Pattaya retirees feel “trapped” in Thailand because of insurance

[Leaver]

22 hours ago, Mike Teavee said:

Indeed, I use an agent & have the 800k in the bank.

 

To each his own ????????

 

Other than you couldn't be bothered, is there any reason why you don't do it yourself?  

[Mike Teavee]

36 minutes ago, Leaver said:

 

Other than you couldn't be bothered, is there any reason why you don't do it yourself?  

Using an Agent ensures that all your paperwork is completed correctly & in order (e.g last year I would have been sent away as I hadn’t updated my bank book for a couple of months so the amounts were amalgamated & I needed a separate statement, agent spotted this whilst checking my paperwork & took me to the bank to get the correct statement).

 

Also ensures that I get seen quickly when I’m there (e.g last year I would have been turned away from CW as they were only doing extensions 3 days before they were due & I wanted to do mine 44 days before as I was moving to Wongamat).

 

In total I pay around 8,800 THB per year to my agent for all my immigration needs (extension & 90 day reports)  = 170 THB pw, worth it to me, maybe not so to others.

 

Edit: NB I still pay the 1,900 immigration fee & 100 for the bank letter so all in 10,800 pa < 210 THB pw

 

Edited November 21, 2021 by Mike Teavee

[Leaver]

55 minutes ago, Mike Teavee said:

Using an Agent ensures that all your paperwork is completed correctly & in order (e.g last year I would have been sent away as I hadn’t updated my bank book for a couple of months so the amounts were amalgamated & I needed a separate statement, agent spotted this whilst checking my paperwork & took me to the bank to get the correct statement).

 

Also ensures that I get seen quickly when I’m there (e.g last year I would have been turned away from CW as they were only doing extensions 3 days before they were due & I wanted to do mine 44 days before as I was moving to Wongamat).

 

In total I pay around 8,800 THB per year to my agent for all my immigration needs (extension & 90 day reports)  = 170 THB pw, worth it to me, maybe not so to others.

 

Edit: NB I still pay the 1,900 immigration fee & 100 for the bank letter so all in 10,800 pa < 210 THB pw

 

 

Fair play.

 

That's a great price.  It's a no brainer.  

 

I pay 20,000 baht, all up, no extras.  Perhaps I should shop around.  

 

  

 

 

[scubascuba3]

20 minutes ago, Leaver said:

 

Fair play.

 

That's a great price.  It's a no brainer.  

 

I pay 20,000 baht, all up, no extras.  Perhaps I should shop around.  

 

  

 

 

which agent charges you 20,000? certainly a rip off

[Leaver]

4 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

which agent charges you 20,000? certainly a rip off

 

I better not say.  I've never done it myself, and thought 20k baht a small annual fee for bypassing hoops.  I never shopped around for 18k or 17k, but at near half price, it appears I am paying "the lazy tax."  Completely my own fault.  Come next renewal, I'll be making inquiries.  

 

 

[scubascuba3]

4 minutes ago, Leaver said:

 

I better not say.  I've never done it myself, and thought 20k baht a small annual fee for bypassing hoops.  I never shopped around for 18k or 17k, but at near half price, it appears I am paying "the lazy tax."  Completely my own fault.  Come next renewal, I'll be making inquiries.  

 

 

Was it single entry? never heard of an agent ripping someone off that much, extension only?

[Leaver]

2 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Was it single entry? never heard of an agent ripping someone off that much, extension only?

 

No, covered the lot, including multiple re-entry permit.  

 

I guess if the member's price of near 11k baht didn't include multiple re-entry, then that's no so bad, but still, I'm paying over the odds.  

[scubascuba3]

14 minutes ago, Leaver said:

 

No, covered the lot, including multiple re-entry permit.  

 

I guess if the member's price of near 11k baht didn't include multiple re-entry, then that's no so bad, but still, I'm paying over the odds.  

PM me the agent would be good to know. For your reference should be 12,500+3,500=16,000

[fredscats]

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

PM me the agent would be good to know. For your reference should be 12,500+3,500=16,000

I had quote for 9   1900  maybe added    multi entry useless  jumping thru those hoops on return could cost a fortune

[Mike Teavee]

31 minutes ago, Leaver said:

 

No, covered the lot, including multiple re-entry permit.  

 

I guess if the member's price of near 11k baht didn't include multiple re-entry, then that's no so bad, but still, I'm paying over the odds.  

Ahhh, I didn’t include the multi Re-Entry permit as I haven’t bothered with one for a couple of years but the cost of this is approx 4,700 (through an agent) so add that to the 12,500 (lowest price I’ve seen) for an extension without the money in the bank & you’re at 17,200, if they do your 90 day then you’re  at 18,000 so not getting too bad of a deal.

 

[Leaver]

7 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

PM me the agent would be good to know. For your reference should be 12,500+3,500=16,000

 

I'd rather not say, because I can't complain with their service, although it appears they are on the expensive side.  I believe they can make visa issues disappear as well, not that I should have any, so I don't want to rock the boat.   

 

Maybe I am paying top baht for their top service delivery.  Eg. they will come to me, and they take my phone calls with any visa questions I have, no extra charge, and over the years I have called them to make inquiries on behalf of friends as well.  

 

Actually, I have a pretty good working relationship with them, I probably shouldn't complain.   Once again, I see their fee as a small price to pay for not having my money earning nothing in the Thai banking system.  

[Leaver]

7 minutes ago, Mike Teavee said:

Ahhh, I didn’t include the multi Re-Entry permit as I haven’t bothered with one for a couple of years but the cost of this is approx 4,700 (through an agent) so add that to the 12,500 (lowest price I’ve seen) for an extension without the money in the bank & you’re at 17,200, if they do your 90 day then you’re  at 18,000 so not getting too bad of a deal.

 

 

Yes, upon reflection, I think it's not so bad after all.  

 

I have no idea why I paid for a multiple re-entry permit last year, with covid still going.  Completely my fault.  Probably living in hope.  ????  

[scubascuba3]

36 minutes ago, fredscats said:

I had quote for 9   1900  maybe added    multi entry useless  jumping thru those hoops on return could cost a fortune

9,000? what was that for? you have 800k? i got 8k because i had the 800k

[scubascuba3]

18 minutes ago, Leaver said:

 

I'd rather not say, because I can't complain with their service, although it appears they are on the expensive side.  I believe they can make visa issues disappear as well, not that I should have any, so I don't want to rock the boat.   

 

Maybe I am paying top baht for their top service delivery.  Eg. they will come to me, and they take my phone calls with any visa questions I have, no extra charge, and over the years I have called them to make inquiries on behalf of friends as well.  

 

Actually, I have a pretty good working relationship with them, I probably shouldn't complain.   Once again, I see their fee as a small price to pay for not having my money earning nothing in the Thai banking system.  

i suspect it's all a story like many of the other things you post

[Leaver]

3 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

i suspect it's all a story like many of the other things you post

 

No story.  Why would it be?

 

I initially thought the member's price is around what I should be paying.  As I said, I never shopped around.  

 

The multiple re-entry permit is more expensive than what I thought.  So, turns out my deal is not that bad. 

 

I also don't want to post, or PM, anything that may identify me.  

[fredscats]

15 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

9,000? what was that for? you have 800k? i got 8k because i had the 800k

Extension   thats all,  not putting anything into banks here 'cept inflow of 65000.........1 month 3000 short    wise fault

[scubascuba3]

3 minutes ago, fredscats said:

Extension   thats all,  not putting anything into banks here 'cept inflow of 65000.........1 month 3000 short    wise fault

are so you were almost compliant hence the 9k, makes sense

[JensenZ]

1 hour ago, Leaver said:

 

I better not say.  I've never done it myself, and thought 20k baht a small annual fee for bypassing hoops.  I never shopped around for 18k or 17k, but at near half price, it appears I am paying "the lazy tax."  Completely my own fault.  Come next renewal, I'll be making inquiries.  

 

 

Where are you? if in Pattaya, you can do it inside the office for 14,000. A one-stop shop. Guaranteed you've never seen such friendly, happy Immigration officers until do this. They treat you like VIP.

Edited November 21, 2021 by JensenZ

[Leaver]

1 minute ago, JensenZ said:

Where are you? if in Pattaya, you can do it inside the office for 14,000. A one-stop shop.

 

Pattaya.  

 

When I first moved here, I expected anywhere from 15k to 25k.  I got 20k thrown at me first up, for EVERYTHING.  So I took it, and been with them ever since, as it was never my intention to move 800k to Thailand.  

 

Would you care to elaborate on your post?  

[fredscats]

6 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

are so you were almost compliant hence the 9k, makes sense

Nah    its bloody Transferwises fault    try the 65000 not more,builds up too fast,but they late transfer,was 5000 fine last time

[fredscats]

The small French guy works in visa immigration compound      tell him macron sent you

[Chris.B]

38 minutes ago, fredscats said:

Nah    its bloody Transferwises fault    try the 65000 not more,builds up too fast,but they late transfer,was 5000 fine last time

5,000 baht fine? For what?

[fredscats]

5 minutes ago, Chris.B said:

5,000 baht fine? For what?

being 3000 short   one month

[scubascuba3]

3 minutes ago, fredscats said:

being 3000 short   one month

How is that Wises fault? they confirm the amount before it's transferred

[fredscats]

4 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

How is that Wises fault? they confirm the amount before it's transferred

They do not keep to the date tho,said Sat  arrived early hours  following Monday...6 hours (then) time diff    Sunday was final day of month

[Chris.B]

19 minutes ago, fredscats said:

being 3000 short   one month

I think you are saying you were "fined" 5,000 baht by your agent to fix it?

Edited November 21, 2021 by Chris.B

[scubascuba3]

9 minutes ago, fredscats said:

They do not keep to the date tho,said Sat  arrived early hours  following Monday...6 hours (then) time diff    Sunday was final day of month

You can't bank on weekends and BHs, need to do early

[fredscats]

5 minutes ago, Chris.B said:

I think you are saying you were "fined" 5,000 baht by your agent to fix it?

No  immigration fixed it    I try for exact timing and amout to comply,yes should have allowed more time  but as I put final amount in their hands on previous Friday,they stated later timing

Edited November 21, 2021 by fredscats

[fredscats]

5 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

You can't bank on weekends and BHs, need to do early

Goes in  and out throughout wekkends

[CRUNCHER]

This thread has been well and truly hijacked. Extensions of stay, use of agents etc., which are all off topic, have nothing to do with elderly expats and insurance.

Does anyone have any updates as to how us old timer residents and coping on the insurance issue?

Edited November 21, 2021 by CRUNCHER