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What are the first steps I should take when arriving in Thailand on an exempt visa for a retirement visa?

Thailand Retirement VisaNon-O VisaAccommodation in ThailandVisa Application ProcessBank Account SetupExpat Guide to ThailandUsing Agents for Visa ServicesLiving in Thailand as an Expat
Oct 26, 2024
2 months ago
Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ill be coming into Thailand on exempt visa from Usa. Im going for the retirment visa. Whats my very first step getting off the plane? Look for a place to live or just get a hotel room? Or go see an agent first? I could really use step 123 advice please. Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When arriving in Thailand on an exempt visa for a retirement visa, the first steps involve: 1) Booking accommodation before your arrival, ideally a hotel for initial days or a serviced apartment. 2) If applicable, securing a Non-O visa prior to departure to simplify your process. 3) Opening a bank account, as this is crucial for your retirement visa application. 4) Spending some time exploring your preferred living area and then contacting a local agent to assist you with long-term accommodation and visa-related paperwork. It's advisable to use an agent for ease, especially if you are unfamiliar with local procedures.
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.
Tr *****
I'm doing the same thing, there's 2 ways to do it I'm getting from the legal folks.

1). Get the non immigration O visa (must have flight ticket and accommodation ), other than the timing that's easy (flight and hotel).

Land, set up bank account. Then fairly quickly get a rental w/ contract.

Then shortly after apply for yearly retirement visa.

2). A law firm said come on normal visa, for approx 1,400 usd they will handle everything once I arrive.

I'm still deciding which way to go, although 2 gives me more time to find the right rental with no rush.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
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@Tr ****
 im going with 2 and after a year i will do it myself
2 months ago
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Tr *****
@Jacques ****
 my thoughts also, better to pay for experts then learn the system.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
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@Tr ****
 dont want to make any mistakes even when they say its easy.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
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James *********
@Tr ****
 Good advice to NOT rush ANYthing.
2 months ago
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James *********
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Erick ********
Welcome to Thailand. I’m returning from Cali in November.

Book a hotel close to BTS or MRT. Look at holiday inn or intercontinental at Chitlom. There’s a Novotel at Siam.

I suggest 2 weeks before you decide on an area you want to live. Good luck.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Erick *******
 so decide where i want to live in two weeks then go to the Agent and start the process?
2 months ago
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Erick ********
@Jacques ****
 before I moved from USA I had researched Bangkok. I narrowed it down to Sathorn and ploenchit. I got a hotel room in Sathorn for 2 weeks and enjoyed the area. Lived there 2 years before trying another area.

Have you stayed in Bkk before?

What are you looking for in a home?

I’m sure you’ve considered these variables before such a big move
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Erick *******
 sure i have. Not bkk.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
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Bradley *********
@Jacques ****
 get a Charles Schwab bank account before you leave America. There’s no ATM fees. I saved over $500 in ATM fees in the last 12 months.

Also get an international drivers license before you leave so you can skip the test here when you get a Thai DL.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bradley ********
 i opened my Charles Schwab investors checking account just now. Thanks buddy!!!
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bradley ********
 what about just using the bank of bangkok debit card? They charge fees to pull from their own atms?
2 months ago
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Bradley *********
@Jacques ****
 I’m talking about using my American bank debit card, Charles Schwab, to go to the Bangkok Bank ATM and pull money out.
2 months ago
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Bradley *********
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bradley ********
 both good advice. I already will do the idl.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
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James *********
Have you been here before? Where are you wanting to settle? Or will you be exploring first before deciding?
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James ********
 i want one of three places. Jomtien, hua hin. Phuket.
2 months ago
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James *********
@Jacques ****
 have you been to those 3 in the past? All very nice, but very different from each other.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James ********
 no i havent. Plan is to travel and see them
2 months ago
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James *********
@Jacques ****
 Excellent. Hua Hin night market is pretty cool. Some very decent seafood restaurants, jutting out over the ocean, just north of the Hilton. Jomtien laid back compared to Pattaya, but just short ride to central Pattaya. Phuket pretty awesome beaches, and tons of stuff to do while there.
2 months ago
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James *********
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Robert **********
Will an agent do everything for you, I know it will be pricey but will they !
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert *********
 its a $1000. Im ok with that. Once im in i will learn to do my 90 days and yearly extension on my own
2 months ago
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Pertti *************
@Jacques ****
 don't pay that much if you have requirements 800k to bank. Friend just got help from visa agent to apply initial visa only 12.000baht including opening bank account!
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pertti ************
 yeah well i dont trust small run of the mill agents. Ide rather be safe and use the big firm in Bangkok. Siam Legal. I always hear how solid they are. I need great. Im giving up everything here for what i hear is the greatest place on Earth. Its worth my peace of mind to pay $1000
2 months ago
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Pertti *************
@Jacques ****
 ofcourse but it's very easy apply yourself but ofcourse if you don't mind spend 2 month local salary for easy few hour job🙏
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pertti ************
 i dont mind. I need security knowing its done right. I dont speak Thai and all Imm Offices are different.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
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Helen ********
Book a hotel for a week, get your bearings. Do you know where you want to settle? Spend the time to figure out where you want to live, contact an agent in that area. If you are visa exempt, you'll most likely have to get an agent to help with opening a bank account. If you enter on a NON O, you can open a bank account at most banks. You need a certain amount of time left on your stamp to change in country so don't leave it to the last minute.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Helen *******
 ill use an agent. Thanks
2 months ago
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Helen ********
@Jacques ****
 other then the bank account, it is easy enough to do without an agent but does mean you have to get your own paperwork and funding organized.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Helen *******
 yeah They make it difficult to get the non o visa here. Pain in the you know what. So much easier going thru an agent. I have no problem paying for the service to open my account and whatever i need done to enjoy the country.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
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Steve *******
Get the non imm O visa before you arrive. It'll make the process so much easier and you won't need to pay an agent.
2 months ago
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Tony **********
@Jacques ****
 no it does not! That is for the non-oa.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *********
 thanks. Your right. I miss read that
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
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Stuart ***********
@Jacques ****
 not true.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart **********
 thanks your right
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
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Priya **********
@Steve ******
 do you get that online?
2 months ago
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Tony **********
@Priya *********
 thaievisa.go.th
2 months ago
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Tony **********
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
 i want to pay the agent. They get your bank account and deposit the $800,000 baht in the bank and get your visa same day. Then they take the $800,000 out and i replace the $800,000 before my one year extension. This is way better than applying before i go
2 months ago
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Ryan ****
@Jacques ****
 dont try to be a smart alec to exploit and test the system, you are the very reason why foreigners get a bad name.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ryan ***
 im not trying to exploit anything. I just wanted to know the steps once i step off the plane. I plan on using an agent. Thats it. No attitude. No problems
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
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Tony **********
@Jacques ****
 since you know it all already (but you don't), why are you asking others and then rejecting their correct advice. With your attitude you will become very frustrated here. I hope you've spent some significant time here, otherwise you'll likely be a one and done expat.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *********
 i dont have an attitude. I asked about the steps once in the country. I know about the visa requirements. Im super relaxed.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
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John **********
@Jacques ****
 if you do that you will have problems doing it yourself next year as you won't have met the terms of your first extension which requires you keep 800k in your bank account for 3 months after an extension is granted and can't drop below 400k at any point so you'll be stuck with agents. My advice is to do it all yourself starting with a Non-O 90 day visa from your home country. If you're determined to use an agent at least make sure you have the money in the bank
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 so as soon as they pull the $800,000 out put my 800,000 in same day? I can do that np. Just takes a few days to transfer the money in
2 months ago
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John **********
@Jacques ****
 I'd do it before they withdraw theirs so there is no gap
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 so if i use them first year and they pull out before i put mine in. And i use an agent the next year for the extension. After that i wont have a problem. As long as the $800,000 baht is in the bank i will just do it myself every year after that. Correct?
2 months ago
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Eric ******
@Jacques ****
 I'm going message you. I don't people people barking at me for posting what my agent says.
2 months ago
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Bobby *******
@Jacques ****
 it’s baht. Stop putting a $ sign in front of baht. It’s ฿
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby ******
 thats cool you have that symbol for baht on your phone. I do not Thanks for your input
2 months ago
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Bobby *******
@Jacques ****
 well then say 800,000 baht. People don’t use dollars here
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby ******
 bobby take it easy.
2 months ago
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Bobby *******
@Jacques ****
 you will have a tough time in Thailand with your ignorance
2 months ago
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John **********
@Jacques ****
 as long as the 800k is in the bank for 2 months before you apply, remains there for 3 months after the extension is granted and you never drop below 400k at any point in the year
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 cool. I will travel with the $25,000 usd then i will deposit it when the agent opens my account. Ill just use my money and not theirs. They will do the rest to get me my Visa and i should be good then. I can use the tm30 from my short term rental property and the rest should go smoothly i hope.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
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Stuart ***********
@Jacques ****
 you do realise this is illegal?

If the immigration officer is investigated, all of their visas issued illegally are cancelled and you would be deported (this does happen).
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart **********
 im going to use siam legal. Im good
2 months ago
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Eric ******
@Jacques ****
 out of curiosity, how much are they charging? I came over on a Non O and it wasn't as 'simple' as people make it sound. I'm in Vietnam now and I'm leaning to using an agent I found in Pattaya when I get back, at least for bank account. It's so much easier to let him handle it.
2 months ago
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Andi ***********
@Jacques ****
 Siam Legal is a reputable law firm. So you will be ok with them.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
 i will call them and talk about when i arrive and the best course I already planned on asking them but i figured ide ask the group first. I do get great help but i get a bunch of rude people who want to correct me on my grammar and other negative things
2 months ago
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Andi ***********
@Jacques ****
 Using an agent is a controversial topic but ultimately it is a personal decision. You are using a law firm which differs from the regular agents many are referring to. Siam will sort everything out for you, very helpful I have found with my dealings with them.
2 months ago
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Andi ***********
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Srini ******
@Jacques ****
 You can't take it all out you need to have at least
*****
0 in the account. Otherwise you have to apply all over again.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Srini *****
 i do know that. I was referring to the initial $800,000 baht is deposited by the agent not me. After im issued the visa the agency will remove the 800,000 baht and then its up to me to have the 800,000 in the bank 2 months prior to the one year extension. I do know all this. I just was wandering if i should see the agent first thing or look for a place to live.
2 months ago
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Srini ******
@Jacques ****
 800k baht is not a lot of money. It's best to do it yourself it's not that hard. However the bank account opening seems to be an issue these days.. maybe have an agent for that alone. It's best to follow the legal path. There have been instances of fake visa stamp and eventual deportation.
2 months ago
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Srini ******
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Alexandr *************
1- Book a hotel for 1-2 days. 2- book a room for one month. 3- See and agent. 4- Look for a long term accommodation.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alexandr ************
 this is good advice. Im not applying prior to coming. Ill be applying while in Thailand
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
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Tony ********
Step 1 get your non O via e-visa from your local embassy before you leave. Step organise your initial stay before you leave, (a seviced apartment might be best, like a hotel bbut designed for longer lets and has all the comforts of an apartment. Step 3 visit Imigration get a resients certificate and open a bank account. Step 4 with a letting agent ( or without find a condo).
2 months ago
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Stuart ***********
I disagree it's very easy.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *******
 im going to apply for my retirement visa in Thailand. No need for the non O. Theres no background and no health insurance required applying from within the Kingdom
2 months ago
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Tony ********
@Jacques ****
 you will have to employ an agent to open a bank account for you, which will need to be seeded for 2 months with 800k before you apply for non o in country. Cut the agent out of this part of the process and do it before you leave, using 800k in your home country account.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *******
 not cutting the agent. I will do all this in thailand
2 months ago
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Tony ********
@Jacques ****
 if you don't get the non o in your country, and fly in exempt, you will also have to buy an onward ticket as well as paying an agent to purely help open a bank account.
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *******
 onward ticket is $12
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *******
 round trip is fine. Who knows i might not want to stay
2 months ago
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Pertti *************
@Tony *******
 seasoning only for year extension. For Initial visa just deposit before applying?
2 months ago
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Tony ********
@Pertti ************
 yes my mistake.
2 months ago
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Jim ********
@Tony *******
 You can open a bank account yourself. You don't need an agent
2 months ago
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Pertti *************
@Jim *******
 not so easy. Just pay agent🙏
2 months ago
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Tony ********
@Jim *******
 not if you havent got a long term visa or a letter from immigration.
2 months ago
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Tony ********
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Stuart ***********
@Jacques ****
 Tony is correct, the easiest way is to get the non o visa before you come to Thailand.

You are confusing the non o with non oa visa.

You need the insurance etc only for the non oa.
2 months ago
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Stuart ***********
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Russell *********
You should be organising your accommodation,even before you get on your plane
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Russell ********
 thanks for answering my question so detailed. Your a great person and knowledgable too
2 months ago
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Jacques *****
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