It depends on what you want to do, if it's just general servicing, tyres, brakes, and suspension etc, I've had good experiences with the FIT Auto service centres, they are usually situated at the back of the PTT gas stations, B quick or Bacs I've heard are also okay, see if there is any in your local area, I personally got fed up with back street garages, generally just ripping me off with over charging, or even charging for work that didn't need doing, or not doing it at all and still giving me a bill, and sometimes using cheap parts bought on Lazada, while being focused on maximum profit, I also had the same issue with the motorcycle, I now go to the honda dealership for everything, it's the same price, or slightly more than those little rip off motorcycle shops, with the car I use the above fast fit centres, and anything they can't do, its off to the main dealership, it's more than worth the extra to know it's been done correctly with genuine OEM parts and oils, the good thing with the above mentioned businesses, there is no farang price or ripping off, it's disheartening because I was always a supporter of small family run businesses.

In pattaya it seems to be around ฿4000, for a 30 day extension, just message a few agents on Facebook and get quotes, saves the leg work.

An instant access thai savings account is fine.

I've heard stories of them sometimes sending people away, even in the final week, and telling them to return on the final day of their stamp.

Some Pattaya agents can still assist with opening a bank account, but I believe it's more difficult if you are under 50 years old, I've heard a few saying it cannot be done, while others say it's more expensive, or you need to buy insurance if you are under 50 years old.

@Tim *****

I suppose if it doesn't recognise you, if you wear your glasses, you could go back to the bank, and get another photo done, I've heard of people doing that, or get some contact lenses 🙆😅

I was advised to always do the facial recognition, against a plain white background, with nothing else in the image or it will play up, also pay attention to the onscreen instructions to smile or blink, I wondered why it prompted you to do things such as blink, it must be so if someone got your sign in number, they couldn't scan your face while you were sleeping and clean out your account 🙆🤦😂

Have you considered the new 5 year multiple entry DTV visa?? If you want to learn the language, just sign up for some online classes, and get a DTV visa, if you are under 50 years old, you don't have that many options, apart from the Thai privilege visa (elite) which is very expensive, or you could get married to a Thai national 😅😉

There are agents in Pattaya, that can assist with opening a bank account.

It's not a scam if you agree to pay it, because that's the going rate, some people only have their government pension coming in, so don't meet the requirements for the ฿65k a month method, I have heard some people just somehow recycle it every month, not sure exactly how it is done, it is funny how you choose to ignore the fact the agent is paid with "interest money" so essentially it's a free visa with ฿25k in your back pocket, your visa costs ฿1900 but that's out your "own money" a lot just sit the ฿800k in a Thai bank year after year, earning virtually nothing in interest, it works for a lot of people using an agent, because otherwise they wouldn't be able to live in Thailand, so they don't have a choice, because they don't have savings and only live on a government pension.