American (yank) Applying Directly To Thai Embassy For Visa

[Mattchu9999]

Hi all....

OK me: 32 year old Male US citizen

My friend used Siam Legal to get a business visa good for one year (with the 90 day runs of course) and paid $500.00 +/- for the service, had to mail them his passport and 2 (2x2) pics plus visa form and give them a company name.

Myself being the cheap bastard that I am would like to try to directly get it done with the Thai Embassy in Washington and save $350 ++ dollars.

What is confusing is did he really get a business visa?, as he said all he gave Siam legal was the name of his company and thats it. But looking at the requirements off of the Thai Embassy website it would appear that you have to have an employer in Thailand and all the documents for employment etc etc...which isn't what I want, Im not going to be an employe, but rather will use the amity treaty once I am in Thailand to set up my American company...

So am I correct in assuming I just need a regualr non imigrant visa?

Basically the requirements look to be the same but I have a few questions:

1) I want to get the same type of business visa my friend got. I have owned my US company as 100% owner for over 10years now and once settled in LOS will set up using the amity treaty etc etc. The Thai Embast website asks this: " For self-employed, business license or business registration indicating the applicant’s name" OK, in America, I have my Articles of incorporation that show my name and my business name and they have the "recorded" stamp by my countys recorders office. Is this sufficent?

2) They want a recent bank statement. Since I get all my statements online will they accept a print out from my bank signed by an officer of the bank?

Hopefully someone here can set me straight. I just want to get a Visa for the longest peroid of time and I am aware that I will have to do 90 day visa runs but my friends visa is good for a year so Id like to try and get what he got.

Thanks!!!

[ubonjoe]

Do a letter on company letterhead saying you are going to Thailand to pursue investments or someting similar.

State in letter that company will be resposible for your airfare expenses and etc. while in Thailand.

Apply for a non-b multiple entry. You can down load application on DC website. LA and Chicago have their own form ot their websites but the DC one is generic and can be used at honorary consulates.

Check to see which Thai consulate is nearest you. From experiecne the honorary ones are the easiest to deal with.

[Mattchu9999]

Do a letter on company letterhead saying you are going to Thailand to pursue investments or someting similar.

State in letter that company will be resposible for your airfare expenses and etc. while in Thailand.

Apply for a non-b multiple entry. You can down load application on DC website. LA and Chicago have their own form ot their websites but the DC one is generic and can be used at honorary consulates.

Check to see which Thai consulate is nearest you. From experiecne the honorary ones are the easiest to deal with.

Only on TV can you get great advice like that thanks!