ChicagoExpat

A few facts to hopefully provide a more intelligent conversation:

• Israel has not occupied any part of Gaza since 2005.  There is no occupation.  Israel forcibly evacuated a small kibbutz there, to remove an irritant.
• Gaza borders two nations -- Egypt and Israel.  Any criticism of the controls on Gaza have to include Egypt as well.
• Israel formerly had no controls on entry into Israel from Gaza as recently as around 20 years ago.  This relationship benefitted (nearly) everyone -- thousands of Gazans worked in Israel everyday for good wages, and thousands of Israelis shopped in and visited Gaza.  What changed?
• Arafat decisively rejected a two state solution as he was offered 98% of the West Bank, not 100% (the 2% of which -- rightly or wrongly -- had major Israeli habitation and there was no way that would change).

9 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

If Israel would give up the occupation there would be no genocide as it's now.🙏

There is no genocide occurring and you know it.  But my statement assumes you know what "genocide" means, which you likely don't given your repeated misuse of the word.

16 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Well I might suggest it is their actions and behaviour that offend rather than existence...

You literally said they've done nothing but offend people for over 3000 years.  Our gleany perceptions know exactly what you meant.

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

 

It is the nature and extent of the response that the world is opposed to, more than 10,000 children have been killed so far, there's no proportionality between what Hamas did and what Israel is currently doing, and to many it seems like Israel's intent is to completely obliterate Gaza from the face of the map. 

The MAIN reason 10,000 children have been killed is that Hamas hides among civilians and has refused to release the hostages they took.

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

They have been making themselves unpopular since 1300BC!

Your comment says far more about you than it does Jews.

Thailand kowtows to Hamas while insulting a country that has benefitted Thailand tremendously.  Well done.

One of the hazards of trying "to be friends with everyone."  Disgusting, unprincipled.  As are many of the comments here.

On 1/5/2024 at 12:36 PM, djeetyet said:

Time to renew my American passport. Last time done at Pattaya outreach and so simple - but, times have changed.

This won't help you now, but just as an FYI -- they have resumed outreach and were actually in Pattaya a few months ago.

On 1/15/2024 at 11:13 AM, Bobthegimp said:

Some young lads and I are working on a tunnel so we can access the place after hours. Wish us well.

And don't rat us out to the city officials! 

I've heard of other guys who had the UN fund their whole tunnel network.  Seemed to work well for them -- the money was supposed to go to other stuff but the UN doesn't seem to mind at all they used it for other purposes.

16 minutes ago, charleskerins said:

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/jan/08/feminists-under-attack-ultra-right-threat-milei-argentina-writer-exile-luciana-peker

Start off the discussion, then.

So, wait times are pretty long these days to get a visa appointment (a couple of months) but are coming down.  However, applying for a transit visa is a waste of time and money -- she should apply for a tourist visa.  The qualifications are the same and the benefits of one over the other are clear.

Depending on when she had her last visa, and what kind it was, she may be eligible for renewal by mail.

1 hour ago, bamnutsak said:

It would have been awesome if the ACS unit had mentioned if pay.gov is still, or no longer, an option.

 

 

USEMBBKK was the first trial use of this payment channel a few years back. I'd be surprised if it was now no longer applicable to renewals at USEMBBKK.

 

Good to know that the bank draft option remains available as that seems to have been scrubbed from the website/checklist.

Your instincts were correct.  It is still an option.

I just checked and Thailand IS an option in the drop down menu.

A lot of it depends on how long you've been married, how well settled you are here, where you source of income is, and -- most important -- how well the applicant is able to explain herself and her travel plans.

There is a high rate of refusal for new marriages, a pretty low rate for well-established ones (although as you'll hear, there are some bad examples of refusals for legit marriages).

The cost of a visa is $185, a small fraction of the cost of plane travel and time in the U.S. and if it's issued -- that's 10 years of travel.  As long as you're prepared for a rejection and don't let it ruin your life, why not try it?  Again, if you're newly married, etc per above, maybe not try.

Please note I have some specific insight into this topic, which I won't explain here.

5 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

Then... if they are so smart as to know that... then leave out the business work place as a requirement... so it is really about recruiting rather than providing information for Americans in Thailand.

Well, don't do it then if you think it won't be helpful.  Of course they're trying to recruit.

13 minutes ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

When I tried to register it would not let me proceed past the information page until I filled in my work place... it accepted the coupon code to be free but not my application

Just make one up, or put "retired."  I'm guessing if they made this available to the whole American community they know that many of us are retired.

1 hour ago, Presnock said:

My opinion anyway and I do not understand why I should have to join the Thai AMCHAM as I am a retired US citizen and this information should be broadcast widely for all foreigners located in Thailand.

 

You don't have to join.  As it says above but no one seems to be reading -- it's free for non AmCham members.

1 hour ago, CMBob said:

Have watched a couple of online videos and attended a presentation by an accountant here in Chiangmai at a CEC meeting.  And, so far, nobody seems to know pretty much anything about what the new (alleged) law will in reality take effect or how it would be enforced.  The only common advice I've heard from all sources is that money you bring into Thailand before 2024 will not trigger any possible tax effects here.

As to the above post suggesting that the US Embassy/Consulate will provide any assistance whatsoever is simply a pipe dream.  You know where will freeze over before that happens.

Well, they've set this up with local tax professionals.  I'd call that assistance.

3 hours ago, jaywalker2 said:

1000 baht for non-members. I hope somebody takes notes.

It's free with the promo code.

As someone who does not spend time in your region, just to say I enjoy your little reports.

12 hours ago, balo said:

Don't blame the woman , she is the innocent victim here.

 

Remember we are living in a woke world where men have no rights anymore. 

 

You're suggesting the Chinese guy's prosecution is because "men have no rights anymore."  Having a hard time understanding any other meaning to your comment.