Thailand Privilege memberships continue to be a popular gateway to experiencing Thailand in comfort and luxury, and with the recent introduction of the Thailand Privilege Bronze membership, there are even more ways to get the coveted Thailand Elite Visa. As Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. (TPC) announced in November 2024, the Bronze membership will soon become the most affordable option in the Thailand Privilege program, replacing Gold as the cheapest membership tier.
If you’re considering joining the Thailand Privilege program, understanding the similarities and differences between the Bronze and Gold memberships is essential to helping you decide which 5-year membership to pick. Each offers unique benefits and caters to different lifestyles and preferences.
What Are the Similarities Between the Bronze and Gold Memberships?
The Bronze and Gold membership packages share many similarities, with both providing an accessible and cost-effective way to live comfortably as a VIP in Thailand for an extended period. In many ways, Bronze is a stripped-down version of Gold. Because of this, both memberships include comparable features and conditions, such as:
- 5-Year Membership Duration: Valid for five years, giving the holder plenty of time to explore life in Thailand
- 5-Year Multiple-Entry Visa: Allows the holder to leave and return to Thailand as often as they please without needing to apply for a re-entry permit each time
- Upgradeable Options: Can be upgraded to higher membership tiers for extended validity and added privileges
- Airport Privileges: Access to premium lanes at Thai international airports for fast-tracked immigration services
- Elite Personal Assistant (EPA) Services: Access to free EPA services at Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok) and Phuket Airport when departing from or arriving in Thailand
- Exclusive Lounge Access: Unlimited access to the Thailand Privilege lounge at the Chaeng Watthana Government Complex
- 24/7 Member Contact Center (MCC): Access to round-the-clock support from TPC
- 90-Day Reporting Assistance: Assistance in completing the mandatory 90-day report at TPC’s Sathorn Headquarters (Bronze limited to one free use, Gold members redeem points)
What’s the Difference Between the Thailand Privilege Bronze Membership and Gold Membership?
The Bronze membership was introduced by TPC based on feedback from applicants who expressed interest in VIP and airport privileges without the need for extra luxury benefits. As a result, this new membership offers a more affordable option focused on essential features. While it shares several similarities with the Gold membership, there are distinct differences between the two, as we will go into below.
Membership Price Difference
The most striking difference between the Bronze and Gold membership is the cost. While the Bronze membership is priced at 650,000 THB, making it the most affordable Thailand Privilege option offered by the TPC, the Gold membership sits at 900,000 THB. Even so, it is important to note that both these memberships require only a one-time payment and that neither has annual fees or additional charges.
Thailand Privilege Points
The Gold membership provides 20 Thailand Privilege Points annually, which you can redeem through the Privilege Points System for exclusive benefits like hotel stays, domestic flights, 90-day reporting services, and many more. The higher the membership tier, the more Thailand Privilege Points you’ll receive annually. However, unlike the other memberships, the Bronze membership does not come with any Thailand Privilege Points, which is one of the key reasons why its cost is significantly lower.
Availability of Both Packages
The Bronze membership is only available for a limited time, from 15 December 2024 to 30 June 2025. On the other hand, the Gold membership and all higher-tier memberships are available year-round.
Bronze membership may be made a permanent fixture of Thailand Privilege if it proves popular, but this has not been confirmed. So, if you are interested in applying for Thailand Privilege Bronze membership, you should act fast before time runs out.
Luxury Services and Privileges
The Bronze membership offers fewer luxury perks compared to Gold. Here are the key distinctions:
- Elite Personal Liaison (EPL) Services: Gold members can use Thailand Privilege Points to access EPL services for tasks like opening a Thai bank account or obtaining a driver’s license. Bronze members can only use this service once during the five-year term, and can only use it for 90-day reporting assistance.
- Insurance Coverage: Gold membership includes a personal accident insurance package for the first six months, which is not offered with Bronze.
- Additional Privileges: Both memberships include the same fixed discounts and deals at select establishments, but the lack of Thailand Privilege Points for Bronze members reduces the flexibility to choose additional perks.
Is the Bronze Membership Application Different from Gold Membership?
The application process for both the Bronze and Gold memberships is similar, with the only difference being the application form you’ll need to fill out. The required documents that you will need to submit with the application form and the steps that follow afterward remain the same. Regardless of the membership you choose, you can receive free assistance from approved General Sales and Services Agents (GSSAs) with your application.
Can I Switch to Bronze Membership if I Have Already Applied for Gold?
If you’re in the process of applying for another Thailand Privilege membership but wish to switch to the Bronze membership, you can make the change as long as your membership fee hasn’t been paid. To switch, simply inform your GSSA you want to cancel your previous application, then complete and submit the Bronze membership application form to your GSSA, who will ensure that TPC gets it before it’s too late.
However, if the membership fee has already been paid, switching is no longer an option. To compensate for this, if you hold a Gold membership, you will receive a free health check-up, which can be redeemed at any time in 2025.
Contact Siam Legal for Free Professional Assistance With Your Thailand Privilege Membership Application
Whether you’re drawn to the affordability of Bronze or the extra perks of Gold or any other higher Thailand Privilege tier, get in touch with Siam Legal International for free professional assistance with your application. As a trusted partner of TPC with over 20 years of operation in Thailand, we provide expert guidance and support to make your Thailand Elite Visa application smooth and hassle-free.
We will help you gather all the necessary documents and review your application for any errors before submitting everything on your behalf to the correct government agencies, thereby maximizing your chances of approval.
Contact Siam Legal today to secure your Bronze membership before it’s no longer available, or get our free assistance with any other membership tier to start enjoying a comfortable and premium lifestyle in Thailand.