@David **********

UK government makes the decisions on outsourcing, so it's not a Civil Servant making someone rich, it will almost certainly have been the Conservative Minister that made the decision.

Didn't you get the answer from the 151 comments last time you asked?

@Cassius *********

you need an appointment at MFA also.

I would recommend using an agent for this service (I never use agents normally).

Without an agent unless you are very organised, you will end up back and forth to Bkk.

Someone is recommending one in the thread, it might be worth seeing how much they charge.

We were offered this service when getting our documents translated at the MFA and I refused, I wish I had accepted their offer as it was not a lot of money and would have saved us a lot of time, travel and hassle.

At the district office in Bkk you will also need an interpreter and witness. The agent also organises this.

Whatever you decide, I wish you and your wife lots of happiness.

@Ken *******

yes I agree, that's why I said more than 65,000 Baht.

Is your monthly money more than 65,000?

If it is, it depends which country you are from.

If UK, USA or Australia you need 800,000 to put in a Thai bank.

If you are from another country you may be able to get proof of income from your Embassy.

You need a residence certificate from your immigration office and a note from a doctor to say you are fit to drive (1 to 200 baht). Make an appointment at DLT and do the simple reaction tests. It is very easy. You might need to do the 1 hour online training first, depends on which province you live in. No need for an agent it is very easy if you have the international driving permit. Good luck.

@Mathew ******

the only difficult part is opening a Thai bank account, you might need an agent to help with that. Then you simply deposit the 800,000 and provide some basic information for immigration. Saves you about 30,000 baht if you do it yourself.

I extended mine again this week and other than waiting an hour in the bank, (someone in front of me was opening an account) it took me 10 minutes to get the letter and statement and then 20 minutes at immigration. The form is 1 x A4 to complete with about 10 questions. You give them copies of all your documents and walk out with your visa extension. It took me the same amount of time last year too. It's so easy, but it's up to you.

I have lived in Thailand for 3 years and have 2 bank accounts in England.

I keep a family members address in England as my address with them.

They can close your account if they suspect you are living abroad and this does happen, even if there is activity on your account.

Both of my banks have suspended my accounts during the period I have been in Thailand, because they were suspicious I was living abroad. Luckily I managed to talk them into keeping the accounts open.

They do not know you are abroad, unless you either tell them or your financial activity makes it obvious.

I did some stupid things like using Western Union several times to transfer money to my account in Thailand (doh!).

Use Wise to transfer money, so they don't know where the money is going and keep quiet about moving abroad and you will be fine.

Make sure you have more than one UK account, so you can transfer your money there if one bank gets awkward.

It's not ideal, but cheaper than paying for an international account.

@John *********

yes, if it gets rejected then they can go to the office in the location where their TM30 has been registered and do the 90 day report.

Just do it online, the immigration office does not know where you are.