Platinum is one step above Gold, and is the most affordable Thailand Privilege membership tier that also allows applicants to add family members to the program for a reduced rate. It’s a great option for digital nomads, frequent visitors to Thailand, long-term expats, and retirees, especially those with dependents.
As with the now defunct Thai Elite Visa program, replaced by Thailand Privilege, Platinum membership provides a convenient, multi-entry visa with far fewer prerequisites than other long-term visas in Thailand. However, Thailand Privilege membership also comes with a wealth of diverse benefits and perks that the Thai Elite Visa didn’t even come close to matching.
Platinum tier membership with Thailand Privilege distinguishes itself from the other tiers in a few key ways. Compared to Gold, it has double the visa duration for less than half the cost. Furthermore, as previously mentioned, Platinum tier, like Diamond and Reserve, allows for additional members to be added to the membership, unlike Gold which has no such feature.
Overview of the Thailand Privilege Platinum Membership
Here are the basic details for Platinum membership:
- Membership Validity: 10 years
- Membership Fee (primary applicant): 1.5 Million THB
- Membership Fee (additional members): 1 Million THB
- Privilege Points: 35 points per year
- Transferable: No
Note that for the privilege points feature, additional family members will NOT receive their own allotment of points. All additional members must share the pool of 35 points granted to the primary member.
As with other tiers, Platinum membership provides a Thai Elite Visa that is valid for 5 years, which can be renewed once up to the maximum membership validity period of 10 years. This is a multiple-entry visa that enables holders to freely leave and re-enter the country, and members will enjoy expedited processing through immigration at the airport when doing so.
What are the Benefits of the Thailand Privilege Platinum Membership?
The perks offered by a Thailand Privilege Platinum membership are more or less the same ones available through a Gold or Diamond membership. The difference is in the amount of privilege points awarded, so while the available benefits are the same, Platinum members will enjoy more of them compared to Gold members. Reserve tier, available via invite only, has additional benefits.
The long list of perks, discounts, and free services available through Thailand Privilege are too numerous to mention all of them here, but here are some examples:
- Premium Lane for immigration fast-tracking at ports of entry
- Elite Personal Assistant (EPA) service upon arrival at the airport
- Concierge services to assist with various administrative tasks, including visa-related processes (90-day report, etc.), driving license applications, and opening a bank account
- Health checkups, wellness packages, and other medical treatments at Thailand’s leading hospitals
- Discounts at popular retail shopping and fine dining establishments
- Wealth advisory services
- Free movie tickets, rounds of golf, spa treatments, hotel stays, airport transfers, and much more
- Member Contact Center (MCC), an exclusive 24/7 hotline to assist with everything related to Thailand Privilege
- And many, many more
Eligibility Requirements
While less stringent than those for other long-term Thai visas, Thailand Privilege has a handful of eligibility criteria that applicants must meet to ensure their application is not rejected.
- The applicant’s foreign passport must have at least 1 year of remaining validity at the time of application
- There must be no record of overstay or other violations of Thai immigration law
- No record of bankruptcy, criminal conviction, or mental incompetency
- Applicant must not hold or ever have held a volunteer visa
- Applicant’s foreign passport must not be from these UN-sanctioned territories:
- Asia: Afghanistan, North Korea, Pakistan
- Africa: Central Africa, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan
- Middle East: Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syria, Yemen
How to Apply for a Thailand Privilege Platinum Membership
The first step to apply for a Thailand Privilege membership and the accompanying Thai Elite Visa should be to engage the services of a General Sales and Services Agent (GSSA). These are organizations certified by the government to assist applicants to the Thailand Privilege program. They have comprehensive knowledge of the program and its processes, enabling them to provide consultations as well as application preparation services.
Applying through a GSSA makes the whole process swift and streamlined while minimizing the chances of rejection. Best of all, these services are completely free to applicants thanks to government subsidies. Applicants are warned against applying through unauthorized visa agents, as there is always a risk of fraud, and should look for the official GSSA seal:
Application Process
- Gather Required Documents:
- A Thailand Privilege Platinum membership application form
- Membership application forms for additional members (if applicable)
- A Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) form
- A Membership Application Payment Form
- A recent passport photocopy (in color)
- A recent passport-size photo (in color, against a white background)
- Supplementary documents (as required, such as if adding family members or if applicant is a previous/current holder of an ED Visa)
- Submit Application: Forward all required documents to a GSSA. They will review the application for completeness and accuracy. At this point the applicant must also pay the 50,000 THB application fee. This fee will be deducted from the total membership fee upon completion of the background check.
- Background Check: Once the application is cleared and submitted, the Thai immigration authorities will perform a background check, which will take 4-6 weeks.
- Approval and Payment: Following a successful background check, applicants receive an approval letter and an invoice. The next step involves payment of the membership fee to the Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd., minus the 50,000 THB application fee.
- Welcome Kit: After payment is processed, applicants receive a welcome letter and membership ID within 10 business days.
- Visa Affixation: The final step is the affixation of the Thailand Elite Visa to the member’s passport, which can be done at the immigration office, the airport upon arrival, or at a Thai embassy.
Interested in applying for a Thailand Privilege Platinum membership?
If you’re ready for the easiest and most rewarding way to stay in Thailand long-term, then contact Siam Legal to begin your Thailand Privilege application. We are a leading GSSA authorized by the Thai government to provide knowledgeable, effective, and free support for your application. Partner with us and we’ll make sure your application process is smooth, stress-free, and has the best chance for success. Fill out and submit the form on this page to get started!
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