4evermaat

how about this 3 days later: The staff apparently forgot to get a signature for the passport application. So guess who has to return to the embassy to get this done? Turns out the supervisor allowed mailed application with signatures instead, since we already verified everything else. I didn't start getting really mad until about 20 minutes after I hung up with one of the guys who acknowledged the error .

I suppose one could go over with a checklist all of the applications with the ACS officer to ensure that all required documentation is signed. I mean the signatures, although they only take 10 minutes, comprise of 90% of the entire application process. So you would have to take initiative to do this until a formal checklist is in place. Or say something like "sir/ma'am....can we go over each individual application required one more time to make sure we got everything?" So perhaps for those planning a trip, maybe make that the first thing you do as you hang out in Thailand a bit longer. This way you can still cover a potential mistake within the week if one comes up.

.I was telling a fellow expat and he proceeded to talk about the visa process to immigrate to the USA....Missing photos, misplacing evidence submitted, having to start the entire process over because the deadline is past because you couldn't get an appointment, etc. I think he was suggesting that I got off fairly easy. I guess in a way they can be commended, because at least they worked out a simple solution and it only resulted in a minor delay (hopefully).

update: the process is actually straight-forward. I took the gf and newborn with me. We took the train to Hualumphon train station Bangkok. Do your best to get a metered taxi THAT YOU SEE PULL IN; these go very quickly. Not sure why the locals seemed to ignore the metered taxis in the lot across the street. Alternatively, you have the tuk-tuk. As soon as they hear "embassy USA (thai: sa-taan-two-t U S A)", they will price 250 baht. The 3rd tuk tuk reasonably came down to 120 baht and we took it. The Language Lover translation place is on the same street about 3 buildings down from the US embassy. You need to make sure your taxi knows to pull up on the same side as the embassy as there is no easy u-turn the way the street pattern is. Unless you want to use the walk bridge, discuss with taxi en route to give him adequate time to prepare.

First stop: translator's office. I used a Language Lover (#5 on the pdf above). From the US embassy front gate, make a right so you are walking against the traffic. GPF skyscraper office building, but you probably cannot see the GPF or Language Lover sign. But you can see "Herbalife or Herbal life" and the "Security and Exchange Commission" signs at waist level. That's the building. Go inside and it's suite 117. If you came down the street opposite the embassy, you could make a u-turn way further down and then come up on the correct side.

Get there 1.5-2 hrs prior to appointment if possible to ensure you can look over the translation and get proper passport photos. 6 proper passport-size photos for 150 baht is pretty good deal. I picked up one photo set for myself also. Takes about 10-15 minutes if no one is in line. Make sure the photo looks correct before she hits the print button.

There was some guy who came in after us and wanted passport photos. One of his comments was "you should already know what size photo...you do this all the time" when the lady asked what size for the dutch passport. They don't know every single country, but they had USA/UK standards on the wall. And you are in the room as she edits the photo, so you can grab the photo requirements from your state department or passport dept website and have them ready.

Ask the translator to email the translation and/or passport photos to you, write down the email address for them clearly. The passport photos are already digitized, but the signed translation may require a scan (color). I had to pay the rush service price of 700 baht, so I might as well get full service. to get the 350 baht price, email or drop off the documents 2 days minimum.

Second stop: US Embassy, about 20-30 minutes early, but I understand you can come as early as you want (no guarantees that you can be seen until appointment time) Have your appointment email / screenshot printout ready. There is a line for locals and a line for ACS/US Citizen/American Nationals. Both you and your wife head to that line and show your passports (or ID card if spouse does not have passport. You will be checked for appointment status, given a laminated queue number and then directed to the security checkpoint. You check ALL of your bags and valuables at the counter. You cannot take your cell phone or any electronic device, but they give you a zip locked pouch with a key lock on it to store small valuables. The thai national must place their ID card in the pouch. Hold onto the key around your wrist until you leave. Larger bags are placed to the side nearby. Pass through the security metal detectors, get scanned again manually, and then proceed to the ACS building.

You check in at counter 3. The representative immediately asks you for your appointment paper and what service you need. Then pull out all the required forms. He will check them over and give you the ability to fill out any missing information. It's like he begins processing what is done, and then adds to it one by one until the 'packet' is complete. In this way, they can service a few people simultaneously, your tax dollars at work . Once the private room is free, you (and your family) will shift to the private room to complete the paperwork and there is one additional paper that the thai national has to write in english (or thai) something to the effect of "I, [mother/father's name] do swear that [child's name] is my biological son and [father's name] is the biological father.

If you are unmarried, they will ask where you met your gf/spouse, what profession they are in, how long you two have been together, and how long you have been in thailand, and what are you doing here (profession, school, etc). It wasn't a grilling, but they did want to know. I did not have DNA test done.

Once you have confirmed all of the services that are required, he returns the forms to you to go to the cashier to pay. The exchange rate is 1 USD = 32 baht, so bring your USD cash or USD credit card to avoid losing on the exchange. The consular will then collect back the paperwork with the receipt and, if he has not already asked, if you want your documents mailed to you within thailand. If you want them mailed, he will give you a slip to fill out and take downstairs to the Thai post office inside the Embassy property. The prepaid envelope + EMS service is 75 baht. Before you hand the envelope back to the consular, I had my gf put the thai eqivalent of the mailing address right below the english and I wrote it in such a way to leave plenty of space (although the envelope is large enough to write it on the back). I think I forgot to put my phone number on the envelope, but it should be fine. The point is to make the opportunity for error as close to 0 as possible.

The consular officer will then interview you, ask those questions again, make some friendly chat, and return ALL of your originals to you. You sign everything in front of him and your spouse/gf will sign that statement she had to hand-write earlier. Then the officer tells you that everything is good to go and in 2-4 weeks you should have all of your documentation in your hands. I understand thai gov't offices (immigration) is the exact opposite, you need several copies of everything. I came prepared with 2-4 copies of everything only to find out the US embassy makes all the copies for you that they need. Save a tree?

Except for the interview, the entire process is like an assembly line. It takes about 1 - 2 hours max to complete everything from you enter the embassy to exit. You collect your valuables and bags on the way out. Check your bags right there to ensure you have everything.

The embassy staff is a combination of thai and foreigners and are fairly proficient in both languages (at least the ACS consular staff). For the birth certificate, It is possible to use your own translator not on the embassy list. Just make sure the translator's name (english and thai), signature, and phone # and the words "certified correct translation" (english and thai) are at the bottom. Only the front of the birth certificate had to be translated. They are also big on the appointment-only thing. You might be late or early, but make sure you at least have an appointment. If you need to change or get an alternative appointment (even if it is earlier than what is shown on the online appointment system), you can call or email ACS; they appear accommodating.

Although I did not order it initially, I went ahead and got extra passport pages. After you pay, it takes about 20 minutes...they do it while you wait to be interviewed. $82.

And I was able to give him a middle name of my choosing no problem. Just make sure every page that you fill out has the exact same name you are giving him for the report of birth abroad and the passport.

Hualumphon is actually not that far from Wong Wien Yai. The embassy is a little further.

The going price for translations is 400 baht per page. Just opened file I posted and number 5 is 500 baht which still is not a lot of money.

I called thinking about your tip to email it and have it ready when I arrive tomorrow. They want 700 baht for rush service. If I gave them 2 days, it would only be 350 baht. Only for the front side, which they say is the only side I need. The passport photos done at the same place is 150 baht, which is reasonable.

But 700 baht for a standard form translation? 350 baht is kind of out there already, but acceptable. This is where others can learn from my mistake; get your request in early. To think I was going to walk up for service 2 hours prior. Although i'm wondering between two thai friends (one worked overseas and another one an American Univerity grad) or if even fiverr.com was worth it, although I was considering it 150 baht for 600 words, which would cover front and back. But like you said....hard to take a chance when I'm this close to getting it altogether.

And yes, I was able to phone and then email the request to #4 aLanguageLover.

I think I would still have an official translator do the translation of the birth certificate. Trying to save 400 baht for the translation could cost you a lot of time if they did not accept it. You should check with one of the translators listed on embassy document I posted (I have used No.5 before) and ask if you could send them a copy by fax or email so that the translation could be done when you arrive in Bangkok.

You should be able to get the photos at a lot of locations. The size (includes the head not just overall size ) and background color is the most important.

Prices?

This can't be legal surely? Does anyone know the Thai Labor law on this issue?

Legal? I don't know, but certainly common practice, especially in the service industries.

One time I ordered a dish at a restaurant, but when it came it was not what I expected and I didn't want it. When the bill came, the waiter had taken it off the bill. I told him to put it back on as it was my mistake, not his. He was very relieved.

I think it's an absolutely rotten practice designed to take advantage of the employee. It should be illegal. But, even if illegal, would it ever be enforced? Any employee who complained would most likely just get fired.

A month ago or so I ordered some pizza from the pizza company. The manager wrote down what I wanted (2 x 2 large pizzas, two toppings, less cheese, more sauce). I went over it twice, pointing to the relevant sections in the thai/english menu. I come back and the pizzas are medium size. I pointed that out and thought about getting new pizza, but looked at her smile and let it go. I realize now why they discourage customizing food at some of these chain restaurants; the carefree-ness can extend into their work ethic.

After reading this thread, I'm probably a bit more relaxed about being a hard case when a minor (or certain major) mistake is made at a restaurant.

I just found out that the translation does NOT have to be certified by the Thai ministry of foreign affairs. In fact, I (or any competent person) can do the translation if I wanted to. I saw this site as having sample english birth certificate and other common thai legal documents

http://www.thaicongenvancouver.org/cms/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=120

I'm wondering if fujifilm or kodak places not near the embassy will do the passport photos that are 5.1 cm x 5.1 cm

one thing in cambodia on the buses is that you have to be very careful of your bags...... my mate who we were travelling with is ex army, and doesnt trust a soul.... he got off the bus for a pee stop at some small town, but ensured he or his wife were watching the bags thro the window.....

but still his laptop was taken...... he asked the bus driver for help with contacting the police etc but was given the cold shoulder

he searched the bus etc but had no luck....... sounded like an inside job to me.......

we heard lots of stories like this and read them too on the net

Why didn't he have the laptop bag or other sensitive valuables on his person?

good news about the train

the problem with the buses at the moment is tourists don't know about the cambodian side

so middlemen are making a lot of money

taking most tourists out to a bus station 7kms from the border and charging three times the price of the bus price

a fair proper bus service with everything in the open is surely welcome

in the meantime i recommend getting the 6am minibus from victory monument..

it flies to the border and you beat the crowds who turn up at midday

then there is a good hotel for about 300-500 baht (and some dirt cheap guesthouses) near the real bus station

buses leave in the mornings to battambang, siem reap and phnom penh

otherwise you could get a later bus to battambang and get another bus to phnom penh

or go with the crowd, share a taxi to siem reap and then another bus from there

i'm really looking forward to the train getting going in cambodia

great news all round.. especially as last year it seemed there could've been war between the countries.. good stuff!

we have just this evening got back from a trip to cambodia......

we left hua hin at 4am in the minivan..... got to victory monumnet, and got the 7.15 minivan to Rong Kleur....... walked across the border and got the $20 visa on arrival for cambodia.... we then grabbed a cab just the other side of the border crossing...... not much hassle from touts thankfully, and a decent cab ride to Siam Reap for $30...... (it should have been $25, but $30 divided equally between the 3 of us, so we settled on $30)

we were in Siam Reap for about 3pm..... back 10 days later after a great trip of Siam Reap > Phnom Penh > Sinoukville > Trat (Thailand)

beer in a bar as low as 8B..... usually 50c (15B)...... hotels as low as $5....... happy (drunken) days

I'll most likely be coming in to the Bangkok hualamphong train station and then figuring out

Where should someone exchange money? I understand that Cambodia uses USD for the majority of their transactions, including the visa. So between hualamphong, Victory Monument, Aranyaprathet, Poipet, or anywhere in between, where are the better places (or only places) to exchange Baht or Riggit for USD? Particularly small bills like $20, $10, $5 (assuming Cambodia accepts $5 or $1).

For the Cambodia Visa, does it have to be new $20 bill exactly, or can it be 2 x $10 bills or 4 x $5 bills?

I checked with a travel shop in Phnom Penh, which said Capitol Tours is running the PNH-BKK direct bus. Leaves 6:30 am each day. Arrives BKK around 8 pm. $18.

Mekong Express has a cross-border licence and will start a similar service, date unknown.

I sure would like to know if/when a Thai bus company takes up the return route.

Can you describe what kind of bus is this? VIP? 1st class? Air cond? Or some older ragler. 14 hours is a long trip....how many stops (besides the border stops) are there?

I noticed this one from the referenced website. If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen, this is one of those technicalities that could trip you up.

• Certificate of Naturalization (required for naturalized citizens even if presenting a U.S. passport)
  

no problems there.

You must make both names the same. Otherwise you will come unstuck later on. Easiest way is give him a wetern name a thai middle name and your surname (family name).

The only hurdle yoiu may face is the GF might want a Thai family name for her blue book.

According to the reply I received from ACS official, I can prepare an affidavid to give the newborn whatever name I desire. I figured so as it is a totally new 'person' legally.

I'm taking the cross provincial train in, although unfortunately the days before were all booked to get that first class separate berth. I understand that a taxi is about 20 minutes away from the embassy. I'm wondering how long it takes to get the docs translated and photos done. I assume those places open shortly before or as the embassy opens (appx 7am) and the appt is 9:30 am.

Any experiences?

OP,

Not sure where your "home country" is, but it may be easier to stick with your single entry visa for now, and when back home obtain the multiple entry visa from an honorary thai consulate with the invitation letter from the school. The letter should state that you intend to stay for over 8 or 9 months to justify the multiple entry.

But getting a multiple entry ED (or just about any category except marriage to thai national) appears nearly impossible at neighboring consulates.

not sure if this should be here or in the family section. I have 1/2 Thai son that I wish to pass on US citizenship to.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/birth-of-a-u.s.-citizen-in-thailand.html

I have scheduled the appointment with the US embassy Bangkok American Citizen Services (ACS) at their online appointment scheduler.

I have the following ready

- my proof of US residency for the minimum 5 years and passport as proof of US citizenship (military service + high school transcripts).

- thai birth certificate. I understand this must be translated into English

- newborn must be physically present

- gf will be there with thai ID.

- I will need to sign the Consular Report of Birth Abroad in front of the ACS officer at the appointment. $100 fee.

- I will need to sign the Affidavit of Parentage (support of child).

- I will be getting a US passport as well. $105 fee. Requires the passport application and 2 - 2x2 inch passport photos. These photo places are supposed to be nearby the embassy, like the translation places.

Is there any tips or anything to look out for? I would hate to waste a trip over some technicality. Like any specific questions the ACS officer may ask? Or any additional documentations.

Or best place to get the photo / translation done? What time do those photo and passport photo places open (near the embassy)? fees?

I was also wondering if the name given on the Report of Birth Abroad can be different than the thai name given on thai birth certificate (even if different than the English-sounding equivalent)? In other words, I can give him a totally different name for his US citizenship?

Thanks in advance.

I frequently recommend NASA-VEGAS because it is inexpensive, clean, comfortable and close to the Airport Rail Link, however I do not recommend anybody pay any more than one or two days in advance, especially if there is a possibility plans might change. Nasa-Vegas absolutely hates giving money back. A friend stayed there last year. He paid 2 weeks up front but after three or four days decided it was to inconvenient to downtown and decided to change hotels. It took him six hours of standing at the front desk and refusing to relent before he got even a partial refund.

Isn't that true with most guesthouses in thailand? most people pay by the day or no more than 3 days at a time, especially if there is no discount. Then you leave when you want.

Cheers! Looking around the net it's starting to look as though everywhere is going to be booked up in the beginning of January... Am I being paranoid or do I need to start booking hotels now? I have absolutely no problem with seriously sluming it, but street sleeping is possibly pushing things a little far... Is it really so busy in Bangkok that time of year?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

New Years? It's busy just about everywhere in the world. I would advise booking for at least 2 days. You can extend, switch hotels, or take the rail link into town

You'd have better luck in KL, Penang.

"The second best time to plant a tree is today" sent from TV android app (Galaxy Cooper).

I had to come to Singapore also for other reasons...

I leave Thailand the 15 th December, if the visa is denied now, will I have a hard time getting the 30 day stamp flying back? If no, can I do it again one month from now?

Thank you

I meant KL, Malaysia. I cannot verify Penang....hear Penang is a bit more difficult than KL. But who knows. Singapore may very well not be so bad.

You'd have better luck in KL, Penang.

"The second best time to plant a tree is today" sent from TV android app (Galaxy Cooper).

So is the corporal punishment is done only in primary school (elementary) or is it done in secondary (middle/high school) also? I guess another way of saying this is what is the maximum age or grade level that kids get hit?

^^ I suppose you can be scammed anywhere, although it might be more likely in some places than others.

I remember buying a juicer at Siam Paragon (and several electronics elsewhere) and I noticed all the retailers will open the box right there after you purchase and fill out the warranty card. This is much different than in the USA where you typically buy purchases sealed until you go home. You just would never think that the box would be filled with rocks. But I guess here, they want to be sure. I watch carefully to see the whole transaction through. Most manufacturers will have a location tracker of their authorized repair or retail stores. Other than careful inspection and buying from reputable shops, I don't think any consumer can do more than that.

http://www.aeon.co.t...icelocation.php

Confusing english layout/search of the locations. Better that we do it ourselves and there can be landmarks and other directions to get there or better identify the location.

.......

Incidentally, the non-ED visa the student gets is not a one year visa, ie not a visa valid for multiple entries into Thailand within one year from its date of issue, but a single-entry visa with which he receives permission to stay only for 90 days, hence the need for extensions of stay every 90 days.

Why can't the OP get a multiple ED visa with the invite letter from his home country consulate? If he does not want to travel back home, use some of the strategies laid out here and you'll have your visa in no time.

Or do the single entry at a border country and then do the 90 day extensions. Whichever one is easier.

Which law in Thailand would make it illegal to send your passport abroad?

That you have to be able, to show your passport and the visa/stamp at all times, during your stay in Thailand?

(That's, why a 2. Passport is very handy!)

You make a copy of the information page and the visa page and keep one with you. Keep in mind that whenever you send your passport off to do something, it is temporary (such as to issue a visa). At most, you would be out of a passport for 5-10 days. The worst case scenario is that you lose your passport, in which case you must obtain a new passport. If you send it off in a logical fashion, this is rare.

If you have a second passport or can acquire one (either the same or different country), then fine. It does put you in a better position. But for the OP, for now, a single passport is all that is needed.

Actually, the FedEx thing, both ways, doesn't that cost almost the same or more, as a double entry tourist visa?

Plus the visa cost in the USA, wouldn't it be easier and more cost effective, to get two double entries in Laos, for now?

The strategy works best for a non-immigrant visa, but i suppose that tourist visas can be obtained also.

I knew I wasn't the only one. This has happened for several months now. Relatively speaking, it's a pretty easy fix.

http://www.thaivisa....sing-correctly/

http://www.thaivisa....es-broken-urls/

Also, the link should bring the user to the "unread" posts automatically. Prior to the major forum update, it did this and it made the most sense, because after a user has replied, only the posts that have not yet been read, but subscriber wishes to receive updates on would be the posts made since the last visit. NOT the beginning of the thread.

yes, the user can make an additional click on 'jump to latest unread' link, but that requires extra bandwidth and is an extra annoyance.

Take a weeks holiday in a neighbouring country and courier your passport to the US from there.

Dork is correct. To execute the OPs proposed strategy, you must get an exit stamp first by leaving thailand, then go to a neighboring country. Malaysia would probably be a better choice in terms of cost vs infrastructure. Use FedEx or other private carrier (do not use EMS). Do not send passport to get a new thai visa while you are still stamped into thailand.

Once you get your passport with new visa returned to you, then you stamp back into thailand on the new visa.

Obviously getting a visa from a local thai consulate would be much quicker and easier if you meet the requirements of that local thai consulate.

OP: look out for a PM.

Are people really that stupid that they would be without an accepted identity document while they waited for their passport to be courined home, especially in a country where they are just on a "holiday". There are too many legitimate ways to stay in Thailand to play with fire

I wouldn't take the risk but lots of people do, not heard of a failure as yet.

I was talking to someone from the UK on a visa run and she commented how difficult the thai visa process can be if you want to stay long term. I told her about a similar strategy the OP is asking about and she was frightened at the thought of letting their passport out of their sight. Well, what can I say? We can't always have it both ways. We are alive and we need to take some risks. But physically, the process is not difficult.

I'm sure others will reply with more detailed information, but technically Without a work permit specific to the company you are working for, it is illegal to work in Thailand.

In practice, people do their own internet business or freelancing all the time. There are even English teaching and other employment opportunities that are done with real thai schools or employers but without work permits. Again, technically illegal, but its just a matter of risk vs paperwork for the company. A small school in a small town probably be overlooked. If you work for a larger company in a competitive industry, a snitch from one of your competitors could sell you or the company out to the labour dept.

With that said, the problem is not so much proving that you are not working in thailand. The problem is how you went about getting a new visa so carelessly. Too many back-to-back tourist visas could send red flags depending on the consulate. A tourist visa is designed for casual travel, not longer term stays. A more appropriate visa would be a non-immigrant [whatever category you can qualify for] for longer term stay.

side comment: recommend you get multiple entry visa next time. The extension process can be tricky, especially if you are not married to thai or are getting a 1 year extension, which requires a whole set of docs on its own.

but they can have bank account and work at 15, right (without a parent signature)? I think we should break down the different levels of adulthood before they become a full adult.