Need Help In Bangkok

[rickjames8]

Hello all,

I need to ask a favor of a random person. My wife (she's French) and I (American) lived in Thailand for 7 years (Koh Tao and Khao Lak). We are now living in France with plans to move to the USA soon. My wife has applied for her green card, but as part of the application process, she needs to provide a police report showing that she has no arrests from any country she's lived more than 6 months in.

So we filled out the application for the Thai police report and included everything they've asked for. The report should have arrived weeks ago, and when I called to check on it, they simply said "You forgot to include your 100B". No where on the application did it mention a 100B fee, but living in Thailand for 7 years I've come to expect this sort of thing.

Now heres the thing. I've got no way to get a 100B bill here in France. Our friends live in Koh Tao and Khao Lak, so no where near BKK. I have one friend in BKK who's tried to go once, but it was closed (the office is closed on the weekends) and she has such a hectic schedule that she does not know when she can go again. And this piece of paper is the only thing holding up the green card process, which has already been massively delayed and has disrupted so many of our plans.

I'm a little desperate, so I'm trying to find a kind soul who'd want to help out a stranger. I need someone who'd be willing to go to the police station on Monday, pay the 100B, scan the document, email it, and then send it to us. I'm willing to re-imburse you the 100B fee, the postage, taxi fare and anything you might require for your time. Paypal is the only way I can think to do this, as I no longer have a Thai bank account. If you don't have Paypal, I don't think I could repay you.

The paper is at the police headquarters, which is in Siam Square, near MBK and Siam Center and all of that area. If you're willing to help, please email me at and I'll send you all the details, including a letter authorizing you to pick it up, which you'll need.

Thanks,

-Rick

Edited March 30, 2013 by lopburi3
email removed

[FritsSikkink]

I've got no way to get a 100B bill here in France.

Yes you can:

http://www.secretsofparis.com/heathers-secret-blog/2009/5/7/where-to-exchange-money-in-paris.html

http://www.francetourism.com/practicalinfo/whileyourethere-currency-money.htm

[rickjames8]

Thanks for your suggestion. I have tried at a couple exchagers. They will change Bath TO Euro, but not from Euro TO Baht. The only currencies they change in TO are usually USD, Pound, Swiss Franc and maybe Yen. It makes sense as you can not expect them to keep all currencies on hand for all countries. It would be a very rare case that someone would need a relatively obscure foriegn currency. Indeed, this is the first time I've ever needed it.

I do have Baht bills at my parents house in the US, and had thought about having them dig it up and mail it off, but I have no idea if the person opening the envelope would not just put it in their pocket. Unlikley, but possible. Plus, it would add more delays.

[rickjames8]

I recieved a couple offers already (thanks!), but to be clear, I need someone who can do this early this week. My friend is able to go Thu/Fri, but with each day that passes, there is a greater chance our visa will not be processed before our (non-refundable) return flights. This is what I am trying to avoid. We had built a 1-month-buffer in to our plan, but that has now all been eaten up by this delay.

[rickjames8]

I have this sorted (sort of) now. But I wanted to say a couple things:

1) Never underestimate the ability of Thai administration to fustrate you, no matter how far away you get from them.

2) Never underestimate the kindness of strangers. I had a lot of people to offer to help. Some even said if I could wait, they'd do it for free. In a world where all the news you see is bad news about bad people, something like this makes you smile. Well, it made me smile anyway. I think I replied to everyone who offered, but if I missed someone, then let me say 'thanks' here. I was really moved by the people who offered to give their time to help someone they never met.

Thanks,

-Rick