If you failed the 90 days report test it's because you didn't go to school, correct? It's not impossible that your school worked with an agent to get your Ed Visa so they didn't care that you didn't go. As I say every day (and some people still don't believe me here), you will get denied entry at Suvarnabhumi Airport if you can't speak Thai while on a previous Ed Visa. Your school knows what's up because they most likely work with agents who are up to date.
The price with agents was 3.5k baht pre-crackdown. After that, it went up drastically and then became impossible. It's still impossible to do it yourself but if agents told you they can do it for you atm, it's probably true. Things change week to week. For example, I know that ed visa with agents are coming back soon. Hopefully, more good news coming soon.
I am pointing out the uselessness of the 400k requirement, which solely exists "in-country" to allow agents to make money with IO officers and everyone else involved. I have no problem with it, just saying.
Scam and fake agencies are one thing, but this is not what I'm talking about. If someone pays 35k baht for a visa with an agent because he doesn't meet the financial requirements, nobody is hurt. The agent makes money, IO makes money, and you get the valid stamp. What you are worry about is completely different.
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.
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.
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.