A good question, fully agree about tying up money, I use an agent and have done for many years. Ok if you happy to pay an extra 12.000 baht or so more.

@Ingvar ******

reading this doesn't surprise me.

Retirement visa renewal, don't have to leave the Country. May be a consideration for some,

Used them for 5 years, needed to claim once for serious illness with hospital stay and they paid out as per contract,

Massive risk without it. even if you put money aside, could clear out your savings if a serious issue, There are companies that will pay out as long as you are honest in your medical history. I had an issue 4 years ago and my company paid out as per contract. If you have millions of baht you can put aside then ok, and 3 months isn't long but it only takes one situation. Maybe worth the risk, but a big risk in my humble opinion.

@Andrew *******

ouch, Difficult to live well these days on that.

@Tim *******

now why am i not surprised.

@Tim *******

If someone cant take it, they shouldn't give it. ;-)

@Greg *******

Can think of worse places to be stuck lol I've been here over 20 yet still love it to bits ;-)

@Greg *******

The worst is that Thai Visa .com always writing about crackdowns lol, so i stopped looking at it, Same with these so called expat advisers,