TallGuyJohninBKK

FWIW, I renewed my US passport here last year, and everything went quickly and smoothly. Even though I live within walking distance of the U.S. Embassy in BKK, they told me they wouldn't accept me to apply in person, and so I ended up having to do the mail-in route, which then gets forwarded and processed in the U.S., and then returned back here. Got my new passport back in the mail less than 3 weeks after submitting my paperwork. Think I'd tend to agree with you on that point above....

When I choose to drink Guinness, it's because I like the taste and the texture of the drink -- not because I'm trying to get blitzed... I'd buy a 0% Guinness if it were available here. PS - I was in Hua Hin earlier this year at a pub that sometimes sells Guinness on tap... I asked the staff why their Guinness stocking was inconsistent, and my waitress replied that at their price of nearly 300b per pint, punters were choosing other options.

I wouldn't be so happy about a six-week scheduling wait for "a very simple procedure".... when Thais can walk in and get married the same day on demand, AFAIK. Also, did Laksi require you to have witnesses and/or a translator? And an Embassy certified copy of your passport?

You've obviously missed the boat... There's ONE and ONLY ONE way an American can legally get married to a Thai in Thailand, and that's to obtain a "freedom to marry" affidavit from the U.S. Embassy. That's considered a "notarial service" in their domain. If you want to get legally married to a Thai in Thailand, absolutely no choice or alternative in the matter, and it requires making and obtaining an notarial services appointment with ACS.

Earlier this year, I needed to make a notarial services appointment at BKK ACS... Waited an entire TWO WEEK period where they had absolutely NO available appointment slots listed any time -- no matter how far in advance -- on their website..... before one finally became available. When I finally went there, I asked the consular assistant who I met about the scheduling issues. And he replied that they were short-staffed, and thus the paucity of available appointments. No word about whether that was going to be an ongoing thing, or something they were going to remedy at some point. The fact that there was now a 6 week wait when I last checked the other day suggests the problem is getting worse... not better.

Speaking as an American, I REALLY don't know what we legitimately have to complain about here... I mean, the other day, I checked the ACS BKK appointments website for notarial services and it only was a SIX WEEK wait for obtaining the first available appointment, which was going to be in late May...

If I can make it thru my years in Thailand without being on anyone's "most hated farang" list, I'll consider my life here to have been a success! ????

One day you're a pariah.. another day, you're an idol. Life in Thailand: Jul 17, 2017 "Thais netizens joined forces in an attempt to boot controversial expat YouTuber My Mate Nate out of the country. The latest petition that’s going viral asks the immigration department to cancel his visa and exile him from Thailand. ... The petition, which has been signed by over 50,000 people, demanded that the Thai government kick him out of Thailand because he has “caused public annoyance and disrespected Thai people.” https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/thais-sign-petition-kick-mate-nate-country/ Nov 28, 2016 Why ‘My Mate Nate’ is the most hated farang at the moment "My Mate Nate, an American expat and internet personality, has recently caused an uproar on social media for his latest prank video targeting Thai millennials — he’s been accused of staging a scene in the video to make the point that most Thai people don’t understand English. The meant to be lighthearted prank video, titled “Farang tests Thailand’s English language education,” was supposed to help Nate Bartling, an American missionary-turned-YouTuber, emphasize the well-known and often-reported fact that English education in Thailand needs serious improvement. However, it backfired terribly after some people criticized Bartling for intentionally “humiliating” Thai people to make a point — just to end the video with a pitch to sell an online English course." https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/who-my-mate-nate-and-why-he-most-hated-farang-moment/

Agree 100%. He seems to be right in the same groove....

I guess we'd have to check the current state of his underwear.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_garment "A temple garment, also referred to as garments, the garment of the holy priesthood,[2][3][4] or Mormon underwear,[5] is a type of underwear worn by adherents of the Latter Day Saint movement after they have taken part in the endowment ceremony. Garments are required for any individual who previously participated in the endowment ceremony to enter a temple."

I don't begrudge the guy for whatever money he's earned, nor do I have any particular personal feelings about him, other than not caring in the slightest... But I am amazed at how many people, particularly Thais, are so keenly interested in inanity... '

From his 2022 breakup video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oICUQ3ytw_U&t=167s And his last time around prior to the current GF:

"Look mee" -- seems a prescient nickname for a Thai YouTuber... "My Mate Nate" latest: We're still friends as US YouTuber speaks to his fans after eight years with Look Mee

You mean Mormon? https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/bangkok-thailand-temple/ Bangkok Thailand Temple "Preparing for public open house beginning 1 September 2023; scheduled to be dedicated on 22 October 2023" The Bangkok Thailand Temple will be the first temple built in mainland Southeast Asia. On March 19, 2018, an artistic rendering of the Bangkok Thailand Temple was released to the public, revealing a 44,405-square-foot, six-story building with a soaring central spire and eight smaller surrounding spires. Behind the temple, an additional 91,370-square-foot Church facility will be constructed housing two meetinghouses, a service center, seminary and institute offices and classrooms, and mission offices and housing." It seems, like Nate, that they've got plenty of money to spend here....

For a guy who brags about how he's fluent in Thai language and considers Thailand his home, he seems to be a few quid short on prevailing local customs..... In the early going, I used to tap my Thai wife on the head (privately, at home) in an affectionate way now and again... She'd promptly get pissed and tell me in no uncertain terms that you don't touch Thai people on the head, even at home, and that it's bad manners to do so.... So now (privately, at home) I grab or pat her bum instead... She has no objection to that.... ????

Well, the tangential involvement of a Thai "Net Idol" certainly would have won my trust, especially on matters relating to finance! ???? Thailand is sorely lacking in financial literacy and education for the masses.... "she had invested 100,000 baht on the promise of 20% monthly returns." Not even My Mate Nate could pull off that kind of deal.... ????

When I was reading the link to US Embassy website page in the thread here, I noticed the advisory about Americans living in the north NOT being able to apply for passport renewals thru the CM Consulate, and instead having to send their request to Bangkok... I mean really, how tough could it be for the CM Consulate to forward that kind of stuff onward. "There are no appointments available to renew adult passports at U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai. Customers who appear at U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai requesting adult passport renewal (Form DS-82) will be required to mail their passport application to U.S. Embassy Bangkok."

But that doesn't mean Immigration can't keep trying.... The Thai government does love its paperwork....

Think I'll stay inside today... ???? https://www.weatherbug.com/weather-forecast/now/bangkok-bangkok-th

What website are you pulling that weather data from? I like the "feels like" feature....

"Even if I weren't getting paid, I would still be doing videos like this. I have other sources of income and I don't rely on YouTube to get by." Meet The American Missionary Turned Thai Prankster https://www.huffpost.com/entry/meet-the-american-mission_b_10134814 Do tell......

Seems like they're slowly getting out of the business of locally doing most anything related to actual US expats living here.... First they did away with income verification letters... Then they ceased issuing residence certificates, lately... And now it's the passport visa stamp transfer letters. And their announcement language isn't exactly reassuring when it comes to the issue of whether they've actually coordinated this with Thai Immigration. " If a Thai government office requests one, your cancelled passport and your newly issued passport will suffice." Well, WHY would a Thai government office be REQUESTING one (the Embassy stamp transfer letter) if they were no longer needed???

I follow a number of different Thailand-related YouTube channels, and the only place I've ever heard or seen of this guy is here on the forum. But then again, I guess my subscriptions aren't in the YT "stupid pranks" category, so perhaps that's why.

I believe you're absolutely correct... From what I understand, that's a definite no-no for Thai etiquette, the same as pointing your feet at someone or public shows of affection (their rules, not mine....)

Actually, I think they pretty much are waterproof... But the problem is, once they get wet, they're almost impossible to actually breathe thru... However, I wasn't/won't be doing anything to get wet... so that won't be a problem! ????