How much is spouse visa on average?

The 25k quote is the standard "I'll handle everything" rate, but you're paying a premium for hand-holding. I'd push back and ask what exactly that covers, because a lot of agents will quote high then still make you do the legwork for translations or the yellow book. If your husband's company is decent sized, check if they have an in-house mobility team or a preferred agent, expat firms in Bangkok often negotiate a flat rate around 10-15k for employee spouses, that's how my friend's wife got hers done.

DIY is absolutely possible, but the real killer isn't the fee, it's the document trail. You need your marriage certificate legalized by your home country's embassy in Bangkok, then translated by a certified translator, plus his work permit and company letter, and immigration at Chaeng Wattana will want originals and copies of everything. The 1,900 baht fee is a steal, but budget for at least two trips and a full morning each time, and get there before 7am or the queue is genuinely soul-crushing.

One thing nobody mentions: the 90-day reporting after you get your extension is a separate chore, and if you're both busy, that's where an agent earns their keep. But if you can swing the paperwork once, you can figure out online reporting later, it's actually not that bad. I'd say offer the agent 15k and see if she bites,

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yeah 25k is on the high end but they're not totally ripping u off, the real cost is the time & stress tbh. i've seen agents do it for 15-18k if u shop around, but the cheap ones sometimes ghost u at the last minute. honestly if ur husband's work permit is solid and ur marriage cert is already legalized from ur home country, diy is fine. the actual immigration fee is like 1,900 baht but u also need a bank letter from his employer, proof of 40k monthly income or 400k in the bank, and copies of everything x3. the worst part is the officer might ask for extra docs u didn't bring, then u gotta come back another day. if u have a thai friend who can go with u, that helps a lot. also don't forget the 90-day reporting after u get the stamp, that's another trip.

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25k from an agent is on the higher side but not crazy, they usually bundle the paperwork, translation, and trips to immigration for you. Doing it yourself is totally doable though, you'd just pay the actual government fee which is around 1,900 baht for the extension, plus maybe a couple hundred for photocopies and photos. The tricky part is the paperwork, you need your marriage cert translated and legalized, plus proof of your husband's income or bank balance, and you both have to show up at Chaeng Wattana in person. Honestly, if you have a few free mornings and can read basic Thai or use a translator app, save the money and DIY it. Just know the queue there is brutal, get there before 7am or you'll be waiting half the day.

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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