Questions, answered.

The Thailand Privilege Visa (formerly Thailand Elite Visa) is an official long-term residency program operated by Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd., a state enterprise under the Tourism Authority of Thailand. It offers visas ranging from 5 to 20 years with VIP benefits, launched in 2003 and rebranded to 'Thailand Privilege' in late 2023.

Yes. Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. is a state enterprise fully owned by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The visa is officially issued by the Thai government and recognized at all Thai ports of entry.

They are the same program. 'Thailand Elite' was the original brand from 2003-2023. It was rebranded to 'Thailand Privilege' in October 2023, and a new tier structure (Bronze, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Reserve) replaced the legacy Elite Easy Access, Elite Plus, and Elite Superiority products.

There are five membership tiers: Bronze (฿650,000 / 5 years), Gold (฿900,000 / 5 years), Platinum (฿1.5M / 10 years), Diamond (฿2.5M / 15 years), and Reserve (฿5M / 20 years, invitation only).

Virtually any non-Thai national of legal age from any country that is not specifically restricted by Thai government policy. There are no age requirements, no income requirements, no professional requirements.

No. Thailand Privilege requires no income proof, no Thai bank deposits, no tax returns, no financial disclosure of any kind. This is one of the program's main advantages over retirement and LTR visas.

No. Unlike retirement visas (which require applicants to be 50+), Thailand Privilege has no age requirement. Children can even hold memberships (as family additions).

One-time, for the entire membership duration. A ฿650,000 Bronze payment covers your full 5-year visa with no annual fees. A ฿5,000,000 Reserve payment covers 20 full years. No renewal fees, no hidden charges.

No. As an authorized General Sales & Services Agent of Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd., we are compensated by TPC, not by you. Our consultation, advisory, and support services come at no additional cost to members.

Because payment is only required after approval, rejected applicants pay nothing. If TPC rejects an application, we'll explain the reason and, if possible, help address it for resubmission.

Typically 30–45 days from submission of complete documents to approval. Once approved, you have 30 days to remit payment (the background check result is valid for 30 days). Visa affixation (stamping in your passport) takes an additional 1–2 weeks.

Just three core documents: (1) clear scan of your passport bio page, (2) digital passport-style photograph, and (3) completed application form. No bank statements, medical certificates, or income proof required. See the full required documents checklist →

Yes. The entire application process can be completed remotely. You do not need to be in Thailand to apply. Visa affixation can be done at a Thai embassy abroad, at the Chaengwattana Immigration Office in Bangkok, or at a Thai international airport on your first arrival as a member.

Thailand Privilege is issued as an official Privilege Entry Visa sticker affixed inside your passport by Thai Immigration — not a card, not a plain stamp. The sticker is issued by Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd., a state enterprise under the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and is recognized at all Thai ports of entry. Affixation takes place either at Chaengwattana Immigration in Bangkok or at Suvarnabhumi / Phuket international airport on your arrival as a member.

Alongside the visa sticker, Thai Immigration also stamps a 1-year stay permit in your passport on each entry — issued at the airport on arrival or at the Chaengwattana Immigration Office.

No. Thailand Privilege is a residence visa, not a work permit. You cannot be employed by a Thai company under this visa. Remote work for foreign employers or clients (digital nomad style) is generally permissible. For paid work in Thailand, you need a separate work permit — which the Thailand Privilege program does not provide.

The Elite Personal Assistant (EPA) is a dedicated airport concierge who meets Thailand Privilege members at the arrival gate at Suvarnabhumi and Phuket international airports. The EPA escorts members through the priority Fast Track immigration lane, assists with baggage, and accompanies them to their onward transport — included on every arrival and departure for Thailand Privilege members.

Yes. Thailand Privilege members use the priority Fast Track immigration lane on every arrival and departure at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, and Chiang Mai international airports — bypassing the regular passenger queue. At Suvarnabhumi and Phuket, your Elite Personal Assistant (EPA) escorts you through the lane personally. EPA service is not available at Don Mueang or Chiang Mai — Fast Track lane access still applies at those airports.

Your Elite Personal Assistant (EPA) waits at the arrival gate the moment you step off the aircraft, then escorts you through the priority Fast Track immigration lane, assists with baggage, and walks you to your driver — typically by airport electric cart. The service is included on every arrival and departure at Suvarnabhumi and Phuket international airports.

The Elite Personal Liaison (EPL) is your dedicated Thailand Privilege member services representative inside Thailand, handling ongoing immigration and concierge matters once your visa is affixed. Your EPL assists with:

• 90-day address reports to Thai Immigration.
• Chaengwattana Immigration Office visits when in-person filing is required.
• Thai bank account opening — accompanied appointments with partner banks.
• Thai driving license facilitation.
• Concierge support inside Thailand Privilege Executive Lounges.

EPL service is provided within the Bangkok area only. Members residing outside Bangkok — including in Chonburi, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and other major Thai cities — are supported by Thailand Privilege's partner visa companies for select services such as 90-day reporting.

Each EPL service track is complimentary on first use. Subsequent sessions are charged at THB 3,000 per service (quota-type memberships) or 2 Privilege Points per service (redemption-point-type memberships). See the dedicated FAQs below for service-specific details on driving license facilitation, annual stay extensions, and visa affixation.

Yes. Thailand Privilege provides 90-day address reporting support for all members. The available options depend on where you reside:

• In person at the Chaengwattana Immigration Office (Bangkok) — accompanied by your Elite Personal Liaison (EPL).
• Drop-off at the Thailand Privilege Card head office (Bangkok) — leave your passport with us, your EPL files the report, and you can either collect the passport afterwards or have it delivered back to you.
• Outside Bangkok — Thailand Privilege's partner visa companies in Chonburi, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and other major Thai cities handle 90-day reporting locally on your behalf.
• Online self-filing through the Thai Immigration online system — done by the member directly, available anywhere. EPL does not handle digital filing.

This service is included for all Thailand Privilege members. EPL service is provided within the Bangkok area only; outside Bangkok, partner visa companies serve as the local point of contact.

Your Elite Personal Liaison (EPL) facilitates Thai driving license applications and renewals — both car and motorcycle — through the Department of Land Transport. The service includes:

• Primary check of your required documents.
• Accompanied coordination with the Department of Land Transport.
• A typical 3-hour session on-site, when documents are complete.

The first EPL session is complimentary. Subsequent sessions are THB 3,000 per service (for quota-type memberships) or 2 Privilege Points per service (for redemption-point-type memberships). Available within the Bangkok area only.

All facilitation complies with rules and regulations under Thai law — expediting the process is beyond our services.

Yes. Your Elite Personal Liaison (EPL) handles annual stay extensions for Thailand Privilege members at the Thai Immigration Bureau, Chaengwattana, in Bangkok. The service includes:

• Primary check of your required documents.
• Direct coordination with Thai Immigration officers on your behalf.
• Accompanied appointment at the Chaengwattana Immigration Bureau.

The first EPL session is complimentary. Subsequent sessions are THB 3,000 per service (for quota-type memberships) or 2 Privilege Points per service (for redemption-point-type memberships). Available within the Bangkok area only.

All facilitation complies with rules and regulations under Thai law — expediting the process is beyond our services.

Your Elite Personal Liaison (EPL) handles three visa-related services at Immigration Division 1 (Chaengwattana Immigration) in Bangkok:

• Privilege Entry Visa affixation in your passport.
• Transferring the visa sticker and stay-permit stamps to a new passport when you renew or replace your passport.
• Annual stay extensions at the Chaengwattana Immigration Bureau.

The EPL provides a primary check of your required documents and coordinates directly with Thai Immigration officers. The first EPL session is complimentary. Subsequent sessions are THB 3,000 per service (for quota-type memberships) or 2 Privilege Points per service (for redemption-point-type memberships).

All facilitation complies with rules and regulations under Thai law — expediting the process is beyond our services.

Every Thailand Privilege member receives one complimentary EPL session across any service track — including driving license facilitation, annual stay extension, and visa affixation. Subsequent EPL sessions are charged based on your membership type:

• Quota-type memberships: THB 3,000 per service, per member.
• Redemption-point-type memberships: 2 Privilege Points per service, per member.

Each session covers one specific service request. EPL service is provided within the Bangkok area only.

Holding the visa does not automatically make you a Thai tax resident. Thai tax residency is triggered by spending 180+ days in Thailand within a calendar year. Thailand Privilege members often optimize their stay duration for tax purposes. Consult a tax advisor for your specific situation.

Daimaru Trading Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Sendai, Japan and has been an authorized General Sales & Services Agent of Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. since 2015. We are family-led by President Kazuo Daimaru and CEO Naoto Daimaru, and were recognized with Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd.'s 'Best Cooperation' GSSA award in 2024, 2025, and 2026 — three consecutive years. Our annual Japan Road Show is co-hosted in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd.

Daimaru Trading operates two service channels. Applications submitted through thailandelite.net, info@thailandelite.net, or +66 65-156-1561 are handled in Bangkok by Patcharaphol ('Pat') Nabhaboriraks, who communicates in English and Thai. For Japanese-language service, contact our Japan head office directly at タイランドエリートインフォメーションセンター · 0120-859-777 (within Japan) or +81-50-3521-0296 (international).

Pat is the Thailand Branch Lead at Daimaru Trading Co., Ltd. Before joining Daimaru, he worked in the Sales Division of Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. — the state enterprise that operates the Thailand Privilege program. Pat personally manages every application that reaches Daimaru Trading through thailandelite.net, info@thailandelite.net, or +66 65-156-1561 — guiding each applicant from first conversation through to the visa being affixed in their passport. After visa affixation, the official Thailand Privilege Member Contact Center handles ongoing services.

Our 100% approval rate applies to qualified applicants specifically — those with no criminal record who have never used a Volunteer visa or an improper Student (ED) visa. Every application in that profile submitted through Daimaru Trading has been approved. For applicants outside this profile, TPC still conducts its standard background review and final approval rests with TPC, not with us.

The Japan Road Show is Daimaru Trading's annual educational seminar for Japanese families considering long-stay life in Thailand. It has run since 2022 (originally as the Thailand Flexible Plus Program Roadshow) at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo, Hotel Nikko Osaka, and The Westin Sendai, in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. For dates of the next Japan Road Show, contact our Japanese channel at 0120-859-777 (within Japan) or +81-50-3521-0296 (international).