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

correct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior are two separate Government departments, a lot of people don’t know that.

You can get a 30 day extension at your local immigration office for 1,900 baht.

No unfortunately you cannot

@Tore ********

I don’t require 800k to maintain my extensions here in Thailand. You should obviously read the rules set down by the Government in regards to obtaining and maintaining visas in this country, the financial requirements applicable for each visa are clearly stated, using a agent to circumvent the legal requirements and pay officials under the table happens regularly, but it is still an illegal practice. Agents themselves are not illegal at all, as some people use them to save time, or they just don’t know what to do, and that is fair enough. If you are personally taking a shot at me, don’t waste your time, as I retired very early and my investments probably earn more money than you have ever seen, so before you go shooting your big mouth off, try to think first.

@Todd ********

Todd, if you read my post again properly this time, nowhere did I mention using a agent is illegal, I stated that not meeting the legal financial requirements to obtain or maintain a visa is basically breaking the law.

I understand what you are saying in regards to banking the 800k and missing out on interest etc, but if this a veiled swipe at me you are sadly mistaken. I only require 400k in my account, as my extension is based a marriage to a Thai National, and as we have been married for 36 years this year, I have no problem doing that and have been doing so for many many years. You certainly don’t want to get in a pissing contest with me over investment and money mate.

Everyone here knows you use a visa for everything, some people are different I know, but as the OP stated he doesn’t have the money, which is a basic legal requirement to obtain and maintain your visa status in Thailand, if he said he didn’t have the time or didn’t know what to do that’s a different story. As I previously stated it is not illegal to use a agent, but he is trying to circumvent the law, plain and simple.

@Todd ********

if you don’t meet the legal financial requirements to obtain or maintain your visa here in Thailand, and use an agent, you have legally broken the rules there is no other way to say it Todd. That is why there are legal financial requirements in place to obtain and maintain your visa here. If you can’t afford to 800k in the first place you really shouldn’t be trying to retire in Thailand.

@Frank-Steven **********

you are spot on, it is a long post but explains it perfectly, if people are really interested they will definitely read it, the more information people have at the moment is not a bad thing, thanks for your time and effort 🙏

Great post, well said and well laid out👍

@Frank-Steven **********

thank you , that was all I was eluding too.

@Frank-Steven **********

I was just saying, a lot of people are saying what is going to happen, I was just saying in the fullness of time it will all play out, personally it doesn’t affect me in the slightest, I just don’t want to see people going off half cocked and possibly regret it, this visa is still in it’s infancy and the Thai Government has a long history off backflips and stuff ups, that can’t be disputed.