11 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Nice Rant.. 

In reality some folk opt to use agent for loss of opportunity cost. 

I'm stupid that's why I do not use agent. I opt to lose the 8%+ my Oz super fund would yield. 

 

What rant? I was responding to @thailand49's notion that a single Bangkok Bank branch's illegal activities has "gotten official paranoia" and rumors that Chinese Triads run half the provinces and most of Bangkok. Any paranoia is in the heads of some farangs, while the less gullible ones are opening accounts at other banks as advised. Business as usual.

 

I have no idea what "loss of opportunity cost" is but like the majority here, I'm not Australian.

15 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

I have no idea what "loss of opportunity cost" is but like the majority here, I'm not Australian

"Opportunity Cost" is basic economics 101. It's not an Australian term. 

Basically it's the loss involved in one financial option compared to another. 

Keeping 800k in a Thai bank at ~ 1% has a cost. Those funds could earn much more in eg shares etc. 

That is one significant reason some folk opt to use an agent. 

19 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I have no idea what "loss of opportunity cost" is but like the majority here, I'm not Australian.

 

I'm pretty sure DrJack54 is referring to the opportunity of making 8% interest with the money that is tied up sitting in a Thai bank account. From a financial point of view, it is better to pay an agent or to use the income method, instead of tying up money and letting it sit idly in a Thai bank.

38 minutes ago, Equatorial said:

 

I'm pretty sure DrJack54 is referring to the opportunity of making 8% interest with the money that is tied up sitting in a Thai bank account. From a financial point of view, it is better to pay an agent or to use the income method, instead of tying up money and letting it sit idly in a Thai bank.

 

 

+1

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

I have no idea what "loss of opportunity cost" is but like the majority here, I'm not Australian.

Australian and knew immediately what Dr Jack meant 
....and having baht, would rather not "tie it up" with such a crappy return.

Talking of such, anyone know a good agent it Phuket?

17 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

They are not suspecting all foreigners with accounts at Bangkok Bank of money laundering, and they are not searching for "those that are using agent to obtain Extensions without funds required" either.

 

Simply put, it's just unfortunate that some foreigners applying for an extension and using an agent due to lack of funds have an account with Bangkok Bank. It's collateral damage, that's all.

 

That's why agents are simply advising those customers affected to open an account with another bank.

 

There's a rather long-winded, scaremongering YouTube going the rounds that I think maybe you have seen? It's the one that starts with the narrator, who sounds like an English-speaking Thai, walking around upstairs at CW, then out and about on Bangkok's streets. Alluding to "an informant in immigration", it promotes a Thai government plan to get rid of foreigners unless they are rich, along with other popular tropes of the "they don't like us here" collective. It goes completely off-piste with a rant about frozen pensions that has naff all to do with immigration or extensions, and that's when I lost the little interest I had.

Using agents is as common as 7/11 here.  Expats didn't create them if the are illegal which in ways are why weren't they shut down prior to this?  Like everything government talk but can't run anything especially here.

 

This situation was to audit BB practice as to the raid in Pattaya, opening accounts for Chinese tourist and when it comes to other tourist I know a few that have accounts with other banks. Reality as I noted this can't be exclusive in just Pattaya and agents not being able to do extension at this time with BB, do it at other banks think hard what you are saying!  If it is so illegal then why is it ok for agent to use another bank. Illegal is illegal! 

3 hours ago, thailand49 said:

Using agents is as common as 7/11 here.  Expats didn't create them if the are illegal which in ways are why weren't they shut down prior to this?  Like everything government talk but can't run anything especially here.

 

This situation was to audit BB practice as to the raid in Pattaya, opening accounts for Chinese tourist and when it comes to other tourist I know a few that have accounts with other banks. Reality as I noted this can't be exclusive in just Pattaya and agents not being able to do extension at this time with BB, do it at other banks think hard what you are saying!  If it is so illegal then why is it ok for agent to use another bank. Illegal is illegal! 

 

I struggled with your use of tense and punctuation, but I think you are either complaining or simply highlighting how visa agents are allowed to do what they do? That has nothing to do with why Bangkok Bank is under some form of censure.

 

I have been told by a visa agent that is not in Pattaya, that it is business as usual, for those with Bangkok Bank accounts with the requisite funds in place. The same agent said that for those without the proper funds, all they need to do is open a new account with a bank other than Bangkok Bank. In other words, business as usual.

 

Any debate about what is considered to be legal or otherwise in Thailand is for the birds.

15 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

I struggled with your use of tense and punctuation, but I think you are either complaining or simply highlighting how visa agents are allowed to do what they do? That has nothing to do with why Bangkok Bank is under some form of censure.

 

I have been told by a visa agent that is not in Pattaya, that it is business as usual, for those with Bangkok Bank accounts with the requisite funds in place. The same agent said that for those without the proper funds, all they need to do is open a new account with a bank other than Bangkok Bank. In other words, business as usual.

 

Any debate about what is considered to be legal or otherwise in Thailand is for the birds.

I too struggle but with your comprehension for someone who writes well. you pick and choose what you want to respond to although i had to clarify some of your other points. What we do agree it is " business as usual "  but another clarification your agent isn't the only agent in town.

Whenever I have conversation with nice people like you thereafter we don't agree exactly they bring up Grammar that is when I know I've made my point in spite. 

 

Bye thanks!

On 7/12/2025 at 7:02 AM, soisanuk said:

Nothing is being made up.  You can enter Thailand with a Visa or for many countries, Visa Exempt (no visa required). 

 

 Upon arrival, Immigration places a stamp in the passport showing the permission to stay period which is based on the type of entry (Visa or Exempt). These are two separate things. To extend your stay you apply to extend your permission to stay not your visa.  I entered Thailand over 20 years ago on a Non-Immigrant O Visa receiving a 90 day permission to stay. I applied to extend that stay for one year for purpose of retirement.  For the past 20+ years I annually go to Immigration and file a TM.7, Application for Extension of Temporary Stay in the Kingdom.

 

The Pattaya City Expats Club has an extensive section re entering Thailand, extending one's stay, and other Thai Immigration requirements at https://pcec.club/Thai-Immigration.  The difference is also noted on this Thai Embassy's website - https://helsinki.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/information-about-visa-and-validity-of-stay-permit?page=5f49f4a199a85e260f4278de&menu=5d80876d15e39c3354007bb1

 

 

 

Somebody who gets it right at last, visa's cannot be renewed.

On 7/12/2025 at 9:28 AM, mikebike said:

There is no country on earth where obtaining a visa guarantees you entry. Entry is always granted by immigration officers at the point of entry.

You missed the point entirely.  The "VISA" expire-date = your "permitted-stay," for most countries. 

Blocking entry for criminal activity / etc is something else.