NitJune

Thank you so much, I am in touch with friendly ThaiVisaCenre. As an agent has outlined the costs earlier in the thread, I think it won't be against the TOS of the forum when I post screenshots where the costs are outlined. Amazingly, even though it is not the cheapest option they said "however, we can also assist for 3 months non immigrant O + 1 year Retirement visa + Thai bank account ( KTB ) in Thailand when you come with free visa / tourist visa." I was asking them about "safe entry check" and they replied with "We can assist for VIP service to secure entry at the airport. Can i see all Thai visa stamp to check for the fee with officer " Sounds pretty much relevant to my question, but maybe I'd ask them again. Cheers

I’m planning a safe entry check via an agent but worry about the one-year visa conversion—might I need to make a statement if asked? When you converted your visa, was there a form or question about past overstays, and if so, how did you address it? I’d really value your insight! Thanks

I could say yes to dodge the “how can you trust someone online” spiel, but no, we haven’t met in person yet. We’ve got a great connection online, though, and her owning a house and solid income makes the move feel realistic. My main focus right now is clearing that 2000 overstay hurdle

Thanks for the thoughtful advice! I appreciate the suggestion to get the cart in the right order. You’re absolutely right that I need to confirm whether I can re-enter Thailand given my overstay back in 2000. I’d rather play it safe and avoid any surprises at the airport or issues with a future DTV or retirement visa application.I’ve already reached out to ThaiVisaCentre via LINE to ask if they offer safe entry checks to review my immigration records, but I’m still waiting for their response. If they don’t provide this service, I’d be grateful for recommendations from anyone here on reliable agents or agencies that can perform these checks to ensure I’m not flagged upon arrival. I’m definitely not ruling out the 5-year Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) as an option—it sounds like a great fit for a long-term stay. For now, my focus is on confirming re-entry eligibility. Once I’m back in Thailand, I’ll have plenty of time with the 90-day Non-O visa to connect with a reputable agent to handle the visa paperwork. Any leads on trusted agencies for safe entry checks or personal experiences with them would be a huge help. Thanks again for the support, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for safe travels!

I stick to the rules and act prudently, so there’s no need for me to get defensive. National free healthcare here covers for nearly every imaginable scenario. Still, I’m considering purchasing travel insurance to cover initial emergency treatments and repatriation costs for added peace of mind. RE: "20k" I said our total earnings would amount to ~ +50K in a owned household for two. I wasn’t unaware of the broader context, but I asked Grok on X for insight. As shown in the attached response, was "40–50% of Thai people of working age (around 22.8–28.5 million out of 57 million) likely live on 20,000 THB or less and thus they are doing the undoable. I’m aware that, unlike many Thais, I’d face additional expenses such as visa extensions and other costs. Honestly, I wouldn’t even consider living here if my girlfriend didn’t own a house and land and earn significantly more than me. By the way, where I currently live is nearly twice as expensive as Thailand, yet I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything.

It looks like there is a huge LINE and email queue.

There is an excellent free healthcare system at my home country. But I don't need any healthcare, I was once or twice inside a hospital for some emergency and nothing chronic. 1 year travel health insurance available online will cost me around 100 Euro, which covers more than I need.

Is it convenient for ThaiVisaCentre to use LINE app for initial communication or would you prefer to be contacted via email first? I reached out to you at LINE, however my email address is not yet on file, but supplied at LINE

Is it convenient for ThaiVisaCentre to use LINE for initial communication or do you prefer to be contacted via email first? I reached out to your team at LINE app. Ny email is not yet on file. I supplied my email address at LINE for further reference. My line ID is @hakan -line. Thank you

I said we'll have at least 50K income in the household for two and we don't have to pay rent. Besides, living cost index is lower in Surat Thani. What future holds is another story. Depending on arrangements for a digital workspace, I am looking forward to bring more income into the household. I don't keep my girlfriend in the dark, she is pretty well aware of everything.

Some others have said my description of the events as "unclear" was unclear in response to my "not sure if I was caught or surrendered" I am not t getting into right and wrong things to do. Sure thing paying the bill and not overstaying would be the right thing to do. The guesthouse owner was only to happy to get rid of me. I'd walk away without paying, back then they didn't scan people's ID's. I instead said call the police. I was carted into IDC and embassy got in touch with relatives for a return ticket. To my recollection I wasn't accused for guesthouse bill. But there was no app to do an overlay translation of a scanned document, but then there were not many documents flying around and almost no one spoke English.

The passport from that time was renewed at least twice. Apart from the fact that during switch to biometric pass, around 2009 the issuing office had to issue a new one, they don't extend old passports anymore but give a new one and ask people to handover old ones..

A quick question. If I live in Surat Thani can I use the services of an agent, say, located in Bangkok. Do I understand " ongoing ~17k. " as future extensions and reneval of visa costs, or as ongoing costs of the same calendar year's ? Thanks

Thanks. I reposted the screenshot provided in another comment. Some other, probably you said that this takes us into the realm of semantic interpretations. What matters more is that you been there too, and I am glad everything went well for you.

Me and my girl friend has an combined 50.000 THB income. She makes 30K owns a house in Surat Thani and she's aware that I get 20K from pension funds. RE: "800k balance" Funds from some inherited property sell in procession expected to be finalized next year to deposit for the future applications. In the meantime, I came across some agents who claimed to get a retirement visa without a deposit of 800K. I posted the link in the original post, and some friendly people commented " Lots of agents can arrange a visa without you having the 800K in the bank," I'd love to know the name of one or two, but I am vary to ask or expect a reply, concerned about if it'd be against the terms of use of the forum.

Based, ❤️ comment. It takes the case from theory to the next level and to real-life. Thanks

It must be it. I always thought Embassies didn't want to share data with applicants. It turns out they had no data to share. Will do. I look forward to get a non-O e-visa from where I am located. I will also test waters with a safe entry check, few friendly people in this forum suggested several agents who'd do a safe entry check. Cheers

Thanks for the update. Who knows if they kept digital records around 2000 or digitalised former records when they've made the switch? Besides, I opt in for safe entry check through an agent. Wouldn't such check clear the doubts if I'd run into trouble or not during visa conversion stage?

Yes, like you said, I have my eyes on a tourist e-visa followed by retirement visa. I have no intention to break the laws. Can you be more specific on which way I'd break the laws again. Furthermore, I just got a clean criminal record document from home country e-gov.

iven the paperwork. Thai Visa Service does safe entry and they check to see if you can get in before you fly. Check with them www.thaivisaservice.com Thai Visa Service does safe entry and they check I like a safe entry and I appreciate mention of an agent. Thanks

Thanks ⇾ Good to find an agent doing a safe entry check.👍

I will be located in Surat Thani. My female friend, she is located and pretty much settled in ST province, so we've no immediate or mid-term plans to relocate.

Thank you for the feedbacks. I am not sure if I got banned. May I ask your opinion for an overstay less than year in duration occurred around 2000? An immigration advisor told my girlfriend who called him on my behalf that the 2016 law is not retroactive and I interpreted as I'd be safe side. I was careless at that time when I overstayed and now I am the opposite. What if I am an old list but still banned through omission of an removal. I hope this is a far fetched idea.

Thank you for the feedback. I also read some such stories, I am not sure if they were actual cases or hypothetical scenarios. I'd love to be on the safe side. I searched Internet for such "safe entry company" with keywords "Thailand Immigration Specialists and Consultants" + keywords "check archived ban lists. There're no immediate law firms claiming to do such checks. Would you recommend me to get in touch with one firm and ask them to support me specifically for this occasion?

Sorry about confusion. The webpage https://www.siamese-visa.com claim is following. Isn't it a bit fishy and highly risky? " THE 6th PLAN/OPTION (*RECOMMENDED), If you are neither unable to meet with financial requirements nor the Thai medical insurance, you can contact us directly to get more details about this option. We can also support you in this situation. Thai Retirement Visa No Funds: If any applicants are inconvenient or unable to meet with the financial requirements; Here's the items needed: Your actual passport Three passport photos with white background are required at the first time of application OR Two passport photos are needed for the visa renewal. Your Thai bank account with the mobile banking app registered on your smartphone/tablet and the Thai phone number (Let us know what Thai bank you do have the account with.)"