Is it safe to hand over my passport to an agent for a visa extension in Thailand?

Agents will hold your passport during the process

No problem

Most of them are honest

Worst case, you lost your passport and you get a new one from your embassy, not the end of the world

Just pick a good agent

You worry too much

In Bangkok if you use

@THAI *****************************

they come and collect your passport take it away and you do not need to go anywhere near Immigration and in Bangkok that is a blessing in disguise

No issues if you use Thai visa centre

Yeah I hand it over. Never been an issue

Yes agents or immigration, can sometimes keep hold of your passport, for a few days waiting for approval and stamps, but only use an office based, reputable recommended agent.

I use an agent walk into immigration get photo taken takes all up 5 minutes

I used an agent and put my passport and return it after stamped. I also thought of that.. because my passport has other visa and stamps of other countries. If I lost it or got stolen, or damaged, not only Thai visa or stamp is lost but also all lost in my passport. it is real disaster for me if I lost it or damaged it. to renew or reissue my new passport takes really long time, and need to go to police station to file and get police report to show to my embassy that is really far away from my place. I have to go to that embassy to renew or reissue my new passport. This is also really bad thing. And, even after I applied new, I must wait for months to take it. Well, possibly I must go to embassy again to take the new passport. By post? I do not believe this. Things can get worsened. And during this time, I have no passport, so I can not leave Thailand. Maybe for one or two months or more? If I have emergency in my country or other country, Simple it is so hard to leave thailand without my passport. Really chaotic. Ok, now I get my new passport after long run, but it is not ended yet. I need my stamp of thailand to transfer to my new passport with various evidence again. I have to go to immigration or hire again agent. It can take days or weeks. Noone knows. Ok, I am done with my new passport and stamp transfer in Thailand. It is just beginning for me. I have to go to another country where I get my visa there. I must do it again in that country. more harsh I think. It is really really big disaster if I lost my passport. And while I have no passport, I can not do anything at the bank things. No access to my money if happens, So big problems again and again without passport. so, I am also worry about this.. However, the agents in Thailand have no reason to not return the passport of the client or damage it or lost it... Well I also try to get good agent. or find a way not to put my passport to the agent for long time.

Yes normal just pick a reputable agent recommend thai visa centre in bkk

If you are talking about 100% legit, then no, you must attend in person. An agent can assist you, and get you to the front of the line etc, but you must attend in person and have your photo taken. Any other method involves the agent using their connections to get an extension through abnormal means.

Unless an agent is just walking you to immigration, they will take your passport and return it after the process is over with your stamps inside.