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Is it necessary to have a Thai bank account for expats relocating to Thailand?

Thai BanksATM FeesVisa RequirementsRetirement VisaFinancial ManagementInternational Money TransfersExpat Finances
Aug 17, 2025
7 days ago
Corey **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
If locating to Thailand, is it a must to have a Thai bank?

What's the best way to keep to access money in a US bank?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Having a Thai bank account isn't strictly necessary for all expats, but it offers significant advantages for financial management and adherence to visa requirements, particularly for retirement visas that require proof of funds. Many expats suggest maintaining a US bank account alongside a Thai account to avoid excessive ATM fees and achieve better exchange rates. There are various options available, such as using credit cards with no foreign transaction fees or services like Wise and XE for international money transfers. Establishing a Thai bank account can be cumbersome, particularly for certain visa types, but it greatly simplifies daily financial transactions in Thailand.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
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Craig *******
A good alternative to having a bank account is using a cash transfer app that offers cash pickup. I use XE which is similar to Wise, but unlike Wise XE has a cash pickup option. Pickup locations are everywhere (banks, 7-11 etc) and no extra charge. XE exchange rates are very good, you will get almost as much THB as you would get by exchanging at Superrich. A much better option than using ATMs.
6 days ago
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Max *************
Having access to money in a US bank is one thing,but it doesn't mean you shouldn't have a Thai bank account with a debit/atm-card.I bet you can't find one (sane) expat living in Thailand long term without a Thai bank account. If there is, I would like to see what he/she looks like. 😂
7 days ago
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Maitin *******
You can, but honestly it's much much easier if you have one. I go to the ATM maybe once a month to get a little money for tipping my building staff and
****
. QR for basically everything
7 days ago
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Bob **********
Get a Charles Schwab checking account they re turn all ATM fees but you’ll need a bank or two if your living here if you apply for a non-o visa you’ll need the 800,000 baht in a Thai bank seasoned for two months before your 1 year extension
7 days ago
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Pete *******
You can get two years out of a Non-OA visa with money only in your home country.
7 days ago
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Peter ****************
@Pete ******
 Yep. And when he has that visa, for future use, with a certificate of residence, it should be possible to open a bank account. So later he can transfer 'livingmoney' to that account. As long as his visa (with one free extra year after a border hop and valid healthinsurance) is valid, he can use that. After about 2 years he has to decide for a new OA (no money at a Thai bank) or O with extensions (and Thai financial requirement).
7 days ago
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Pete *******
@Peter ***************
 all correct.
7 days ago
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Pete *******
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Ant ***********
A bank account is a requirement for a retirement Visa in Thailand ( Over 50 )

If it wasnt for that I wouldn’t have one 😎
7 days ago
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Stuart ***********
@Ant **********
 it depends on the visa type. For the non-O visa you are correct you need the Thai bank account, but for example the non-OA based on retirement you do not need a Thai bank account, but you do need the mandatory insurance etc.
7 days ago
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Michael ******
@Ant **********
 that's incorrect. I have an ret-Visa but dont have any Thai-accoint
7 days ago
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Carsten ************
@Michael *****
 please stop talking bs. Even if you're using the income method, you need to have the 800k on your Thai bank account for the 1st year.
7 days ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Carsten ***********
 . . .
@Michael *****
 doesn't need 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account if he does the financial proof for the Retirement extension by the affidavit of income from his embassy. As he apparently is a German citizen, he can use the affidavit from the first year on. So, the bs talk is coming from you
7 days ago
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Michael ******
@Nongnuch *******
 That´s correct. I´m Austrian and did it the same way.
7 days ago
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Carsten ************
@Nongnuch *******
 The op is an American and nobody asked how a German may prove his funds. For an American asking, his statement "no need" is fkn bs.
7 days ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Carsten ***********
 my reply was aimed at
@Michael *****
 and Jo Clemente, not to the OP
7 days ago
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Nongnuch ********
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Jo **********
@Michael *****
 by law you are required to have a thai bank account
7 days ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Jo *********
 not if he does the financial proof for the Retirement extension by the affidavit of income from his embassy. As he apparently is a German citizen, he can use the affidavit
7 days ago
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Jo **********
@Nongnuch *******
 ah good one!
7 days ago
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Jo **********
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Paul ********
@Michael *****
 how? Illegally obtained through an agency
7 days ago
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Keith *******
@Paul *******
 non-OA? No bank account required in Thailand
7 days ago
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Keith *******
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Wylie *******
If you don't already, get a Schwab account. They give a decent exchange rate when using an atm, don't charge any fees, and even reimburse the 250 baht fee the Thai bank charges.
7 days ago
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Mike *********
It is very hard to get a Thai bank acct now. Find a us bank that gives you ATM fee refunds and you should be good. I have usaa and get all my fees returned monthly Dr
7 days ago
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Max *************
@Mike ********
 It's not hard at all if you're on correct type of initial visa,meaning at least a 90 days Non-O.
7 days ago
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Corey **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mike ********
 you have USAA and get rebated? If so, that's awesome and solves a problem for me..
7 days ago
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Mike *********
@Corey *************
 yes I have usaa and have been living here in Thailand for the last year works fine for me
7 days ago
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Corey **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mike ********
 thanks!
7 days ago
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Reply to
Corey **************
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Corey **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mike ********
 I have USAA with free ATM's - just not sure if they will credit me while in another country? I think they do as I seem to recall getting rebated when I did use it.
7 days ago
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Mike *********
Make sure you have other options as well if you are going be here long term Incase you lose a card or one gets compromised cash is king here so it is hard if you don't have access to cash
7 days ago
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David **********
@Mike ********
 great advice 👍
7 days ago
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David **********
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Mike *********
@Corey *************
 yes they do I get between 30-50 back a month
7 days ago
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Mike *********
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Jo **********
use credit card and atm. I did for 5 years
7 days ago
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Max *************
@Jo *********
 Did you do that while staying in Thailand non-stop for 5 years? If yes, a not so very smart move compared to having a Thai bank account with a debit card/ATM-card.
7 days ago
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Jo **********
@Max ************
 it was not non stop in and out the country very frequently. but actually credit cards are very effective maximizing exchange rates. Taking 20,000 out and paying a 1.1% fee is nothing. i have a thai bank account but still use my Singapore credit because that’s where my income is
7 days ago
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Max *************
@Jo *********
 You're basically a tourist then? You do know that you can transfer money from back home to your Thai bank account and only use a Thai ATM-card? That's imo even better.
7 days ago
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Jo **********
@Max ************
 not really a tourist married with house in Thailand just a frequent flyer. I send money to my Thai account every month. using a credit card cost me nothing and get the best exchange rate over a 30 day period.
7 days ago
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Jo **********
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Corey **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jo *********
 didn't out of country fees kill you?
7 days ago
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Matthew *********
@Corey *************
 A lot of american banks reimburse the atm fee
7 days ago
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David **********
@Corey *************
 Make sure you have a credit card with "no foreign transaction fees". You will get charged in Thai baht and your card issuer will convert it to USD. That being said, credit cards are not as widely accepted as the States and smaller merchants may add 3% to the bill.

"Cash is king" in Thailand still applies in most places.
7 days ago
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Jo **********
@Corey *************
 not really use credit card a lot no fees and great exchange rate. use credit card wherever you can. take out 20,000 cash your paying 1.1% fee
7 days ago
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Jo **********
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Paul ********
If your getting a retirement visa it’s a must as you need to show funds in the bank
7 days ago
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Michael ******
@Paul *******
 you wrote "it´s a must" - and this is not correct. It depends on your nationality. Citizens of some countries like me, an Austrian, dont need this. I had just a confirmation of income from my embassy. Germany is same as far as I know. But some people forget, that the world is not just about US and GB citizens.
7 days ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Paul *******
 for the application to the initial 90-days retirement visa, you can show funds in your home bank or use your income! And for the application to the 1-year Extension of the Stay Permit based on retirement, you use EITHER the 800,000 THB in your Thai bank account, OR you use the affidavit of income if your embassy in Thailand still issues it. In this case you don't even need funds in a Thai bank account, not even in the first year - this is a requirement only for US, AUS and GB citizen whose embassies don't issue income affidavits any more
7 days ago
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Mark ********
Nongnuch Kamdee If you apply for the non-O visa in Thailand, you need the funds to be in a Thai bank account
7 days ago
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Paul ********
@Nongnuch *******
 so you need Thai bank account that’s what he is asking
7 days ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Paul *******
 No, he doesn't need a Thai bank account in order to apply for the "retirement visa". He can use any bank account anywhere in the World for the application to the "90-days Non-Imm-O retirement visa". The Thai bank account is only needed when he applies for the extension. The obvious problem is your wrong wording, you say "retirement visa" but you do not mean the visa itself, you mean the extension of the stay permit (which is NOT a "visa")
7 days ago
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Nongnuch ********
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Paul ********
Ok but you still need a Thai bank for extending so my answer is right after 1 year?
7 days ago
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Gerg **********
@Paul *******
 If you’re on an OA visa, then yes, you have until 2 months before your first extension to get a thai bank account and put the 800,000 baht in to season before your extension, so really you have 10 months, not a year. But if on an O retirement visa, you only get 90 days until the first extension, so you have to get a bank account within 30 days so it will be seasoned for the required 2 months before your first one year extension.
7 days ago
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Gerg **********
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Michael ******
@Paul *******
 that's incorrect
7 days ago
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Paul ********
@Michael *****
 how can you prove funds coming in then ?
7 days ago
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Anna *********
@Paul *******
 your need to show funds in a Thai bank for the ‘extension to stay’ not the actual non O visa
7 days ago
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Mark ********
@Anna ********
 Not quite correct. If you apply for the non-O in Thailand you need funds in a Thai bank account
7 days ago
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Mark ********
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Mark ********
It's not a "must" but it's certainly more financially-viable and very convenient
7 days ago
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Phil ******
@Corey *************
 re Thai bank. To get cash from an ATM attracts a ฿250 ATM fee. The best international transfer company is Wise for your home bank to a Thai bank.
7 days ago
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Matthew *********
I live in thailand long term and never pay an international atm fee. He Is american and defiantly has that option to set up. Remitly fees for debit card way cheaper than wise. And remitly is american company and I am sure he rather support them. I am sure he rather input from one american to another. You keep paying paying those high fees. He has options because he is american. No need to support your British company. Dickweed
7 days ago
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Phil ******
@Matthew ********
 have sex and travel will you. Tell the OP not me. Both companies are foreign to me as I'm Australian. I have paid fees to both companies previously and Wise works for me. I've only lived here 13.75 years so I'm a newbie.Tell the OP NOT ME
7 days ago
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Phil ******
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Matthew *********
bullshit. Wise fees are way more an who in the fucks wants to wait up to day. Fucking moron. fucking loser. Probably why i shit load more money than you. I make smart decisions
7 days ago
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Phil ******
@Matthew ********
 i did, I don't know you and I'm no idiot. I've used Remitly a few times and its speed was slower than Wise. I found Wise fees better too so I recommended Wise based on personal experience. Tell the OP instead of me.
7 days ago
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Matthew *********
@Phil *****
 stop your lies. Wise fees are enormous
7 days ago
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Matthew *********
1.99
7 days ago
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Phil ******
@Matthew ********
 im not lying I really think you should go inside now as too much heat
7 days ago
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Phil ******
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Steve ******
@Matthew ********
 todays remitly for GBP
7 days ago
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Steve ******
Todays money gram for GBP 😊😊
7 days ago
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Steve ******
I would say remitly is 1 baht less 🤔
7 days ago
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Max *************
@Steve *****
 Don't listen to the moron. He's clueless. 😎
7 days ago
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Matthew *********
@Max ************
 your still fucking ladyboys you old geasard
7 days ago
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Matthew *********
@Steve *****
 but remitly is instant, I have tried money gram before as an option to be picked up. But for me I send to myself every week for 5 yrs and its never been late. They have 3 levels for membership based on how much you can send. I have tried wise as a back up and it was a disappointment after i saw their fees...I turned remitly onto an attorney friend of mine in bangkok and he said he will never us wise again. Navy federal gives me nomination even before the reference numbers comes tru
7 days ago
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Steve ******
@Matthew ********
 wise used to be instant but now it can take a couple of days even though it says minutes 🙉🤣🤣
7 days ago
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Steve ******
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Bob **********
@Phil *****
 250 now
7 days ago
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Max *************
@Bob *********
 Correct, it went up 30 baht not long ago. And dont forget there's a fee for every withdrawal in many foreign banks on top of the 250 baht .
7 days ago
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Matthew *********
@Max ************
 can't be smart and get a bank that doesn't charge atm fees.
7 days ago
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Max *************
@Matthew ********
 Many commercial banks back home doesn't have that option and I'm living in Thailand long term, meaning using a foreign card is pure stupidity,but that's up your alley.
7 days ago
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Max *************
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Matthew *********
@Phil *****
 he'll no to wise. Your american, trust me remitly is the best app. Money is instant with debit card and fees and exchange rates are the best. You see everyday people having issue with wise hasn't to always wait for hours or even days to get money. As american go with american. Highest banking standards and it most reliable. In 5 years my money is always instant. People with wise can't say that. Too many post with problems from wise
7 days ago
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Charles *******
@Matthew ********
 why not Wise ? Never had a problem
7 days ago
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Matthew *********
@Charles ******
 I am just saying if you follow the forum there has been many complaints that wise is not sending money at once instead at scheduled times. Many are complaining not getting until next day and as I have posted the fees. Their fees are enormous in comparison to remitly. If you make several transfer in a week or a month, you paying a shit load in fees. Remitly does fee you to death. The OP asked and I delivered a better option. I have never seen one complaint about remitly but I have seen way to many for wise. Even people complaining wise seize transfer an blame third party . I go by what I read in the forum all the time. Its no secret.
7 days ago
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Matthew *********
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Phil ******
@Matthew ********
 ok tell the OP as mine are cheap and fast thanks
7 days ago
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Matthew *********
@Phil *****
 why don't you try reading the post that people have been posting with all the delays for hours. You don't represent all, your an idiot. Learn to read, your experience is the majority. Remitly is hands down better
7 days ago
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Max *************
@Matthew ********
 It seems you're the idiot. Preferring money in seconds or minutes instead of looking at the amount received in the end. I'm always receiving more money with Wise compared to with Remitly. Your finances must be in a poor condition if you can't wait "hours" for the money to arrive. 👎
7 days ago
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Max *************
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Corey **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
 Thanks for the reply. How does Wise work?
7 days ago
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Ant ***********
@Corey *************
Yes Wise is good here ✔️
7 days ago
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Jay *******
@Corey *************
 they transfer your money from bank to bank for a fee. Everything is done through their app
7 days ago
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Jay *******
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Steve ******
@Phil *****
 look at money gram also for transfers I get better rates than wise,western union, remitly and your first £1000 you get a special rate,just a heads up to check it out 😊
7 days ago
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Phil ******
@Steve *****
 not me Steve I'm from Oz. Tell the OP. I only expressed my opinion
7 days ago
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Phil ******
Reply
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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