I’m not sure there is an exact answer.

Sounds like you get atm fees refunded and if your American bank gives good rates than it is likely the cheapest. But that doesn’t figure in your time or hassle.

If you are going to leave the money in an account vs taking out cash it is likely a wash. Save a bit of money vs save a bit of time.

Just remember if you need this to show as money from outside TH you don’t want to do the atm.

Personally I’d just use wise for a one time bank to bank transfer. And my atm to pull out from the US account if I needed cash. Like you I get atm fees refunded.

From your comments it was a new passport, so not the one you used in 2015?

Did the airline give more details?

I’ve heard of similar mistakes before where the airline got it wrong.

I’m not sure how their systems work for checking that stuff but personally I would assume it was an airline mistake.

Though have no idea how to have them recheck or have another airline check without booking another flight.

Even if they somehow forgot an exit stamp I don’t think you get blacklisted.

If “you” are truly blacklisted the only way I see that happening is if some how your record is merged with the person who really did.

Maybe an error with your new passport? When they scan it does it come up as you? Is this the first time you used the new one?

If this wasn’t an airline mistake good luck.

If it was you may have to fly with a different company to test it out and be sure now.

@JP *********

yes there are ways to minimize taxes including to zero. FEIE and FTC being the two main ways to do so.

But you can’t get rid of self employment tax in most cases so if ever self employed she would owe that. Also the higher the income the more likely someone will owe.

And she would still be required to deal with FBAR and issues with banks not opening accounts. Which is the main reason people get rid of US citizenship if they are not wealthy.

In general anyone with another passport, especially a strong one, that does not truly plan to live in the US is best served by getting rid of a green card or citizenship.

The US tax system is annoying if you are not dealing directly with US incomes, banks, investments, and etc.

@Alistair *********

I believe you can even if you don’t. But becoming stateless would be very foolish.

@Marc *******

any US citizen can renounce citizenship. It doesn’t matter how they got it.

Not sure how the process works for actual children though. They may have to wait till adulthood. Not sure.

@Alistair *********

yes it is. But for those who don’t need it there can be pretty large tax savings. And it makes banking in other countries easier.

Also benefits like social security if already qualified for (10 year work history basically) you can still get as a non-citizen.

Green card holders need to get rid of since they will lose their ability to use it if they stay out too long but still be required to folllow the world wide tax rules. So no benefits and all the negatives.

Citizens have to weight the pros and cons.

She mentions she has a UK passport so she already has a great powerful passport and nationality. She likely doesn’t need US citizenship if she has it.

I can’t give direct advice since I don’t know but here is what I would do in your place. And hopefully this helps.

1. Contact the Thai embassy/consultant near you in the US. Doesn’t sound like you lost citizenship so should just be about getting a new passport.

1b. Likely will need to get other official stuff once in Thailand. I personally would plan to stay in BKK for a few months to a year to get everything settled. Also likely the best place to study Thai.

2. Find Thai expat groups in the US/UK/AUS. You are likely to find others who have been in your exact situation. And since you speak English natively these will be the best countries to find Thais who do as well.

Even if the embassy can help you completely with the passport thing I believe groups like this can help you over all.

2b. See if you can find groups for returning Thais.

2c. Maybe reach out to vloggers and such that have similar situations. Off the top of my head I think Flora and Note since Note is Thai but lived in Canada for a while. His situation is not the same as yours but he may be able to connect you with other returning Thais. If they don’t reply to an IG DM let me know and I can see if Paddy Doyle (who occasionally talk to there) can help connect you to them.

3. Check with Thailand on the rules for bringing your dog. But otherwise most seem to just take them on flights. I wouldn’t pay $7k for that. It should be a lot less.

4. Unless I had to I would not enter Thailand on a non-Thai passport. Again I am assuming you should be able to get a new one while still in the US.

5. If you are a U.S. green card holder or citizen remember they tax world wide income and you have to formally give either up. If you don’t plan to return to the US really consider do this asap once you leave.

6. Tools from the US will often have issues over voltage and shipping costs often make it really not worth it. Personally I’d buy tools in Thailand.

7. If you end up documenting this journey (imo you should) I would love to follow along. So please let me know your YT, IG, and etc where you will share it if you do.

Good luck on your return home and embracing your culture and heritage.

@John *********

are you taking any other classes or just learning Thai?

How much is that costing you?

Given your profile pic I’m honestly surprised.

Has she gotten visas for other major nations besides France/EU?

Normally once you get a few of those getting into the US isn’t hard.

Also what were the answers to those questions they ask?

Any red flags in her past including visible on social media?

While the interview is the final say of course some prefiltering happens. To me the shortness of the interview suggest something flagged before the interview.

And the questions were just to confirm.

Like if you or her owned bars in Pattaya for example. Which would suggest sex work.

And even visa free nationals get esta denials over sex work. Including a recent case an OnlyFans model had.

Not saying or suggesting you or her are into the bar scene. Just giving it as an example.

Digital nomad work might flag too since it suggests she would be working while in the US. And the US is not grey at all when it comes to digital nomads.

Housesitting also flags them and gets denials since under US law that is work.

@Andrew ********

seem far too many people waste loads more chasing it.

By all means do due diligence but that is normally best done up front. Once you have to get lawyers involved in recovery it’s math vs your ego. And often the only winners are the lawyers.

Once the money is “invested” it is what it is. Either you will see a return or you kiss it good bye.