My experience at the US Embassy today

[1BADDAT]

So I know there is a lot of US bashers on TV and until today I really didn't understand why. I mean I know they have reasons, but I never really experienced these things first hand. So here is my experience today at the US embassy, although may not be to unique to just Americans.

Waiting outside and there is a guy in a electric wheelchair arguing with the person at the window. He is with his fiance and her mother. The embassy refuses to let them ALL in . He yells at them "But I am an American!" finally after a few minutes they agree to let him and the fiance in.

Guy behind them and his Thai fiance seemed very nice. They went to window A then told to go to window B...then told go back to window A... Guy finally gets angry and starts talking loudly to securtity person. Finally the Thai fiance (who never lost her temper or said a word) was let inside.

So this is where the story got funny to me. I held the door open for Mr wheelchair so his fiance could push him inside (and he went in front of me in line). He goes to the counter and lady asks him have you ever been married before. He says very loud enough so everyone can here. "Yes....for 10 seconds". Everyone in the building starts laughing. He explains that his previous wife was from the Philippines and that she asked the judge immediately after they were married if she could get a divorce. He then explained that they slept in different bedrooms on their wedding night.

The rest of the people in the embassy: Hippie looking backpacker chick with arm pit hair. guy who came to the window but had no idea what was going on...a few other normal people...and me.

So now I have a viewpoint of Americans in Thailand. Up until today I have not met any here for the year that I lived here (other that the ones at my company).

[Soutpeel]

I personally don't think there as much USer bashing as you think there is, there are a lot of comments about the colonial cousins which are taking the Micheal, but this can't be seen as bashing unless someone is taking themselves far too seriously

Edited February 13, 2015 by Soutpeel

[Rooo]

Moved to Expat.

[1BADDAT]

I personally don't think there as much USer bashing as you think there is, there are a lot of comments about the colonial cousins which are taking the Micheal, but this can't be seen as bashing unless someone is taking themselves far too seriously

I don't really take it that serious but the general sentiment of the posts I see is not very warm towards Americans. And from what I saw today I can see a basis for that opinion.

[NancyL]

OK -- let's summarize, you met:

1. an American in a wheelchair with his (presumably) Thai wife and MIL, neither of whom he'd bothered to inform the Embassy were coming to escort him because after all, with the American with Disabilities Act, they have to accommodate all American citizens no matter their condition without any advance notice about special assistance that might be needed, even if that special assistance is provided by non-US citizens. It seems the fellow in the wheelchair was applying for an Affirmation to Marry document -- something required by the Thai gov't which the U.S. Embassy is forced to supply to its citizens even though there is no reliable federal central database to confirm the marital status of U.S. citizens.

2. Another American guy who was presumably of sound body, at least no handicaps were mentioned excepted a certain cluelessness and lack of patience in being shuttled between several customer service windows.

3. A young woman who has decided to reject the tyranny of objectification and no longer mutilates her underarms with a razor. Let's hope she still uses deodorant products and bathes regularly.

4. A guy who came to the window and had no idea what was going on -- perhaps someone suffering from premature dementia? Certainly to be pitied.

5. A few other "normal" people -- whatever those are!

6. The O.P. hmmmm which category shall we place him?

I hardly think this is a snapshot of U.S. citizens in Thailand. Spend any time in the Chiang Mai Consulate and you will see the missionary couple with brood of kids, the well-meaning couple from the U.S. heartland wanting to adopt a child who is stateless and without any nationality, the dottering retiree being assisted by his loyal Thai wife, the gap-year trust-fund baby who has "lost" her passport at a motorcycle rental place, and an endless stream of fairly well dressed retirees getting notary stamps on their Immigration income letters and certificates of residency.

[samsensam]

was recently in a van returning from a visa run with:

two 19 year old aussies who made a big show of taking valium as soon as we set off and crashed out for the entire journey.

a very loud american who complained very loudly about the van, thailand, thai people etc. etc. and said '<deleted>' in ever sentence. i gathered he was teaching here. pity his students.

an obese british couple who stuffed their faces with crisps and ice creams at every opportunity

and someone with exceedingly smelly feet, i suspect it was one of the two young korean lads at the front

wonder what they made of me...

[rijb]

Op, your post provides more insights about you than anyone you saw today.

And it's not a pretty sight.

[slipperylobster]

You seem to be the weirdest of the lot...as none other cared to report on any of this. Rather mundane.

[slipperylobster]

By the way...true america is what you see at places like Walmart. Google some photos..

[Langsuan Man]

By the way...true america is what you see at places like Walmart. Google some photos..

No, go directly to the web site and take a look

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

[JimmyTheMook]

was recently in a van returning from a visa run with:

two 19 year old aussies who made a big show of taking valium as soon as we set off and crashed out for the entire journey.

a very loud american who complained very loudly about the van, thailand, thai people etc. etc. and said '<deleted>' in ever sentence. i gathered he was teaching here. pity his students.

an obese british couple who stuffed their faces with crisps and ice creams at every opportunity

and someone with exceedingly smelly feet, i suspect it was one of the two young korean lads at the front

wonder what they made of me...

Other than you continually inserting your thumb up your arse ?

[1BADDAT]

Op, your post provides more insights about you than anyone you saw today.

And it's not a pretty sight.

Please share your insights that you have found from my post.

[Rancid]

Seems Americans on numerous blogs bash themselves more than other nationalities do.

There again they are actually bashing their fascist government as opposed to the people.

[kwestroc]

I've met some odd Americans here too. I too have encountered this problem from the US Embassy of not letting someone in with you. It's especially frustrating when they ask you prior to your appointment if anyone is coming with you and you tell them and then they confirm it. Then when you show up they won't let them in. Why would you ask me if I was bringing anyone then? Also, the security staff are pricks, but what do you expect. I felt right at home being treated like crap!

Edited February 14, 2015 by kwestroc

[up-country_sinclair]

My experience at the US embassy in Bangkok has been limited to only 3 visits, but I found them to efficient and cordial in each instance.

[Rhys]

Most interesting... are the guards at the front lines.. protecting American Interest... bless them..

The officers inside.. OK..on task.. efficient, get it done, first time.. usually do.. professional.

The current TSAish... guards... Ex oh my goodness military.. glaring down the would be T ist.. grandma, trying to renew their passports and other mundane..American required documentation

And those poor sad Thais.. not knowing what the soomtan, it has said in Thai.. and reacted in Kwai state.. looks, state, smile, and think..

What are the requirement for the TSA...must be the same for the eagles at the gates of American interest..

[Rhys]

I've met some odd Americans here too. I too have encountered this problem from the US Embassy of not letting someone in with you. It's especially frustrating when they ask you prior to your appointment if anyone is coming with you and you tell them and then they confirm it. Then when you show up they won't let them in. Why would you ask me if I was bringing anyone then? Also, the security staff are pricks, but what do you expect. I felt right at home being treated like crap!

Exactly, they import the TSA folks here.. hmmm. .requirements bench press 500 pounds.. IQ... 50

[Rhys]

By the way...true america is what you see at places like Walmart. Google some photos..

No, go directly to the web site and take a look

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

Nahh... try.. your local...library..

[Suradit69]

OK -- let's summarize, you met:

1. an American in a wheelchair with his (presumably) Thai wife and MIL, neither of whom he'd bothered to inform the Embassy were coming to escort him because after all, with the American with Disabilities Act, they have to accommodate all American citizens no matter their condition without any advance notice about special assistance that might be needed, even if that special assistance is provided by non-US citizens. It seems the fellow in the wheelchair was applying for an Affirmation to Marry document -- something required by the Thai gov't which the U.S. Embassy is forced to supply to its citizens even though there is no reliable federal central database to confirm the marital status of U.S. citizens.

2. Another American guy who was presumably of sound body, at least no handicaps were mentioned excepted a certain cluelessness and lack of patience in being shuttled between several customer service windows.

3. A young woman who has decided to reject the tyranny of objectification and no longer mutilates her underarms with a razor. Let's hope she still uses deodorant products and bathes regularly.

4. A guy who came to the window and had no idea what was going on -- perhaps someone suffering from premature dementia? Certainly to be pitied.

5. A few other "normal" people -- whatever those are!

6. The O.P. hmmmm which category shall we place him?

I hardly think this is a snapshot of U.S. citizens in Thailand. Spend any time in the Chiang Mai Consulate and you will see the missionary couple with brood of kids, the well-meaning couple from the U.S. heartland wanting to adopt a child who is stateless and without any nationality, the dottering retiree being assisted by his loyal Thai wife, the gap-year trust-fund baby who has "lost" her passport at a motorcycle rental place, and an endless stream of fairly well dressed retirees getting notary stamps on their Immigration income letters and certificates of residency.

Every time I've been to the embassy or attended a consular outreach the majority of people seemed quite normal. And why exactly a few short-tempered people that happened to be at the embassy on a given occasion would justify America-bashing is a bit of a stretch. If anything, the O/P's comment about the "backpacker chick" sounds rather snobbish and judgmental (and outdated). In any event, not everyone queuing up at the embassy is an American.

The main reason some US bashing takes place is usually with regard to political and diplomatic issues and is as likely to come from Americans themselves as anyone else.

Possibly if this is the O/P's first time away from America (or wherever he's from) and the first time he's experienced being in any sort of minority, he thinks everyone else wiles away their time worried about taking a reactionary stance towards Americans based on trivial events. That seems to combine both paranoia and egocentrism.

Edited February 14, 2015 by Suradit69

[kwestroc]

I've met some odd Americans here too. I too have encountered this problem from the US Embassy of not letting someone in with you. It's especially frustrating when they ask you prior to your appointment if anyone is coming with you and you tell them and then they confirm it. Then when you show up they won't let them in. Why would you ask me if I was bringing anyone then? Also, the security staff are pricks, but what do you expect. I felt right at home being treated like crap!

Exactly, they import the TSA folks here.. hmmm. .requirements bench press 500 pounds.. IQ... 50

I meant the Thai security staff. Do they have Americans doing the security now? I was last there about a year ago.

[1BADDAT]

Possibly if this is the O/P's first time away from America (or wherever he's from) and the first time he's experienced being in any sort of minority, he thinks everyone else wiles away their time worried about taking a reactionary stance towards Americans based on trivial events. That seems to combine both paranoia and egocentrism.

No Its not my first time away from America. I was at the embassy to add pages to my passport because I filled it up with VISA stamps after 2 years.

I really don't know how Americans are viewed in Thailand other than what I read on here. It is not something I think about when I go out and about and I rarely ever meet American tourists or Expats here.