1 hour ago, Pattaya57 said:

I understand some people might have PTSD from the past. But for me it was a pleasant experience with a very friendly/helpful IO and the whole process took 40 minutes.

 

As I said before, the fact you still have to go to the bank for letter and Immigraton for picture means you are only saving 30-40 minutes of immigration time (or maybe not as you still have to wait for your stamped passport)

How many IMM Offices do it in that time scale.

A few years ago in CM we had to start queuing outside at 0400 if we wanted it done that same day! (in the days of IO being at Promenada)

Just now, scottiejohn said:

How many IMM Offices do it in that time scale.

A few years ago in CM we had to start queuing outside at 0400 if we wanted it done that same day! (in the days of IO being at Promenada)

No idea, thread is in Pattaya forum so I listed my experience in Pattaya

Just now, Pattaya57 said:

No idea, thread is in Pattaya forum so I listed my experience in Pattaya

Sorry I had not realised it was in that forum rather than the general visa one!

16 hours ago, Pattaya57 said:

As I said before, the fact you still have to go to the bank for letter and Immigraton for picture means you are only saving 30-40 minutes of immigration time (or maybe not as you still have to wait for your stamped passport)

My aversion started  some years ago, when I arrived with all my copies, letters etc and there was a queue going halfway down soi 5... I stood there 5 minutes in the sun, queue didn't move, and I started to feel dizzy, I took all the paperwork straight to an agent. Another time they insisted I sit outside in the heat,,,, they had a couple of large fans, but I was still being dumped in a car park. I think agents are a blessing for us guys getting older. Not to mention those without the necessary money on deposit. 

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

My aversion started  some years ago, when I arrived with all my copies, letters etc and there was a queue going halfway down soi 5... I stood there 5 minutes in the sun, queue didn't move, and I started to feel dizzy, I took all the paperwork straight to an agent. Another time they insisted I sit outside in the heat,,,, they had a couple of large fans, but I was still being dumped in a car park. I think agents are a blessing for us guys getting older. Not to mention those without the necessary money on deposit. 

Yes I remember those days too, but it's all different at Jomtien now. They have two new air-conditioned buildings built in the car park with plenty of seating. Last 2 times I was there in July and September there was hardly any queue and everything seemed to be flowing very smoothly.

 

3 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

Yes I remember those days too, but it's all different at Jomtien now. They have two new air-conditioned buildings built in the car park with plenty of seating. Last 2 times I was there in July and September there was hardly any queue and everything seemed to be flowing very smoothly.

 

Appreciate that.... my renewal does fall at a bad time being the end of the year.

Hard to go back to the old ways now.......

On 12/10/2024 at 12:23 PM, Guderian said:

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?

 

Yes, do it. It's good for economy😵‍💫

On 12/10/2024 at 3:43 PM, hotandsticky said:

 

 

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

 

 

Do you deal with Jomtien immigration?

A rather pompous presumption. Many of us prefer to apply in person. Money is not the issue.

Just for the record.  Maneerat ( in Pattaya ) has been in business over 22 years that I am aware of.....

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

A rather pompous presumption. Many of us prefer to apply in person. Money is not the issue.

 

 

I wasn't talking to you.

 

No presumption, documented financial status of the member.

On 12/10/2024 at 1:59 PM, 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)

 

Yes indeed, years ago with the required money in the bank using an agent in Bangkok and she increased her fee 5000 baht yearly.......I did not like the agent running her eyes through my 12 month statement as well, big money for photocopies ! do it yourself if you have the 800k.......!!!!!   

2 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

I wasn't talking to you.

 

No presumption, documented financial status of the member.

To state the obvious If you post on AN you are talking to all it's members. Anyway, have a nice day.

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

To state the obvious If you post on AN you are talking to all it's members. Anyway, have a nice day.

 

 

You too have a nice day........I disagree when you are replying to (and quoting) a specific member.

11 hours ago, Pattaya57 said:

Yes I remember those days too, but it's all different at Jomtien now. They have two new air-conditioned buildings built in the car park with plenty of seating. Last 2 times I was there in July and September there was hardly any queue and everything seemed to be flowing very smoothly.

 

For me, I'd simply rather pay an agent. and have ZERO wait and no real possibility of getting anything wrong.  If the choice was between paying an agent and being done with it or going to Immigration with my paperwork and taking the chance that they might find some problem, I'll pay the agent every time.  One less thing I have to think about. 

people using agents should be deported.

1 hour ago, jas007 said:

For me, I'd simply rather pay an agent. and have ZERO wait and no real possibility of getting anything wrong.  If the choice was between paying an agent and being done with it or going to Immigration with my paperwork and taking the chance that they might find some problem, I'll pay the agent every time.  One less thing I have to think about. 

I'm happy to take your 8-12k to wait in line for you for the whole 40 minutes at Jomtion with all the so called stress involved. Geez I'll even do it for 4k including the 1900 baht immigration fee 😀

4 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

I'm happy to take your 8-12k to wait in line for you for the whole 40 minutes at Jomtion with all the so called stress involved. Geez I'll even do it for 4k including the 1900 baht immigration fee 😀

 

 

Not the smartest offer..............

 

 

So you take his 12k. How much do you think you will have to put in a brown envelope to convince an I/O that you are jas007.

 

 

I guess some people have a low estimation of the value of their time.

2 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Not the smartest offer..............

 

 

So you take his 12k. How much do you think you will have to put in a brown envelope to convince an I/O that you are jas007.

 

 

I guess some people have a low estimation of the value of their time.

The whole thread is about someone already having the 800k in bank and just using the agent for hand holding so your post is ridiculous

4 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

The whole thread is about someone already having the 800k in bank and just using the agent for hand holding so your post is ridiculous

 

Your post was about offering a service - I was replying to that..... 

4 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

The whole thread is about someone already having the 800k in bank and just using the agent for hand holding so your post is ridiculous

I always keep 800K in a Thai bank.  I still pay an agent.  8000 baht is no big deal.  t's not complicated.  I pay money and avoid the annoyance.  I

27 minutes ago, jas007 said:

I always keep 800K in a Thai bank.  I still pay an agent.  8000 baht is no big deal.  t's not complicated.  I pay money and avoid the annoyance.  I

Fair enough, meanwhile I pay 1900 baht to do it myself which is no annoyance to me. 40 minutes per year at immigration when retired is not a big stress concern in my life

 

The only part of using an agent that was a hassle was the going to bkk bank and sitting and waiting and waiting for them to print and have me sign piles of forms...mostly seemed to be for usa tax/irs folks....take your pic a dozen or so times and put $$ in and out of the bank account...total time from start to finish with two separate visits?  first visit 4 hours...second visit...2 hours.  
So be prepared for that...silly me thought that would be in and out in a few minutes.  So be aware that you will likely spend a lot of time sitting and waiting there. Both visits the bkk branch office was packed and appeared that every single person was there to get retirement visa.