Common questions, straight answers.

Retirement (Non-O, O-A, O-X), marriage to a Thai national (Non-O), work permits and Non-B, Thailand Elite (now Thailand Privilege), education (ED), Smart Visa, and the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV). We also handle 90-day reporting, re-entry permits, change of visa class, and TM30 address registrations.

Most visa classes require the applicant in person for at least one step — usually biometrics, signing, or the in-person interview. We handle everything else: document checklist, translation and notarisation, embassy or immigration office liaison, queue management, and accompanying you on the day. For 90-day reporting and most renewals where in-person isn't required, we file on your behalf.

It depends on the visa class, but typically: passport (at least six months validity), recent passport photos, bank statements covering a defined period, proof of address in Thailand, and evidence specific to the visa (marriage certificate, employment contract, university enrolment, etc.). We send a tailored checklist after the eligibility call so you're not collecting things you don't need.

Typically two to four weeks once we have a complete document pack. We start preparing 60 days before your current visa expires so unexpected requests from immigration (extra bank-statement months, an updated lease, a recent medical) don't push you past the deadline.

Yes — we assist with programme selection (across the current member tiers), the member application, the membership-fee payment process, and renewals. Government and programme fees are passed through at cost; our advisory fee is quoted up front.

We review the refusal reason in detail before re-applying or appealing. In the eligibility call we will flag scenarios where refusal is likely (insufficient funds history, prior overstays, certain criminal-record items) so you can decide whether to proceed before paying our fee.

Yes — either as part of an annual visa engagement or as a standalone service. We can file online where eligible, or in person at immigration where the system requires it. Reminders are sent two weeks ahead so a deadline never slips.

The first call (around 30 minutes, free) covers four things: which hospitals you actually want to use, the conditions you'll need to declare, the annual budget you have in mind, and any visa-related minimums you have to meet. We then put two or three options in front of you in writing, with the differences clearly explained, so you can choose with the trade-offs visible.

Often yes, but with conditions. Stable, well-managed conditions (controlled hypertension, hypothyroidism, well-controlled diabetes) are usually accepted with full disclosure, sometimes with a premium loading or a specific exclusion. Recent or active conditions, cancer treatment within the last five years, and certain cardiac and mental-health histories are harder. We tell you what is realistic for your medical history before you spend time on a full application.

Yes — we check the policy wording line-by-line against the current immigration threshold for your visa class before you sign anything. For O-A retirement visas this currently means 440,000 THB outpatient and 40,000 THB inpatient minimums; for other classes the requirements differ. If the rules change after you're insured, we tell you and help you adjust.

Yes — claims support is part of the service for as long as you hold the policy. For direct-billing claims at network hospitals we coordinate the guarantee of payment with the insurer in advance. For reimbursement claims we walk you through the documents to collect (itemised invoices, doctor's notes, prescriptions, payment receipts) and submit them on your behalf. Most reimbursements settle within two to four weeks.

We flag this in writing before you sign. In many cases we can shift to a plan that includes the hospital, even if the premium is slightly higher. Where the hospital sits outside every network we work with, we'll show you the realistic out-of-pocket cost for an average admission so you can decide whether the saving on premium is worth it.

For straightforward applicants in good health, cover can be active within five to seven working days. Applications that involve medical underwriting, requested medical reports, or specific declarations typically take two to three weeks. We tell you the realistic timeline at the start so you can plan around visa or relocation dates.

Yes. Any commission we receive on a policy is disclosed in writing before you commit, including the percentage and how it changes if you renew. We don't accept hidden bonuses or volume incentives that would compromise which plan we recommend.

You can. We'll lay out what continuity-of-cover credit you carry, what new exclusions a fresh underwriter might apply, and whether the move actually saves money once those are factored in. Sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes it isn't — we'll tell you straight.

No. Siam Butler is a referral service — we connect you with independent Thai law firms regulated by the Lawyers Council of Thailand. The client relationship and engagement letter are between you and the law firm; we facilitate the introduction and stay reachable for translation or follow-up.

Property purchase and lease review, family law (marriage, divorce, child custody), business set-up and corporate matters, employment contracts and disputes, immigration-related legal questions, intellectual property, debt and contract enforcement, and litigation. For each area we work with a small set of vetted firms rather than a long list.

Active Lawyers Council registration, demonstrated experience in the specific practice area, English proficiency where relevant, transparent fee structures, and a track record from previous Siam Butler client engagements. We only refer firms whose work we'd be willing to use ourselves.

No. Legal referrals are not paid commissions. The lawyer's fee is the lawyer's fee, agreed directly with you. If we charge for our involvement (typically only when ongoing translation or coordination is required), it is quoted up front and is not contingent on the legal outcome.

Yes, on request. Many clients book us for the first meeting and any settlement or signing meeting, then go direct with the law firm in between. We charge a standard hourly rate for in-person attendance.

Tell us. We'll arrange a second introduction at no additional referral charge. The right match matters more than appearances.

Our office is in Hua Hin (110 Phetkasem Soi 140), and the team works across Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Most consultations happen by phone, WhatsApp, or video call, so location isn't usually a factor. In-person meetings can be arranged in any of those cities with a few days' notice.

English and Thai, both at native or near-native fluency throughout the team. Translation between English and Thai for documents, meetings, and immigration interviews is part of what we do day-to-day. We don't currently offer service in other languages.

Yes. Health insurance and legal referrals are open to Thai residents and citizens; visa work is naturally aimed at non-Thai nationals. Many of our long-standing clients are Thai families using us for health insurance and corporate cover.

Nothing. The first call is free, runs around 30 minutes, and is a chance for both sides to decide whether we are the right fit. If we are, we send a written quote afterwards. If we aren't — for example, your situation is better served by going directly to a specific provider — we'll say so and point you the right way.

Insurance brokerage activity is conducted under licensed brokers; visa support is an advisory service that does not require a separate licence in Thailand; legal referrals are made to lawyers who are individually regulated by the Lawyers Council of Thailand. We are happy to provide specifics on request.

We are a referral and advisory service: we don't try to be the cheapest, the fastest, or to bundle things you didn't ask for. Each engagement is scoped in writing, and we earn repeat work by being someone you'd recommend, not by upselling on the first call.