My agent handles my 90-day check-ins and renewal is effortless. I just hand him my passport and it's finished in a couple days. There's a reason there's hundreds of Visa agents everywhere in Thailand. If I need to travel by air I just use my driver's license while my passports being renewed for usually not a big deal.
Enter on tourist visa and immediately see Visa agent. If you're asking on Facebook what to do please see an agent. You'll be on the beach enjoying life rather than countless trips to immigration. Normally I enjoy doing things on my own to save a little money but when it comes to immigration, banking and driver's license in Thailand always use an agent
This scenario is exactly why there are so many Visa agents in Thailand. Sure you can do this on your own, but at this point in your life being retired why would you? I meet so many ex-pats that waste so much time with this. Hours, days, weeks and the needless worry . For visas, banking and drivers license always use an agent. Since being retired for five years, I’ve only gone to immigration once and it was for about five minutes to take photo. I drop off my passport with my agent for 90 day check-in and comes back in a day or two. Visa renewal is about a week. It’s trivial now I don’t have to follow blogs or listen to fake Youtubers. It’s just handled and I can enjoy my retirement.
Whole different level of stupid trusting a Thai woman  when it comes to immigration or money. I have friends that have lost much more than 18k baht….😅.  If you don’t already know this then you’ll learn this lesson soon.
If they use an agent, they couldn’t come on here and complain about the immigration process…lol.  I learned a long time ago to leave immigration, banking, and DLT to my Agent. I’d rather be at the beach.
I guess the word “permanent”is throwing me off maybe you mean that there’s a tax ID associated with your cell phone number which is required for your retirement visa and needs to be verified by your cell provider.  A tourist Sim can’t be used and after it expires it can be changed to a monthly plan.  I’m also in Pattaya and Krungsri is one my banks.
 With all my Thai bank accounts, I’ve never been asked for a copy of an annual phone contract or it’s prepaid or postpaid for last 10 years. Most Thai’s don’t have annual phone plan.  An annual phone contract is tied to financing a phone and is relatively new to Thailand. They do require a copy of your lease agreement for your residence.  I rent my home month-to-month. It’s never been an issue getting a bank account.
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