Is it possible to obtain a retirement or marriage visa in Thailand without meeting the bank deposit requirements?

Would you send it to me too, please.

@Paulo ********

Hey, can you send to me too?

@Will ***********

an agent will sort it without funds

@Will ***********

requirements are 800,000 Thai Baht for retirement visa or 400,000 baht in Thai Bank for marriage visa.

@Todd ********

Ok, at least you acknowledge that a bribe is being paid. That's what a lot of people won't accept. So yes the stamp is legitimate, but the process to obtain it was not. The matter that I'm aware of concerned an Aussie who's the neighbour of a drinking buddy in Bangkok who had been arrested for "visa violation" and was in IDP and was getting no assistance in getting a flight out. Someone on one of the Aussie expat groups mentioned Steve Smythe, knowing he is a retired solicitor from Sydney and is well-connected at the Embassy in Bangkok. Steve was able to get some strings pulled and the guy was released from IDP and was put on a plane with a 5 year ban. You are correct in that there was no violation with the actual visa, but this poor guy got caught up in an investigation that didn't even involve him, but some IO at an office I won't mention, but he got a visit from the police who just wanted to see his bank book to ensure he had the money as required, which of course he didn't. So what they got him on was failure to meet the requirements of the visa/extension, and they went back to the start date of that extension and deemed him to be on overstay for something like eight months. That's what they nailed him on was overstay. There was no mention of dodgy agents or dodgy stamps, simply no money in the bank. So yes, chances of being caught are almost non-existent, but they do exist. If the police receive a complaint they are compelled to investigate, otherwise they are looking the other way. I think people should simply be aware of this before going blindly down the agent path. As has been pointed out, some people don't have the choice and it's worth the risk for them. I've never met Steve, but understand he's got stacks of money so he has no cause to use an agent, and urges others who can afford the per month to get on that plan.

@To**

I see a lot of your posts here and I actually think you're quite an intelligent guy. Your posts are articulate, with good spelling and very good grammar (which sadly is lacking on social media), so do you really, really, really believe that no money changes hands "under the table" at immigration when going through an agent? Really? I refuse to believe you could be that misinformed!

Robert Curtis I've lived on the baht per month transfer for years. I refuse point blank to tie up 800k for the rest of my life. The 65k is mine to do what I want with, and realistically I need 50k per month for my lifestyle anyway (I didn't retire to Thailand to count the pennies) so the 65k is no big deal.

Robert Curtis Yes it is. Because there's no requirement to put 800k in a Thai bank account, the authorities want to make sure the dosh is available if you end up in hospital!

@Steve ******

I have a friend lives in Mukdahan in the same situation. Just strolls across the bridge every three months to get another 90 days. Why wouldn't he?

I think what

@Steve *******

says is the way to do it

@Michael ******

(Go Savannakhet) I don't know if you also need the money for a non imm O MULTI entry ? You can almost get 15 months out of this one with only border hops every 90 days.