The Thailand Privilege Visa Reserve Membership represents the highest tier within the Thailand Privilege Program (formerly Thailand Elite), designed for ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking exceptional immigration flexibility, concierge support, and multi-decade residence authorization in Thailand.
Administered by Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. (TPC) under the supervision of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Reserve Membership is not publicly marketed or generally accessible. Entry into this program is strictly by invitation only, and the terms are governed by a confidential bilateral contract between the applicant and TPC.
II. Legal and Institutional Framework
| Instrument or Authority | Function |
|---|---|
| Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) | Provides legal authority for special visa issuance |
| Ministry of Interior / Cabinet | Authorizes categories of privilege visas |
| TPC and Ministry of Tourism & Sports | Implement and manage the membership program |
| Bureau of Immigration | Issues and enforces visa, monitors compliance |
The Reserve Membership is legally grounded in Section 34 of the Immigration Act, which allows issuance of a Privilege Entry Visa (PE) to foreigners who meet conditions approved by the Cabinet and Ministry of Interior.
III. Nature of the Reserve Membership
A. Membership Status
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Not open to public application
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Available only through invitation by TPC or high-level governmental endorsement
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Candidate must undergo enhanced due diligence, including review by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Thai Police, and Immigration Bureau
B. Financial Contribution
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Membership fee: THB 5 million (approximately USD 140,000)
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Fee is non-refundable, non-transferable, and not prorated
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Includes all visa and concierge services for 20 years
Members must personally remit funds and cannot delegate payment to agents or corporate entities.
IV. Visa Characteristics and Immigration Rights
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Privilege Entry Visa (PE) |
| Initial validity | 5 years, renewable 3 times, for a total of 20 years |
| Entry condition | Multiple entries permitted |
| Stay per entry | Up to 1 year, renewable annually without exit |
| Work authorization | No work or business engagement permitted under PE visa |
| Eligibility for PR or citizenship | No automatic pathway; must apply separately under general rules |
Visa extensions are processed through Immigration Bureau Division 1 (Chaeng Wattana) or regional immigration offices, with support from TPC concierge officers.
V. Privileges and Concierge Services
The Reserve tier includes maximum entitlements, surpassing those of the Gold, Platinum, or Diamond tiers. These are contractual benefits, not statutory rights.
A. Immigration Services
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Fast-track service at airports (unlimited)
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Private visa appointment handling with TPC liaison
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Renewal processing and 90-day reporting assistance
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Re-entry permit coordination, both single and multiple
B. Lifestyle and Concierge
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24/7 multilingual concierge hotline (Thai, English, Mandarin, Japanese)
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Annual executive health check-up at top-tier private hospitals
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Exclusive access to invitation-only events hosted by the government and private sector
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Access to elite golf courses, spas, and airport lounges
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Private airport transfers: unlimited within Bangkok and for international arrivals
A dedicated Relationship Manager (RM) is assigned to each Reserve Member for bespoke service delivery.
VI. Conditions and Compliance Obligations
A. Mandatory 90-Day Reporting
Although visa holders enjoy long-term stay rights, they are still subject to:
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TM.47 reporting every 90 days to confirm current residence
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Can be handled by TPC on behalf of the member
B. Tax Residency and Reporting
Reserve Members who stay more than 180 days per year may be classified as tax residents under Section 41 of the Revenue Code:
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Must file a Thai personal income tax return (Form PND 90/91)
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Worldwide income may become reportable if remitted into Thailand
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TPC does not provide tax advisory services—members must consult licensed counsel
C. Immigration Violations and Consequences
Any of the following may result in revocation of Reserve Membership and visa cancellation:
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Conviction of a criminal offense in Thailand or abroad
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Violation of immigration law (e.g., overstay, unauthorized work)
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Security or reputational risk, at TPC or governmental discretion
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Breach of the membership agreement’s code of conduct
TPC reserves the right to terminate membership unilaterally, without refund, under Article 8 of the Membership Terms and Conditions.
VII. Legal Limitations
Despite its elite status, the Reserve Membership is not immune from Thai legal constraints:
| Limitation | Legal Basis |
|---|---|
| No right to work or hold office | Immigration Act; Alien Employment Act |
| No land ownership | Land Code B.E. 2497 |
| No path to permanent residency | PR must be applied for separately under Immigration criteria |
| No political activity | Constitution and Immigration Act Section 12(7) |
However, Reserve Members may own condominiums, hold long-term leases, or control businesses through Thai legal entities, provided they do not violate nominee structure prohibitions under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542.
VIII. Confidentiality and Enforcement of Terms
The Reserve Membership is governed by a contractual agreement executed between TPC and the member:
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Confidentiality clauses prohibit public disclosure of benefits or terms
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Disputes are subject to Thai law and courts, typically with Bangkok Civil Court jurisdiction
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No third-party enforcement is allowed—only the named member can assert rights
Violations of the contract may trigger termination clauses, even in the absence of legal wrongdoing.
IX. Comparison with Other Thailand Privilege Visa Tiers
| Tier | Duration | Fee (THB) | Annual Transfers | Visa Extensions | Access to RM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 5 years | 900,000 | 24 | 1-year at a time | No |
| Platinum | 10 years | 1.5 million | 36 | 1-year at a time | Limited |
| Diamond | 15 years | 2.5 million | 48 | 1-year at a time | Yes |
| Reserve | 20 years | 5 million | Unlimited | 5-year blocks | Dedicated |
Only the Reserve tier includes 5-year stay permits per entry, whereas others must renew annually.
X. Conclusion
The Thailand Privilege Visa Reserve Membership offers the most exclusive, contract-based immigration status available in Thailand, tailored to individuals seeking long-term residence with minimal administrative burden. Its combination of multi-year entry rights, government concierge access, and absolute immigration convenience is unmatched in Southeast Asia.
Yet, despite its status, the Reserve Membership is not a substitute for permanent residency or citizenship, and does not immunize members from immigration law, tax obligations, or regulatory scrutiny. It remains a contractual visa privilege, subject to ministerial oversight and internal compliance standards.
