nigelforbes

It's one thing for a person to use an agent to simplify the interface with Immi., especially older expats. I use an agent who handles all of my Immi requirements every year and I pay them 5,000 baht in fees per year for the service. But the agent is legit, I have funds on deposit so the 800k is mine, not the agents plus I'm playing by the Immi. rules. All of the above is very different from "the agent" who fronts the 800K and helps the applicant obtain their visa when they don't have the necessary 800k. So when we're talking about an agent, I think it's important to distinguish what type of agent is being discussed.

Well, I seriously doubt that. The Eastern Seaboard is the stretch of industrial area Chachoengsao and Rayong, the region includes Chonburi Province, Chachoengsao Province, and Rayong Province with Samut Prakan Province on the periphery. The area is known as the Eastern Economic Area and contains 90% of the country's heavy manufacturing. Much of the waste from that area ends up in the Gulf, as does 70% of household waste that is discharged into the Chao Prayo River. The Hua Hin side has nothing that even begins to compare with those things.

The planks will be rightly miffed at this unfair comparison of their IQ.

I joined three weeks ago, I didn't find three weeks ago.

Hmmm, let me see, make 60k by investing the money outside Thailand whilst scamming Thai Imm. via a dodgy agent, the penalty for which, at a minimum must be??? Leave, apply for visa and return, along with proof of YOUR 800k in the bank this time....cost of flight etc, easily 60k plus, if allowed back in at all for what, one year, ever, dunno.

I reduce my risk in as far as it is possible to do so by either making a U-turn in my vehicle, or if on foot, using an overhead walkway. If those things aren't possible I try to cross at a light, with a group of other people. As a last resort I will locate a policeman and pay him to stop traffic so that I can walk across safely. As a last resort I may consider digging my own tunnel under the road but this depends on how much time I have.

Only in your dreams. I was applying for visa's in Thailand when you were still just a twinkle in your daddy's eye.

So we've established it's high risk but within your personal risk tolerance levels, great. Now what about everyone else, now that we've agreed it's high risk!

The risk in crossing the road in Thailand is pretty damned high!

Sure, I'm guessing the agent pays a fee to the officer for the expedited service, a service that I pay for out of my fee to the agent. I'm OK if the agent wants to share the fee that I pay, all I care about is the service, all of which needs to be 100% above board.

Don't tell me that you're going to argue the case on the finer points of Thai law, none of which will matter one jot when Immi and the RTP knock on your door and tell you that they know you've been scamming them on the 800k via a dodgy agent. I'd love to be a fly on the wall during that exchange, ah yes they will say, you are of course correct and really the problem lays with the officers in the Immi. dept........tell me that's not what you think they will say, show me there's still hope for mankind!

Immi hasn't made a home visit (to us) in at least eleven years. That may be a function of the agent that I use which is connected to a senior Immi officer and is known to be strictly legit.

It's been fun, I'm off to do some gardening. Byee.

Mate, you just don't get it. The Thai embassies and Thai Immigration all tell us that there are requirements for each type of visa, one of them is to have 800k in the bank. Do you think that was just a whim or an after thought on the part of the people who made those rules and do you think that Immigration laws were passed to make them legal.....I'll save you the bother of having to deliberate, Immigration laws would have been passed, if you doubt that, there's zero hope for you in this life or probably the next. Given that laws were passed, do you then think it's OK if some farang rocks up and says, Oh dear, I don't have that much money, I'll just join this scam, I'm sure I can't possibly be blamed because really it's the agent and the bent Immi. officer really. Are you for real or what!

Give me a break, where do you think you are, in the UK Courts of Justice for gods sake!

I know how bent some cops are but I also know others who are straight as a die..

You have no way of quantifying that risk so you have no basis for saying the risk is small and the possibility very unlikely. Look, the simple fact is it's against the law. Posters can make all the excuses they want and try to project blame onto others but it doesn't change the underlying fact and everyone knows that so lets not have any more waffle.

I've been dealing with Immi. since 1992, yes I do know how the gravy train works in a few areas and by a few Immi. officers. I use an agent in the North for all my Immi needs but the agent is legit, in the past 20 years they have never allowed anything even remotely dodgy because it derials that very train that you're talking about.

And you think that will pass the sniff test of a non-corrupt Immigration officer who's after the bigger fish....I really don't think so. It's foolish to think that Immigration doesn't know this happens and it's even more foolish to think that everyone condones it. It's a matter of time, that's all.

I'm on a marriage extension and have been for over 20 years. My 400k stays in the bank year round and never gets touched.

Let me see, can I providing supporting evidence that people who scam Immigration department into believing they have 800k in the bank, when they don't, will be removed. Nope, and anyone with even an iota of common sense doesn't need any either.

If you stay and if you don't get caught, you may change your thinking on this subject. Most long term legitimate expats, the ones who really can afford to live here, get pretty pee'd off with the antics of the few that can't and who break all the rules. In retaliation, Immigration implements even more draconian rules which makes life even harder for everyone, even though most of us have played by the rules. The rule about seasoning the 400/800k, two months before and every month after, that's because of people like YOU.

Each to their own, if you're prepared to take the risk, knowing what the penalties are, have it. TBH I'm not sure that breaking Immigration law on the very first day is the best way to start your new life in Thailand but hey, I'm just old fashioned in that respect. And if the fact that said dodgy agent has loads and loads of farang customers gives you comfort and makes you think everything is OK, more fool you.

I would strongly advise against using an agent to front the 800k, they do get caught and people who use such a system get banned for life.

Thanks, I didn't know. I understand the Amphur has a will custody arrangement whereby they issue the person with a ticket that is in effect the receipt, maybe useful to give to the beneficiary.