What should expats know about applying for a DTV through an agent in Chiang Mai and the implications of the soft power option?

Why even use agents.

Take control of your life, and do it the right way, then you will not end up in trouble.

But if you try to cut corners, expect to be caught, with the consequences that involves.

After all it is not rocketscience.

Most haven’t even tryed to start making a application, at

thaievisa.go.th

You can start a application, and you can stop at any point, if you need time to clarify something, and then you can continue from the point, when you are ready to proceed.

You just have to remember then you have to be outside of Thailand, when you submit the application.

And wait for the application to be approved, before you go back into Thailand.

The only thing about using agents is if you are tied into them forever ie you have to use their soft power providers. I am probably overthinking this though. The other concern is if you are using their money and facilitation fees could they be blacklisted in the future. This has happened before with different visas.

I spoke to agent few agents this morning. Some are really taking the pi55 with what they are charging. I was asking about moving from O to DTV. I will not say nationality of the pi55 takers. The honest one was a Thai one who said just do it yourself and which embassy is best for my passport.

I’m hearing 130,000-200,000 agents in pattaya

I would say if you're using an agent to bank the money and supply the documentation so you can apply for a DTV the safe thing to do is to bounce out back every 6 months and not fool with the immigration office AT ALL for the one 180 day extension you can get per entry

At least after 360 days you have to leave because each entry can extend once.