ThailandRyan

The OP is wrong, doesn't take 18 months, and really not that many hoops for a Pensioner if you qualify.

Perfect sense your post does make. As I said if you meet the requirements and don't know how to do it, we'll then using an agent is appropriate.

So many coming here for a holiday never check to see what's required, but if they do meet the requirements yes an agent is appropriate, but if not we'll there you go and is why corruption exists and why many get taken for a ride up to and over 30k Thb to stay here. They then believe as the Mandalorian says "This is the Way" ????

The 50k Thb is the fee for the entire 10 year visa, nothing more to be paid. Of course you need health insurance but your home health insurance does meet the requirements much like Tri-care for those Vets from the US. Folks, there are no extra fees needed unless you want a work permit and then that's 3k a year.

50k Thb versus 600K Th up to 2 MThb to co sider as well....better value fir tge LTR if you qualify and you don't pay until its approved and then you pay the day they affix your visa to your passport, for those that apply here in Thailand.

Yes the starting date of the program was September 1st not November 1st and the initial processing time was 20 days. Took me from September 2nd to October 6th when I had it stamped and in my passport. The 18 months is also wrong. Whomever wrote the OP got some wrong info.....

It does seem insane to pay someone the amount qouted to wrap it in a bow only to have the BOI keep asking the applicant for more uploads of additional documents. Over double the price as well as what it costs to do it yourself and you only pay upon being approved and not before

If you have you been here for more than a minute you would know that in 2016 the blacklists were put in place and as the head of the tourist Police Big Joke made many high profile overstay arrests. Thailand: Blacklist for Foreigners Who Overstay Visas (Apr. 6, 2016) On March 20, 2016, as part of tightened security measures, new immigration rules entered into force banning the re-entry into Thailand of foreigners who unlawfully overstay their visas by more than 90 days. (Banned: New Rule Comes into Force Prohibiting Visa Overstayers from Re-Entering Thailand, COCONUTS BANGKOK (Feb. 18, 2016).) The rules were issued as Order No. 21/2558 (2015) of the Minister of Interior on November 27, 2015. (Order of Minister of Interior No. 1/2558 (Order), Tourism Authority of Thailand website (published Feb. 16, 2016).) Here's the story on the Fake Marriages https://wap-business--standard-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/wap.business-standard.com/article-amp/pti-stories/10-indian-men-24-thai-women-arrested-over-fake-marriage-scam-in-thailand-118120500877_1.html?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From %1%24s&aoh=16786255782972&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwap.business-standard.com%2Farticle-amp%2Fpti-stories%2F10-indian-men-24-thai-women-arrested-over-fake-marriage-scam-in-thailand-118120500877_1.html%23amp_tf%3DFrom%20%251%24s%26aoh%3D16786255782972%26referrer%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com

Or the US

Tell me how folks come in on a 30 day exempt and then go to immigration and get a 90 day Non Imm-O Visa. Your saying you can't....555+

Not always true. Remember a few years back an agent was caught with Immigration Stamps and it caused some issues.... Years before that an IO in Nong Bua Lamphu was caught giving fake marriage visas and extensions to Indians by using Thai ladies identities and information. This was caught when a Thai lady went to get married and was told she was already married to a Indian man. There will be fallout, just how much is a wait and see game.

Let's see what the widespread fallout is. Last time Big Joke got involved in visa issues and overstays folks started getting caught arrested and banned. Visa runs became harder etc...don't count on nothing coming out of this.

Which is sad.

Homeless encampment I believe is what your seeing. Had them in Bangkok on a few locations.

Orange man in an orange jumpsuit.....life will be fun

Your trying very hard to keep your hero from the slammer aren't you.

Freight is moved along the rails, what do you think its only just for passenger transport here in Thailand? We live near the Tracks in PKK and I see several freight trains moving along the rails here from the fruit canning factories etc....

You have to remember there were also approvals given in September after the program started and then in October, which was when my LTR-Wealthy Pensioner was obtained. Not sure what the percentage of approvals would be for the entire number who have applied since the programs inception. Like any type of Visa many apply but may not qualify. The LTR is not alone in this, yet the LTR does not need to be paid for until it is approved, which could lead to more folks attempting to obtain it. No agents yet assisting as of this date.

The only fees would be for the Work permit, if I remember what BOI told me. They did remind me to keep the letter they issued as well as the actual printout showing the LTR information for the visa.

It's my Orange color that puts them off until the green changes hands, your honor...

Tell us how folks obtaining a Visa or extension of stay don't know what the actual requirements are? No victim blaming here at all. It's called aiding and abetting criminal activity being done by the agent and IO. Sure folks are forced off and onto an agent by the IO, this is where they the IOs are corrupt. In the end however one decided to go about getting a visa or extension of stay is up to them, but those when caught out because of not meeting the requirements only have themselves to blame. However, when that occurs none will take the responsibility on there own shoulders but instead blame the system for allowing it. This is what Big Joke is trying to reel in......my view of course.

No bad temper on my part......

If you meet all of the requirements then yes using an agent to facilitate your visa, or extension of stay is definitely a benefit to someone who does not wish to waste the day or stand in a long hot que. To that I agree. Yet to use an agent to help you obtain the said visa or extension of stay when you don't have the necessary information and requirements is illegal and aids in the corruption.

Which agents did to show you have money in the bank....

Your point being what?