As my Thai adopted daughter is about to enter a private University it is becoming more difficult for me to keep this 800,000 in the bank.

Is there another way with the help from an agent?

You can use an agent to avoid the 800k requirement. 

Since you are already doing extensions the agent cost should be about 16k.

 

Shortly members will be along to tell you how illegal it all is. They have a moral compulsion. Ignore all that.

Make sure that you deal with an established company. 

If you are married to a Thai you would only need 400k baht in the bank to apply for the extension.

You could also go by "income" not capital if you qualify of 65k per month.or a combination of capital and income.

Immigration treat you like a VIP when you use an agent, if in Pattaya it will be 12,500 a year, some charge more for nothing

Are Agents used in every immigration office?

1 minute ago, bikerlou47 said:

Are Agents used in every immigration office?

No. Which imm office do you deal with

I am in Khorat

4 minutes ago, bikerlou47 said:

Are Agents used in every immigration office?

No, and that "could" be a problem if you use an immigration office outside your province of residence via an agent.

3 minutes ago, bikerlou47 said:

I am in Khorat

When using an agent most often your extension is not obtained in that province.

The main issue with that is 90 day reports. You can either do a TM30 or have agent do 90 day reports (added cost)

 

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

When using an agent most often your extension is not obtained in that province.

The main issue with that is 90 day reports. You can either do a TM30 or have agent do 90 day reports (added cost)

 

I have heard that some do a package deal of extension and 90 day reports included for around 12k. Perhaps someone could confirm ?

2 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

I have heard that some do a package deal of extension and 90 day reports included for around 12k. Perhaps someone could confirm ?

That is correct however it can cost more.

For extension together with 90 day reports think it might be few K up from that. 

As I have mentioned previously anyone who uses an agent should select a well known company. There are independent operators and they would be cheaper, however less security.

43 minutes ago, bikerlou47 said:

Are Agents used in every immigration office?

Agents use the Immigration office that they deal with, not necessarily the one that you'd normally use.

39 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

45 minutes ago, bikerlou47 said:

Are Agents used in every immigration office?

No, and that "could" be a problem if you use an immigration office outside your province of residence via an agent.

Part of the agent's service is to take care of that potential anomaly.

Off topic posts removed.

 

This topic is NOT about the legality, morality or anything else. Agree with the use or not, Agents are a fact of life here and each to their own.

@bikerlou47

Although your obviously obtaining extensions based on retirement, there are possible alternatives.

Are you legally married to a Thai?

Do you have a monthly income from a pension?

Answers to these questions can provide an alternative solution to your situation and avoid the use of an agent.

I appreciate some of your responses but my question pertains to the use of agents, I am well aware of other alternatives..thanks any way

51 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

I have heard that some do a package deal of extension and 90 day reports included for around 12k. Perhaps someone could confirm ?

Yes they do Charlie, but the issue is they are almost certainly submitting 90 day reports on your behalf under a false address used for the extension, if it's from a different IO to the one where you reside.

Then there is the question of if you need a residence certificate to buy/sell a vehicle, renew a driving licence, where will this come from and what will be the address.

 

The solution to overcome these issues if you do use an agent and the extension is invariable issued by an office other than where you reside, is after receiving the extension, file a new TM30 at your existing local office (as if you just moved to that Province), then you can submit your own 90 day reports and obtain a residence certificate without further issues.

4 minutes ago, bikerlou47 said:

I appreciate some of your responses but my question pertains to the use of agents, I am well aware of other alternatives..thanks any way

OP, be aware that the well known agencies often have a Facebook page where you can ask questions directly.

My girl just called the Khorat office and for 20,000 I just need the 800,000 on my renewal date..it really does not help that much as I will still need the 800,000 each year even if only for one day.

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, be aware that the well known agencies often have a Facebook page where you can ask questions directly.

And avoid themisinformation! 

1 hour ago, bikerlou47 said:

I am in Khorat

There's a agents office on suraneree Road by the yamo monument, call in and have a chat, see what they say. 

18 minutes ago, bikerlou47 said:

I appreciate some of your responses but my question pertains to the use of agents,

Ideally you need to know if the extension is available from Korat Immigration and cost.

 

If it's from a different Immigration office than where you reside, file a new TM30 at Korat and you'll be able to continue filing 90 day reports etc as before.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

That is correct however it can cost more.

For extension together with 90 day reports think it might be few K up from that. 

As I have mentioned previously anyone who uses an agent should select a well known company. There are independent operators and they would be cheaper, however less security.

It cost me just 1,000 bht for the agent to do my 90 day report for the year and send me the receipt slip to my address, Its very convenient especially in my case where my immigration office where I extended my visa is 80 klm away.

6 minutes ago, nightfox said:

It cost me just 1,000 bht for the agent to do my 90 day report for the year and send me the receipt slip to my address, Its very convenient especially in my case where my immigration office where I extended my visa is 80 klm away.

Im definitely thinking about using one for 90 day reports.

The last couple I have not been able to use online. Did one by mail and one in person. Over it.

When I used an agent they would do the 90 day reports for free, but after the first report I did it myself as it was just easier and quicker

Agents allow you to circumvent the law by taking a commission from you and passing the balance in the requisite brown envelope to immigration.

Just now, condobrit001 said:

Agents allow you to circumvent the law by taking a commission from you and passing the balance in the requisite brown envelope to immigration.

I believe the same service can be had for obtaining a drivers licence.

56 minutes ago, giddyup said:

I believe the same service can be had for obtaining a drivers licence.

Can you elaborate?

4 minutes ago, toolpush said:

Can you elaborate?

Only that a neighbour said that he paid an agent to obtain a drivers licence for him. He really had no reason to lie, so I assume it must be possible when knowing how things work in Thailand.