I was recently quoted 26,000 if I didn't have the 800,000 to set-up the retirement visa and extension (15 months). From what I under the price goes down significantly to renew the visa.
I HATE the pattaya immigration office but I think I am going to try to do my own and forego the agent... I will let you know in a few months.
I started the process last week. The fee was, whatever, I think I tried to order extra pages. I then went to the government site to pay and it did not have the extra page options so my bill was less than what I tried to order.
Point being, I recommend not adding "extra pages" if you see the option.
I use google voice and piggy-back my number on a friend's phone... A couple times a year I have to ask my friend to verify their number (GV sends me a code, they enter it in their phone, or something like that).
I use an agent on Soi 6, beach road, Pattaya. They're located in the back The Victorian restaurant. Border bounce is something like 3500 and the extension is 4500, your choice. Its about 8-9 hours round trip, they leave at 5:00 or 6:00 in the morning.
In the past I have used bus tickets for onward travel but the last time when they were specific about "flights" I bought a cheap flight to Malaysia. Also worth noting that when I applied for my eVisa METV, when they asked for onward travel I provided it and gave them an explanation that I would traveling the region and not returning to my home country. My application was approved.
I had a credit card, never used. I purchased a TV and a Couch with it. By the time I got home (2 hours), it was being used in the UK to purchase fast food. Almost every time I use a credit card in Thailand, I find fraudulent charges.