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What are the implications of Google changing my account region from the UK to Thailand?

Sep 13, 2025
3 months ago
Andy *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Not really visa related but maybe someone could share some advice. I have had a notification from Google that they will change my country associated with my account (including emails) from the uk to Thailand. Does this really have any dramatic effect to anything? I still use a lot of uk services especially financial? . I have the option to submit a request to change region back to the uk but I don’t know 1) if I really need to and 2) whether it would be accepted as I spend most of the time In Thailand?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When Google changes your account region from the UK to Thailand, it can have some impact on the services you access. Notably, local Google services and subscriptions might switch to local pricing, and some apps may become accessible or restricted depending on your new region. While your existing apps will continue to work, new app downloads may be affected based on region-specific availability. It's advisable to consider your use of UK-linked financial services, as they might face issues if reliant on Google verification linked to your original account region. Engaging with multiple Google accounts can help manage these changes.
Shauna ******
Following
John **********
I have a number of Google accounts in different countries simultaneously. I sometimes have to switch from one account to the other for different things but it's not much of an issue
Nick ************
I always have frustrating issues with Internet based accounts when moving from uk to Thailand or vice versa. Gave up on ebay altogether. Even though I changed my address I could not change free collection from Thailand even though I was selling from Wales!
Ally ************
This happened to me recently.. it just means that you can access those Thai/Asian apps on Google Play that are restricted if your region is set to Uk.. ie. you can then download them to your phone.. conversely some Uk apps are restricted once you convert to Thailand.. all your existing apps are unaffected and will continue to work including any updates.. it's just new apps that you try to download that could be restricted if they are Uk centric rather than international apps.. the change has had no negative affect on me whatsoever.. though i can now get some local apps that were previously inaccessible 😉
Peter *********
Ally ************
@Peter ********
I have a VPN already.. but it doesn't defeat some of the region restricted content on Play Store or the Applestore.. in the same way it works with content on a browser.. even BBC iPlayer can now tell if I'm trying to access it using a vpn.. which never used to be the case a while ago!
Andy *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ally ***********
thank you, great answer
Derek *****
Google wallet and Voice I think aren’t supported in Thailand — also some workplace admin features but otherwise makes no different really. Keep UK and open another account for Thailand if you can.
Christian **********
@Derek ****
I use Google Wallet extensively in Thailand and elsewhere in SE Asia. Credit card, boarding passes, etc, they all work.
Derek *****
Ah, my bad. I haven’t tried signing up in a few years. Good to know! So just Apple Pay we need now — basically then it’s just voice and some Play apps and services that he’ll miss out on (and no GDPR restricting his data privacy).
Jesper *******
I have 2 separate Google accts on the same phone with 2 Sims which u can switch effortlessly hope this helps
Andy *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jesper ******
not being to tech savvy I am not sure about how this works ? Could you elaborate . I have 2 sims (a uk physical SIM and a Thai eSIM) .
Mikkel *******
@Andy ****
how to change the region of the account manually on your Google account.

Btw, do what Jesper just said. I do the same.

Create another gmail account and set that one to Thailand.

Beware that you can only change region once every 12 months.

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Jesper *******
@Andy ****
create a new Gmail and register another Google acct with the phone number that is not registered on the Google playstore...lets say your current Google account is registered with UK u create another one using the thai number
Remy ********
Following
Colin **********
You will likely see any Goolge subscription change to local the local levels. Also if you used Google verification (when you signed up) for other UK financial services they maybe affected. Just think about what you have linked.
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