Putting in a Good Word for American Consulate/CM

[northernjohn]

Well you should expect good servie from the consulate. The fees imposed on all services they provide subsidize their existence.

Now how many of you Americans got invited to their 4th of July private party?

 

I wasn't aware of one. But then again I imagine there was several held through out the city.

 

Why would any one invite every one to a private party?  It would not be very private then would it?

[Duvidl]

Went to the US Consulate for an Income Letter last week  I was in and out in 10 minutes and found the staff very friendly.

[watcharacters]

Funny that you think that is good service. When I did mine 2 years back I got mine in 3 days.  They told me less than a week. When I had my passport redone 12 years ago took 3 weeks and came from Singapore.

 

I wouldn't give CM consul any credit for it though. In the past few years, I think that the US Consulate here in CM has become increasingly less helpful.

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I fully believe that the CM consulate does an efficient and courteous service.

 

 

Fact!     About a year ago I dropped off my passport  in the morning before a certain hour and was able to pick it up in the early afternoon.

 

I've been there twice  for things and could not be more satisfied with the service level and overall attitude.

[Frank James]

I wouldn't expect to be invited to their private parties. Putting out a general invitation would be a security nightmare. In 1977 we were in Kathmandu and the American Embassy invited all Americans in town to a July 4th Open House, with FREE BEER! My, what a different world we live in today.

 

The Embassy and ACS are primarily in place to keep the skids greased for American businesses to get their share of the biz action here. Providing services for individual American citizens is almost incidental to their true purpose, and probably considered a nuisance.  Also, I'm sure they provide office space and cover for agencies like ICE, CBP, ATF, DEA, CIA, FBI, AID, etc.

 

I'm glad they are here, and able to provide us with the help we need. They do a lot of very helpful things that we will never hear of.

[mania]

The only thing I have wondered is why they do not have US guards & desk workers at the front window & gates

 

I guess a consulate does not rate the same as an embassy.

But I wouldn't mind it if they did.

[khwaibah]

The only thing I have wondered is why they do not have US guards & desk workers at the front window & gates

 

I guess a consulate does not rate the same as an embassy.

But I wouldn't mind it if they did.

 

I have never seen a US Consulate any where having what your suggesting and very few embassy's.

[mania]

 

The only thing I have wondered is why they do not have US guards & desk workers at the front window & gates

 

I guess a consulate does not rate the same as an embassy.

But I wouldn't mind it if they did.

 

I have never seen a US Consulate any where having what your suggesting and very few embassy's.

 

 

Yes I figured consulates may not rate but always thought a US embassy abroad would have US marines as guards

 

I guess I just assumed they all did as I had a nephew serve as a US embassy guard in Germany

So not all US embassies have US guards ? Thanks I did not know

[hml367]

There is a difference between embassy, consul, and consulate.

 

I believe a US Embassy would have a consular section, but a consulate would not have an embassy.

 

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/138440.pdf   some information on Marine Security Guard and Diplomatic Security Service

 

http://www.mcesg.marines.mil/

 

 

[NancyL]

Well you should expect good servie from the consulate. The fees imposed on all services they provide subsidize their existence.
Now how many of you Americans got invited to their 4th of July private party?

I wasn't aware one of the functions of the U.S. Consulate was to entertain local U.S. citizens on American holidays. Should the Consul General invite us over to his house for Thanksgiving dinner?

There is no shortage of opportunity for Americans to mingle with other Americans in this town. Hmm ... The Duke's is one of the first places that comes to mind.

[OccamsRazor]

 

Well you should expect good servie from the consulate. The fees imposed on all services they provide subsidize their existence.
Now how many of you Americans got invited to their 4th of July private party?

I wasn't aware one of the functions of the U.S. Consulate was to entertain local U.S. citizens on American holidays. Should the Consul General invite us over to his house for Thanksgiving dinner?
 

 

I suspect that you must remember years ago the US Consulate did hold 4th of July parties each year for all American citizens and guests at the consulate itself.  Not sure why it stopped, too many Americans to host it now, security, etc.?   Big difference in meaning between the 4th of July, the day the US became the US,  and Thanksgiving's I would think. 

[dingdongrb]

I can't imagine ever wanting to renounce my American citizenship, for any reason whatsoever. America has given me a wonderful life, even though I am very far from rich. I don't like a lot of things that our government has done. Governments and politicians come and go. I don't live there now, but I am American to my dying day.

 

As for a 52 page passport, completed in one week, costing $110...words fail me. It's the most important document you will ever possess. It costs money to process. Iraq and Afghanistan and Bush and (your favorite complaint goes here) have little or nothing to do with it.

 

"It's the most important document you will ever possess."

 

Hmmmmmm...... I would think that one's birth certificate is more important.

[NancyL]

Well you should expect good servie from the consulate. The fees imposed on all services they provide subsidize their existence.
Now how many of you Americans got invited to their 4th of July private party?

I wasn't aware one of the functions of the U.S. Consulate was to entertain local U.S. citizens on American holidays. Should the Consul General invite us over to his house for Thanksgiving dinner?

 
I suspect that you must remember years ago the US Consulate did hold 4th of July parties each year for all American citizens and guests at the consulate itself.  Not sure why it stopped, too many Americans to host it now, security, etc.?   Big difference in meaning between the 4th of July, the day the US became the US,  and Thanksgiving's I would think. 

There are simply too many U.S. citizens and their families in Chiang Mai now to safely host the party on consulate grounds. Also, budget tightening (thank you Tea Party) has made it impossible to fund a party off-site. Consider how this "plays" back in the U.S. when their aren't funds available to fund basic services and we're complaining because the Consulate won't throw a party for several thousand people living the good life in Thailand. Remember there are those who will be running for president the next cycle who would like to see the consulate shut down as a total waste of taxpayer money.

[cardinalblue]

Believe it against the law for USA consulate to hold onto your passport as you wait for a new one...

Rate their service as excellent...if you have questions they always respond timely in writing...

They understand emergencies vs non emergencies...

CB

[PJcm]

Ah the good old Consulate. I remember in the 70's just walking in no guards go into the office and ask for my VA check, sadly those days are over.  They have had a few people over there in the 80's and 90"s who were not so nice a Miss Usa comes to mind, anyone remember her, it seemed she was mad at the world for being there. 

[Frank James]

 

I can't imagine ever wanting to renounce my American citizenship, for any reason whatsoever. America has given me a wonderful life, even though I am very far from rich. I don't like a lot of things that our government has done. Governments and politicians come and go. I don't live there now, but I am American to my dying day.

 

As for a 52 page passport, completed in one week, costing $110...words fail me. It's the most important document you will ever possess. It costs money to process. Iraq and Afghanistan and Bush and (your favorite complaint goes here) have little or nothing to do with it.

 

"It's the most important document you will ever possess."

 

Hmmmmmm...... I would think that one's birth certificate is more important.

 

 

Would you hand me that knife? There's another hair over here that didn't get split yet.
 

[BB1955]

For the most part I have found them very friendly and helpful . But I did have a Thai lady friend whos husband passed away . I tried to help her get the one time death benefit and the consulate was of no help . They kept telling her she could get benefits at the age of 60 as well . I explained to them numerous times she never resided in the USA with him and she could not get it . We submitted the forms almost two years ago . The forms never made it to Manila. I finally called SOC in Manila and got some help . It seems the Thai staff is not well trained but you try and tell someone up there, that someones giving people bad information all you get back is a one line response that there staff is highly trained . Bull  

[Mapguy]

Take a vote on posts so far?  The US Consulate in Chiang Mai appears to be a star in our local firmament. 

 

The American consulate in Chiang Mai is efficient, responsive and sympathetic to genuine problems --- and it tries hard to provide timely and accessible service compared with other consular services available in Chiang Mai on rather routine matters, especially those undergoing (as many, including the Americans) cost-cutting measures. Some American expats apparently believe that the consular services office is some sort of MacDonalds drive-in which should not raise any service prices beyond those of the 1950s! 

 

To address malcontents, you chose to be here. Your government did not send you here. Any foreign government must respect the laws of this country.  Your consulate will look after fundamental safety and judicial concerns depending upon your particular nationality and its resources.  But it is not your nanny for every piece of personal business. If you get in deep s*it, your consul, even the honorary consuls, will be notified and respond, but don't expect service on immediate demand to your discomfort.  More than likely, your problem was self-inflicted.  You probably only have yourself to blame.

[Mapguy]

For the most part I have found them very friendly and helpful . But I did have a Thai lady friend whos husband passed away . I tried to help her get the one time death benefit and the consulate was of no help . They kept telling her she could get benefits at the age of 60 as well . I explained to them numerous times she never resided in the USA with him and she could not get it . We submitted the forms almost two years ago . The forms never made it to Manila. I finally called SOC in Manila and got some help . It seems the Thai staff is not well trained but you try and tell someone up there, that someones giving people bad information all you get back is a one line response that there staff is highly trained . Bull  

It is regretable that there might have been some difficulty in this case.  I do not agree about the training.  Some hai assitants are very experienced as well as knowledgeable.  There may be, from time to time, some misunderstanding of problems --- or perhaps not a good statement of the problem.  When seeking help, it is necesaary to be able to state the problem effectively if not having done researxh on the situation before seeking consular assistance.

 

By the way, I don't work for the American or any other government. It just so happens that it is clear that the American government through the US Consulate in Chiang Mai is, comparatively,  remarkably effective and efficient.

 

By the way, BB1955 mentions the "SOC."  What he no doubt is referring to is the Pacific regional US Social Security Administration (SSA) office in Manila (about which a lot of people also seem to complain).  It is easy to contact directly.  One does not have to contact the US Embassy or a US consulate to do so.

[Dante99]

For the most part I have found them very friendly and helpful . But I did have a Thai lady friend whos husband passed away . I tried to help her get the one time death benefit and the consulate was of no help . They kept telling her she could get benefits at the age of 60 as well . I explained to them numerous times she never resided in the USA with him and she could not get it . We submitted the forms almost two years ago . The forms never made it to Manila. I finally called SOC in Manila and got some help . It seems the Thai staff is not well trained but you try and tell someone up there, that someones giving people bad information all you get back is a one line response that there staff is highly trained . Bull  

Other than getting a SS number from the Consulate for a newborn, SS issues are best taken directly to the SSA.  It should have been clear to you that the person at the Consul you were dealing with was not the right one to help you.  If you want to sort out the competence or training of employees get a job with the SSA or State Department doing that.

[scooterboy]

At least you guys have something excellent/good/reasonable/bad to say about your consulate - good for you!

 

Be happy that you don't have to (try and) deal with the British one - man, that's hell on earth!

 

Ever seen a (or many) complement(s) about the British Embassy/Consulate in Thailand?

 

Nay, sir, for folks generally try to avoid dealing with them, if they can.

 

Expensive, unhelpful, and with ancient and retarded methods, is usually about all you can get out of people.

 

Have a nice day - but don't sue me if you don't!