My tgf is an instructor at Chulalongkorn University with a MA degree, and speaks nearly perfect English. She is a middle class girl with no "priors." I live in Israel, but am a US citizen. I should add that she is almost 30 and I am 53.

Now I would like to take her to New York for a couple of weeks to meet my parents, who are 85 and 80 and worried about making the trip to Thailand to meet her, despite the new non-stop service. My gf has a great many family and professional ties to Thailand and also owns some land, but like many who work in the academic sector, she has a bankbook that is nothing to brag about. According to US law, the applicant must prove to the satisfaction of the visa officer that she has no intention of staying in the US beyond the visa period. I could get a letter from my father, a former NYS legislator explaining the situation. Would our relationship and my presence at the consulate in BKK help or hurt my gf's chances of obtaining a tourist visa.

Grateful for all opinions and suggestions.

Believe in this case it would be helpful as the source of funds for travel and indeed reason for travel. Do not believe she should have any problem getting a visa. Your explanation of meeting the folks and even a letter from them should help rather than hinder.

The presence of foreigner can work both ways. It adds to non return suspicions for those with no ties to Thailand but when it is the obvious reason for travel believe it is best to explain rather than allow these suspicions to go unchallenged.