@Matt ******

Explain why 12 month visa for 2000 baht is dodgy. Just explajn it.

AND it is NOT a 12 month visa we are talking about, it is a year EXTENSION at immigration.

AND it is NOT 2000 baht for extensions, it is 1900 for extensions, that is the official price. Paid at immigration : HOW is that dodgy ?

You are just talking nonsense and don't have a clue what you are talking about.

You don't know the terminology, you clearly don't know the prices. You paid a visa agent because you don't know how to do it yourself. Not blaming that you can't or don't want to do it yourself. But if you don't know the procedures and prices and terminology, you shouldn't just invent things.

There can't be any dodgy by doing it yourself and paying the official price : either your documents are comlete and get the visa or extension. Or you don't.

IF you use an agent however, there might be a chance you are using a dodgy agent. Not difficult to find a trustworthy agent. But there are also some cowboys between them.

You said that you had to put 6600 in the account and the next day most of it was gone ? What is that ? Sounds very very weird.

You say there are many layers of government who all want something out of it ? That's completely bullshit. There is only ONE "layer of government" as you call it. That's immigration. And there is a very clear official price for different procedures. Go to immigration and ask them yourself. They will inform you.

Initial visa = 2000 baht, extensions = 1900 baht, single entry permit = 1000, multiple entry permit = 3800. Nothing to do with many layers who all want something of it.

You are just making things up. You don't know about it, and that why you had to use an agent to help you. Nothing wrong with needing or wanting help from an agent - I have a good friend who's agent. But don't make things up about procedures you don't know enougn.

@Matt ******

You clearly have no idea what you're talking about.

First of all : extensions are standard 1900 baht : non-O's , tourist visas, exempt,...

Second : there is no 15 month multiple entry retirement visa : that doesn't exist.

Probably (my guess) you are talking about a non-O visa based on being at least 50 (commonly called retirement visa) which is 3 months --> 2000 baht. THEN a year extension --> 1900 baht (Which is separate, and not even a visa but an extension) those are NOT even multiple entry visa or extensions. So then you have to buy a multiple entry permit separately to get that effect --> 3800 baht or 4000 if you buy it at the airport without picture and form.

And this wouldn't even give you multiple entry on your complete 15 months by the way.

And explain me how doing it yourself directly with immigration you would suddenly end up with a "dodgy visa

@Matt ******

What are you talking about ???? That IS the official price of the visa !! THAT is exactly the price of the fully legal visa.

Go to an immigration office and ask for the official info : 2000 baht is the price of the visa, 1900 for the yearly extension.

You have money disappearing from your account and don't question that ?

@Peter ********

fake. Don't need an agent

@Matt ******

the initial visa is only 2000 baht, year extension 1900. No idea why you would say "not cheap".

@Kool ******

Extra info : happened 29 November 2023 (so 2 and a half months ago). Officer kept the documents. He had to come back next day with bankbook (updated it bank downstairs at immigration first), could cut the queue straight to the same officer as the day before.

@Kool ******

It doesn't matter how many times it hasn't been checked. What counts is that as soon as there is an instance when it DID happen, from then on you have to take into account that an official at Jaeng Watthana immigration MAY require your bankbook for the transfer of stamps.

I know of a 100% true case a few months ago where he had to come back the next day with the bankbook (but luckily could cut the queue).

This also means that anyone who used an agent to circumvent the money requirements suddenly gets into unforeseen problems.

@Kool ******

And bankbook because the IO may want to check if financial requirements for the non o "retirement" are still being met.

@Michael ******

Passport number is not always on driving license. It depends. But probably majority of foreigners will be passport number. But can also be the Thai id number.

@Nick ***********

Driving license CAN have your passport number on it. Will be for most foreigners, but not for all. Could also be Thai id number.