@Rfael ***********

It's illegal to use an agent to pay a bribe to a government official in order to get a visa extension, but thousands do it every day. "Illegal" in Thailand means FA

Don't listen to these pricks telling you you'll have to pay tax. They're miserable old farts who have nothing better to do in their lives. Yes, go with your girlfriend to her bank and they'll open an account for you. Worked for me. If you stay with her, she'll take her house book, you take your passport. Laughing

If you apply using eVisa you get a PDF document, if you apply through an embassy or Consulate in a country not using eVisa you get a sticker in your passport

@Greg *******

And on the tax situation I 100% agree with you. The "tax agents" are muscling in alongside the "visa agents" to scare and scam expats. Sad thing is so many believe them!

@Greg *******

Obviously we do mix in way different circles. The people you mix with probably hang around places like Nana and Cowboy. I'm sure it's very easy to burn through money there. You are aware that most teachers in Thailand are WORKING for about 40k a month and think the place is great! I could not live on 40k a month. I need decent food (not street rubbish) either cooked at home or in a decent restaurant (I don't go to 7-11!), and I can only drink imported beer unless it's Carabao. I find 80k fits me fine, but trust me, there's a lot of expats out there doing it on less than that! Every year they go through the panic stage trying to scrape the absurd 25,000+ baht which these visa agent scammers charge to pay a bribe. I couldn't live like that. I had to lend a guy 10k just two weeks ago for his extension, and he'll pay me back at 1000 a week! Unbelievable huh? It seems you've little idea how many expats are "living" in Thailand! Very sad

@Greg *******

I doubt you'll find many bringing in more than the 65k per month, and many bring in less than that who use agents to scam the 800k deal. I bring in 75-80k but I have a great public service pension from Australia, so I'm in a better position than many. As many pensions are not taxable in Thailand, I can't see retirees being a priority target for Thailand Revenue!

@Greg *******

The Smart Visa doesn't help retirees! They pay 0% tax!

@Greg *******

Exactly. Government has too many other fish to fry at this point, but when Privilege does kick up a fuss, perhaps they'll have to explain why they bumped up their prices by an astronomical amount!

@Dave ****

I can't see what a complaint will do. Sales of the Privilege Visa have all but stalled, whereas the DTV is leaping ahead. If they were going to try to stop it, they would have nipped it in the bud. But anyway, only time will tell, but I reckon the DTV is here to stay

@Dave ****

I was surprised that the Privilege Visa people didn't kick up a fuss. I'd say the guy who "owns" this has been paid off already! The Privilege people have been conspicuous by their silence!