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Is Siam Legal a reliable agent for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand?

May 21, 2025
a year ago
Mike **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Has anyone used Siam Legal as an agent to apply for retirement visa?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussions highlight mixed experiences with Siam Legal as a visa agency for retirement visas in Thailand. Many users appreciate their legitimate and high-quality service despite the higher fees. Some users have successfully utilized them for various visa services, including marriage-related documentation. However, others argue that the retirement visa application can be managed independently, emphasizing the ability to open a Thai bank account with the required ฿800,000 without professional assistance. A few comments caution against potential scams and suggest exploring other more affordable legal options.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Breeze *******
I'm using them now for an LTR Visa, excellent service, very responsive and knowledgeable. Highly recommend.
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Nongnuch ********
Todd McGowan . . . . 46 likes for my humble opinion, that's a strong signal
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Dave ******
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Douglas *******
I have. I can recommend an attorney. DM me. She was fantastic.
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John *************
Not for that, but they are my attorneys. Top notch.
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Paul *********
What the agent called that works out of Queen Vic in soi 6 please?
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Gregory ********
Many other good trustworthy agents at a better price
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David *********
You can do it yourself. Yeah it’s a good company
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Patrick **********
 They are a big legal service however, they’re very corporate and obviously they’re there to make money and they do you charge quite a bit. You could probably apply for your retirement visa in a much less expensive way.
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Walt ********
Yes and very good redults, good price
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Christine *********
Try Thai elite visa 
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David ********
So do I understand if I have ฿800k I will have no problem opening a Thai bank account, just walking in.
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David ********
Thank you sounds like great advice.. thank you for taking the time I will save.
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Nick *******
@David *******
If you are in your home country, best thing to do is apply for the 90 day non-o there. Then arrive Thailand go to immigration for a residency certificate (500bht) and then you should be able to open a bank account without any issues. They may want you to take out their 1 yr insurance for around 5000bht but hey there’s a price for everything here. Once your bank is set up, go to immigration and get the forms for an extension so you know what docs you need to gather. Once you are 45 days before the end of your 90 days visa, you can then apply for your 1 yr extension based on retirement.
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Gregory ********
@Nick ******
dont forget to mention the thb 800k in account
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Nick *******
@Gregory *******
He already knows about that, in his post above.
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Nick *******
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Mike **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nick ******
thank you
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Mike **********
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Brandon ************
@David *******
if you don't have a non-immigrant visa you will 100% have problems.
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Brandon ************
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Henrik *****
NEVER use those scammers.

They even make impression of being a Thai Embassy
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Tom **********
They do use a website domain that leads one to initially believe they are the Thai Embassy.
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Tom **********
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Nongnuch ********
I am kinda bored by people arguing about “lost” interest profits. When you are well suited and retire in Thailand, you don’t care anymore about peanut shells you leave behind in your home country.

17 years ago, I happily deposited 800,000 THB in my Thai bank account, it granted me the opportunity to receive a one-year stay permit, and the luxury and freedom to live in a country, where I spend less than half on the living expenses I would have to pay in my home country.

The 800,000 Baht IMHO are a cheap “parking fee” for a fully legal stay in Thailand.

If you are happy paying agents to bribe corrupt Immigration officers, so be it. But be aware that you are caught in an agent hamster wheel you can’t easily escape, and the risk keeps floating over your head all the time, that a clampdown will reveal that you have bribed your stay in Thailand.

Which can you get arrested and deported.

Who tf cares about the interest your 800,000 THB would allegedly earn if I put it into a fixed term account in affixed account in your home country, and paying an agent in Thailand more than $1000 to bribe your way through to an illegally achieved stay permit?

I did never need an agent.

I came to Thailand 17 years ago on a 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa, I opened a bank account, transferred 800,000 THB onto it, and 2 months later applied for the "1-year Extension of the Stay Permit Based on Retirement". It is not rocket science. Everybody with an IQ past 80 can do it.

You can do it all by yourself. It cost me 200 Baht for the bank statement that my money was in the account for 2 months, and 1900 Baht for the application to the 1-year stay permit.

If you can't afford to park 800,000 THB on your Thai bank account, you should ask yourself if Thailand is the right place for you to retire. Living expenses are less than a half from what you would have to spend in your home country, And this includes wasting any thoughts on "lost interest earnings" for those 800K
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Liam ***********
@Nongnuch *******
very good info,might I add though that if you can get your embassy to certify your pension you don’t need to park as you say the 800 k in a Thai bank account,is this true or not ?
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Liam ***********
@Nongnuch *******
I am luckily the holder of an Irish passport and I’ve been told that they still do the service
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Nongnuch ********
@Liam **********
yes, afaik the Irish Embassy in Bangkok still issues income affidavits. The Northern Irish are not so lucky
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Nongnuch ********
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Nongnuch ********
@Liam **********
yes you can, IF your embassy still issues an affidavit of income. The U.K. , AUS, Canada and U.S. embassy have discontinued issuing them
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Nongnuch ********
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Gerg **********
@Nongnuch *******
Yep to all of that.
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Gary **********
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Scott ***********
@Nongnuch *******
so well written and said it also is designed to keep the riff raff out which i agree with
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Mark *******
It's failed! Plenty of wealthy(?) riff raff in Pattaya,that I observed only a few months ago! 😂
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Brian ********
@Scott **********
they just come on
*****
day visas. Lol
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Brian ********
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Braulio *********
@Nongnuch *******
Well said!!
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Doug ********
@Braulio ********
although living in Thailand now is not half the cost anymore, 17 years is a long time lol and thing s have changed although I do fully agree with your sentiment s.
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Doug ********
Even getting a bank account seems really difficult for some...how was it for you all those years ago ??
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Marty *********
@Doug *******
Eight years ago I walked into a Kasikorn branch, Phra Khanong, Bangkok, on my first day in Thailand with my Thai girlfriend. I had a new OA visa in my passport. I opened a bank account with no problems. My girlfriend told them to use her address.

Last October I opened a bank account in Bangkok Bank in Sisaket province. This time I had a yellow book and an LTR visa. I opened an account with no problems.

It seems to be much more difficult for newly arrived expats these days.
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Doug ********
@Marty ********
yeah I've tried and it's really not easy now but the rules are the rules so just try to do it the right way
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Doug ********
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Paul *******
I have used them great service
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Wannikea *********
If you have the 800K you don't need a service, all you really need is to get a Thai bank account
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Gary ********
Jesus h your so boring. Stop preaching to people. Ok u had 800k to leave laying around. Whoopee. Others don't, get over it!!
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Gary ********
@Nine *****
u been mugged mate. 39k is like 50% more than I pay. Why don't people do some research
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Brandon ************
@Gary *******
you're talking about the price for the annual extension. The price to do the 90 day conversion plus first 12 month extension plus bank account is a lot more than you're claiming
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Doug *******
@Gary *******
Honestly do you know of an agency that will do a non O retirement including the bank “trick” for under 39,000? If so please PM me the info. Thanks.
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Brandon ************
@Doug ******
he doesn't know what he's talking about. He's quoting you prices for something you're not eligible for.
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Doug *******
@Brandon ***********
I suspected so. Thanks.
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Gary ********
@Doug ******
pm sent
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Kathy ************
@Gary *******
can you send me 🙏
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Gary ********
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Kathy ************
@Gary *******
Thankyou for sharing 🤗🙏
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Nine ******
@Gary *******
because the one l give

You don't need insurance and 800k in account and include bank account
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Gary ********
@Nine *****
duh. Don't u think I realise this. Did u see any of my posts. And for that money. U got mugged
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Nine ******
@Gary *******
without show the 800k and insurance
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Robert ********
@Gary *******
please send me that info too
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Gary ********
@Robert *******
Maneerat Visa Agents

Soi post office

*****
k single entry. 15 months visa then 12k per year. Nan/Fon, I deal with
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Wayne ********
@Gary *******
I’ve researched it myself, but I would appreciate if you would share details, PM me please, Cheers 🍻 🙏
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Gary ********
@Wayne *******
Maneerat Visa Agents. Soi Post office.
****
. Off second Rd.
*****
k single entry 15 months visa. Multiple entry 28k but I only use single entry.

12k annually after that.
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Wayne ********
@Gary *******
Maneerat Visa was 1 of 2, I was looking at. Thanks Gary 🙏
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Wayne ********
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Nine ******
Tik tok service Thaïland locate in Pattaya

I did for my parent
*****
b for 15 month and
*****
b for renew
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Steve ******
@Nine *****
I used maneerat soi
****
second rd pattaya same price for 15 months and renew don't know if it's still the same 😊
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Nine ******
@Steve *****
l did 1 year ago
*****
baht includ 15 month multi Entry visa + bank account + no need insurance + no need 800k

Renew
*****
b

But since 2 month thing change about banking

She charge
*****
b just to open bank account
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Steve ******
@Nine *****
exactly the same I didn't want to tie 800,000 baht up in a thai account incase anything happens to me
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Steve ******
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Uwe ****
@Nine *****
If you have enough money, then you don't need a lawyer to get a retirement Visa. Since you ask a lawyer to help you, don't pretend you don't know what Neil MacDougall is talking about. Stupid.
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Neil ************
@Nine *****
don’t understand enough of anything in your post🤦🏻‍♂️
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Nine ******
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Neil ************
@Nine *****
ha ha, I’ve got it now🤦🏻‍♂️🤣
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Neil ************
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Tammy ********
I'm using them now for the DTV Visa you better off going with a legal firm so you don't get scammed but so far so good. I'm in the USA all seems very good very legit
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Steve *********
Excellent. Used them for marrage certificates etc. Excellent service
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Huy ******
Siam Legal is legit, but a tad expensive but the service is excellent. Did my marriage visa there.
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Thomas ********
@Huy *****
used Siam for k1 visa and recommended them with 5 stars, the best
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Howard ******
@Huy *****
did mine as well very professional but pricey ,

Did last visa for my wife so simple but time consuming

If you computer literate then it's easy peasy
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Joe ********
@Huy *****
agree 100%

I just met with them in person regarding a LTR visa. Very good. They aren’t trying to talk you into an approach that is illegal just because it easier.

At the same time they also won’t take your assignment for a visa without verifying you would qualify
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Joe ********
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