Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing yet again the Thailand Elite Visa program. This has been something that has been talked about a lot among expats here recently. For those who are unaware, the Thailand Elite Program does allow members to gain visas in increments of 5 years or more so a lot of folks view the Thailand Elite Program as kind of a One-Stop if you will, no fuss, no muss, no hassle, kind of Visa Program. You get into the Thailand Elite Membership Program, one of the perks is at least a five-year visa and some folks opt to take 10, 15, 20 years but at least a five-year visa. 

Now as we have discussed in other videos, there is a lot coming down the pike with regard to changes associated with that. There has been a lot of ambiguity and there has also been now a lot of confusion because they have set deadlines and ended them and sort of said well actually it appears they are allowing folks that are already in the system to continue in the system under present terms although that hasn't quite been hammered out and we haven't exactly seen how all that plays out as of the time of this video so we will certainly keep an eye on that. 

I thought of making this video after reading a recent article from the Pattaya Mail, that is pattayamail.com, the article is titled: Thailand Elite cancels Visa change at the last minute. Quoting directly: "As regards new and fresh Elite applications," (so this is new stuff moving forward), quoting further: "paperwork must be submitted by September 15th to qualify for any Elite Visa plan under the old regulations." So that is what we are looking at right now with regard to the deadline associated with the system as it has been up to this point. Quoting further: "The current programs will then be scrapped for new enrollments in a fresh tariff (details not yet known)" As we have discussed in other videos, yeah they are talking about this but we haven't seen the new programs yet. Quoting further: "will take effect at the beginning of October. It is widely assumed that Elite Visas which allow for stays between 5 and 20 years, with or without family members, well then be fewer in number and more expensive to buy." So "fewer in number" does that mean fewer programs one can choose from or just is there going to be a cap placed on Thailand Elite Visas? Don't know that yet. Quoting further: "Social media rumors suggest that the five-year option will jump from 600,000 baht to one million plus and the cheapest 20 years visa from 1 million baht to 5 million Baht." 

Now again all of this is to some degree an exercise in speculation. Now I don't think it sounds outside the realm of possibility that we could see the 5-year program go up to a million baht, but it remains to be seen. I could also see them maybe saying “yeah we are going to attack on 200,000 baht, take it to 800." It's all kind of speculation at this point. That being said, we don't know exactly what's going to happen but we will certainly keep you updated on this channel as the situation evolves.