You don't need a lawyer. An agent is the better choice. That is ALL they do and they are much more in tune, have contacts and you get more personalized service. And by far more cost effective. Someone on here hired an "immigration attonrney" a while back (you may be able to search this thread and find the post), and they butchered her application. She basically lost the money and started all over. Yes, there were extenuating circumstances, but they should have informed her of the options. And they charged many times more than a reputable, long tenured, knowledgeable and reliable agent would have. This is the way I look at it...

For only around $125-$150 USD (that includes the resident certificate and ATM card), it is almost a no brainer to me to use an agent to open a bank account. They will get me a resident certificate and do ALL the paperwork, get it fast tracked, open me an account at Bangkok Bank, set up an online account, pick me up at my hotel and drive me to the bank, explain everything, show me how everything works, get me an ATM card and take me back to my hotel. So much easier then trying to figure it out on my own.

They will also get the retirement extension for me if I wish them to. I already used my Non O and didn't complete it in time. Bounced to Vietnam, and I'm coming back on an exemption. So it's actually cheaper to use the agent than pay for another Non O, I can't get one on an exemtion, I won't have to keep $800k in a Thai bank year round and it would pay for itself by my money continuing to collect interest ($1200/ year). And I won't have to fumble through the paperwork. I like the idea a lot by not sold on the particulars for the retirement extension, so looking into any downside. Haven't ruled it out, but definitely using them for bank account. The dude knows his stuff and is very well known. I even watch an interview with him on You Tube. That kind of sold me. Good luck!

I just read your other post where it was denied. What did you do differently? And you only pay when it's approved?

@Stan **********

That statement is for dam sure! Lots of trolls...

For only around $125-$150 USD (that includes the resident certificate and ATM card), it is almost a no brainer to me to use an agent to open a bank account. They will get me a resident certificate and do ALL the paperwork, get it fast tracked, open me an account at Bangkok Bank, set up an online account, pick me up at my hotel and drive me to the bank, explain everything, show me how everything works, get me an ATM card and take me back to my hotel. So much easier then trying to figure it out on my own.

Are you adamant about an immigration lawyer? An agent will be much more reasonably priced and more customer oriented. You can at least check with owners of this site or One Stop in Pattaya. You can't go wrong with either one. Some people on here talk down on agents, but with the tougher regs on bank accounts and the somewhat confusing requirements, the is a lot of advantage to using an agent. And yes, there can be some pitfalls, so just make sure to use a reputable one with good reviews and a proven track record.

@Jacques ****

I'm going message you. I don't people people barking at me for posting what my agent says.

@Jacques ****

out of curiosity, how much are they charging? I came over on a Non O and it wasn't as 'simple' as people make it sound. I'm in Vietnam now and I'm leaning to using an agent I found in Pattaya when I get back, at least for bank account. It's so much easier to let him handle it.

@Joe *******

or you could say 'none of your dam business'. Trolls don't want a legit answer, they just want to spout negativity.

@Arporn *******

because he KNEW in advance his relative was going to have a medical issue? 🤦🏻‍♂️ Come on, stuff happens out of our control every day.

@Joe *******

What life? They just have nothing better to do. I hope you get it through and come back on here and tell all the negative people to suck it. If it doesn't work out, it was still worth posting the question, you had nothing to lose. If there WAS a way to do it, someone on here, especially Stuart or

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

, would know.