Message for U.S. Citizens: Consular Outreach in Chiang Rai

[OccamsRazor]

Consular Outreach: Chiang Rai

The Consular Section of the U.S. Consulate in Chiang Mai is pleased to provide services in Chiang Rai on Friday, July 22, 2016 from 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM at:

Le Méridien Chiang Rai

221 / 2 Moo 20 Kwaewai Rd, Tambon Robwieng, Amphur Muang, Chiang Rai

Phone: +66 53 603 333

http://www.lemeridienchiangrai.com/

Services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis; no appointment necessary. The following consular services will be available during our outreach visit:

1. PASSPORT SERVICES: Please complete and print your passport application online here: https://pptform.state.gov/. Also, please make a copy of your passport photo and signature pages in advance to avoid paying extra at the hotel front office for a copy.

• Renewal of adult passports ($110 / 3,960 THB – exact change required)
• Renewal of minor (under age 16) passports ($105 / 3,780 THB – exact change required) IMPORTANT: The child and both parents must appear in person.
• Replacement of adult lost/stolen passports ($135 / 4,860 THB – exact change required)
• Replacement of minor (under age 16) lost/stolen passports ($105 / 3,780 THB – exact change required) IMPORTANT: The child and both parents must appear in person.

PLEASE NOTE: You must bring copies of your passport photo and supplementary documents requested with the application. These copies will not be returned to you.

IMPORTANT: How to receive your new passport?

IN PERSON: Come to our office in Chiang Mai (or send a representative on your behalf) during our U.S. Citizen Services hours (Tue and Thu from 1:30-3:30 PM), except holidays. No appointment is necessary. Present your old passport for cancelation and collect your new passport.

2. NOTARIAL SERVICES: ($50 / 1,800 THB – exact change required)

Forms for the most common notary services can be found online here: http://chiangmai.usconsulate.gov/service/notarial.html.

3. SOCIAL SECURITY, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND OTHER FEDERAL BENEFITS QUESTIONS WILL BE NOTED AND FORWARDED TO THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY.

CONSULAR REPORTS OF BIRTH ABROAD CANNOT BE PROCESSED AT CONSULAR OUTREACH EVENTS.

Please see http://chiangmai.usconsulate.gov for more information. Send questions to [email protected]. Voting information can be found at www.FVAP.gov.

Edited June 21, 2016 by OccamsRazor

[Lamkyong]

repeat, please take note UK embassy/consulate

[ddotmark]

$50USD (1,800 THB) for a Notary Service...<deleted>. In the US a Notary Public would cost you $0 - $10 at most!! US Government always trying to screw us citizens for every penny we have.

[boomerangutang]

I was just at US consulate in C.Mai, and they say they no longer provide added pages to passport.

New passport: is $110, can be paid in baht. Takes about 4 days to process.

They almost didn't accept the photo I provided. Initially they said no. Then I insisted. They then said, "Ok, we'll send this photo with application, but if it's turned down by the main office (in the US?) you'll have to re-apply." I took the chance, and thankfully the passport was issued.

Added note: Thai imm at Mae Sai said I needed a new passport. The officer said he wouldn't let me return to Thailand next time, if I used the old passport. It so happens the old passport doesn't expire until 2021 and still had over 30 blank pages. I thought that was unfair, but you can't discuss such things with Thai Imm officers (unless you have a rich-looking Thai doing the talking for you), because they'll always stand their ground. So I dutifully went to C.Mai to get a new passport.

[Will27]

I was just at US consulate in C.Mai, and they say they no longer provide added pages to passport.

New passport: is $110, can be paid in baht. Takes about 4 days to process.

They almost didn't accept the photo I provided. Initially they said no. Then I insisted. They then said, "Ok, we'll send this photo with application, but if it's turned down by the main office (in the US?) you'll have to re-apply." I took the chance, and thankfully the passport was issued.

Added note: Thai imm at Mae Sai said I needed a new passport. The officer said he wouldn't let me return to Thailand next time, if I used the old passport. It so happens the old passport doesn't expire until 2021 and still had over 30 blank pages. I thought that was unfair, but you can't discuss such things with Thai Imm officers (unless you have a rich-looking Thai doing the talking for you), because they'll always stand their ground. So I dutifully went to C.Mai to get a new passport.

Surely there must be more to it than just saying you need a new passport.

Hard to believe he just randomly didn't like the look of it.

What type of condition was it in?

Any damage to the bio page?

[boomerangutang]

I was just at US consulate in C.Mai, and they say they no longer provide added pages to passport.

New passport: is $110, can be paid in baht. Takes about 4 days to process.

They almost didn't accept the photo I provided. Initially they said no. Then I insisted. They then said, "Ok, we'll send this photo with application, but if it's turned down by the main office (in the US?) you'll have to re-apply." I took the chance, and thankfully the passport was issued.

Added note: Thai imm at Mae Sai said I needed a new passport. The officer said he wouldn't let me return to Thailand next time, if I used the old passport. It so happens the old passport doesn't expire until 2021 and still had over 30 blank pages. I thought that was unfair, but you can't discuss such things with Thai Imm officers (unless you have a rich-looking Thai doing the talking for you), because they'll always stand their ground. So I dutifully went to C.Mai to get a new passport.

Surely there must be more to it than just saying you need a new passport.

Hard to believe he just randomly didn't like the look of it.

What type of condition was it in? Any damage to the bio page?

You're right, there was a little bit of damage on the outside cover. Some bit of paper had stuck to it (no other Imm officers minded, in several prior border crossings). I put off dealing with it until after the warning. When I did deal with it, the paper came off in 2 minutes with some spit and rubbing. The important pages (you call 'bio page'), just inside the cover, had no damage.

In sum: those 2 minutes (if done before the encounter with that one Thai Imm officer) could have saved me a lot of money and hassles.

[sceadugenga]

I was just at US consulate in C.Mai, and they say they no longer provide added pages to passport.

New passport: is $110, can be paid in baht. Takes about 4 days to process.

They almost didn't accept the photo I provided. Initially they said no. Then I insisted. They then said, "Ok, we'll send this photo with application, but if it's turned down by the main office (in the US?) you'll have to re-apply." I took the chance, and thankfully the passport was issued.

Added note: Thai imm at Mae Sai said I needed a new passport. The officer said he wouldn't let me return to Thailand next time, if I used the old passport. It so happens the old passport doesn't expire until 2021 and still had over 30 blank pages. I thought that was unfair, but you can't discuss such things with Thai Imm officers (unless you have a rich-looking Thai doing the talking for you), because they'll always stand their ground. So I dutifully went to C.Mai to get a new passport.

Surely there must be more to it than just saying you need a new passport.

Hard to believe he just randomly didn't like the look of it.

What type of condition was it in?

Any damage to the bio page?

A few years back I had a passport that Australian immigration hated, the barcode was apparently worn and they said it would not scan properly.

It was fine anywhere else but every time I flew into Australia I was nagged about getting a new passport, while my old one still had pages and years aplenty.

I did learn not to carry it in my back pocket.