2025 Pattaya agent retirement extension for newbies

[losable]

Firstly, please do not go down the path of discussing the pros and cons of using an agent. Please just start a new topic.

 

Secondly, if the answer to my questions is deemed sensitive then I would also hugely appreciate an appropriate reply by PM.

 

1) I have an existing Bangkok Bank account, within Pattaya, do I need to open a new account at the branch the agent uses or not?

 

2) What evidence, if any, is required for proof of address, when using an agent in Pattaya for a 1 year retirement extension?

 

3) What is the earliest time an agent will accept retirement extensions, e.g. 45 days. and if early do you still get the full 1 year?

 

4) The two well-know agents that I know of are based in Soi Post Office and Soi Buakhao. Is there any difference between the two?

 

Any informative, on topic response, is appreciated.

[scubascuba3]

Maneerat on 13/2 will be cheaper, the others charge more for nothing.

 

Address proof can rental agreement or hotel invoice

 

Using an agent for the first time it's 15 months, 3 months non imm O, and 12 months extension, you've not specified.

 

With an agent you can go early 45 days easily ok, maybe more, check with them

[bmanly]

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

Maneerat on 13/2 will be cheaper, the others charge more for nothing.

 

Address proof can rental agreement or hotel invoice

 

Using an agent for the first time it's 15 months, 3 months non imm O, and 12 months extension, you've not specified.

 

With an agent you can go early 45 days easily ok, maybe more, check with them

If I get a Non O 90 day from home would that be cheaper with that agent? Thanks.

[DrJack54]

2 hours ago, bmanly said:

If I get a Non O 90 day from home would that be cheaper with that agent?

Yes. 

Obtain the eVisa in own country and have agent do the extension is good plan

[DrJack54]

OP, ...

1. Depends on agent they may want to use specific BBL branch.. ~4k.

 

2.Agent will organize address or discuss providing your own. 

 

3. Agent should be able to do all. Non O + 12 month extension early.

 

4. Both offices you mention are well know and established. Maneerat likely slightly cheaper. 

 

OP, the agents have good communication via phone and apps such as Line etc..

If you are handy to an office drop in.

I was in Maneerat couple of months back (unrelated matter).

Took some time to chat with one of the staff. They explain the process completely..

 

OP, sent PM 

[NoshowJones]

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Maneerat on 13/2 will be cheaper, the others charge more for nothing.

 

Address proof can rental agreement or hotel invoice

 

Using an agent for the first time it's 15 months, 3 months non imm O, and 12 months extension, you've not specified.

 

With an agent you can go early 45 days easily ok, maybe more, check with them

I agree with this entirely Maneerat is easily the best agent, I changed to them last week and no other agent comes close. As well as being the cheapest, the service was outstanding.

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, NoshowJones said:

I agree with this entirely Maneerat is easily the best agent, I changed to them last week and no other agent comes close

Most likely you are aware that agent (most likely all agents) can obtain multi reentry at cost. 4k

Same as obtaining at airport with immigration 200b service option.

[hereforgood]

8 hours ago, losable said:

Firstly, please do not go down the path of discussing the pros and cons of using an agent. Please just start a new topic.

 

Secondly, if the answer to my questions is deemed sensitive then I would also hugely appreciate an appropriate reply by PM.

 

1) I have an existing Bangkok Bank account, within Pattaya, do I need to open a new account at the branch the agent uses or not?

 

2) What evidence, if any, is required for proof of address, when using an agent in Pattaya for a 1 year retirement extension?

 

3) What is the earliest time an agent will accept retirement extensions, e.g. 45 days. and if early do you still get the full 1 year?

 

4) The two well-know agents that I know of are based in Soi Post Office and Soi Buakhao. Is there any difference between the two?

 

Any informative, on topic response, is appreciated.

You don't need to open another account I was not asked for any evidence of address my agent does my renewal or can do my renewal she said in 3 months prior. If the agent on post office that you're speaking of is Manraat then I highly recommend them because that's who I've been using for many years never a single issue every time I renew I get it back within 48 hours at the latest. Many people will say you can do it yourself and that's true and you could save yourself a few thousand baht but in my case I don't like going to immigration for any matters and using them you only have to go down find their photographer which takes a matter of 3 minutes he takes your photo in a way you go you're done. Of course all of the posts you read here about doing all of this you must remember your mileage may vary this is Thailand and things Change Daily in some cases

[jimn]

To the OP

1. Your existing Bangkok Bank account is fine.

 

2. No address proof needed

 

3. 100 days before due date, no loss on time

 

4. Based on Cambodia Travel soi Bukaou. Maneerat slightly cheaper,but they use the Bangkok Bank in Central. Cambodia Travel the one on Pattaya Klang, for less busy.

[Jumbo1968]

3 hours ago, jimn said:

To the OP

1. Your existing Bangkok Bank account is fine.

 

2. No address proof needed

 

3. 100 days before due date, no loss on time

 

4. Based on Cambodia Travel soi Bukaou. Maneerat slightly cheaper,but they use the Bangkok Bank in Central. Cambodia Travel the one on Pattaya Klang, for less busy.

Maneerat must have changed the branch of Bangkok Bank as in August i used the one on Beach Road.

[DrJack54]

54 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

Maneerat must have changed the branch of Bangkok Bank as in August i used the one on Beach Road.

I wasn't aware of any change so just spoke with them. 

They use Beach Road branch

[Pattaya57]

13 hours ago, bmanly said:

If I get a Non O 90 day from home would that be cheaper with that agent? Thanks.

 

11 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Yes. 

Obtain the eVisa in own country and have agent do the extension is good plan

Not true. As we are talking Maneerat on soi 13/2 they wanted nothing to do with me once I already had a 90 day non-imm O. Even when I had tourist visa with 800k in bank going to non-imm O they wanted 24,000 baht if 800k baht in bank for 3 months prior instead of 25,000 baht immediately with no money in bank.

 

Their business model is 25k for non-imm O and 12 month extension with no money in bank. Anything different to that they don't care.

 

Funny thing is, because Maneerat wouldn't deal with me already having a non-imm O, I did the 12 month extension myself. Took only 20 minutes at immigration and cost only 1900 baht. Here's my DIY experience after Maneerat declined helping 

 

 

[DrJack54]

10 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

Not true. As we are talking Maneerat on soi 13/2 they wanted nothing to do with me once I already had a 90 day non-imm O.

Read my post. I did not specify Maneerat.

I stated "agent" .,...,An agent can provide extension from an existing Non O.

 

[Pattaya57]

Just now, DrJack54 said:

Read my post. I did not specify Maneerat.

I stated "agent" .,...,An agent can provide extension from an existing Non O.

 

And yet most of the thread is recommending Maneerat which is why I said they don't do it

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, Pattaya57 said:

And yet most of the thread is recommending Maneerat which is why I said they don't do it

Not interested in debating.

I visited Maneerat thinking of changing to using agent.

I explained carefully I was doing extensions based on retirement and needed extension.

Clearly related that "yes no problem" slight catch is I needed them open BBL account. (I knew that) 

Have exact same tale with Bangkok agents that deal with CW. 

Enough. 

[Pattaya57]

18 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Not interested in debating.

Me either, so lucky it's not about you.

 

OP indicated he could come in with a non-imm O visa and asked if he could still use an agent to get a 12 month extension in Pattaya. In my experience that is a definite no with Agent Maneerat even though they were highly recommended to me. I also asked a couple of random agents on Bukhao and they also said no. 

 

[StayinThailand2much]

21 hours ago, jimn said:

4. Based on Cambodia Travel soi Bukaou. Maneerat slightly cheaper,but they use the Bangkok Bank in Central. Cambodia Travel the one on Pattaya Klang, for less busy.

 

By the way, do they do 90-day reports? Last time I was with them, this was not included.

[StayinThailand2much]

22 hours ago, hereforgood said:

You don't need to open another account (...)

 

Seconded. I even used my account in Bangkok, but, obviously, had to pay extra charges at the Pattaya branch.

[DrJack54]

On 1/17/2025 at 11:05 AM, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Seconded. I even used my account in Bangkok, but, obviously, had to pay extra charges at the Pattaya branch.

You will find that costs more/effort than having them open BBL account in Pattaya.

BTW: The 90 report is 100b

[jimn]

3 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

By the way, do they do 90-day reports? Last time I was with them, this was not included.

I do my own 90 day reports online, but they will do the report for you at an extra cost

[bmanly]

On 1/16/2025 at 11:08 PM, Pattaya57 said:

 

Their business model is 25k for non-imm O and 12 month extension with no money in bank. Anything different to that they don't care.

 

 

Sorry I am late with the reply but thanks for the info. My plan is to come to Thailand just over 4 Months and I don't want to do border runs or be hassled by immigration doing 2 back to back visa exempts. Nor do I want to dump 800K in an account there. I thought getting a Non O from Sydney might have been good for me saving a few bahts. Looks like my BKK Bank account at the branch opposite Soi 6 is useless in this case too.

 

The package for 25K seems great. This will be the route I will go. Does that include a re entry or is single or multiples on top? Thanks for your informed reply.

[Pattaya57]

29 minutes ago, bmanly said:

The package for 25K seems great. This will be the route I will go. Does that include or a re entry or is single or multiples on top? Thanks for your informed reply.

A re-entry permit is on top at 4,000 for multi-entry, which is only 200 baht more than immigration cost. I assume single entry is around 1200 through Agent as it's 1000 immigration cost.

[DrJack54]

17 hours ago, bmanly said:

The package for 25K seems great. This will be the route I will go. Does that include a re entry or is single or multiples on top?

Single reentry 1200. Multi 4000.

Also note extra charge for using your BBL account at another branch. The 1640

 

 

[CharlesHolzhauer]

On 1/16/2025 at 7:08 PM, Pattaya57 said:

Their business model is 25k for non-imm O and 12 month extension with no money in bank. Anything different to that they don't care.

I have been living in Thailand on a retirement extension for quite some time, and I am genuinely amazed that anyone would pay a significant amount to an agent to bypass what is essentially a straightforward application and renewal process. In all my years of dealing with Immigration offices, I have never encountered any major issues during my annual renewals - occasional frustrations and long lines, of course, but nothing serious as long as your paperwork is in order.

On a couple of occasions, I was asked to return with additional documents, but this was entirely my fault for not keeping up to date with the latest requirements at a particular location. Forums like this one and other Thailand-based platforms are excellent resources for obtaining advice and ensuring you meet the specific requirements of your local Immigration office.

My positive experiences include the Immigration Office in Bangkok, the Jomtien Immigration Office (dating back to when it was still located on Pattaya’s Soi 8), and my current location. These days, even the 90-day reporting process is remarkably straightforward.

[Yumthai]

7 minutes ago, CharlesHolzhauer said:

I have been living in Thailand on a retirement extension for quite some time, and I am genuinely amazed that anyone would pay a significant amount to an agent to bypass what is essentially a straightforward application and renewal process.

You can certainly figure out that some people either do not have 800K to uselessly lock in a Thai bank account or can just make this money work at much better rate abroad.

[proton]

26 minutes ago, CharlesHolzhauer said:

I have been living in Thailand on a retirement extension for quite some time, and I am genuinely amazed that anyone would pay a significant amount to an agent to bypass what is essentially a straightforward application and renewal process. In all my years of dealing with Immigration offices, I have never encountered any major issues during my annual renewals - occasional frustrations and long lines, of course, but nothing serious as long as your paperwork is in order.

On a couple of occasions, I was asked to return with additional documents, but this was entirely my fault for not keeping up to date with the latest requirements at a particular location. Forums like this one and other Thailand-based platforms are excellent resources for obtaining advice and ensuring you meet the specific requirements of your local Immigration office.

My positive experiences include the Immigration Office in Bangkok, the Jomtien Immigration Office (dating back to when it was still located on Pattaya’s Soi 8), and my current location. These days, even the 90-day reporting process is remarkably straightforward.

 

The reason is people often don't have the 400-800k or the 65k a month, so have to resort to unethical means to stay.

[CharlesHolzhauer]

30 minutes ago, Yumthai said:

You can certainly figure out that some people either do not have 800K to uselessly lock in a Thai bank account or can just make this money work at much better rate abroad.

 

15 minutes ago, proton said:

 

The reason is people often don't have the 400-800k or the 65k a month, so have to resort to unethical means to stay.

This might explain the actions of a single guy, short on funds, with hormones running wild. However, it’s completely irresponsible for those who are fathering children, building houses, or conducting business without a work permit. It’s not surprising that some of these individuals, who rely heavily on agents, may feel uneasy about new government (tax) regulations. In my view, it’s highly unlikely that agents would be equipped to handle matters effectively with the Thai Revenue Department (TRD). Only time will tell.

[DrJack54]

On 1/16/2025 at 3:37 AM, losable said:

Firstly, please do not go down the path of discussing the pros and cons of using an agent. Please just start a new topic.

Posters note OP request.

Further posts re pros and cons of using agents will be removed. 

[treetops]

Here are Maneerat's requirement as of a few days ago.  Note the BBL app requirement which has been discussed on here but not mentioned in this thread so far.

 

[DrJack54]

50 minutes ago, treetops said:

Here are Maneerat's requirement as of a few days ago.

I sent this to couple of folk PM that inquired. 

So 1640b to use own BBL account..

Personally if dealing with that agent I would let them do the lot. 

Note: cost of open BBL bank account depends on age over/under 64. Few hundred baht. 

Screenshot on unrelated debate.