23 hours ago, Boycie said:

Did you arrive at lunchtime? 

About 10.15

21 hours ago, geisha said:

So what is the cost of applying for a SETV in Penang with and without an agent ? 

I suppose depending on the agent it could be 20 to 50 ringit on top of the visa cost and what documents you might be missing, flight booking etc.

Not sure, never used one.

23 hours ago, geisha said:

So what is the cost of applying for a SETV in Penang with and without an agent ? 

When I have applied in Penang, the agent (not one of the many. many sub agents that abound) has cost 30 MYR. That was before the flight/hotel proof conditions existed. I am unsure how much the lack of those would add to the price. Some other agents (and the sub agents) are, I know, more expensive.

On ‎07‎/‎10‎/‎2017 at 8:42 AM, meinphuket said:

I would imagine that they prefer to deal with agents processing stacks of visa appications from both a monetary aspect, to avoid long queues and, often lengthy and argumental, procedures involving individual applicants. 

Use of Agents

Every single Government/Official body (not just in Thailand) be it a local office or an Embassy loves agents. As you implied all the paper work has been correctly done and checked before it gets anywhere near the "office/clerk/official" and all they to do is a cursory check and everything processed in a much quicker time than processing individuals in a face to face situation.

 

Their time/worksheets only show so many forms/applications processed, not the actual number of people they physically interview. As a result they look so efficient when agents use them as opposed to talking to each applicant.

 

PS; 

Here is a thought or twist on the "tea money scene";  Maybe the Officials bribe the agent to use them so the official’s "throughput" bonus goes up rather than the agent bribe the "official" for the appointment slot! Just a thought. (Del Boy would love the twist)

On ‎10‎/‎7‎/‎2017 at 9:38 AM, ThaiWai said:

They should set up an online appointments calendar like the US embassy.  Done.

"Online"?  You mean like a "reservation system"?  With actual computers?  And someone trained to operate the system and the computers??  And then someone else standing by to process the applicants when they show up for their appointments??   Every day???

 

Hmm.  OK.  I think they should set up an automatic system that dispenses DIY fill-in-the-blank visas with 1000B notes attached...

 

   

7 hours ago, hawker9000 said:

"Online"?  You mean like a "reservation system"?  With actual computers?  And someone trained to operate the system and the computers??  And then someone else standing by to process the applicants when they show up for their appointments??   Every day???

 

Hmm.  OK.  I think they should set up an automatic system that dispenses DIY fill-in-the-blank visas with 1000B notes attached...

 

   

I said should not could Captain Overreaction.

18 hours ago, hawker9000 said:

"Online"?  You mean like a "reservation system"?  With actual computers?  And someone trained to operate the system and the computers??  And then someone else standing by to process the applicants when they show up for their appointments??   Every day???

 

Hmm.  OK.  I think they should set up an automatic system that dispenses DIY fill-in-the-blank visas with 1000B notes attached...

Yes, i.e. - like the Thai Embassy in Singapore.  You even submit the documents in advance, to be pre-approved to get the appointment, taking most of the people who aren't ready out of the queue.