1 hour ago, jimn said:

What bribe are you talking about?, no bribe involved. 

For agents to operate and hand in applications on behalf of customer! 

23 hours ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

Save 800,000 Baht and don't use agents. Works for me.

I know plenty of people with the savings, a lot of people dont like standing in the carkpark in the sun at Jomtien, have you seen the queues there when its busy? Each to their own of course.

5 hours ago, Olmate said:

On another thread your agent bashing, which is it? 

I said for this time it took longer than 4 weeks.. 

 

Im not using an agency

2 hours ago, sungod said:

I know plenty of people with the savings, a lot of people dont like standing in the carkpark in the sun at Jomtien, have you seen the queues there when its busy? Each to their own of course.

No que in Isan ????

2 hours ago, Hummin said:

For agents to operate and hand in applications on behalf of customer! 

Again I ask what bribe are you talking about. My application via an agent will show 800k in my account on the day of application and the authorising officer has the authority to authorise any seasoning requirements. Its legal and within immigration rules. So bribe it is not.

2 minutes ago, jimn said:

Again I ask what bribe are you talking about. My application via an agent will show 800k in my account on the day of application and the authorising officer has the authority to authorise any seasoning requirements. Its legal and within immigration rules. So bribe it is not.

Obviously the people with no money on the bank where they bribe to get an extension. In other cases it is not needed as the agents role is just hand holding for those who cannot manage to fill a form in and line up for a while

Here's an update. The agent went to Immigration after it had closed yesterday and retrieved my passport, then had it delivered to my house. This morning I went back to SCB and got another letter/certificate proving the 800K is in my bank. The agent then sent someone to pick that up plus my passport and she's taking it all back to Immigration today, so fingers crossed that she doesn't/they don't lose/misplace it all again.

 

I was seriously considering simply going to Soi 5 and doing the extension myself after getting the letter, but I saw that the new visa/permission to stay until 1-1-2024 had already been stamped in my passport, but not yet signed. That was a little bit comforting, at least it seems to be halfway there, but it also precluded me from going to Immigration myself to do it. I can easily imagine that when they saw that it had already been processed they'd have told me to go back to the agent to finish it, or else they might not get their cut of the fee I paid the agent.

 

I'm now waiting to hear from the agent when she thinks she will get it back, but she's not very proactive in her communications.

5 hours ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

One needs to take into account that not all posters are fluent in English.

Thanks IB2, I would never have know that. 

Only joined in 2005.

 

Sarcasm off ????

43 minutes ago, Guderian said:

I'm now waiting to hear from the agent when she thinks she will get it back, but she's not very proactive in her communications.

Did you get her new address ?

3 hours ago, jimn said:

Again I ask what bribe are you talking about. My application via an agent will show 800k in my account on the day of application and the authorising officer has the authority to authorise any seasoning requirements. Its legal and within immigration rules. So bribe it is not.

You ask me? I ask you! Do you think any visa agent do not pay bribes for their service? Just a reality check!

Sorry to hear this has happened to you.

 

Many of our customers have switched from their previous agents to our services as we offer the following:
 

• 24/7 Line Support Team (even on holidays) - @ThaiVisaCentre
• Realtime Visa Status Timeline
• Line Updates / Reminders

Not many are aware of this if they have never used our services but we launched a status timeline about 4 years back.

All of our clients are updated in realtime over @LINE based on status changes throughout their visa process, and even shows images as proof of progress.

This timeline is available for all visa requests, as well as 90 day reporting requests. 

Once we launched this system in 2018 we immediately saw less requests asking about the status of their visa, and received a more positive response from our clients. It has been a mutually beneficial solution, and more agents should look into moving to modernized systems. 

 

On 12/27/2022 at 11:57 AM, IvorBiggun2 said:

You are responsible for your decisions and cannot blame anyone else when what you have chosen is not successful. 

Not necessarily.  Other people can mess up your plans pretty badly in a number of ways and it can be very much their fault.

2 hours ago, ozfarang said:

Only joined in 2005.

 

Same me. Coincidence that hey?

4 hours ago, jimn said:

Again I ask what bribe are you talking about. My application via an agent will show 800k in my account on the day of application and the authorising officer has the authority to authorise any seasoning requirements. Its legal and within immigration rules. So bribe it is not.

The agent might be offering money directly to the official who uses their discretion to waive seasoning. The agent and official would then be committing crimes. (Most likely, this would have no consequences for you in the unlikely event that the corruption was prosecuted.) For the safety of the agent and the official, it is important that they properly use the loopholes available to circumvent the anti corruption laws.

On 12/27/2022 at 11:32 AM, Guderian said:

I think the first thing I need to know is if Immigration processed the passport and granted another annual extension. If so, then at least I'm not at risk of overstaying. Of course, even if I wanted to leave to avoid overstay, I can't do so without a passport. This is all a bit Catch-22, lol.

With very few exceptions people that use an agent are just asking for trouble at some point. It's great while it works until it doesnt and then they come crying on the forum on how to fix their problem. I guess some are just too important to spend the day taking care of their paperwork themselves.  

4 minutes ago, Dan O said:

With very few exceptions people that use an agent are just asking for trouble at some point. It's great while it works until it doesnt and then they come crying on the forum on how to fix their problem. I guess some are just too important to spend the day taking care of their paperwork themselves.  

Laugh all you want but it's true. there's a huge contingent of posters that constantly refuse to jeopardize the remote chance of losing their passport so refuse to carry it with them but then many of the same ones think nothing of handing it over to an "agent" to fix their extensions because they're too lazy or dont have adequate funds and then cry the blues when the agent doesn't follow thru in a timely manner. If you come to live in another country, then you should put out the effort to do the required paperwork yourself. Certainly there are a few true exceptions for using a real agency but it's the lesser of people using agents. 

19 hours ago, BritTim said:

The agent might be offering money directly to the official who uses their discretion to waive seasoning. The agent and official would then be committing crimes. (Most likely, this would have no consequences for you in the unlikely event that the corruption was prosecuted.) For the safety of the agent and the official, it is important that they properly use the loopholes available to circumvent the anti corruption laws.

But its not a bribe. I am surprised its not listed as an official process. Obtaining a visa via an agent is a massive bussiness here in Pattaya. The agents are geared up for it. They all have a nominated bank branch who they work with. In fact the bank normally has 1 employee working with the agent to quickly process the 800k in and out of the account. The immigration desk knows who the agents are who get given a fast track service. So its not a simple bribe to an immigration officer to waive the seasoning requirements, its part of a massive process. It will never be stopped its how it works over here. I choose to use the services offered as do 1000's of others.

25 minutes ago, jimn said:

But its not a bribe. 

Yes it is. Why do you think all agents were banned from IO's by 'Big Joke' a few years back?

 

Quote

Bribery refers to the offering, giving, soliciting, or receiving of any item of value as a means of influencing the actions of an individual holding a public or legal duty.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/bribery

20 hours ago, Dan O said:

With very few exceptions people that use an agent are just asking for trouble at some point. It's great while it works until it doesnt and then they come crying on the forum on how to fix their problem. I guess some are just too important to spend the day taking care of their paperwork themselves.  

Absolutely true. But obviously some are too proud to admit it ????

20 hours ago, Dan O said:

Laugh all you want but it's true. there's a huge contingent of posters that constantly refuse to jeopardize the remote chance of losing their passport so refuse to carry it with them but then many of the same ones think nothing of handing it over to an "agent" to fix their extensions because they're too lazy or dont have adequate funds and then cry the blues when the agent doesn't follow thru in a timely manner. If you come to live in another country, then you should put out the effort to do the required paperwork yourself. Certainly there are a few true exceptions for using a real agency but it's the lesser of people using agents. 

5! If and when the lazy laughers get caught up in a jammed with an agent, they’ll never admit to it on this forum ????????. Now that is something to laugh about ????????

On 12/27/2022 at 5:22 PM, brianthainess said:

Just go to immigration and tell them you paid an agent 'coz you don't have funds here of 800,000b, and also about the missing agent/passport, i'm sure they will help   

And I wouldn't expect Immigration handing out new addresses of agents, even if they knew them.

1 hour ago, jimn said:

But its not a bribe. I am surprised its not listed as an official process. Obtaining a visa via an agent is a massive bussiness here in Pattaya. The agents are geared up for it. They all have a nominated bank branch who they work with. In fact the bank normally has 1 employee working with the agent to quickly process the 800k in and out of the account. The immigration desk knows who the agents are who get given a fast track service. So its not a simple bribe to an immigration officer to waive the seasoning requirements, its part of a massive process. It will never be stopped its how it works over here. I choose to use the services offered as do 1000's of others.

It is a bribe end off.

5 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

It is a bribe end off.

It clearly amounts to a bribe when your IO asks; 'How much did you pay your Visa Agent?'. 'We can do it cheaper for you'.

1 hour ago, novacova said:

5! If and when the lazy laughers get caught up in a jammed with an agent, they’ll never admit to it on this forum.

Pretty sure thats what this thread is about, but dont let that stop the off topic rants! 

On 12/28/2022 at 2:29 PM, jimn said:

Again I ask what bribe are you talking about. My application via an agent will show 800k in my account on the day of application and the authorising officer has the authority to authorise any seasoning requirements. Its legal and within immigration rules. So bribe it is not.

You see what you want! 

This type of thing and the recent bank fraud case where small amounts were withdrawn from many accounts is making me afraid, very afraid and anxious. Like an anxiety holiday. Chances of losing money and successful visa failure are swirling in the winds of ocean torrents. Hope for luck for everyone here. 

4 hours ago, jimn said:

I choose to use the services offered as do 1000's of others.

So for what reason do you use the 'services offered'? If it's to bypass the need for 800,000 in your bank account then you, the agent and the immigration officer are all committing an offence. You being the biggest loser cuz you're liable for deportation

5 hours ago, jimn said:

But its not a bribe. I am surprised its not listed as an official process. Obtaining a visa via an agent is a massive bussiness here in Pattaya. The agents are geared up for it. They all have a nominated bank branch who they work with. In fact the bank normally has 1 employee working with the agent to quickly process the 800k in and out of the account. The immigration desk knows who the agents are who get given a fast track service. So its not a simple bribe to an immigration officer to waive the seasoning requirements, its part of a massive process. It will never be stopped its how it works over here. I choose to use the services offered as do 1000's of others.

For some there seem to be a delusional notion that things will always remain unchanged in an SE Asian country. Though things can suddenly change rapidly in this part of the world, a historical fact. Some righteous straight laced individual may one day bring sudden grief to some expats that are cutting corners in these parts.

On 12/28/2022 at 3:15 PM, Guderian said:

Here's an update. The agent went to Immigration after it had closed yesterday and retrieved my passport, then had it delivered to my house. This morning I went back to SCB and got another letter/certificate proving the 800K is in my bank. The agent then sent someone to pick that up plus my passport and she's taking it all back to Immigration today, so fingers crossed that she doesn't/they don't lose/misplace it all again.

 

I was seriously considering simply going to Soi 5 and doing the extension myself after getting the letter, but I saw that the new visa/permission to stay until 1-1-2024 had already been stamped in my passport, but not yet signed. That was a little bit comforting, at least it seems to be halfway there, but it also precluded me from going to Immigration myself to do it. I can easily imagine that when they saw that it had already been processed they'd have told me to go back to the agent to finish it, or else they might not get their cut of the fee I paid the agent.

 

I'm now waiting to hear from the agent when she thinks she will get it back, but she's not very proactive in her communications.

Glad it's working out for you. Pretty stressful with one's passport and stay on the line no doubt.

 

Find it strange that folks delight in the misfortune of others, as evidenced by some of the replies. I don't use an agent but it doesn't bother me that others do. Who cares? Do they really deserve all the grief of losing a passport because they do? 

Baiting/bickering posts and replies reported and removed.  Keep it civil.