That will be very difficult for your friend. However, if he/she has a couple million Baht in the bank, well established & verifiable employment, and ties to the local community (e.g. owns a home, children in school, etc.) then it is probably possible but it is a very complicated process.
Lemme see if I have this right. You trust them to get you a visa that cost you 600K THB (or more) but you don't trust their instructions with regard to the process of picking up the visa?
I have used Dee Money to Xfer money out of Thailand in the past. I transferred money on a Sunday and it was in my foreign account the next day. I believe that they charge a fee of 150 ฿ regardless the amount you transfer. However, their exchange rate is lower than the market rate and this is where they make their money.
I use Text Now also. Any of the free calling apps should work from Thailand for you (they do for me as along as I have internet access.) There is no need for a VPN.