@John *********
But most retirees don't have 800k to deposit into the bank. And they can't wire transfer to a Thai bank account until they have their own account. So, it's a catch 22 situation. Also, if applying bassed on monthly income, it takes 12 consecutive months of direct deposit via international wire transfer into your Thai bank account to submit to immigration when applying yourself. Again, catch 22. How do you wait 12 months, where do you wait? Immigration actually prefers you go through an agent or visa service office because there's more money being paid out on top of the 1900 Baht for the 12 month extension based on retirement. That 1900 Baht doesn't go into any tea money fund. Instead, it's recorded into the department revenue ledger. The 14-28k Baht you pay to an agent or agency, enables all players in the scheme to get some commision- bankers, agents, and immigration district office staff. The policies in place are set up to make it much more convenient to go through an agent or agency.