As Thailand Privilege Card Nears 40,000 Members, Gov’t Introduces Cheaper Bronze Tier

Thailand Privilege Card Co (TPC) has unveiled a new entry-level Bronze membership tier priced at THB 650,000 (USD 18,850), marking a significant discount from its previous lowest-tier offering.

The limited-time package is available from December 15, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and aims to broaden access to Thailand’s long-term visa program.

The Bronze tier maintains core benefits, including a five-year visa validity, fast-track immigration at major airports, and a one-time Elite Personal Liaison service.

Members receive access to the Privilege Entry Visa (PEV), which provides a one-year extendable stay without exit requirements.

TPC’s move follows a recent program restructuring, introducing the four-tier Privilege Card: Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Reserve.

The Bronze tier introduction represents a 28% fee reduction from the Gold tier’s THB 900,000 (USD 26,100).

Current Gold membership applicants who haven’t completed payment can switch to Bronze, while paid members will receive a complimentary health check-up valid until December 31, 2025, as compensation for the price difference.

Higher-tier applicants who have not completed payment may also transition to the Bronze package.

The program’s membership data reveal significant shifts in customer preferences.

The previous structure’s Elite Easy Access (EEA) category captured 41-54% of memberships between 2020-2023, while Elite Family Excursion (EFE) memberships grew from 16.8% to 28.2%.

The 2024 restructuring redistributed membership across new tiers, where Platinum accounts for 40.4%, followed by Gold and Diamond at approximately 21-22% each.

New memberships grew by 7,305 in FY24, marking a 35% decline in growth from 11,245 in FY23 after three consecutive years of growth. Previous years showed steady increases: From 2,380 members in FY20 to 3,495 in FY21, then 5,390 in FY22.

"High-net-worth individuals move to Thailand for the quality of life, five-star medical care, international schools, and safety," Bastien Trelcat of Harvey Law Group Thailand explains.

He notes that despite October 2023's price increases and competing options like the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa and Digital Talent Visa (DTV), "sales have reached close to 7,500 new members" between October 2023 and October 2024, "confirming the attractivity of the program."

He says the program's top five nationalities are China, Japan, the United States, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.