stuck

I have received 4, O-A's from the New York Consulate using the PA State form shown earlier and once just using a local police letter

Unfortunately you can only use the NY Consulate if you live within the geographical area it serves. Which currently are the states of Maine, Mass, NJ, NY, PA, Rhode Island, CT, Vermont, New Hampshire and Ohio

I cannot imagine the DC consulate refusing to help me, or my Khun Thai boy. He can go to any Embassy he chooses, but I doubt they would not help me and tell me to go to NY. While I enjoy visiting DC, I have a free place to stay in NYC so it will be NY this time.

OK.

You can send in what you have to NYC and it will probably be OK because as you said, they don't specify what D.C. does.

OR

You can email them explaining what you have and ask them if that's adequate. Saving you the small chance of a rejection if you send it without asking but also with the downside of calling attention to a "problem" they'd rather not consider.

If it was me, I'd just send what you have.

Here is the issue that isn't clear to everyone. I am also getting my 9-year-old Thai/American boy his Thai Passport. We need to go to the Embassy; they need to see that he exists.

I see. I think you mentioned before you could get the signature.

How about this.

Email them with the state form without signature and ask them if that's OK.

If not, get the signature.

You're not going to be need an FBI report so don't worry about that.

I have yet to have them answer an email or fax on this issue and a few others.

OK.

You can send in what you have to NYC and it will probably be OK because as you said, they don't specify what D.C. does.

OR

You can email them explaining what you have and ask them if that's adequate. Saving you the small chance of a rejection if you send it without asking but also with the downside of calling attention to a "problem" they'd rather not consider.

If it was me, I'd just send what you have.

Here is the issue that isn't clear to everyone. I am also getting my 9-year-old Thai/American boy his Thai Passport. We need to go to the Embassy; they need to see that he exists.

I use tahr puppy....

It can utilize ubuntu tahr packages. Best thing is, it loads into ram. If you don't save anything, All traces disappear when you turn off the computer.

Pretty slick.

You can save on the thumb drive that you boot off of....if you need to.....or just put everything you want to save on dropbox, etc.

Great backup...and great way to carry your own operating system around. I used to bring mine to the store and plug it into a laptop, before I bought it. (With permission)

You can actually keep a backup of your system on dropbox, if your laptop gets grabbed/confiscated by customs.

Nothing on the hard drive!

Whether you worry about your content or customs, you should be encrypting everything. I don't own a HD internal or external that is not encrypted.

A FBI background check is not required. What you have is enough.

Which one? The State one I did online plus the local cops? The Washington website states that an unsigned state search is unacceptable. It does seem ridiculous.

7. Letter of verification stating that the applicant has no criminal record (verification have to valid for not more than three months and must be issued from a state or Federal Bureau of Investigation only. Online criminal record without authorizer’s signature is unacceptable )

Are you saying I can ignore this? I have to travel to either NY or DC to get my visa and my son's Thai Passport. I can't afford to waste a trip. I've tried calling the embassy and they never pick up the phone. I can't get clarification from either of them.

The Embassy in Washington DC is the only place where this criminal records check issued from a state or Federal Bureau of Investigation only requirement is being enforced. It is not a requirement at LA, Chicago, or New York . The MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) has not issued this order but was implemented by a clerk in Washington. Much like Immigration here in Thailand, Consular sections at Embassies and Consulates are laws unto themselves and once they decide on a practice it is not likely going to change.

For instance, LA and Chicago are the only two places where the bank statement, criminal records check, and medical certificate must be notarized. No such requirement for the Embassy in DC or the Consulate in New York

The FBI background check is 15 weeks wait. OUT. You're saying that New York would accept the two that I have? It's not hand signed other than the local police statement. It was less expensive for us to go to NYC rather than DC. So just to be clear, NYC doesn't require what DC is requiring. They still want to see something, but their requirements were vague at best.

The state one should be accepted since it is signed. It would not hurt to attach both to your application.

You do realize that this is an online response and is not hand signed. Is this still ok? I will use both, but if I mail in the request they will send me back a signed copy and I can get that signature notarized as well because it will be a true ink signature.

A FBI background check is not required. What you have is enough.

Which one? The State one I did online plus the local cops? The Washington website states that an unsigned state search is unacceptable. It does seem ridiculous.

7. Letter of verification stating that the applicant has no criminal record (verification have to valid for not more than three months and must be issued from a state or Federal Bureau of Investigation only. Online criminal record without authorizer’s signature is unacceptable )

Are you saying I can ignore this? I have to travel to either NY or DC to get my visa and my son's Thai Passport. I can't afford to waste a trip. I've tried calling the embassy and they never pick up the phone. I can't get clarification from either of them.

I searched for this answer and found nothing. I don't know how the search works, but one question per post works well. Especially for someone down the line looking for this answer and not the 15 other issues brought up.

When I was preparing for my work permit and visa after attending a language school, I got a similar short letter from the Palm Beach Florida offices but it referenced all of Palm Beach County and not just North Palm Beach city where I lived at the time. I was told by the school that would be OK. I don't believe there is anyway to get a similar letter from a National USA level office such as the FBI. But, I suspect one could go to any of the work place clearance check firms that have access to national crime databases or at least are allowed to send clearance check clearances in. That is about as good as one can get at the national level ( I think).

The FBI does do this but they are backlogged 14 weeks. I can get one from PA in two weeks and it will be notarized.

I just checked with the FBI. They are 12 to 14 weeks wait for the documents to be sent. So FBI out. I can get a signed copy from the State Police quicker than that.

Try it, I mean this seriously. If you have any legal problems at the federal level they will revoke your passport anyway. There is nothing to lose by applying, if that police check isn't adequate they will say it. They should then inform you of what you need.

The criminal records check is for criminal convictions (your entire life). If you have served time you can still hold a passport. The only time a passport is revoked is for:

- If you have an outstanding arrest warrant for a felony

- A court order preventing you from leaving the U.S.

Thai immigration already has access to Interpol which is used to search for outstanding arrest warrants that have been submitted for reasons that you are an international fugitive. The criminal records check is to make sure you do not have serious arrests in your passport that may indicate you are a person of poor character and thus not wanted in Thailand.

With that all said, I could still show up and get a 30 day stamp whether I'm a person of poor character or not. These hoops really make no sense. I could get an O visa, show up and do a retirement or marriage extension and still be of poor character. Again, it makes little sense.

Your local letter is useless:

7. Letter of verification stating that the applicant has no criminal record (verification have to valid for not more than three months and must be issued from a state or Federal Bureau of Investigation only. Online criminal record without authorizer’s signature is unacceptable )

http://thaiembdc.org/consular-services/non-immigrant-visas/non-immigrant-category-o/

You took this from the Thai Embassy in Washington. I got my info from NY. They are different. Washington does not ask for a Bank Verification Letter but NY does. Both want a bank statement. Washington elaborates on the criminal background check where NY does not offer any help whatsoever.

They are different.

Disgraceful to say the least.

Your local letter is useless:

7. Letter of verification stating that the applicant has no criminal record (verification have to valid for not more than three months and must be issued from a state or Federal Bureau of Investigation only. Online criminal record without authorizer’s signature is unacceptable )

http://thaiembdc.org/consular-services/non-immigrant-visas/non-immigrant-category-o/

It would appear that my State verification would but without a signature no good. Now I need to find out how to get a signature.

This might be a good place to start:

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/abroad/legal-matters/criminal-record-check.html

I think you need an FBI one as well.

Now how would you nor I know this for certain? I can get a State certification for 8 Dollars online, and that is immediate. This OA Visa thing is vague and onerous.

Since I have never done one for the US or Thailand I cannot be sure. I just figured a good place to start would be at the state department links since Embassies fall under that jurisdiction. A local one would seem to be useless since if I had a criminal record I could just find a jurisdiction I had relatives in and have it done in a place I never lived.... i.e. easily defeated. In Canada RCMP controls a national fingerprint database that connects with criminal records nationwide.

Your letter states that you have no arrest record in one specific township - I would think that would be completely useless since you could just as easily committed crimes in nearby townships or even federal offenses such as terrorism that would not be in the township record.

And look what the link points to.

This might be a good place to start:

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/abroad/legal-matters/criminal-record-check.html

I think you need an FBI one as well.

Now how would you nor I know this for certain? I can get a State certification for 8 Dollars online, and that is immediate. This OA Visa thing is vague and onerous. I just did this one from the State. I would hope this enough.

Well, I'm not sure, but if I was reviewing your application I would reject it. It's basically meaningless. No record of arrest in one town? Come on, now.

That is the town where I live. I wouldn't know where to get something Statewide or national.

1. Three copies of verification stating that the applicant has no criminal record issued in the country of the applicant’s nationality or residence. Verifications must be less than 3 months old.

I went to my local township for this letter. I post a redacted copy here. Is this sufficient for the O-A application. The required documents are vague.

1. Three copies of bank statement showing a deposit at the amount equal to no less than 800,000 Baht, or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly salary of no less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income of no less than 800,000 Baht a year.
2. Letter of guarantee from the bank (original copy).

What exactly is a Letter of guarantee? Is this a letter from the bank attesting to the authenticity of the bank statement?

This comes from: http://www.thaicgny.com/%E0%B8%A0%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A9%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AD-%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A4%E0%B8%A9-english-version/visa/o-a-visas/

Yes, my phone connects to LTE on Band 3 (1800 MHz) as will yours with TrueMove H, AIS or DTAC.

Your phone will also work here on 3G (850 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz).

I, and many others, use 4G and LTE interchangeably. For the purposes of this discussion they are the same thing.

The mod for Band 1 is contained in the post as a hot link, here it is in a more familiar format: http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/how-to-enable-nexus6-xt1103-4g-lte-t3042373 Personally I don't think it's worthwhile, given the various unknowns.

I really wouldn't sweat this too much until you get here. Sort out your home internet (A/VDSL, Fiber, DOCSIS, etc.) as this may well be your primary transport for a "clear communications platform", and try all three mobile providers to see which one works for you. SIMs are less than $2, and you can try a SIM/plan for a day or week or month, before settling on a provider.

IME, speeds are almost worthless to discuss given all the variables. But very generally speaking they should be sufficient for all mobile data applications.

I'm reviewing the mod documentation now. Thank you. My phone is already rooted so modding it should be simple as I already have TWRP recovery loaded. After reviewing the Word Document in half Chinese half English, I think it might be easier to find a techie who reads Chinese. I'll leave my phone as is until after I get there and decide on modding it if I really need it. I suspect 4G should be fast enough for a good Skype connection back to The United States.

I am curious why frequencycheck.com shows me all green for AIS when I am clearly missing the LTE 2100 band. Perhaps it needs updating.

I'm getting the consensus that DTAC should work fine.

The answer is somewhere in the middle:

Fastest Speed

with the best LTE ADVANCED technology to deliver the superbly fast 4G on both 1800MHz and 2100MHz bandwidths.

Your phone covers Band 3, but not Band 1. So in areas where AIS utilise 1800MHz, you might receive 4G.

I was told earlier in this thread that LTE was 4G. What I know, is LTE is not considered 4G but a mode unto itself. I'm not looking to stream movies. I am wanting to use the fastest available for Skype, Zoiper (VOIP), LINE, and OoVoo Telephony. I also want my email but could be 3G for all I care. What kind of speeds are available on a 4G.

My phone the XT1103 doesn't show 4G at all, my only speeds are 3G,+H HSPA, and LTE and I see all three here in Philadelphia.

I have business to attend to back in the States and I need a clear communications platform.

I am coming to Thailand for years, not for vacation.

How long will you be staying? If you plan on staying for a while you could get a SIM from both TrueMove H and DTAC, and even AIS - SIMs are ~ 50 baht, and try a data plan to see what works best for you. If you're here for a brief stay maybe try TrueMove H first?

The XT1103 does not support band 1 (LTE/2100 MHz) but it can be modded to do so.

I might rank providers (specifically for your version, unmodded) TrueMove H, DTAC, AIS; this ranking is based on my udnerstanding of total available bandwidth which your phone can use.

I have an Radio-unmodded (bootloader unlocked, rooted, PureNexus/CMTE) XT1103, post-paid on DTAC and I get LTE in most locations in metro Bangkok, and in provincial capitals; with 3G elsewhere. 3G is more than adequate for many/most applications.

I'm running MOB301 on my XT1103 and it is also rooted. So your phone shows that you are connecting to LTE? What is the process to "mod" the phone to use the LTE/2100MHz band?

LTE and 4G are the same thing, you know?

I don't do 4G because I don't have a capable phone while in Thailand, but as far as 3G goes, my first choice would be AIS, then DTAC, then last one True.

In my own private experience only (not claiming anything beyond this), AIS has the best coverage and best bandwidth.

In American, my phone will show LTE when it connects as LTE. Below that I have +H which is HSPA and then 3G. I've never seen anything lower than 3g. I do understand the Thai's have never quite standardized on what the world uses.

Here is where it gets fuzzy:

https://www.frequencycheck.com/compatibility/8PIAA/google-nexus-6-xt1103/thailand

According to this, My phone will work on all three. Notice the band capability? It is all green for AIS but that doesn't say LTE, but it does say 4G is 100 percent.

Yet Dtac and True both show red for my phone for LTE but Green for everything else.

Is there a difference between AIS LTE and LTE for the other two?

I'm bringing my US version Nexus 6 with me and it does not have the LTE bands compatible with Thailand. From what I hear from friends, they never get LTE, only 4G on their phones. Where is LTE and is the 4G fast enough? I'm not looking to stream movies but would like to use my VOIP and get my email.

Using the phone as a backup tether would be nice in case my home Internet goes down. My phone is unlocked and rooted so it will tether regardless of what the carrier dictates.

So who wins in Bangkok for 4G or 3G? True or Dtac, and why?

Which one has the better packages and service?

Another observation, why would there be any limitation i.e. a 30 day supply when I can go into any Thai drugstore and buy the entire shelf if I want? Nothing in my list requires a prescription in Thailand.

This is exactly what the Thai authority would want you to do. You are depriving the Thai pharmacies from earning your money.

Anyway, Metformin and its Thai version (Siamformet) is available in 500mg and 850mg.

I take 1000mg 2 x a day. It's not big enough.

All of these are available in locally made generic, though in the case if atorvastatin (Lipitor) there is only one brand and may prove a little hard to find. Simvastatin, though, is abundant and cheap.

All of these are over the counter meds in Thailand, no prescription required.

I would worry more about how you will manage if you require hospitalization while here ... do you have insurance that covers you overseas?

Looks like quite a mess, doesn't it? Not to worry, I wouldn't step foot into Thailand without a decent expat insurance. I like air-conditioned hospitals.

With that said, I bike 9 miles every day on a real bike, not stationary.

My blood pressure is 110/70 and Sugar is between 80 and 130.

Better living through chemistry.