3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Both involved approximately 20-30 mins at VFS (Belle Grand) - 20-30 mins travel each way - so approximately 1 to 1:30 hrs out of my morning

And what if you lived in Nakon Somewhere in the boons.

As below...

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

For someone living outside of Bangkok - the use of an agent optimises things and certainly minimises other risks (such as accident etc), the cost is also offset with the cost and time of travel (two journeys to VFS in BKK or Chiang Mai).

For those within Bangkok or close by - that risk is insignificant of course.

With regards to timing - for those in Bangkok - yes - it can all be done within a single morning - far less in fact.

22 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

There are more than enough threads on this very forum about passports being “misplaced”, delayed, held over payment disputes, or worse. For me, that’s deterrent enough.

Isolated cases when a reputable agent is used as many people with tell you.