As per the title - Im considering switching to an agent for convenience sake.

Can they actually fix things (money etc) and get the job done or is that a myth ?

8 minutes ago, MikeWill said:

As per the title - Im considering switching to an agent for convenience sake.

Use agent for what service?

Annual extension?

Be more specific. Of course agents can provide those services. Literally 1000,s use them.

I also will when lack of mobility takes over.

I switched to an agent awhile back, the majority of my friends use agents, they're incredibly convenient. I use one that's very reliable and I never have to step foot into an immigration office, which dramatically improves the quality of my life. The requirements are more minimal, and it is worth every baht that I spend each year.

Granted some of us have a higher tolerance than others for immigration related nonsense. I don't, and for me life is too short to deal with immigration directly.

Of course! Do you use a real estate agent,travel agent, insurance agent, car sales agent, talent agent, publicity agent, and on it goes. You know it makes sense, why delay, do it today!

I am 80 years old and live in the Korat area. I have lived in Thailand 30+ years. Each year the yearly visa becomes more stressful and I am looking for a reliable agent to handle eversrything. I have $ in bank and I am legal in all ways. Please advise.

10 minutes ago, LIVRA said:

Each year the yearly visa becomes more stressful and I am looking for a reliable agent to handle eversrything. I have $ in bank and I am legal in all ways. Please advise.

Understand fully.

While they are located in Bangkok @ThaiVisaCentre may assist or point you in right direction.

Note: since you maintain financial compliance all you need is hand holding agent service. Your immigration office may advise.

2 hours ago, LIVRA said:

I am 80 years old and live in the Korat area. I have lived in Thailand 30+ years. Each year the yearly visa becomes more stressful and I am looking for a reliable agent to handle eversrything. I have $ in bank and I am legal in all ways. Please advise.

I've heard good things about Buttercup visa in Korat. No personal experience, though I maybe using their services when I return to Thailand in October.

30 minutes ago, Colonel_Mustard said:

I've heard good things about Buttercup visa in Korat

Just searched them. OP can follow up your tip. Good esp as he maintains financials

21 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I also will when lack of mobility takes over.

When my mobility is down, that's when my much younger Thai wife will take over -- and she sure likes that 65K+ baht coming in every month.

NB in my circumstance that she is a (retired) RTP cop's daughter helps.

3 minutes ago, JerryM said:

When my mobility is down, that's when my much younger Thai wife will take over

That won't cut it. Good luck with that plan.

Obviously depends on immigration office.

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

That won't cut it. Good luck with that plan.

Obviously depends on immigration office.

You have never seen immigration or the amphur when she shows up with me.

6 minutes ago, JerryM said:

You have never seen immigration or the amphur when she shows up with me.

Unless the OP has MUCH younger influential wife then your post is self serving.

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Unless the OP has MUCH younger influential wife then your post is self serving.

Then to the OP, of course using an agent to provide phony 800k baht is illegal.

If it was legal, you wouldn't need an agent

11 minutes ago, JerryM said:

Then to the OP, of course using an agent to provide phony 800k baht is illegal.

If it was legal, you wouldn't need an agent

You are typing nonsense. One post in the thread was from chap that meets financial compliance and is looking for agent due to mobility or other reasons.

Indeed that is possible.

Not IF but when I personally will not be able to attend CW immigration then I will use an agent regardless of meeting financial requirements.

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You are typing nonsense.

The OP: Can they actually fix things (money etc) and get the job done or is that a myth ?

As far as me visiting IMM in person, my IMM is about the same as nearest BigC.

9 minutes ago, JerryM said:

As far as me visiting IMM in person, my IMM is about the same as nearest BigC.

I'm done. You are typing about YOU.

You have very specific circumstances.

One a wife with connections and two close proximity to immigration.

Many do not.

An agent is required for those folk

This was the OP's query:

Can they actually fix things (money etc) and get the job done or is that a myth ?

My answer:

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch; like me

22 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I switched to an agent awhile back, the majority of my friends use agents, they're incredibly convenient. I use one that's very reliable and I never have to step foot into an immigration office, which dramatically improves the quality of my life. The requirements are more minimal, and it is worth every baht that I spend each year.

Granted some of us have a higher tolerance than others for immigration related nonsense. I don't, and for me life is too short to deal with immigration directly.

Tell me they don't need your photo taken at Immigration yearly when using an agent??

27 minutes ago, Colabamumbai said:

Tell me they don't need your photo taken at Immigration yearly when using an agent??

That depends on the immigration office and the agent. Some can do your extension without ever even meeting you in person, you just mail your passport to them and get it back with your extension. They might ask you for a passport photo for the application, but you never need to go anywhere.

23 hours ago, MikeWill said:

Can they actually fix things (money etc) and get the job done or is that a myth ?

This was my query to Gemini AI: why did bangkok bank stop issuing phony deposit accounts for retirement extension of stay

Gemini said

The shift in Bangkok Bank's policy regarding the documentation and management of retirement funds is part of a broader, nationwide crackdown on "agent workarounds" and "mule accounts."

Essentially, for many years, certain visa agents were using a "rent-the-money" service where they would temporarily deposit 800,000 THB into a client's account, obtain the bank letter for immigration, and then immediately withdraw the funds. Bangkok Bank has introduced several mechanical hurdles to make this nearly impossible.

Targeting "Rent-the-Money" Scams: Immigration and the banks identified that many retirees did not actually possess the required 800,000 THB. By forcing the money to be "locked," the bank ensures the funds are genuine and not just a 24-hour loan from an agent.

Liability Protection: Banks are legally liable if they are found to be facilitating document forgery or misrepresenting a client's financial status to a government agency like the Immigration Bureau.

If the agent is any good he has a hotline to somebody at the top. Don't expect them to make any dodgy deals. What they can do is speed things up. I used one once, paperwork that they said would take two to four days was completed in four hours.

19 minutes ago, JerryM said:

Essentially, for many years, certain visa agents were using a "rent-the-money" service where they would temporarily deposit 800,000 THB into a client's account, obtain the bank letter for immigration, and then immediately withdraw the funds. Bangkok Bank has introduced several mechanical hurdles to make this nearly impossible.

Targeting "Rent-the-Money" Scams: Immigration and the banks identified that many retirees did not actually possess the required 800,000 THB. By forcing the money to be "locked," the bank ensures the funds are genuine and not just a 24-hour loan from an agent.

Translation: The only way Bangkok Bank has found to avoid its staff to cash in tea money from agents is to penalised its customers base. Thai business 101.

3 minutes ago, Yumthai said:

Translation: The only way Bangkok Bank has found to avoid its staff to cash in tea money from agents is to penalised its customers base. Thai business 101.

No its customer base HAS the money.

1 hour ago, JerryM said:

This was my query to Gemini AI: why did bangkok bank stop issuing phony deposit accounts for retirement extension of stay

Gemini said

The shift in Bangkok Bank's policy regarding the documentation and management of retirement funds is part of a broader, nationwide crackdown on "agent workarounds" and "mule accounts."

Essentially, for many years, certain visa agents were using a "rent-the-money" service where they would temporarily deposit 800,000 THB into a client's account, obtain the bank letter for immigration, and then immediately withdraw the funds. Bangkok Bank has introduced several mechanical hurdles to make this nearly impossible.

Targeting "Rent-the-Money" Scams: Immigration and the banks identified that many retirees did not actually possess the required 800,000 THB. By forcing the money to be "locked," the bank ensures the funds are genuine and not just a 24-hour loan from an agent.

Liability Protection: Banks are legally liable if they are found to be facilitating document forgery or misrepresenting a client's financial status to a government agency like the Immigration Bureau.

You really have no idea what the current situation is if you think this is reality. Plenty of agents still use Bangkok Bank, just not in Pattaya.

Trolling post removed

12 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Good esp as he maintains financials

Is there any other way?

1 hour ago, JerryM said:

No its customer base HAS the money.

Recall is only one of your weak points Jerry

16 hours ago, LIVRA said:

I am 80 years old and live in the Korat area. I have lived in Thailand 30+ years. Each year the yearly visa becomes more stressful and I am looking for a reliable agent to handle eversrything. I have $ in bank and I am legal in all ways. Please advise.

Thats the OP Question, he, s legal.. Your wrong how sweet is that😂

2 hours ago, Colabamumbai said:

Tell me they don't need your photo taken at Immigration yearly when using an agent??

Correct, you just simply supply the agent with a photo, and it can even be done digitally.

Convenient does not even begin to describe the process.

Although opinions on this are likely to be divided, in my experience it does make a big difference.

I switched from an agent in the countryside to one based in Bangkok for my retirement visa extension, it saves me 8,000 THB a year and the service is much better.

On 3/22/2026 at 9:40 AM, MikeWill said:

As per the title - Im considering switching to an agent for convenience sake.

Can they actually fix things (money etc) and get the job done or is that a myth

I use an agent who sets up the appointment, accompanies me around CW immigration & will sort out any questions/ queries the officer may have. I don't need to queue for long, within max 3 hrs all is done. I would not give my p.port to an agent without me being present & hoping all would get dealt with.

Just recently met someone who hasn't seen his p.port back from the agent since Dec.