@Bill ********

If only it were that simple for me. Just signing a form stating I am not married at the consulate, have and stamped and translated would be considered very smooth in comparison to the joke the German way constitutes. As a German, not only the German, but also the future Thai wife have to provide a total of 6 different documents (translated and notarized), hers then send to Germany to some administration. This administration together with a court does lenghty checks. And only then sends a free to marrige document. This document again, you then take to the consulate in Thailand, where then finally a consulate letter of being free to marry is issued - which of course would then also need to be translated for the anctual Thai marriage to start. Rediculous!

@Steve ******

Sorry. My bad.

@Steve ******

Can you? At (at least some of) the bridges, walking across is not allowed. Need to take a bus for little cash.

@Marco *******

On a second thought: They both seem to deduct 30% of the revenue billed through them. With a minimum revenue required of 1,500 / 2,500 USD / month, that sums up to the price (or even more) than the Elite visa would cost over time. A bit pricey. While the Elite would come with extra perks, having a work permit and Thai income on the other hand would enable for a Permanent Residency in Thailand after 3 years of employment.

@Marco *******

Again. Thank you. An interesting approach. Why didn't I think of such a business model. I will talk to both companies. There is one thing I am curious about, though: How do they avoid the requirement of the 4:1 Thai / Foreign employee ratio? Or maybe (as they both claim they are in the tech / digital space), they are in fact registered as a BOI approved company. Will look into it further. From what I saw so far, Iglu may have shifted away from that business. But Shelter still seems to stick to it.

@Phil *******

3000 baht in cash put in between my passport pages - or go home. I paid and got in. Did not feel good at all, though.

@Jo *********

I see. Have not really looked at it in detail, as on the first page, they directly ask to upload my passport. Though I would be tempted to know what follows on the next pages and in terms of pricing. Just doing my due dilligence first, before uploading my passport to them onto a google drive.

@Jo *********

What would you come to this assessment and price? I have neither ever overstayed nor had any of the sketchy visa (like volunteer etc) - just a bunch of regular tourist visa and exemptions + extensions. I sure hope not. In that case I may just as well resort back to putting "only" 3000 baht in between my passport again.

@Mitchell ******

I always followed their administrative procedures ... including filing TM30ies and what not. Shakedown was 3000 baht. They did not even bother to ask me about any of the supposedly 3 proofs (cash, hotel booking, return flight). It was pay or go home.

@Paul ******

No. We are all good. Just not a big fan of people who have it so very easy (old people) to get a long-term visa for Thailand to tell young people to get an appropriate visa or stay home (when there is no comparably easy visa for the latter group). If all you have to say in a visa advise group is to get an appropriate visa or go home, maybe not say anything. Just my 2 cents on that matter. Nothing personal.