I’m feeling lazy this year and thinking of sending an agent to get my annual retirement extension from Soi 5. Only that service, I have the money in the bank so there’s no need for the dodgy agent-loan facility they offer.

The last time I did this it cost 8,000 Baht, including the 1,900 Baht Immigration fee. So far, I’ve asked for a price from two agents (Karen and Always Pattaya) and the quotes have been for 12,000 Baht. I told them that it’s just the paperwork I want sorted, no loans or anything else, which I recall used to cost quite a bit extra, but they say that 12K Baht is the going rate now. Did the IO’s in Soi 5 increase their fees by 50%?

The agent I last used has disappeared so I don’t have that option anymore. Has anyone found an agent lately who’s still willing to do the annual retirement extension for 8,000 Baht or thereabouts, or are those days long gone now?

There's an agent on Soi Post office that I've used. Maneerat. The cost is 8,000 baht for what you describe.  That's me. as well.  I have the money in the bank, I just don't want the aggravation associated with trying to do it myself.  To me, it''s worth the money.

I just don't get it when people that have the 800k in the bank want to use an agent. You still have to go to the bank in person to get the bank letter and you still have to go to Jomtien immigration to get your Pic taken.

 

So basically you're paying 8000-12000 to make a few photocopies and wait in line for 30-40 minutes (that's how long my 12 month extension took in Jomtien)

 

J&E Concierge have an ad on FB stating 7000. Might be worth a try.

@jas007 and @Upnotover

Many thanks!

29 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

I just don't get it when people that have the 800k in the bank want to use an agent. You still have to go to the bank in person to get the bank letter and you still have to go to Jomtien immigration to get your Pic taken.

 

So basically you're paying 8000-12000 to make a few photocopies and wait in line for 30-40 minutes (that's how long my 12 month extension took in Jomtien)

 

 

 

Indeed. My time is worth a LOT more than that.

 

 

I will avoid that office whenever I can. I save the 8k fee by timing the transfer of funds from the UK. With the rate where it is now I would 'lose' 7,000 Baht if I transferred funds now in anticipation of 'renewal' versus the rate of 43 that I would expect - and can wait for.

40 minutes ago, jas007 said:

There's an agent on Soi Post office that I've used. Maneerat. The cost is 8,000 baht for what you describe.  That's me. as well.  I have the money in the bank, I just don't want the aggravation associated with trying to do it myself.  To me, it''s worth the money.

 

 

Double check that the rate will be the same for a 'newbie'. The 8k figure is for a so-called 'renewal' and it is 12.5k if you use their money - but 20k for a first timer.

11 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Indeed. My time is worth a LOT more than that.

 

 

I will avoid that office whenever I can. I save the 8k fee by timing the transfer of funds from the UK. With the rate where it is now I would 'lose' 7,000 Baht if I transferred funds now in anticipation of 'renewal' versus the rate of 43 that I would expect - and can wait for.

According to my App , it is 42.98 to GBP. How can you save by 'timing the transfer of funds' when neither you nor anyone can really predict what it will be tomorrow.

In order to save Bht 8000, you would need to be sending GBP 8000 @ 44 as opposed to 43, but only once a year. 

7 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

According to my App , it is 42.98 to GBP. How can you save by 'timing the transfer of funds' when neither you nor anyone can really predict what it will be tomorrow.

In order to save Bht 8000, you would need to be sending GBP 8000 @ 44 as opposed to 43, but only once a year. 

 

 

I can.

 

 

It is a talent I have and having loads of disposable income means that I transfer when I want to - and that is NOT usually when the rate is under 44.

40 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

Indeed. My time is worth a LOT more than that.

 

I will avoid that office whenever I can. I save the 8k fee by timing the transfer of funds from the UK. With the rate where it is now I would 'lose' 7,000 Baht if I transferred funds now in anticipation of 'renewal' versus the rate of 43 that I would expect - and can wait for.

My post you quoted started with "I just don't get it when people that have the 800k in the bank want to use an agent."

 

What you are talking about is not having the 800k in the bank so not sure why relevant to my post?

I can think of much better ways to spend 8-12K ,you still have to go to bank

to get statements and  immigration to get photo taken .

 

regards Worgeordie

TikTok in Jomtien.

24 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

My post you quoted started with "I just don't get it when people that have the 800k in the bank want to use an agent."

 

What you are talking about is not having the 800k in the bank so not sure why relevant to my post?

 

Wrong.

 

Where - exactly - does my response make any reference to NOT having money in the bank. 

19 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

I can think of much better ways to spend 8-12K ,you still have to go to bank

to get statements and  immigration to get photo taken .

 

regards Worgeordie

 

 

That is because you don't have much money and 8-12k is probably important to you.

 

 

Do you deal with Jomtien immigration?

44 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

I can.

 

 

It is a talent I have and having loads of disposable income means that I transfer when I want to - and that is NOT usually when the rate is under 44.

Would you be a great AN member and let us all know when the GBP is going to go over 44, so we can all take advantage of your undisputable talent. Thanks.

1 minute ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

That is because you don't have much money and 8-12k is probably important to you.

But to you, who has pots of it, talk about saving Bht 7000. Hmmmmm.

9 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

But to you, who has pots of it, talk about saving Bht 7000. Hmmmmm.

 

Nothing wrong with saving 7,000 Baht. 

11 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Would you be a great AN member and let us all know when the GBP is going to go over 44, so we can all take advantage of your undisputable talent. Thanks.

 

No. Do your own legwork, it took me 40 years .

 

My last decent sized transfer was a tad under 47. I don't think we will see that number again for a while so I shall wait for 44+ before doing my next transfer.

7 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

No. Do your own legwork, it took me 40 years .

 

My last decent sized transfer was a tad under 47. I don't think we will see that number again for a while so I shall wait for 44+ before doing my next transfer.

Some of us use the monthly transfer method in order to keep our Extensions and/or our family members alive, so we must transfer whatever the rate. I am not in any way overflowing with money from my meagre UK Pension, I try to keep an eye on the GBP/THB rate in WISE and convert as & when it is a bit better. Then send it on 1st of the month.

1 hour ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Double check that the rate will be the same for a 'newbie'. The 8k figure is for a so-called 'renewal' and it is 12.5k if you use their money - but 20k for a first timer.

I'm not sure about that.  I've done this myself and I've used agents.  On and off since 2006.  I'm sure I did it myself the first time.  Anyway, I'd probably pay the 20,000 if I was a Newbie, just to avoid the hassle.  I'm not sure what the point would be for me to actually do it myself.  I'm pretty much past the point in my life where I want to put up with mental aggravation, and 20,000 isn't that much. 

29 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Some of us use the monthly transfer method in order to keep our Extensions and/or our family members alive, so we must transfer whatever the rate. I am not in any way overflowing with money from my meagre UK Pension, I try to keep an eye on the GBP/THB rate in WISE and convert as & when it is a bit better. Then send it on 1st of the month.

 

That is sensible.

 

I had to change from the monthly income method because I needed to 'renew' my extension 3 months early. For that I had to use an agent but with 800k in the bank.

 

For my next 'renewal' I may decide to use the agent's money as I will not transfer at current exchange rates ....I have until 19 January to decide. I really wanted to transfer in December just in case I am wrong about the current tax situation - that way I could avoid transferring anything in the 2025 tax year 

2 minutes ago, jas007 said:

I'm not sure about that.  I've done this myself and I've used agents.  On and off since 2006.  I'm sure I did it myself the first time.  Anyway, I'd probably pay the 20,000 if I was a Newbie, just to avoid the hassle.  I'm not sure what the point would be for me to actually do it myself.  I'm pretty much past the point in my life where I want to put up with mental aggravation, and 20,000 isn't that much. 

 

+1

 

Maybe an age thing but I am also at that point. A few quid to avoid dealing with Jomtien immigration is worth it.

3 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

 

That is sensible.

 

I had to change from the monthly income method because I needed to 'renew' my extension 3 months early. For that I had to use an agent but with 800k in the bank.

 

For my next 'renewal' I may decide to use the agent's money as I will not transfer at current exchange rates ....I have until 19 January to decide. I really wanted to transfer in December just in case I am wrong about the current tax situation - that way I could avoid transferring anything in the 2025 tax year 

 

There is no difference between transfers this year and next year tax wise. December last year was when you should have done it if you wanted a years grace. All dependent on enforcement of course. 

5 hours ago, worgeordie said:

I can think of much better ways to spend 8-12K ,you still have to go to bank

to get statements and  immigration to get photo taken .

 

regards Worgeordie

Agreed and using an agency perpetuates the corruption.

14 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Agreed and using an agency perpetuates the corruption.

What's the corruption?  A person meets all the criteria. Absolutely.  So what if they pay an agent to do the legwork? 

21 minutes ago, jas007 said:

What's the corruption?  A person meets all the criteria. Absolutely.  So what if they pay an agent to do the legwork? 

The IO gets a cut.

1 hour ago, kinyara said:

 

There is no difference between transfers this year and next year tax wise. December last year was when you should have done it if you wanted a years grace. All dependent on enforcement of course. 

 

Thank you, I hadn't thought about that.

16 hours ago, jas007 said:

There's an agent on Soi Post office that I've used. Maneerat. The cost is 8,000 baht for what you describe.  That's me. as well.  I have the money in the bank, I just don't want the aggravation associated with trying to do it myself.  To me, it''s worth the money.

Agreed....

Being told that 'is the 'going rate' is BS.... it is on the high side.

As you say Maneerat is known to charge 8k, I have seen 7k advertised, Mots asked 8k last time. Only difference might be if they drive you to soi 5 in an AC car, or send you on a motorcycle taxi.  Key Visa want 10k. 

21 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

I can.

 

 

It is a talent I have and having loads of disposable income means that I transfer when I want to - and that is NOT usually when the rate is under 44.

A perfect example of pretentiousness combined with self-importance.

23 hours ago, Pattaya57 said:

I just don't get it when people that have the 800k in the bank want to use an agent. You still have to go to the bank in person to get the bank letter and you still have to go to Jomtien immigration to get your Pic taken.

 

So basically you're paying 8000-12000 to make a few photocopies and wait in line for 30-40 minutes (that's how long my 12 month extension took in Jomtien)

 

Some people can think of better ways to spend 30 or 40 minutes.  Plus, I'm not sure how you calculate the potential aggravation factor. Knowing, me, I could go through the process to that point and find out I missed something and need to start over.  That's not going to happen.  My agent looks everything over in the first place.  All I have to do is pay some money and not worry about it.