Neeranam

We? What facts? I don't mind foreigners using agents, but I just say it straight and warn them about consequences. Of course I wouldn't grass my friends. All what dosh? If you use an agent, just admit it.

So they find officer Terdsak, Khon Kaen illegally gave a visa to Gunter, aged 68, Pattaya or Hank, aged 52, Koh Samui, or Boris, aged 36, Phuket. Do you think they are going to say, 'go ahead with your business Hank, Boris, and Gunther, we'll let you stay on this visa'?

Jack, Sunbeam? Do you feel superior in some way to me by using that language? I assume by 'use an agent' , you mean bribe an immigration police officer. There are no circumstances where that is acceptable. The immigration requirements are so easy compared to where you come from. As a Thai retiring in the US, I have to Invest 17 million baht, yet some don't want to keep 400k in the bank for a couple of months. Those that have the attitude that they can make a mockery out of the immigration requirements deserve to get a wake up call.

Personally, one guy I advised had the money but thought the agent way was legal. Something to do with getting higher interest elsewhere.

Spout? If you want to pretend you are legal and your agent just staple documents for 16,000 baht fee, feel free to delude yourself. Say it as it is man, and reread the OP is you are unsure what's going on. There is really no need for a personal attack, although I do understand you are under stress. I wish you the best, as I do my friends who are 'not legal'. I advised them months ago to fix their visas, but only one has listened, but he'll be able to sleep tonight.

Superior to illegal immigrants? Don't think I have to spell that out.

Huh? I am a farang.

Deportation, unless they pay a big 'fine'. This would be to the immigration officers in Big Joke's camp. Actually, probably the plan, as certain agents have been getting greedy(according to a police friend). This is a redistribution of wealth as often happens in Thailand. Never do corrupt activities if it means your livelihood or visa is at stake.

I never said I was a natural born Thai as I'm not. Just got a new passport which says I'm Thai, is it wrong?

Big joke knows exactly who the corrupt officers are and decided to arrest them, the rest is a formality, as he has support from the govt. I wonder if the foreign cheats will be able to away with pleading ignorance. Really is the end of the visa agent era.

If you use an agent that gets you a visa ext in another province, go to immigration IMMEDIATELY and sort it out, that is if you want to stay here and not get blacklisted for 10 years.

I've never purported to have residency. I'm Thai.

Do I really have to explain? They could reassure those who have used their services that their visas were obtained legally. There are lots of worried customers at the moment, especially those whose extension says Khon Kaen. I've a good friend who got an extension through an agent in Bangkok, when he couldn't provide the necessary funds in the bank, his was done in Khon Kaen, he's at his wit's end, and rightfully so. These boxes are full of people not living in Khon Kaen and could be deported.

Strange how visa agents never add anything to these discussions.

They have connections right at the top.

I, XXXXX, born in XXXX, XXXX, on DD MM YYY and holder of XXXXXX Passport no. XXXXXX issued by XXXX on XX XXXX XXXX, am a XXXX citizen resident in Thailand. In connection with my recent application for naturalization as a Thai citizen I do solemnly and sincerely swear that I intend to renounce my XXXXXX citizenship when I have received permission from the competent Thai authorities to become naturalized as a Thai citizen.

When you submit the application to SB, they give you 4 envelopes, one of which is for your embassy regarding the letter of intending to renounce. I've heard that some embassies refuse to do so, but if you can prove that you asked them, this satisfies SB. Photo of you outside embassy, for example.

Nice edit?

My point was Thais have more money saved , relatively to yanks.

No chance of that. Not sure why this story is in the news section of an expat forum. Rather than attract new members, I think it has the opposite effect.

They must really appreciate your daily education. This is what integration and assimilation is all about ????

Compared to what countries do you judge Thailand?

Thais seem to be richer than Yanks. 50k is over $1,000 69% of Americans Have Less Than $1,000 in Savings https://finance.yahoo.com/news/survey-69-americans-less-1-171927256.html

can't believe you actually said that do you have any Thai friends or relatives with this "primitive mind"?

How do you know it wasn't real? Ever seen Pretty Woman?