brent c

I suspect we all no the risks of not following whatever rules are in place as we visit a country we are not born into.    So now you get to pay the price....   some people plan for a future some live by the seat of their pants.

He knew what could happen..... and he has had years to get to a point where he could a proper visa.   

Gofundme...... please, give me a break.

live and learn

On 1/18/2019 at 11:21 AM, lovelomsak said:

Thailand still so third world.

  Phuket  wants to be international mecca and still has rabies. Sad really really sad.

USA has rabies .....   not really a third world country

Well,  basically I received the 4 boxes with all the items enclosed.  Two of the four boxes had a small tax from customs (300 for the two boxes) 

Yes postage was expensive for each box but it was far less than using a shipping company since most had minimum charges and I was going nowhere near the weight minimum.   Also... not having to go back to Bangkok to pick up the items was a considerable consideration on the decision.  The expense of travel and hotel would have just been a hassle all the way around.   

Thank you for those who threw in their two cents.  

Well,  the agent basically is a ruse if you ask me.

They pretend to take several on a US tour to San Francisco and Las Vegas.

of course there is no tour.  Its just lies to the Embassy.  

I do not even have the cruise tickets yet myself, so that cannot be shown.

My contact vis email resulted in a case number being initiated by the embassy in Bangkok  I will update when things worth reporting occur for those interested.

Well,  Bangkok was interesting.  The heat is like a Texas summer day.  A couple of the places I went were in a top 10 list and thus completely overrun by Chinese.

Especially the night train market Ratchada.

That sent me to the much more peaceful Sukhumvit Soi 11.

great little place called the Apoteka had some nice live music.

Now,  a little place called Bueng Kan and the people could not be more friendly.

PS:  Poker in Las Vegas went just fine lol

and my trust levels are about the same as when someone is bragging on their nut flush with a rainbow on the board.

I basically shipped clothes but some others small items that fit in a 12x12x16 box.

  I ended up using the US post since I would not have to go pick up at a port near Bangkok.  The delivery to the door was too enticing.  

I know I risk not getting everything but we will see.

I have received two of the five boxes to date.  Two are held in customs (they had a PS4, games and some electronic cord etc..)

I may end up having to pay VAT or something.

thanks to all for sharing  your experiences 

I am wondering if those of you from the US ever shipped a few boxes of clothes or whatever when you made the move to Thailand ?

Any advice on shipment to the Thai address would be helpful.

( I say that because I prefer not to pick up boxes in port,  too far away from the final destination)

On 5/3/2019 at 11:02 PM, macahoom said:

I must say I am very surprised to learn she didn’t get the visa, bearing in mind:

 

1. "Royal Caribbean cruise in December all paid for"

2. "She is in her 40's, owns the home, car, motorcycle and is a hard working employee at a hospital."   
3. "She has made one trip to Europe on her own."

 

The only mark against her is that you are an American. Even so, I think whomever made the decision was being very hard on her.

 

For what it’s worth, I think using an agent was a mistake.

I agree, I think it was a mistake as well.

I would not be surprised if they (US) knows the ploy that agency uses and shoots the visa down immediately.

She was just trying to be independent and do this on her own and not be a bother or a burden in any way.

She based her decision on a friend being successful 2 or so years ago using that particular company.

So you gentleman do not think I should contact the embassy and attempt to discuss the case of getting a visa ?

I am thinking my previous background and history with the Department of the Treasury might help them see the light.

And I know she must meet the merits on her own.

I honestly think using the agency is what did her in.  But I am unsure since no feedback is ever given.

4 hours ago, 55Jay said:

I think that's a fair characterization made in other comments ^.  They profile applicants and pretty much make their minds up during the admin review process.  The interview is a formality for the "Yes" cases.  The "maybes" have a chance to swing the outcome either way during the interview.  The predetermined "No" applicants have little to no chance.

 

Sorry it didn't work out for you guys.   We (wife) has been through the mill 3 times.  1 year and 5 year, albeit from Embassies outside Thailand.  3rd was here in BKK, she sailed through and got the 10 year, I'm sure due to her visa and US travel history up to then.

 

I would try again if I were you.  Do the application yourself, list yourself as filling out the application which meshes with the fact you're traveling together.  Drill her on the trip details so she's got it down pat.

 

I was a bit nervous applying via BKK, which seems like a wall to wall circus.  Considered Chiang Mai Consulate thinking it might be less hectic, the interviewers less stressed and jaded.  In the end, went through BKK and it worked out alright.  Good luck.

That is what I plan on doing.  I guess I will wait a couple of months and try to help her myself.  55Jay, are you a US citizen as well ?

I just wish I knew how to help them understand she/we have no intentions on staying in the US,  it’s just a vacation.

18 hours ago, Tony125 said:

Why did you pick Thailand to visit since you have never visited before?

Even though many seem a little disgruntled on Thailand these days....it intrigues me. 

Asia is a continent I have yet to visit.  I look forward to experiencing the culture.   I have been lurking in the thaivisa.com shadows for months.  Taking in the youtubers, reading about Thailand and I am intrigued by the possibility of taking it all in.  I certainly have noticed the attractiveness of the ladies.  

Life can be an adventure if you let it happen.  

She paid 7500 baht to the agency as 1/2 down.    She only owed the other half if successful.     

Of course 5400 baht to the Embassy and her expenses of driving to Udon and flying...hotel and then return trip.

It was a rather expensive ordeal.

Great news....  I just sold a house and have been working to get to this point.  Thanks so much !

Thank you Ubonjoe,  I hope I have time.  I made an appointment for Friday in Dallas Texas at the Thai Consulate.   I may be pressed for time though as I was going to fly out of Dallas on the 9th to Las Vegas to play some texas holdem for 5 days before heading to Bangkok.  

I am not sure I can get the Visa in the 5 business days.

I guess I was hoping if she had the information on the cruise and round trip plane tickets (which are not cheap) from Bangkok to Orlando and back, 

that it might make a difference.    I just don't get it.   I know they are trying to keep people from getting to the USA and staying illegally or doing the marriage thing.    It just sucks.    

So Sorry....  I am in the USA.    

Greetings,

I will be making my first time visit to Thailand in about two weeks.   I was wondering if those of you with experience can tell me if you got a Visa in your home country before flying to Bangkok ?    

Or... did you try to secure a visa upon arrival ?

I am trying to make sure I have all my items ready to enter Thailand smooth as possible.  

I appreciate your feedback and past experiences.     I know many of you made you maiden voyage most likely years ago.

Respectfully

Bc

Well....she was denied.    Never wanted to see any paperwork.  Only one question - "Why do you want to visit the USA ? "

She ended up using an agency to assist her.  Personally, I think it was a bit of a scam.  1/2 up front....  then upon success, the other half of the fee.

I think the "agency" may be the predator on the unsuspecting hopeful.    

Does anyone think my 35 years of US Govt experience might have positive reaction if I were to reach out to the embassy ? 

She has no desire to stay in the US for more than 14 days.  

I will give an update to our results after she has her interview on May 1st.  

Thank you for all your opinions and experiences.

I am hoping to show her a little bit of the usa experience.

I have enjoyed lurking in the background for a couple of months.  This forum has been a very informative place.

I appreciate the many scenarios addressed here. 

Well,  I have no idea what to expect but I have a Royal Caribbean cruise in December all paid for and I am hoping to bring a very nice woman from Beung kan with me.  

She has no B2 Visa yet.... I am going to help her the best I can.  I will be living in Thailand when the application process starts.  I will be looking for a Retirement Visa myself.

She is in her 40's, owns the home, car, motorcycle and is a hard working employee at a hospital.   She has made one trip to Europe on her own.

I sure hope the embassy realizes it is just a vacation and nothing more.   I have no intentions of this vacation lasting more than 12  - 14 days.   

I hope for success.... but geez,  so many stories of failure out there.    

I have written the embassy for guidance and to see if that helps in anyway.   i was used to the bureaucracy with the US Govt job I retired from.  I know it can be frustrating.

We shall see........

Sometimes we suffer consequences of our screw ups.   I may be naive but I kinda think being sane and polite can help quite a bit in matters such as this.