@David ******

I'm not sure if you are aware but the bigger Thai visa advice group is now owned by the biggest visa agent in Thailand. + the Thai reopening group is owned by a travel agency company. You can post wtv, nothing to worry about.

Depend on which agent, which reports, and during which month of Covid. I'm sure you understood my point of the necessity of agent in some circumstances.

@Tod ********

Yes, this is what I always say. The whole purpose of using an agent is when you don't meet all criteria. There is no point in paying 35-40k baht for 1 year if you meet all requirements. Such requirements are often idiotic and nobody should feel guilty of using agents in desperate times. I will give you the Non-O based on marriage example. You could pre-covid go to Savannakhet and get it without any financial requirement. So why is it that since Covid you need 400k in bank account to do it within Thailand? If such requirements are so important why u could get it pre-covid without? It's part of the scheme where everyone gets their cuts so they keep the requirement so agents can operate and make banks. Everyone is winning, sort of, and nobody is hurt in the process of getting bribes. I don't think that it is unethical to do so. As for 90 days report, an agent can do it for 500 baht. 500 baht or driving 90 min to Khon Kaen and 90 min back, hmm... not a tough decision.

@Tod ********

Are you still mods/admin on the bigger group? I am pleasantly surprised to see you suggest the "dont go to school" option in Phuket :). Youve been very active here since the bigger group got sold, not a coincidence.

@Tod ********

+, when it comes to agents, you wouldn't know, you don't like them, talk to them, nor have used any agent service in the past. You are "anti-agent", nothing wrong with that.

@Tod ********

It seems you have been out of touch since January. Everything has changed the last few months, everything.

@Ron *******

A quick precision on Ed Visa. When I say that it's not possible atm, I mean from agents that I know are legit. I obv don't know every single agent in Thailand, but the few that I trust do not offer the Ed Visa since late last year. I've heard people saying that some agents offered them Ed Visa recently, but I would not recommend this route atm as the chance of getting scammed is high. As for volunteer visas with agents, impossible, this doesn't change. There was a major crackdown late last year.

@Ron *******

To answer your question. Ed Visa with agent will most likely be possible again between May and July, it's not possible atm. On the other hand, volunteer visa with agent won't be possible anytime soon. The only 3 long-term options with agent atm are retirement visa (if you are 50 years old+), marriage visa (extension based on marriage, you need to be legally married which the full process is quick), or having a Thai child (spouse). If available, some self-defense ed visa done without an agent might be a good option. Things will shake up a lot agent related in the next few months.

@Tod ********

You should give him real advice instead of regurgitating your hate for agents. I get it, the group you were running got bought by an agent company, this goes against everything you stand for. But this group has a lot more freedom in that regard. Remember that this group was created by people who got banned from the bigger group you were running, so the level of freedom is much higher here. OP already mentioned wanting agent recommendations, so you know what he is looking for, no need to be sneaky.

@Terary *********

Same, it also helps to have a Thai wife. I'm far away from being 50 tho!