a fucking tree.

Mendip, don’t indulge him, he’s a fucking moron.

Originally Posted by Mendip

You forgot having visits by immigration officers fishing for bribes.

I have only had 1 visit from immigration and that was the initial application. Hasn't happened again and won't.

Originally Posted by Mendip

et after 17 years I am still considered an Alien, will never even get Permanent Residency

I agree with you Mendy. You would think at some point they would see a track record and set up a "Reach this many years and you are a resident". Their system is archaic with zero flexibility

Originally Posted by Mendip

where I'm not even allowed to work.

You can work here ( I do) however that is an expat. TEFLR work here. However to start up a business and work has to be owned by a Thai.

IMHO, the system here is flawed. While I understand they want to control foreigners from coming in to buy up prime real-estate, they could review the current systems in place. That will never happen. They just do not understand how to manage it.

^ Yeah, I realise I could work here, but not in my profession. As an 'Expat' I could maybe get a package in Singapore in the offshore industry, but not Thailand.

I'm not a teacher and I have no wish to start a company with a Thai partner with a minority stake.

The Thais must lose out on a lot of potential tax revenue from their inflexibility?

Democratising land sale by making property a free market would enrich all the Thai but that would mean the top 20 families who own and control Thailand as their private fiefdom would have to compete and that would never do.

The Chinese Thai that basically own and control the place like to keep it all in house mate, divvied between themselves- political power, military power, foreign investment rules, foreign ownership of property, the ridiculously onerous rules for foreign expats- everything. That's why I think investing in Thailand except for the family abode (a gift) and listed shares is a bad idea.

Originally Posted by sabang

That's why I think investing in Thailand except for the family abode (a gift) and listed shares is a bad idea.

I agree, and at times I sometimes regret building a house here.

If that money (in 2007) had gone into property in the UK rather than Korat, it would have made a great return and 17 years (yeah, I sometimes can't believe it) of rent wouldn't have been a lot in Korat.

But then I wouldn't have a pond and a chicken run, and probably not even a pack of street dogs. Anna would have died long ago... I wouldn't have even met her. Deep stuff.

It can't be all about money.

You guys could get a job with the Thai gov. promoting retiring in Thailand

Just pay an agent each year and save yourselves the angst.

It doesn't cost much more than 3 nights at a decent hotel

Just think of all the great times you have had here over the years.

How about 17 cold winters in England.

Originally Posted by Mendip

I agree, and at times I sometimes regret building a house here.

If that money (in 2007) had gone into property in the UK rather than Korat, it would have made a great return and 17 years (yeah, I sometimes can't believe it) of rent wouldn't have been a lot in Korat.

But then I wouldn't have a pond and a chicken run, and probably not even a pack of street dogs. Anna would have died long ago... I wouldn't have even met her. Deep stuff.

It can't be all about money.

^ they are all a bit glass half full, the marriage the visa renewal isn't even 1/2 a months council tax, you can't get a GP appointment for love nor money and good luck with dentists and we won't start on cost of living

Originally Posted by naptownmike

You guys could get a job with the Thai gov. promoting retiring in Thailand

Just pay an agent each year and save yourselves the angst.

It doesn't cost much more than 3 nights at a decent hotel

I have considered that option, but they won't let me work!

The thing is, it's not the actual angst or cost of the renewal (I pay an agent and do very little now), but it's the feeling of impermanence and always being considered a 'non immigrant' that prevents me feeling settled and at home. And investing more money.

Originally Posted by naptownmike

Just think of all the great times you have had here over the years.
How about 17 cold winters in England.

Yeah, I know. Mike, come and visit me in Korat sometime, always welcome!

I often spend my Winters in UK or Scandinavia (work).

But you're right, I've had many great times in Thailand. In fact my daughter's passport is up for renewal right now!

Originally Posted by malmomike77

^ they are all a bit glass half full, the marriage the visa renewal isn't even 1/2 a months council tax, you can't get a GP appointment for love nor money and good luck with dentists and we won't start on cost of living

Half empty I think!

It's not the cost, it's the lack of rights in a country I've lived in for 17 years.

But yeah, I have a great Dentist in Korat... just ask Ootai! She's lovely, but this is probably going off topic.

Originally Posted by Mendip

Yet after 17 years

That's 14 years after you could have gone for Thai permanent residence.

Just think, you could be paying taxexile a fortune to look after your teeth

Originally Posted by Mendip

It can't be all about money.

And that right there is the truth of the discussion. Money isn't everything. I have zero regrets building a house here. In the big picture it was a fraction of the cost compared to owning in areas I would want to in the states. So you either let a bank own you in the US or your wife owns it here. I'd rather her enjoy the benefits versus a financial institution foreclosing in the event of a economic downturn.

While I could easily return to the states, I have little or no desire primarily as its not about the money. It's about my easy laid back quality of life. No dog eat dog, no uncle Sam with his hands in my pocket for everything I do. Sure there are a few inconveniences here but they aren't really that bad in the big picture.

Regardless though, I would never commit to an Elite Visa or any odd long term Visa. Right now life is simple and easy.

Originally Posted by Mendip

Half empty I think!

It's not the cost, it's the lack of rights in a country I've lived in for 17 years.

oop yes you half empty you, there's a lot more makes me smile in Thailand at an everyday level than in the UK - sometimes the grass looks greener elsewhere but that's not necessarily the case as i'm sure you are aware

Originally Posted by Edmond

That's 14 years after you could have gone for Thai permanent residence.

Pray tell, what are the rules for PR?

Years of tax returns, donations to charities? How did you achieve it Edmond?

You've probably heard the Rule of 3F's, but my experience has lead to the 4F rule.

If it flies, fucks, floats or is a fixed asset n Thailand- it's cheaper to rent.

Originally Posted by Mendip

Pray tell, what are the rules for PR?

3 consecutive annual extensions.

A reason. Thai (or naturalized Thai) Wife/child is acceptable.

Originally Posted by sabang

You've probably heard the Rule of 3F's, but my experience has lead to the 4F rule.

If it flies, fucks, floats or is a fixed asset n Thailand- it's cheaper to rent.

It sounds like you made poor decisions. Which is on you.


You weren't the first.

You won't be the last.

Originally Posted by Stumpy

your wife owns it here.

Actually, it's not that simple (for them)

We were in the land office a week or two ago, and the topic of a Usufruct came up with the land department officer about another house we own, and they said I don't have one on it, and if I want it it's only a few baht.

Sure, hook it up. Later that day I paid the 75 baht, and have my name on the chanote (Thai title deeds) as the listed usufruct 'until death'.

Which means the property cannot be sold or used as collateral without my legal written consent. Have full control of who lives there, and if we do sell it, I still have full legal usufruct rights, which is basically as full legal house master, no matter what, until I die.


So many Westerners come here, stay completely illiterate, and take what some drunk, indignant ditch-digger says about Thai visa and property rules as gospel.

Originally Posted by sabang

If it flies, fucks, floats

fornicates you ocker heathen

Originally Posted by Edmond

3 consecutive annual extensions.

A reason. Thai (or naturalized Thai) Wife/child is acceptable.

So you have PR in Thailand, can stay at will and are completely free to work here in your chosen profession, all above board?

That sound great, I've never known anyone else who has achieved this. Please can you give some pointers?

Originally Posted by Mendip

I've never known anyone else who has achieved this.

Quite a few posters on here have PR.

Originally Posted by Mendip

Please can you give some pointers?

There's a big long thread involving numerous posters that have done it, somewhere or other.

There will never be a good time for a comment from jeff, but...

Originally Posted by Mendip

So you have PR in Thailand, can stay at will and are completely free to work here in your chosen profession?

Profession?

Mao?

I'd go insane if i had to do annual renewals. And would gladly pay a fair some of money to avoid it.

Hell. I'm 38. A year feels like 7 months. As i have heard , this gets worse with age. It must feel like 5 months by the time you are 50 and so on.

By the time you are done your extension , it's almost time to start dreading and procrastinating about it again. That's how i am with taxes anyway

A million baht is probably my total of fines for being late on my taxes since i was 16. Late charges just this year was $2000