Answered6 years ago
What should I know about using the Thai Visa Center after the recent news?
Talking about Thai Visa center anyone had dealings with these guys better check.
Answer summary
The discussion focuses on the recent controversies surrounding the Thai Visa Center, including concerns about its credibility and reports of a raid. Several users share personal experiences, some urging others to handle visa applications independently rather than through agents, citing experiences of poor service and scams. Warnings are issued about the risks of using such services, especially in light of potential legal troubles for clients caught in illegal practices, while other users note successful visa experiences. Overall, the conversation emphasizes caution and the importance of verifying the legitimacy of visa agents.
84 repliesnewest first
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Antonino *******
I have been contacted by them on April 1st on Messenger, after I had opened their post on Facebook; they asked me to send them the first page of my passport and visa by e-mail; I replied, but I forgot the attachments. In the meantime, however, they sent me another message on Messenger, asking me to continue contact them on Line; it did not seem normal to me and, even though I recently received yet another e-mail from Grace, I have not taken them into consideration.
Maxim ***********
You can go to their headquarter in BKK and give them your passport. Most people ship it to them because they don't live nearby.
Maxim ***********
It's the normal way, they were absolutely overload by message since the beginning of the pandemic so they redirect everyone to their email and/or line. I know 5 people who have dealt with them during the pandemic, they all got their passport back with a legit visa. One more is waiting to get his passport back so we will know if the drug bust affected their visa business but I don't think so.
Antonino *******
@Maxim **********
, I have understood your point of view, but I didn't feel in trust; I prefer a direct contact with an agent, face to face, as I'm use to do for my wife Schengen Visa. On April 1st I have opened their post on Facebook just to see, I didn't search for them. Antonino *******
@Todd ********
, I know.
Todd *********
@Antonino ******
that’s how FB works lol. When u open the page. It auto generates a standardized message... 
Mongkon ***********
Fraudsters and cheats dislike my 'flagging'
Mongkon ***********
fraudsters to copy official rubber stamps or stickers. Exercise discretion.
Mongkon ***********
Common fact: exit and entry data is in computer. What is missing in computer is fake. Falsification is a crime: detention and fine.Easy for
Noel ***********
@Fats *********
. You must be happy. Now go back to gorging yourself. Maxim ***********
Don't worry, the stamps are all valid and done by IO's.
Maxim ***********
If you don't believe me just wait a few weeks, everyone will receive their passport with valid visas inside.
Maxim ***********
Goodwill so people are under the impression that a lot is being done. If you are an OG you know that it's posturing. Agents are all over Thailand atm making a shit load of $ and everyone is getting their cut.
Noel ***********
@Maxim **********
I agree
Michael ********
OP@Maxim **********
What were they doing with the stamps that are mentioned and shown in the picture in article.Maxim ***********
@Michael *******
Nothing, it's for proof of goodwill.Michael ********
OP@Maxim **********
uhmm
Jason **********
I did a 1 year visa with this company in May this year, everything went smooth, passport came back with the stamp etc, but now I’m concerned if it’s a real stamp or not. Is there any way to confirm if it’s real without visiting immigration?
Thomas ********************
Just now in Bangkok Expats. Commenting turned off. It's unclear what type of visa this is. I'd bet retirement.
Noel ***********
@Jason *********
. The stamps seem to legitimate for Thai Immigration. Check there web site. Grace is gone other person take her place. I go to immigration with immigration lawyer to check
Jason **********
@Noel **********
I see, so there must be a different line contact because nobody has replied on line for 3 days. If I walk into immigration they might see it’s fake and arrest me for overstay. I tried to look if there is a website to confirm the visa is real but I don’t think there is one.Noel ***********
@Jason *********
. Do not go to Immigration on your own. Unfortunately you need to go with an immigration lawyer. Otherwise you may be detained. I do not know if you will detained. But under any circumstances you go on your own.
Nick ************
When I was asked to part with my passport for 3 weeks the penny dropped that it was a bad idea to use them.
Todd *********
@Ni**
how did you think you end up with a stamp in it if you don’t mate?! Nick ************
@Todd ********
by getting a legitimate Visa the legal way.Todd *********
@Ni**
as you have undoubtedly read, they are legitimate stamps. And u won’t be the first one in many nations to pay a little ‘extra’... to make things work 🙂
Elaine *************
Please do not be concerned about what has been spreading in the news.
Immigration has already checked all of our visas, and concluded that they are NOT fake. So please don't be concerned, all of the statements in the news are "alleged".
Our former staff member Grace, had a problem 5 years ago, and this caused immigration to inspect her, and they found that she was growing weed for research, with technology. For purpose of medicinal treatment.
Immigration has already checked all of our visas, and concluded that they are NOT fake. So please don't be concerned, all of the statements in the news are "alleged".
Our former staff member Grace, had a problem 5 years ago, and this caused immigration to inspect her, and they found that she was growing weed for research, with technology. For purpose of medicinal treatment.
Elaine *************
I received on line from agency
Michael ********
OP@Elaine ************
yes but all them bags of stamps in Police picture looks suspectNoel ***********
You all post shit.
Ace ****
I think the plan was to have people get volunteer visa and help out at the weed farm.
Noel ***********
All I can advise you with is front up with a lawyer. And the penalty will not be so severe. DO NOT do it on your own. Otherwise you will have lots of problems.
Todd *********
@Noel **********
Lol. Get a grip on yourself. Child. Noel ***********
@Todd ********
OK. 
Thomas ********************
After the boys in brown took the stuff? That would be impressive :)
Thomas ********************
Odd. An earlier version said
"One of our staff grew weed to smoke."
Meh. Story changes by the minute :)
"One of our staff grew weed to smoke."
Meh. Story changes by the minute :)
Michael ********
OP@Thomas *******************
more baht more the story change. Think red bullKay *****
@Michael *******
true that Kay *****
@Thomas *******************
apparently they're tripping. 
Thomas ********************
I think perhaps Noel was replying to the one just above. To put it mildly, this new FB is having some difficulties :)
Noel ***********
@Bim ******
. Apply for a replacement passport from your Embassy. You can do onlineBim *******
@Noel **********
I don't need one just made an enquiry with them about the amnesty once and they said they can't help me. 
Martin **************
Just sent them my passeport + 37 000 baht 1 week ago and they said my visa was ready 2 days ago and no answers since then. No way to call them. Im trying to send them messages on line and messengers, no answers and they still have my passeport
Ivan ***********
@Martin *************
following Noel ***********
Those who have dealt with Thai Visa Centre better get a Immigration lawyer and go to Thai Immigration - rather than wait for them come to your residence and arrest you.
Noel ***********
Take Care.
Noel ***********
Mogens Nygaard. You dream. You wish
Ivan ************
You seem to know a lot about this Noel
Noel ***********
@Ivan ***********
. Yes. Lots, just what my interest is. Thai Immigration Law. And sometimes the stupidity that people post on line about ways you can get around Immigration Law. You think they do not read posts. Of course they do. It’s their information channel. Noel ***********
@Michael *******
. Thanks. It is going to be hard for those who use Agents. My best bet is for them to confront Immigration with a lawyer and explain what accured with Thai Visa Centre and the rip off!- unknown to you. Michael ********
OP@Noel **********
I play by the rulesNoel ***********
@Michael *******
. It is idiotic that we help them. Please do not post anything to help them. Please. We make it so hard on ourselves. Michael ********
OP@Noel **********
thats a fact they do check posts. My friends friend in Krabi had a bunch of interns doing just that all dayNoel ***********
It’s obvious it was a scam. Don’t deny it. They were caught legitimately. Thai Immigration now have all the information they want to contact those who use there illegal services. It’s that simple. Better those caught front up at Thai Immigration and explain why they use there services. Thais are not stupid as we all think they are.
Better you get lawyer and go Immigration with him and explain why you do.
Better you get lawyer and go Immigration with him and explain why you do.
Daniel *********
@Noel **********
Ridiculous Scaremongering Noel ***********
@Nicedan *****
. Nicedan. I do not think so. 
Burnard ************
If it is "Visa Forging" it would be obvious. It would not be in any computer database.
The Canibus should have nothing to do with Visas.
The Canibus should have nothing to do with Visas.
Thomas ********************
I'd guess it's about the supporting docs. The visas/stamps are "real". As in issued by an IO.
Still, if I had used their services, I'd certainly be looking at skyscanner or the like at the moment.
Still, if I had used their services, I'd certainly be looking at skyscanner or the like at the moment.
Burnard ************
@Thomas *******************
Yeah, if they used forged anything on their customers Visa's, they are screwing themselves and all their customers.Thai Immigration always assumes the customer knew and was in on it.
It is so dumb because Immigration has Computer Databases now. They record when you come I an when you go out. And all the Visas, permits, and extentions they, or Foreign Affairs, give you.
Unless they have someone on the inside entering false info in the system, presenting it to immigration is sending yourself to jail.
Tony ******
Dumber and dumber
*****
John ********
It’s a crap shoot trusting a “visa agent” here. If I had a dollar for every breaking story like this over 20 years, I could buy an Elite Visa.
Read the regs and do it yourself. It’s not rocket science, people. 🙄
Read the regs and do it yourself. It’s not rocket science, people. 🙄
Jonathin *******
I had contacted them about a month ago for visa help.
There was something about them that gave me a bad feeling, so went with another agent who actually took me to immigration and I met the officers doing the visa processing.
There was something about them that gave me a bad feeling, so went with another agent who actually took me to immigration and I met the officers doing the visa processing.
Steve *********
@Jonathin ******
I have found that if you go to local office of all these Government offices and ask them direct question, what do I need to provide so you can issue me with what I require, and then you go away and get what they said, I have never had an issue.You need to do this coz every office in Thailand decides for themselves what they require.
Most of the time not the same as what you read on Government websites.
Have never used an agent.
Agents cost money and tend to be used by those who cannot provide what is needed.
Kuan ******
Phew - was referred to them - they are quite credible - but it depends on the report version
Thomas ********************
As I've said a few times, I was contact with them. Mainly out of curiosity. They seemed serious enough. Asked all the right questions and concluded they didn't have anything for me.
*shudders :)
*shudders :)
Thomas ********************
Ok. Seems a new "feature". Again, my experience was like a year ago. They only talked about ED visa as an option for me. Which I wasn't interested in.
Thomas ********************
Oh, ok. Hope you get it solved somehow.
Thomas ********************
This was roughly a year ago. They never mentioned anything about a volunteer visa. How about you? This whole story has me kinda spellbound :)
Luca **************
@Thomas *******************
they offered me volunteer visa. 
Ezio ********
@Luca *************
Volunteer visa without need to make any volunteer, doesn't seems legit hahaBim *******
@Thomas *******************
I asked them about the Amnesty. I have only been on it a few weeks and need to border bounce in order to a get a Non O for retirement. I want to be able to do it inside the country and they said they can't help me. Bim *******
@Thomas *******************
they said the same to me. 
Wilmont ******
It’s better to do it yourself and save money.
Thomas *************************
What, a visa or grow weed? 😂
Bobby ********
@Thomas ************************
. Both I guess
Bruno ******
Wow the company have a lot of good reviews on google!
Luca **************
This is what they write to me right now...
Fortunately i didn't give them my passport yet.
Fortunately i didn't give them my passport yet.
Marguyvin **********
There's a guy on the forums lamenting that he had just dropped off his passport at their office the day before it was raided. Talk about bad timing, and bad choice of agents to work with. :/
Moon ******
Growing canabbis o dear..
What a dangerous plant
But selling Lào kao no problem.
What a dangerous plant
But selling Lào kao no problem.
Jeff *******
@Moon *****
the problem with Lao kao is they don't bin the first of what comes out of the still. so it's a little bit like Russian roulette... only one round but if you get the chamber with the bullet in it, you're not gonna feel so good. Michael ********
OP@MarGuyvin **
oops he is buggered thenMarguyvin **********
@Michael *******
I reckon so. He's going home one way or another, if not a detention center.Activity
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