Visiting u.s.a. embassy. What can I bring?

[chingching]

Hi,

My last trip to the embassy I had my phone, and a tablet, and a backpack. They were o.k. with checking everything. Now, I think, they have changed the rules, and are more strict. They are saying you can enter the embassy with only one phone, and they will hold for you only one phone.

"Embassy security procedures require that all visitors receive a security inspection. You will be allowed to check one cell phone at the Embassy gate but the US Embassy and local guards are not liable for any loss or damage to your cell phone while it is checked. You will NOT be allowed to enter the U.S. Embassy for your appointment carrying any of the following items:

Any other battery-operated or electronic devices such as computer tablets, digital diaries, pagers, cameras, audio/video cassettes, compact discs, MP3s, floppy disks, laptops, or portable music players."

Complete rules here: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/acsappointment.html

Has anyone visited the embassy lately, and had trouble checking a second phone, etc.? Does anyone know a good place nearby, a shopping mall or a supermarket, where I can leave my backpack while at the embassy?

Thank you.

[lopburi3]

Suspect most visitors abide by the one phone rule - for an emergency visit where no appointment had been made or rules read perhaps they could make hold second phone but if you also need to store a backpack perhaps leave the extra phone with that. Sorry do not know a good place to do so but perhaps a translation office that deals with foreigners would do for a fee..

[ubonjoe]

What size is your back pack? From the webpage.

"Any oversize shoulder bags or purses.

Any oversize handbags and travel bags, large back-packs, briefcases, or suitcases. Applicants can only carry in clear bags containing papers needed for their appointment"

One possibility for storing your back pack would be at a hotel near the embassy.

Edit: The only place where you could certainly store your back pack that is anywhere near the embassy is at Hua Lamphong train station. You could drop it off and take the MRT fo Lumphini station and then from their it is a reasonable walk to the embassy.

[enuff said]

.

Yeah guys they are pretty strict. But I think there is a misunderstanding/wrinkle with the info on the website and what actually goes on. I was there last month and people were checking small to medium bags and purses at the entry desk. They don't have a lot of space back there so I think they are trying to stress the point (pack light) to those who are making appointments.

"Applicants can only carry in clear bags containing papers needed for their appointment"... That means into the embassy proper.

[ubonjoe]

When I was there in April they let me carry my small man bag in that had my paperwork in it which was not considered to be oversize.

[Rhys]

Bring a non-threatening smile.. the guards both will be at ease...

[michael888]

i was wondering this very same thing. I have an appointment coming up at the embassy. Since its on my way to work - I want to bring my backpack. Not too much info here as to whether they will store it for you in that little guardhouse. Anybody else can chime in?

thanks

[ubonjoe]

If it is a small backpack they may let you take it inside with you. Just make sure you don't have any electronic items in it.

[wpcoe]

Last year I was not permitted to carry my small backpack, even after I showed them it was empty, unless I rolled it tightly and carried it under my arm the entire time. Yet, in the waiting room in the ACS office I saw a farang with a book bag full of books.

As long as they X-ray and manually search it, I don't see what the problem is with an empty backpack, but...

[chingching]

I think I read their website a little too literally. When they say "you can not enter the embassy with a second mobile device, etc", I do not think they mean the "waiting room / check-in-area".

However if you while in the "waiting room / check-in-area" were to commit some sort of action that the u.s.a. considered a crime, I'm sure you would be prosecuted as having done so "IN THE embassy".

So my last time there, I entered with a small back pack, they asked if I had more mobile devices, I said yes, inside the back pack and OFF. They said, fine, but did not actually look in the backpack, or check if the devices were really off. So, in reality, the whole security issue is a joke. I assume they want to keep out b**bs and other things, but if they accept any package without looking inside, what's the point?

[ubonjoe]

But you did not take that bag beyond the entry screening area.. If you want to take it inside it goes through the x-ray.