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Can I obtain a retirement visa in Thailand without leaving the country after a 30-day entry?

Visa RulesRetirement VisaThai ImmigrationNon-O VisaBank Account RequirementsHealth Insurance
Jan 12, 2024
10 months ago
Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Please let me know if this is doable. I have read so many different things about Visa. Can I fly in with just my passport, get 30 days. Get a lawyer , open banjk account, deposit 800,000. baht. Find a 6 month rental for an address, get health insurance and before 30 days are up apply for another visa,, then get retirement Visa after that? Without haveing to leave first? I am over retirement age. Thank you.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, it is possible to apply for a retirement visa (Non-O) in Thailand after entering the country with just your passport and obtaining a 30-day entry. You can subsequently extend your stay by applying for a 90-day Non-O visa based on retirement, provided you meet the necessary financial requirements such as maintaining 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account for a minimum of two months. Health insurance is recommended but not required. While some community members suggest hiring a lawyer for convenience, many assert that the process can be handled independently without legal assistance.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Stuart ***********
It's doable, but only if you pay an agent this and every subsequent year.

Why not get a
*****
day tourist visa before you travel, then you have enough time to do it yourself.

If you decide to buy a condo later you can find a lawyer for that, otherwise you are wasting money, but that's up to you.
10 months ago
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Jacek *********
@Stuart **********
 What do you mean by wasting money for buying condo?
9 months ago
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Stuart ***********
@Jacek ********
 I did not say "wasting money for buying condo"
9 months ago
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Jacek *********
@Stuart **********
 Ok,I get you.
9 months ago
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Jacek *********
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Chris *******
Short answer- yes!
10 months ago
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Joe *********
Can get 30 day extension if u need it
10 months ago
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Richard *********
yes< as soon as u fly in, contact a agent< prices range from 27,500 ( in Pattaya ) , 35,000 in Bangkok...

gets u ur 90 day + 1 year extension . so 15 months total

IF u already have a bank, if not maybe another 3-5,000 baht
10 months ago
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Rj ******
@Richard ********
 sounds great, do you have a name and number of them
10 months ago
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Cia *********
@Rj *****
 IB
10 months ago
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Cia *********
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John ******
Lawyer and health insurance are optional.
10 months ago
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Fra *****
Pretty much how it works , taking a lawyer makes it smoother ,
10 months ago
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Chris *****
Following on this topic 👍🏼
10 months ago
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Roberto *********
I'd say you've been given some pretty bad advice. Never knew anyone had to employ a lawyer to fill in a form. But hey! To each their own. If you have money to throw into the wind, go for it! 😆😆😆
10 months ago
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Steve ********
Yes easily done but WTF do you need a lawyer?
10 months ago
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Shane ************
Use
@THAI *****************************
 if you can afford it and then don't need to deal with the circus or deposit 800k thb. Just need bank account.
10 months ago
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Chinpoh ******
Come in with a tourist visa and apply for a retirement non immigration visa.
10 months ago
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Simon ********
I was told by two different immigration offices, Mae Sai and Chiang Rai that you can’t get a 90 day Non O visa (with the intention of extending it for retirement) in the country. You have to leave and apply for it outside the country. So I am always puzzled when I read some of the advice given here.
10 months ago
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Gene *********
@Simon *******
 I thought Non-O was in Thailand and O-A was your home country?
10 months ago
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Simon ********
@Gene ********
 maybe, I don’t know. I had been extending my Non O visa about 15 times. Anyway I got a new Non O visa in Laos. On more than one occasion I have had three different answers to the same question from Mae Sai and Chiang Rai immigration. There was no language barrier or misunderstanding.
10 months ago
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Simon ********
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Stuart ***********
@Simon *******
 I managed to get a non o retirement visa in Thailand in 2022.

I have extended my stay twice here since, so I think they must have misunderstood you.
10 months ago
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Simon ********
@Stuart **********
 They just looked at me as if I was mad and said Mai Mee! They had never heard of issuing any kind of visa in Thailand. They said go to Savanaket but I went to Vientienne and loved it there.
10 months ago
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Stuart ***********
@Simon *******
 I think it must have been because you technically overstayed and therefore had to leave before getting a new visa. They issue visas here everyday.
10 months ago
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Simon ********
@Stuart **********
 No, I still had a week or so left before I had to extend for another year.
10 months ago
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Stuart ***********
@Simon *******
 very strange then, no idea why they would say that then.
10 months ago
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Simon ********
The officer in charge at Mae Sai has known me for years. When I asked if I could just start again with a new Non O he looked at me in amazement and said that there was no way ever to get that in Thailand. I'd had the 800K in the account for five months by then. So I called in at Chiang Rai, on my way to Laos and the lady there who checks the docs said the same thing. I'd love to know why they didn't just give me a Non O visa? Anyway Laos was great.
10 months ago
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Simon ********
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Dirk **************
@Simon *******
 I think you confused non-O and non-OA
10 months ago
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Simon ********
@Dirk *************
 I have never had nor wanted a Non OA visa
10 months ago
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Graham ******
@Dirk *************
 possibly
10 months ago
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Simon ********
@Graham *****
 . I’ve been here on a Non O with retirement extensions for 15 years. Original Non O from Brisbane. I had let the balance drop below ฿400K ( not knowing the new rule) but it had been back at ฿800k foo5 months when I went for another year’ retirement extension. This was refused and both immigration offices said you can’t get a new Non O inside Thailand. They had never heard of such a thing. Anyway I had a lovely long weekend in Vientiane and I’ll go back to Laos again for sure.
10 months ago
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John **********
@Simon *******
 in your case you couldn't because you weren't on a visa, you had been on an extension of stay which ended when you didn't meet the rules for that extension (your money dropped below the required amount) so you weren't even on an extension. In reality you were on overstay from the moment your money fell below the required amount. In order to get a Non-O visa inside Thailand you need to be on a visa that you can convert to that which is why they told you to leave and return.
10 months ago
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Graham ******
@Simon *******
 You cannot get a Non-OA in Thailand but you can get a Non-O
10 months ago
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Graham ******
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Steve ********
@Simon *******
 You were fed bullshit, or you heard wrong
10 months ago
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Pete *******
@Simon *******
 you were told wrong. Non-O based on retirement is available in country, in fact it’s the easiest way to get it.
10 months ago
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Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pete ******
 In Thailand get Non-O visa? do I come in on passport for 30 days? I am so confused. I do not want to make a mistake.
10 months ago
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Stuart ***********
@Sharron ******
 get a
*****
day tourist visa before you come to Thailand. That gives you enough time then to open a bank account deposit 800,000 and apply for the non o retirement visa.
10 months ago
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Stuart ***********
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Graham ******
@Simon *******
 they were both wrong, you can get an initial 90 day Non-O retirement in country if you meet the requirements
10 months ago
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Graham ******
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David *********
It’s doable but the insurance is optional and not a requirement
10 months ago
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Otto *********
If you want a retirement visa or such, you better come in with an Non-Immigrnat visa, or else the agents will let you pay dearly...
10 months ago
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Graham ******
@Otto ********
 if you let them
10 months ago
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Otto *********
GRaham, they are like a Maffia...
10 months ago
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Graham ******
@Otto ********
 all the more reason to do it yourself
10 months ago
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Otto *********
@Graham *****
 Generally yes, but they are the only ones to make it possible, as it is not exactly by the letters of the law...
10 months ago
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Otto *********
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Graham ******
Why insurance?
10 months ago
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Eddie ********
The 800k has to be in the bank for 2 months
10 months ago
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Andreas *********
@Eddie *******
 ONLY at the Pattaya/Jomtien Immigration, they ask for a 2 month seasoning of the 800K when you initially apply for the Non-Imm-O visa (process called "change of visa type" from a visa-exempt or tourist visa to the 90-days Non-Imm-O visa) On other immigrations, the 2 month seasoning is only asked for when you apply for the 1-year extension
10 months ago
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Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I know all of that. But thank you
10 months ago
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Michael ********
@Eddie *******
 only for extension not initial 90 day visa
10 months ago
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John **********
@Michael *******
 depends where you are. Pattaya you need the money seasoned for the initial 90 day Non-O visa, couple of other places are the same
10 months ago
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Gregor **********
@John *********
 yes, Jomtien - as until now the ONLY immigration office - wants it seasoned. However Jomtien will not ask for a proof that it came from abroad. At least this was the last info about it, in the Thai Visa Advice group
10 months ago
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Gregor **********
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Eddie ********
@Michael *******
 realise that but was pointing it out so they were aware.
10 months ago
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Gregor **********
@Eddie *******
 the money just has to sit in the account for the "change of visa type". There must be proof it came from abroad. Only when applying for the extension, the seasoning has to be 2 months
10 months ago
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Graham ******
@Eddie *******
 but the OP plans to apply for an in country Non-O
10 months ago
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Graham ******
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Graham ******
@Eddie *******
 only for the 12 month extension
10 months ago
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Pertti *************
@Eddie *******
 if use agent theres no that.
10 months ago
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Pertti *************
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Ploynita **************
I'm not a lawyer, but if you're in Bangkok, I can help you open a bank account and get a visa as well.
10 months ago
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Rj ******
@Ploynita ******************
 for 50k you told me
10 months ago
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Rj ******
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Chris *******
Sort of.

1) enter 30 days exempt probably extend the extra 30 days to buy more time 1900baht.

You'll need a minimum 15-21 days left on the stamp to apply for the non-o based on retirement

Get a bank account deposit 800k (pay an agent for this)

Get accommodations address registered tm30

**health insurance not required

2) apply for a 90 day non-o visa based on retirement. 2000baht

Season money in bank for 2 months.

3) apply for the 1 yr extension of stay 45 days or later into the 90 days (you can apply last day not recommended) 1900b

*** you don't need an agent to do your visas if you qualify***
10 months ago
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Rj ******
@Chris ******
 get a agent for all, they seem to change things office to office. I can not even get a bank account and have to get an agent.
10 months ago
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Chris *******
@Rj *****
 for simplicity an agent for a bank account.

If you qualify for the visa/extension there is no reason at all to use an agent.

But some like to spend money on convenience and that's okay too.

But 1900baht vs 20,000(or more) makes no sense if you don't need help.
10 months ago
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Chris *******
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David **********
@Chris ******
 thank you Chris. I’ve never seen the process explained so simply and precise.

Can you advise the seasoning of the money requirements in your bank following receipt of the one year extension of stay, for the renewal the next year please?
10 months ago
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Chris *******
@David *********
 okay simple again.

2 months before application 800k

3 months after APPROVAL 800k

Never below 400k

Back to 800k 2 mths before next application

**my advice deposit and leave it**
10 months ago
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Chris *******
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Chris *****
@Chris ******
Hi Chris, good sharing thanks. For the accommodation address, can I use the hotel I’m staying or must it be a long term rental apartment?

I should get an agent for the bank account opening ASAP once I land in Bangkok? I’m considering the timeline and which to do first…
10 months ago
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John **********
@Chris ****
 you can use a hotel but you need to show you have a long term agreement with the hotel
10 months ago
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Chris *******
@Chris ****
 first is bank account you can do nothing without it.

Accommodation if you can get a tm30 and some sort of longtermish lease form the hotel should work, but may take some work, preferred are longterm leases.

Up to the office you are dealing with.

I have seen apartment/hotels accepted.
10 months ago
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Steve **********
@Chris ******
 usually hotel is accepted.
10 months ago
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Chris *****
@Chris ******
Thank you 👍🏻
10 months ago
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Chris *******
@Chris ****
 also there are serviced apartment/hotels that are perfect for that.
10 months ago
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Chris *******
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Pascal *****
@Chris ******
 3) 45days not everywhere, can be 30
10 months ago
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Chris *******
@Asia ******
 "45 days or later"

45 is the earliest at some offices, others are 30 days.
10 months ago
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Pascal *****
@Chris ******
 no, 30 is the standard, 45 not all immigration office
10 months ago
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Chris *******
@Asia ******
 possibly you don't understand how I wrote it.

45 days is the earliest at some offices.

Other offices may be later (30 days).

It depends where she is settling and she has not indicated that.
10 months ago
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Chris *******
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Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ******
 That was what I was wondering. I have been told so many different things. Thats what made me think that I needed a lawyer. I have been told it is hard to open bank account now? Thank you.
10 months ago
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Chris *******
@Sharron ******
 yes use an agent to get bank account, the fastest way to do it.

In theory if you spent time and hit enough branches you will eventually get one.

Timing is critical for this, so it makes sense to use an agent once.
10 months ago
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Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ******
 It is worth the money to not have the hassle. Thank you
10 months ago
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Chris *******
@Sharron ******
 what are are you considering?

Have you been here?

Please DM me for more info I'd you want help.
10 months ago
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Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have been there; I also have spent 40 years going to Italy every two years for 6 to 8 weeks. I was my number one choice because of the locals there. But I also loved Thailand. In the end I decided on Thailand. I want to move and retire there. But I want to do it all in one trip. I am use to heat and humidity. I live in Southern Florida. Lots of rain here also.
10 months ago
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Sharron *******
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Steffen ********
@Chris ******
 well explained…
10 months ago
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Gregor **********
@Chris ******
 "if you qualify" hopefully means that you don't need an agent to front you in not having the 800,000.- THB, but that you can transfer your own 800.000.- THB from abroad to your freshly opened Thai bank account . . .. . NEVER enter the "agent carrousell" if you can avoid it. You can ask them for support during the process, but don't allow them to bribe Immigration officer because you cannot show your financial proof
10 months ago
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Steve **********
@Gregor *********
 suggest if you have pension income from abroad use that rather than tie up 800k.
10 months ago
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Steve **********
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Kev **********
@Chris ******
 spot on!
10 months ago
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Kev **********
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Michael *******
Can do all yourself.
10 months ago
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Michael *******
Dont need a lawyer!
10 months ago
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Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I will want him to help me with opening bank account, get visas, and when I buy a condo, have him look over all paper work.
10 months ago
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Robert *********
@Sha****
, good idea, get a lawyer to assist🙏
10 months ago
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Frances ********
@Sharron ******
 get a good visa agent. That’s all you need. They’ll get your bank account and do all the paperwork for you.
10 months ago
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Frances ********
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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