siamaloha

If his position in the agency, or the prestigious agency where he works, is truly impressive, that may have done it. [snip]

I wish! He is a lowly (and low-paid) clerk in a prestigious government office. Thanks for the good wishes.

Is it possible that most of the information needed to grant the visa is obtained from the documentation submitted with the application...

All the foregoing might well be subject to the time of day, the approaching lunch break, etc.

Some of this is covered in the other thread, but I wondered about this too. For the B1/ B2 Visa, however, the application is turned in after you enter the Embassy and no documentation is submitted until you have the interview. Khun K had a work history letter, a letter granting leave, bank books, bank statements, bank letter, land deed and house registration, rental contract, utility bills, invitation letters, a letter from me regarding our relationship and my retirement Visa, airline tickets, car and hotel reservations, my Passport and Certificate of Residency, and pictures of places we've been together over the past year and a half. In the end, the only documents he was asked for were my CR and Passport and his work history letter. I think that his government job as stated on the application was the clincher as the interview began. And Khun K's honesty; he replied truthfully when asked who he was travelling with and whether I was his bf. Plus he had the documentation to prove it.

I think you're right PTE about having to goof the interview pretty bad to be rejected if your docs are all in order. But i was surprised at how few docs were requested and how few questions were asked of him. And as far as the approaching lunch hour goes, the applicants both before and after my bf at the same window spent far more time answering questions and submitting documents than he did. Both were denied. Outside, my bf talked to the woman who interviewed after him. She applied to visit her bf in the US, and I had heard the CO say something to the effect that "I'm sorry, but you just haven't convinced me that you will return."

So I have to think that the interviewers are adept at reading applicants fairly quickly. And then, of course, there's kharma...

I've kissed some real good Thai guys.

thai boys get shit from american immigration.

So what kind of sh1t do you get BB?

May I assume your Thai visa is a long stay?

Yes, I have a Non-O Retirement Visa.

I think the fact that I live here in Thailand with my bf was one of those "compelling reasons [for my bf] to return to Thailand" which was crucial to our case. That and his government job. By law, US visa applicants are guilty as "intending immigrants" until they can prove their innocence. We had a good case. Honestly, I never considered the "gay issue" to be a factor. Maybe I am naive. We just told our story, truthfully, and documented it.

Congratulations. He had a strong case. Owning land or a house in Thailand is always a good start to getting a visa.

It's funny though. He was never asked about owning property. Not even asked to show his bank book! He was documented and copied to the gills, but seemingly his association with me and his letter detailing his job were all that mattered. (No way I'm complaining!) Thanks... Happy Holidays for sure

My Thai bf gets his Non-Immigrant B2 Visa to America!

Here's the link to our story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...c=86502&hl=

Just thought some of you in this subforum would like to know what happened, and of course I feel like making a big shout out to the world!

Success!

Khun K and I went to the American Embassy this morning for his 9:30 interview appointment, arriving one hour early. The staff out front checked his Appointment Confirmation, Documents, Fee Receipt and Passport. Then after passing through security and handing in our mobile phones, he waited for his number to be called while I went to the Consular Services window. I wanted to get a Certificate of Residency. He got called to Window 13 at 9:27 for fingerprinting. We waited. I collected my CR after payiing the Bt1200 fee. I handed him my Passport and CR to include with his documents. We waited. We waited some more. Finally at 11:57 he was called to Window 12. My heart raced, probably more than his. Since I was tired of sitting, I had stood and watched the windows. While I could hear little, it was obvious that the applicant just prior to Khun K was denied.

The farang consular official - who spoike very good Thai - just asked Kuhn K a very few questions. He spent probably 4 minutes at the window, showed some documents, turned, and joined me. We walked outside. He was like dazed, and I of course was on pins and needles.

"Did you get it?"

"He tell me Passport come two days."

"Ok, but what did he say? Yes or No?"

"I don't know, I ready to cry!"

Wait... ok... calm down. We talked for a few minutes, and I told him he had to go back in and find out yes or no. Back inside, another applicant was at Window 12, so we waited until she was finished.

Then I pushed him back up to the window. I told him to just say you didn't understand, and wanted to know if you got the visa, yes or no......

"Yes... enjoy your trip!"

So, I'm like jumping up and down inside but trying to control the outward expression of my joy. But, no, wait, let's talk about this a little while it's still fresh in his mind. The CO asked him:

Q: How long will you be in America? A: 3 weeks

Q: Who are you going with? A: (my name)

Q: Is he your boyfriend? A: Yes

Q: How long has he lived here? A: 18 months (he hands over my Certificate of Residency)

Q: How did you know him before? A: Just chat

Q: What kind of Visa does he have? (he hands over my Passport)

Q: Do you have your letter from work? (passes it to him)

Q: Who will pay for your trip? A: He and I will

OK, I will give you the Visa. Have a good time!

Khun K was so nervous, that he didn't even hear the part about being granted the Visa! He just walked away from the window to me not knowing what he had heard!

Needless to say I'm ecstatic that we'll be together for this trip, and he'll get to meet my family and friends, and vice versa. Let alone seeing NYC and Hawaii....

I talked to many people I met in my eight years making vacations to Thailand about how they should come to visit me while I lived in America. They all said "is impossible... Young Thai man never get Visa go USA." I always remained positive, however, especially when I met Khun K, that it could happen.

We did our homework, prepared, practiced. The information I gleaned from the pages of TV was invaluable. Thanks! See you in NY/NJ or Hawaii?

BTW the woman after him at Window 12 was denied too.

Khun K has two letters from his employer. One detailing his work history and salary. The other, granting permission for the 3 week vacation and guaranteeing his position when he returns, however, is in Thai. Does anyone have an opinion on whether we should get it translated/certified?

Thanks Cent! Now, what's their going price?

Forgive my ignorance. I don't actually know that what he was offering were buffalo. They were off-white, with horns, and everywhere I see them herded on the village streets presumably to and fro feediing spots. Farmer I am not. LOL

They were, however, very healthy and robust.

My partner's grandpa offered a pair for Bt13,000. I have no idea if this is paeng/tuuk!

Firefox is my browser of choice. It works great on my PowerBook G4, and the tabs thing is so convenient!

What is the price, actually?

You're a dear Bambi (pun intended 555) Thanks, much appreciated!

Last year's was the first parade for me here, so I really didn't know what to expect. I was seriously disappointed, but then oh well, TIT. My bf preferred the comfort of a window chair at Starbucks rather than oogle on the street with me. (Shouldn't that have told me something?) The little plastic Bangkok Pride flag given me by a smiling (brave) parader still adorns our "mantle."

My partner and I have just begun the process to secure him a Tourist Visa for our trip to America on Christmas Day. We plan to visit with my family during the celebration of my parents' 60th Wedding Anniversary (!!!), tour NYC, and then stay at my timeshare for a week in Hawaii before returning to LOS. We'll be gone for 3 weeks. We have our air tickets already, and his name is on the timeshare reservation confirmation.

"Khun K" is 30, educated, had a brief career in the Royal Thai Navy, and works as a clerk in a prestigious government office. He owns land in Korat. We have been saving for a year to build a house/buy a vehicle, so he has a sizeable bank account (much more than I ever had prior to my retirement.) We have lived together since I moved here 18 months ago, renting a BKK townhouse in his name. He has serious family obligations.

We bought his PIN number online and scheduled his interview at the US Embassy in two weeks. He has a letter granting him leave and detailing his work history. Also, letters of invitation from my parents, and friends in Hawaii with whom we'll stay prior to checking into the timeshare. We'll fill out the online applications DS-156/157 and he'll have all his paperwork organized prior to the interview; pay the $100 fee at the post office; have documentation of our relationship; we're practicing interview questions/answers daily. His English is good, but he prefers to conduct the interview in Thai for confidence. All his particulars about ties to Thailand (and me) are true and documented.

I have read everything I could find regarding this topic in this forum. Suggestions for success are welcome. I'll continue to update the thread as the situation develops. This forum is a great source of information, and I hope our story might help others as you have helped us.

Good ole American Mott's available at Villa Sukhumvit 33... not at Tops or Lotus Ratchada/Rama 3. Applesauce is a great substitute for vegetable oil in any bakiing recipe!

Returned to Bangkok from Singapore Friday afternoon at 2:30. Looked in awe at the sleek new structure as we taxied to the gate. Oooops! A Thai 747 seemed to be occupying our intended jetway, so we had to wait about 10 minutes to be reassigned. First impression once inside: wow! it smells like a new car! Then a LONG walk (thank goodness for the moving walkways) towards the arrival hall. Stopped at a toilet on the way and was shocked to find ONE urinal and two stalls, and a line to wait. Back to the moving walkway then and allowed the ambience to sink in... it's all so BARE and GREY. Unpainted grey concrete everywhere! Signs are few and far between. Had to keep my good eye open for the path to Immigration. Then shocked to see the long lines... in 8 years of flying into LOS never had to wait so long to clear. Fortunately, our bags arrived shortly after the 40 minute wait; no problem finding a luggage cart. Once through the doors past customs BAM! The arrival area very small and very crowded with greeters. Seems like it took forever to get past them. Then to try to find where to go for a taxi... a few hastily constructed signs pointed us down a level to the taxi stand, and two HUGE lines. Another 40 minute wait to get a meter taxi (and aircon!!) Then a 233 Baht ride to the Central Rama 3 area, with 50 Baht service fee added to that. I was surprised I saw no signs for the bus service to the Transport Center. Amazed also that on exiting the airport we came to a very busy "T" intersection with no traffic signals where we had to make a left turn and THEN a U-turn to get to the entrance ramp for the expressway. Huh??

All in all, not a bad experience for only the second day of full operation. However, aestetics are severely lacking and the place is huge. Where's all the foliage? The planter boxes, the orchid displays? Perhaps some of this will come later... maybe not. Where's the friendly recorded voice at the end of the moving walkway chiming "end of walkway?" Where's the warmth? It's all too cold and stark and sterile and hard and grey.

I'm on UBC Satellite... completely dead except local channels 1 - 9 all broadcasting the same Thai message and vintage reels of the King

-->

Lucky you can get CNN... or BBC... or

For people in Thailand whos TV has gone..

Download this program to access news channels via internet:

http://www.tvunetworks.com/downloads/index.htm

Martial law has indeed been declared.. DO NOT GO OUT.

Thanks for that link for the TV program, I'm watching CNN on my laptop now as all my UBC cable channels are gone. Hope this ends quickly and without violence.

Is there one for Mac OSX?

keep the news coming boys.... now in Bangkok my UBC Satellite can't find a signal on ANY channel!

BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- Tanks have been seen rolling through the streets of Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday amid rumors of an attempted coup, witnesses tell CNN.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra -- currently at the U.N. headquarters in New York -- went on a government-owned TV station and declared a state of emergency, The Associated Press reported.

According to officials at the Thai mission at the United Nations, Thaksin has moved up his speech to the General Assembly to Tuesday night and will return to Bangkok after his address.

He had been scheduled to address the assembly on Wednesday.

Thaksin has been under considerable pressure to step down. Elections in Thailand are scheduled for November after the country's constitutional court ruled April's vote was unconstitutional.

Thaksin had called for the elections in April, three years early, after opponents accused the billionaire leader of abusing the country's system of checks and balances and bending government policy to benefit his family's business.

I used Ekkamai Animal Hospital on Thonglor Soi 23 when Spanky (my 13yo Champion Papillon Dog) went over the rainbow. The cost was Bt1000.