45 minutes ago, ThaiTraveller2016 said:

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.

That's the beauty of agents. There's an agent for every situation. If you just want someone to help things move faster while you provide everything, there's an agent for that.

If you want someone that will cover everything while you still show up at immigration to get everything done then and there, there's an agent for that.

If you want someone that you never even meet and never leave your house and then you get your passport back with your extension, there's an agent for that.

You just need to find the agent that you are comfortable with that does things the way you want.

On 3/22/2026 at 10:43 AM, Olmate said:

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!

Agents are fine ,but they shouldn't be allowed to fudge the Money thing.

I can't see Any real estate agent,travel agent, insurance agent, car sales agent, talent agent, publicity agent, putting up any Funds .

Maybe one day I use an Agent but Using My funds To keep it Legal.

Trolling post removed

Yes, agents can be helpful. I did my first 2 retirement extensions in Jomtien myself, but when I moved to Bangkok, I didn't want to deal with the long lines at CW, so I started using an agent. I also switched to marriage extensions and had the money in the bank, so all was legal. We showed up at CW, signed the papers, went into the IO's office for our pics, then left. No waiting in line. It took less than 30 mins total at CW. The agent went back to get the final stamp for me. I only made 1 trip to CW.

The growing reality in some offices is, especially if using the 65k monthly income method, is to throw increasingly difficult and irrelevant requests re substantiating your income source in your home country- even wanting to see the actual tenancy agreement from the house you rent out! . Produce that and another obscure obstacle of no relevance will be forthcoming . Clearly designed to push you into using an agent…

First visited in Thailand in 1962, worked here 1983-1987, retired here 1993. First immigration office I attended was Suan Plu, Sathorn, now I go to CW. I have a retirement visa. Never used an agent up to now, but at 85 years old I expect to do so sooner or later. Gone are the friendlier days when Immigration officers would visit the homes of the sick or the elderly for visa extensions, sadly.

20 minutes ago, Chongalulu said:

The growing reality in some offices is, especially if using the 65k monthly income method, is to throw increasingly difficult and irrelevant requests re substantiating your income source in your home country- even wanting to see the actual tenancy agreement from the house you rent out! . Produce that and another obscure obstacle of no relevance will be forthcoming . Clearly designed to push you into using an agent…

AI is becoming a serious threat to local agents, replacing MS Paint in producing with a professional twist any document one may be required to provide.

The correct agent is important, there are a lot of scams. If you use agents to fund your extension, you may have to leave and restart the visa to get rid of them.

On 3/22/2026 at 6:27 PM, 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.

On 3/22/2026 at 6:27 PM, 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.

On 3/22/2026 at 6:27 PM, 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.

On 3/22/2026 at 6:27 PM, 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.

Buttercup have sorted mine every year. Occasionally I have had to accompany the agent to the office, but not every year. They can sort everything out with no fuss.

I have no tolerance for immigration games or BS. D!cked over many times at immigration just for the sake of messing with me. We need color photos, we need a blue pen, we need a full year of statements, whatever they make up on the spot.

My agent (she's a lawyer) does all the paperwork and running around for me and makes sure I get the abbreviated service at CW. No worries so far. 30k per year. No big deal

10 minutes ago, happydreamer said:

We need color photos, we need a blue pen, we need a full year of statements, whatever they make up on the spot

You refer to "WE" are your extensions based on marriage or retirement.

At CW the requirements are very clear cut and easily met.

Regards time at immigration you can make an appointment.

Easy peasy

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You refer to "WE" are your extensions based on marriage or retirement.

At CW the requirements are very clear cut and easily met.

Regards time at immigration you can make an appointment.

Easy peasy

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You refer to "WE" are your extensions based on marriage or retirement.

At CW the requirements are very clear cut and easily met.

Regards time at immigration you can make an appointment.

Easy peasy

WE refers it Immigration agent...

Spouse visa and regardless of what anyone has told me about it being simple...ive been here 10 years and it's never been simple. There's always been a hustle of some sort. Immigration has the choice of overlooking trivial oddities. They make no concession until they have a reason to.

Agents being able to provide the funds (400k or 800k) seems to almost be the norm now. Of course they also do all the dealings with the IO, so you don't need to go there or deal with them. That convenience is worth a lot to a lot of people.

And of course legally everything is 'At the IO's discretion'.

Those that have an easy IO near them, or choose to do it all themselves, may well be frothing at the mouth furious over it all.

9 minutes ago, Packer said:

And of course legally everything is 'At the IO's discretion'.

The exact language from the Police Order is:

5. In the case where an alien applicant does not meet the full qualifications stipulated by the criteria herein or in other cases not specified in this Order but a competent officer equivalent to or higher than inspector is of the opinion that the alien has legitimate reason for staying in the Kingdom of Thailand

17 minutes ago, Packer said:

Agents being able to provide the funds (400k or 800k) seems to almost be the norm now.

You state 400k. Implies extension marriage.

Agents cannot cover that.

6 minutes ago, JerryM said:

The exact language from the Police Order is:

5. In the case where an alien applicant does not meet the full qualifications stipulated by the criteria herein or in other cases not specified in this Order but a competent officer equivalent to or higher than inspector is of the opinion that the alien has legitimate reason for staying in the Kingdom of Thailand

See. Once an inspector says it's okay it's okay. Perfectly legal under the laws of the kingdom of Thailand. 🙂

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

You state 400k. Implies extension marriage.

Agents cannot cover that.

I know a few (definitely 3) that do. 🙂

21 minutes ago, happydreamer said:

Spouse visa and regardless of what anyone has told me about it being simple...ive been here 10 years and it's never been simple.

Look in the mirror.

Literally MANY do annual extensions based on marriage with zero fuss.

Which immigration office you deal with that makes it such a task?

8 minutes ago, Packer said:

I know a few (definitely 3) that do. 🙂

Extensions based on marriage are sent to division headquarters.

Agents can provide hand holding service.

Certainly not cover financial requirements

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Extensions based on marriage are sent to division headquarters.

Agents can provide hand holding service.

Certainly not cover financial requirements

The 400k option was for either Thai spouse or having a Thai child. My brother was in contact with different agents after he messed up his funds, and 3 offered the 400k for extension service. If you are interested in the their information, simply for the sake of knowing, you can contact me by DM as long as everything stays in confidence.

7 minutes ago, Packer said:

The 400k option was for either Thai spouse or having a Thai child. My brother was in contact with different agents after he messed up his funds, and 3 offered the 400k for extension service. If you are interested in the their information, simply for the sake of knowing, you can contact me by DM as long as everything stays in confidence.

He always spreads the same nonsense, saying that XYZ is not possible while it clearly is possible. I could tell so many ways, which i also did in the past on old accounts. Many still use them today. Same in the south can just change in the country to a business visa + then work permit + yearly without any thai workers, this has been the same setups and agents since decades even. Immigration raids even consider those legit. This while such thing would be non existent in Chiang Mai unless being Chinese or paying big dollars.

Another lawyer in Chiang Rai would arrange money for marriage or child visas and charge just 20-25K for extensions, still today too. The issue is mainly around where someone lives usually.

All this also makes the entire 60 to 30 days on arrival stupidity as they all do this. Same that they give a foreigner with a foreign child on a international school a yearly visa, while they not give that if your child is half Thai. So I need 400K in a bank but they don't.

I almost seriously considered playing stupid and arriving with just him on his Euro passport. I mean how much more fked up can you get to prefer foreigners and foreign children over thai children with a foreign father or mother.

16 minutes ago, Packer said:

If you are interested in the their information, simply for the sake of knowing, you can contact me by DM as long as everything stays in confidence.

Not interested. I'm well aware of what agents can and cannot do re extension based on Thai family.

That's it from me.

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Not interested. I'm well aware of what agents can and cannot do re extension based on Thai family.

That's it from me.

So basically you are saying that you are wrong, and that you tell everyone on this website that there is only XYZ options while there is more options, just because you happen to know those options yourself and prefer them. Then at least be honest about it.

47 minutes ago, Packer said:

See. Once an inspector says it's okay it's okay. Perfectly legal under the laws of the kingdom of Thailand.

Quickie version Gemini AI:

Officer's "Opinion": Even with an embassy letter, the law grants the officer the right to exercise their judgment. They must be satisfied that the reason provided is truthful and that you are not attempting to bypass regular visa requirements.

This is most commonly invoked under Section 2.28 (Necessity with Embassy Certification) or Section 2.24 (Other Cases of Necessity) of the aforementioned order.

Just now, JerryM said:

Quickie version Gemini AI:

Officer's "Opinion": Even with an embassy letter, the law grants the officer the right to exercise their judgment. They must be satisfied that the reason provided is truthful and that you are not attempting to bypass regular visa requirements.

This is most commonly invoked under Section 2.28 (Necessity with Embassy Certification) or Section 2.24 (Other Cases of Necessity) of the aforementioned order.

That's the entire purpose of an agent to begin with, to influence that judgement.

1 minute ago, BuffaloRider said:

So basically you are saying that you are wrong, and that you tell everyone on this website that there is only XYZ options while there is more options, just because you happen to know those options yourself and prefer them.

Post name of ONE reputable agent that can obtain annual extensions based on Thai family without meeting financial requirements.

Every agent would suggest extension retirement since marriage extensions are sent to divisional headquarters for approval

Hence the under consideration period

6 minutes ago, JerryM said:

Quickie version Gemini AI:

Again with AI nonsense. It embarrassing.

Posted earlier

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Not interested. I'm well aware of what agents can and cannot do re extension based on Thai family.

I have no interest in web board politics or arguing etc. After arriving and messing up his funds etc a number of agents were able to offer the 400k option, on either an extension based on a Thai spouse or a Thai child (I'm not aware which one), at least 3 agent companies offered this option and gave full details on what to do/provide to them.

If you are interested in screenshots of them offering the 400k option, sent in confidence, I can send them by DM. It is real.

OK so that the legitimate reason is not to bypass regular visa requirements is nonsense.

The 'discretion' crew likes the first part of the 5. paragraph but not the 'legitimate reason' part.

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Post name of ONE reputable agent that can obtain annual extensions based on Thai family without meeting financial requirements.

Every agent would suggest extension retirement since marriage extensions are sent to divisional headquarters for approval

Hence the under consideration period

Literally every agent does exactly that, arranging the bank deposit with a existing savings account you have. And no they do not do retirement extensions as most people using this aren't even 50 plus to begin with. You were just suggested to even receive multiple and said no to it. What are you even trying to say at all except for nothing but recommending the same limited BKK agent you prefer.

I actually contacted the one you prefer many times and they are both expensive and super limited in options.

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Post name of ONE reputable agent that can obtain annual extensions based on Thai family without meeting financial requirements.

I can send you 3 via DM, with screenshots, if you wish. I'm not going to post their company name on the open web board for obvious reasons.