@Derek *******

thanks - if I understand correct, immigration saw that you were close but off by a few days so they offered a new 90 day visa? That makes a lot more sense to me than forcing me to leave the country or to use an agent with illegal practice. Thanks I hope everything works out for both of us.

@Brandon ***********

I have read comments that using an agent for that purpose tends to oblige you to using that agent for all renewals?

I was already planning to fly home for holidays but could move the trip up - and that could be a solution - but I am keeping my fingers crossed the transfers will not take that long and I just worry too much. Thanks

@Brandon ***********

thanks. What am I facing if the final transfer does not go through until Oct 3 (my 90day visa expires Dec 3) or day after - worst case scenarios) are there options or is it a complete fail?

I appreciate all the feedback and seeing how much this community can be supportive - and to know I am not alone with a bad back! 😄🙏

@Ken **********

thanks. I received the permit in email today. It just took a lot longer than expected.

@Brandon ***********

no, I understand, thanks. I am working with an agent for my retirement visa and it has been working fine and completely legit and any 'bribes' are used to speed the process and skip the long waits. No need for paying someone to forge my financial state. I was just curious how these other agents manage to do what I have heard from you an others. With these other agents, I always hear you are 'stuck' with them for any renewals because of what they have done, so I guess they are advised against in a number of ways. Thanks

@Brandon ***********

oh, so they don't actually put money in your bank - why do that if they are simply bribing officers..thanks

@Brandon ***********

so you give them control over the account? Theres is no other way to transfer "out" unless the account owner sends it back. The account is not going to show the balance unless the funds are actually there. And I assume this doesn't work for the extension which requires showing the balance every month - or are these agents transferring money in and out of clients account every month? It seems strange and not really possible - on top of illegal. Thanks

@Brandon ***********

- to a local thai bank account or an international transfer? My experience is a transfer can take a few days to show up in an account and that is only after the funds arrive - and you can send money to anyone's routing and account but absolutely not withdraw from it - so I still don't really get how they can do that - and also that it's a legal risk

@Colin ********

I have see comments saying this a number of times - that an agent can supply the 800k requirement. The requirement is show bank statements in your name (your address, etc). Are you saying that the agent will actually transfer 800k to your personal bank account? And the only thing you give is 15k or so? How does that work? Does the agent simply trust you to send the money back to them? Or are they forging documents for you? The 800k is required by Thai government - I presume to ensure you are financially stable and won't end up a deadbeat or living the street. Bypassing the requirement through faking it seems like it would illegal and a risk for the agent and for the client.

There are agents that ask you to provide the bank proof - and they streamline the process for you turning weeks into days - but is a agent that fakes the requirements for you a legitimate agent? Thanks