Legallity of visa agents

[Gweiloman 5,278]

My previous immigration office was Chonburi (Jomtien). I then moved to CM. The first time I went to renew my extension of stay, the IO took a look at my passport and stamps and examined them carefully. She then inputted my details into the computer, all the while checking everything carefully.
By this time, I realise what she was doing - verifying the authenticity of all the stamps. As I had done the extensions myself in Jomtien, I was not in the least bit concerned and joked with her that everything is real and genuine, eliciting a smile from her. After another couple of moments, she looked up with a smile and said yes but that she had to check as Jomtien extensions have been known to be fraudulent.


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[55Jay 7,553]

As long as you can keep all your immigration and related financial business within the corrupt loop - agent, bank official, on-side Immigration Officer - then you'll be ok. 

 

Problem arises if, for some reason, you get caught outside that bubble.  Pretty good chance to slip out of it though as long as the "right" people get involved.  Trouble is if there's some kind of crackdown in play, those corrupt people you deal aren't going to put their necks on the line. 

 

Unlikely worst case scenario would be you in a small room being asked very pointed questions to which the interviewers already know the answer.  There's no ambiguity when you're told to show relevant financial accounts and a reasonable money trail.  You can't.  800k was there, then it wasn't, and isn't now.  Where did it come from?  Where did it go?  It unravels rather quickly. 

 

Lie down with dogs, you're going to get fleas. 

[sweatalot 9,199]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

no guarantees.

exactly.

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD 1,294]

6 minutes ago, 55Jay said:

As long as you can keep all your immigration and related financial business within the corrupt loop - agent, bank official, on-side Immigration Officer - then you'll be ok. 

i guess you miss one word here - OUT.

otherwise, all you say does not make sense

[sweatalot 9,199]

I think the summary of this thread is:

While unfortunately you are not save from trouble by law enforcement in Thailand even if you strictly abide by the law - the risk is much higher when you don't - 

for instance by using loopholes and use the service of  "loophole people".

[55Jay 7,553]

55 minutes ago, SCOTT FITZGERSLD said:

i guess you miss one word here - OUT.

otherwise, all you say does not make sense

The only thing that won't make sense is the 800k (retirement ext for example) being there, and then it's not. 

 

As long as you keep things in the loop though, I imagine it'll be just fine.  I can't recall ever seeing an article or report on here where somebody got pulled up for defrauding the system in this manner.  The system itself is rife with fraud and corruption, so it's all good, until it's not.   If it ever came down to a moment of truth, they'll throw your farang a** under the bus in a heartbeat.

 

So, my answer to your question is Yes, No and Maybe.  But this is Thailand, where if you don't like the answer, keep asking other people until you get the one you like.  It works, until it doesn't.  Good luck in your deliberation on wut two due. 

Edited October 17, 2019 by 55Jay

[elliss 3,010]

3 hours ago, SCOTT FITZGERSLD said:

my fear is what will happan to me, if i used such an agent, legal or not, in

case he gets caugth?

 

  If you are in fear of using an agent , the choice is yours .

   Just put 800K  , into a thai bank account , no fear...

 

 

Edited October 17, 2019 by elliss

[Gweiloman 5,278]

Moral is simple. If you meet all the requirements, then sure, use an agent for the convenience if you are so inclined. If you don’t meet the requirements, don’t complain if it ends badly.


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[Jingthing 69,911]

I find this a bit funny.

Foreigners that know better play acting that they're not participating in corruption because when in Rome it's a corrupt culture blah blah blah. 

Play those games, you take your chances. 

The risk may be very small but feigning ignorance of what you're doing ain't gonna cut it.

They had a nice office!

Free coffee was offered!

They've been around for 10 years!

The owner drives a Benz!

They advertise here, there, everywhere!

Easy visas -- you don't need to fund the 800K say their ads. Big signs! If it was not "legal" they would have been busted long ago. 

Must be legit.

 

On the other hand, following the rules by the letter has it's costs too. Literally. 

Edited October 17, 2019 by Jingthing

[balo 12,649]

9 hours ago, SCOTT FITZGERSLD said:

i know of a case in another country, not thailand, when the visa stamp holder was arrested in the airport, because the agent used fake visa stamps (you pay him for the "visa extention", give him

Listen , there are more than 10 000 retired expats right now only using agents and who do not have the 800k in the bank, and been doing so for many years, you would be surprised how many. But you need to stay in the Pattaya / Bangkok region.   
The stamps are legal because they are official!y stamped by an IO. 

If the agent will get in trouble later , that's not your problem. 
 

[sunnyboy2018 4,224]

9 hours ago, The Cobra said:

I have know of instances where the person actually accompanies the agent into the Thai immigration office to have their photo taken etc and received the visa stamp in front of the issuing officer ! there isno way that can be deemed illegal, it is not the responsibility of the recipient to question or not the validity of the stamp/visa issued by the lawful authority.

My agent took me to the IO, my 4th retirement extension,  took the money off me  25 k  passed a portion to the IO behind the desk who noted my photo needed replacing, after i got the new pic i handed it, my pp, and bank book to same IO and the day after, got my docs teturned with stamped extension and my multi entri.

[tropo 8,823]

9 hours ago, from the home of CC said:

ah yes, the briber and the bribee - two sides of the same corruption coin - buyer beware..

"briber - bribee", what a load of crock. It's a service with a set and advertised fee, no one is bribing anyone. Do people wake up and forget they are in Thailand? "legal", "illegal"... best to save those words for your home country where they MAY have some meaning. Some expats are fearful of consequences when following a well established system? I would not be having any sleepless nights over this. If this would keep you up at night, deposit 800k and be done with it. It's your choice.

 

 

[jacko45k 17,292]

12 hours ago, The Cobra said:

If the services were illegal they would not be allowed to operate and certainly not allowed to advertise the service.

Haha, you know you are in Thailand right? Can you think of any other service that is well advertised, is actually illegal and yet is allowed. You should be able to. 

[moontang 2,254]

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

Haha, you know you are in Thailand right? Can you think of any other service that is well advertised, is actually illegal and yet is allowed. You should be able to. 

I think you are talkig about the oldest profession, but you could also add the second oldest profession:  teaching.  If you look at a few of the FB groups, the people advertising are often illegal, and it appears that there is near zero chance of you ever being legal.  Almost as brazen as the whacky weed sellers. 

[Skallywag 4,273]

13 hours ago, SCOTT FITZGERSLD said:

 the fee of 15K baht is worth it, if i can keep 800K out of thailand.

investing 800K in conservative way , with 3% annual return, will bring

24K annual profit, which will cover the visa agents commision.

It is not "profit" if it is earmarked to be paid annually to a visa agent. IMO