Why don't you go to immigration talk to them see if you can do it yourself .If after that you still think you need a agent ok but price around good luck 👍.
(Is it needed) well I would say yes but you don't have to give it to them if you don't want to but then again you properly won't get your visa up to you.
There was an article in The Pattaya News about 2 hrs ago it all so looking like it will be more difficult to transfer money into Thailand with Wise very interesting article.
Good hope it works out for you once you get all your papers to gether go to your local MSD center get them to sight your paper work passport ectopic then they can scan them directly to MSD international hope this helps you