For foreign property buyers in Phuket, the question is not only whether you can own, rent or use a villa. It is also how easily you can stay, how long you can remain, and what changes may be coming to the visa structures many buyers rely on.
Thailand’s opposition People’s Party has called for a comprehensive review of the Thailand Elite Card programme and other long-term visa schemes, warning that regulatory loopholes are being exploited by grey capital and transnational criminal networks.
The Elite Card, which allows foreign nationals to stay in Thailand for five to 20 years in exchange for payments ranging from 650,000 to 5 million baht, is now under scrutiny. So are long-term visas introduced between 2022 and 2025, under which more than 7,000 permits have been issued.
What the opposition is calling for
Speaking after the weekly shadow Cabinet meeting on May 25, Pisan Manawapat of the People’s Party executive team said Thailand must strengthen screening for special long-stay permits and address vulnerabilities at the source.
He identified weak checks on applicants’ sources of funds, behaviour and post-approval qualifications as key problems. He claimed some Elite Card holders were fugitives, subjects of international arrest warrants, or repeat offenders who could still travel in and out of the country.
Immigration authorities, he said, should work with agencies such as the Office of the Narcotics Control Board to identify permit holders on watchlists, with regular reviews disclosed to the public and parliament. Authorities will be summoned on June 4 to examine possible money laundering and extortion cases.
Peangpanor Boonklum, who oversees public-sector reform in the party’s policy team, said enforcement gaps persist, particularly in visa overstays despite existing laws. She called for clearer visa extension requirements, including proof of return travel, financial means and accommodation, and said businesses facilitating unlawful stays must be held accountable.
She also warned that foreign land ownership via nominees risks sidelining Thai citizens.
Why this matters for Phuket property buyers
The Elite Card has been used by many foreign buyers in Phuket and across Thailand as a long-term residency solution. It offers multi-year stays without the need to meet employment, retirement or education visa requirements, which has made it attractive to lifestyle investors, remote workers and villa owners who want flexible, extended access.
If the government tightens screening, applicants may face more detailed checks on source of funds, criminal history and behaviour during their stay. Existing cardholders may also face periodic reviews, which could affect renewals or continued validity.
For buyers considering the Elite Card as part of a Phuket property strategy, the review suggests that approval may become slower, more document-heavy and less predictable. It also signals that the government is willing to revisit visa programmes when security concerns arise.
The broader call for stricter enforcement of visa overstays, clearer extension requirements and better coordination between agencies may also affect other long-term visa holders, including retirees and skilled professionals using recently introduced visa schemes.
What remains unclear
The opposition party does not control government policy. Its calls represent political pressure, not confirmed reform. Whether the current government will implement stricter screening, change Elite Card terms or revise approval processes is not yet known.
No timeline for reform has been announced. No specific changes to the Elite Card fee structure, duration or eligibility criteria have been proposed. The June 4 summons of authorities may produce more detail, but no formal policy changes have been confirmed.
What is clear is that Thailand’s long-term visa programmes, including the Elite Card, are now part of a public debate about security, foreign capital and regulatory gaps. For foreign buyers in Phuket, that debate is worth watching.
The wider context
Pijarn Chaowapattanapong, the People’s Party secretary-general, described the issue as a security crisis driven by grey capital penetrating the economy. He insisted that economic gains must not come at the expense of national security, and said Thailand should welcome tourists, not serve as a base for transnational crime.
The tone suggests that visa reform may become a political priority. If that happens, foreign buyers and long-stay residents in Phuket may face a more rigorous approval environment, greater scrutiny of financial sources, and more frequent compliance checks.
For now, the Elite Card remains available and valid. But the direction of the debate is clear: expect more questions, not fewer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Thailand Elite Card?
The Thailand Elite Card is a long-term residency programme that allows foreign nationals to stay in Thailand for five to 20 years in exchange for payments ranging from 650,000 to 5 million baht. It is used by buyers, investors and remote workers who want extended access without meeting employment or retirement visa requirements.
Is the Elite Card being cancelled?
No. The opposition People’s Party has called for a review of the programme and tighter screening, but no cancellation or suspension has been announced. Existing cardholders remain valid, and the programme is still available for new applicants.
What changes could affect Elite Card holders?
The opposition has called for stronger checks on applicants’ sources of funds, criminal history and behaviour, as well as periodic reviews of existing cardholders. If implemented, these changes could mean more documentation, longer approval times and possible revocation for holders who fail compliance checks.
Does this affect other long-term visas in Thailand?
Yes. The opposition also called for a review of long-term visa programmes introduced between 2022 and 2025, under which more than 7,000 permits have been issued. The review may affect skilled professional visas, retiree visas and other schemes used by foreign property buyers and residents in Phuket.
What should foreign property buyers in Phuket do?
Stay informed. No immediate action is required, but the debate signals a possible shift toward stricter visa screening and enforcement. Buyers considering the Elite Card or long-term visa options should monitor policy updates and expect more detailed documentation requirements in future applications.
Sources
- The Phuket News — People’s Party calls for overhaul of Elite Card — link
- Bangkok Post — referenced within source article
