@Brian **********

in order to get a retirement visa 800,000 baht has to be transferred into a Thai bank account from a foreign source. Hard to do without a bank account...

The way they're cracking down on ED visas these days, I'd be leery of not putting down the 800,000. I plan to use an agent, but also plan to do it how it's written. That way, no surprises.

@Dianne ****

avoid the headaches. Like I said earlier, the same reason I don't do my own brakes any more. I can afford to have someone else do it. Besides, there's more to it than filling out a form. There's getting a bank account to put the money into when you are still on a tourist visa (not spending all day going to a dozen banks and maybe getting lucky). Etc. And what does it really matter to you? Want to do it yourself? More power to you. I don't.

@Steve *******

lol, I'm probably going to use an agent to get a license also. We'll see. Being a bike nut, I will at least need a scooter to keep my sanity!

@Steve *******

those things give me a headache. I don't like beurocracy of any kind and avoid it whenever possible. It's more than filling a form. It's getting a bank account that requires a long term visa when you don't have one, for starters. A lot of other things. And I grew up in the 60s and 70s. Learned to do everything myself. Thing is, I also learned it's nice when I don't have to.

@Steve *******

i can do all those things myself, but I don't want the headache and I can afford to have someone do it for me. Same reason I don't do my own brakes any more. I wonder how someone so jidgemental of other people's choices relaxes.

@Steve *******

would you?

@Bonnie ********

I plan to use an agent just to avoid the headaches like actually getting the bank account to put the money into, however I'll do it honest and upfront. Plan is to never need the 800,000 or any part of it so it just stays there year after year.

@Ron ******

from what I've learned this guy has been a thorn in immigration's side for decades, as he used to be with the immigration department. He tried several times to increase the requirements and the government turned him down every time. This may be the same and nothing will happen. We shall see, but I'm not going to panic over an article without some kind of official announcement.

@Steve *******

or you do a legitimate 800,000 baht deposit and use an agent just to ensure the paperwork and everything else is done easily and efficiently. What makes you think everyone who uses an agent is trying to skirt the system?