ACS Outreach

[parrot]

Udon's on the schedule for 21 July. Khonkaen on the schedule for 10 March
https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-se ... -outreach/

[bumper]

Unless Thai immigration has changed and I doubt that, if you are a person who to renew between Jan and May. This might be a real problem as they have not agreed to accept something from the last calender year.

What that breaks down to us here is you have to go somewhere else to get e income certificate.

Anyone know where the meeting is held in Khan Kean?

[bumper]

Contacted the Embassy, no change in the schedule I renew in May so I will go to Khan Kean. It will be at the Pullman Hotel from 1800 to 100 Hrs. The fee for the income letter is 1,800 Baht •Made out to “American Embassy Bangkok”

I think this is the correct one ???????????????????????????????????????????

The Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid is located in the city centre, a 10 minute drive ... The hotel has six restaurants, four bars, multi-purspose meeting rooms, ... 9-9 Prachasumran Road; Nai Muang, Muang; 40000 KHON KAEN; THAILAND.

[parrot]

Unless Thai immigration has changed and I doubt that, if you are a person who to renew between Jan and May. This might be a real problem as they have not agreed to accept something from the last calender year.

What that breaks down to us here is you have to go somewhere else to get e income certificate.

Anyone know where the meeting is held in Khan Kean?

The 10 March visit is at the Pullman Hotel in Khonkaen.
To the best of my knowledge, Udon immigration accepts letters from the embassy issued within 6 months. There's lots of chatter about immigration offices elsewhere doing otherwise.....but I think it's just chatter as pertains to Udon.

[bumper]

Another possibility may be Chaing Mai Consulate. I called you can only get a recording. However they say they will notary service. They are open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, by appointment, You can sit up a appointment at their WEB site.

Nothing was said that you had to be from the North. Personally I would rather do that then go to Bangkok. I have something scheduled and paid for on the 10TH . Buri Ram SBK races.

I still can't wrap my head around why they only scheduled on in Udon this year. But, it it is what it is

[Lone Star]

Another possibility may be Chaing Mai Consulate. I called you can only get a recording. However they say they will notary service. They are open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, by appointment, You can sit up a appointment at their WEB site.

Nothing was said that you had to be from the North. Personally I would rather do that then go to Bangkok. I have something scheduled and paid for on the 10TH . Buri Ram SBK races.

I still can't wrap my head around why they only scheduled on in Udon this year. But, it it is what it is

I've been to the ChM Consulate before. Quick and easy.

ChM is better than BKK for everything -- including spouse visas to the US. I was there for a total of one hour that time. It's also a nicer ride and less traffic.

I don't know how many the cancelled May Visit to Udon Thani will affect, but the staff might be in KK longer than 11am if it affected many. Might be doubling up two pretty large areas of US Expats.

[bumper]

I sit my appointment up for May 20th, one month before I have to renew.

I also have sent an e-mail to the Bangkok Embassy ( acsbkk@state.gov ) For me it's really not that big of a deal. However for some older people it's all the van do to get it done here in Udon, much less traveling out of town.

I will ask them to reconsider and schedule two meeting again. Never hurts to ask and I have been told no before I lived through it

[Lone Star]

I sit my appointment up for May 20th, one month before I have to renew.

I also have sent an e-mail to the Bangkok Embassy ( acsbkk@state.gov ) For me it's really not that big of a deal. However for some older people it's all the van do to get it done here in Udon, much less traveling out of town.

I will ask them to reconsider and schedule two meeting again. Never hurts to ask and I have been told no before I lived through it

It never hurts to ask. =D>

[bumper]

Well I asked their response follows.

Bangkok ACS <acsbkk@state.gov>
To Ray Fisher
Mar 1 at 2:46 PM

Thank you for your suggestions, Mr. Fisher.



We understand that this is adding a new constraint to some individuals however we needed to change our outreach policy in order to facilitate other commitments our office has.



All the best,

ENW



American Citizen Services │U.S. Embassy Bangkok │ 95 Wireless Road │Bangkok, Thailand 10330

Phone: 02-205-4049 (inside Thailand); +66-2-205-4049 (outside Thailand)

Fax: 02-205-4103 (inside Thailand); +66-2-205-4103 (outside Thailand)

Email: ACSBKK@state.gov │Website: http://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services │Twitter: @acsbkk

Enroll with us to receive emergency messages and information for U.S. Citizens: http://step.state.gov





This email is UNCLASSIFIED.

[parrot]

To the best of my knowledge, the American Embassy is the only embassy that provides an outreach service. I'd hate to see it stopped......but with all the talk about budget cuts in the State Department, I'm not going to hold my breath.
Two options if ACS were to stop their outreach service: 800k in the bank or an annual one-day trip to Bangkok to obtain the letter. In the meantime, count your blessings.

[bumper]

I will stick Chaing Mai. No mention of budget cuts in their response. Maybe that is the reason I don't know. Does bring up an interesting thought. it would seem to me with fees generated at thew out reach activities it would seem cost effective.

Of Course if they don't pay for one trip a year I suppose they will make few more baht. But, it won't be much.

I have opted to go to Chaing Mai. Simply because I like it better then Bangkok

I wonder if they will accept cash, instead of a bank draft?.

[parrot]

I will stick Chaing Mai. No mention of budget cuts in their response. Maybe that is the reason I don't know. Does bring up an interesting thought. it would seem to me with fees generated at thew out reach activities it would seem cost effective.

Of Course if they don't pay for one trip a year I suppose they will make few more baht. But, it won't be much.

I have opted to go to Chaing Mai. Simply because I like it better then Bangkok

I wonder if they will accept cash, instead of a bank draft?.

NO CASH on ACS outreach visits.

[bumper]

I understand that Chaing Mai is a consulate not an out reach. I will call Bangkok since no one answers the phone in Chaing Mai

[bumper]

Bangkok says Chaing Mai accept's cash.

[Lone Star]

Bangkok says Chaing Mai accept's cash.

Great news! Thanjs for the info!

I may start going to ChM just for the nice trip and stay a few days.

[bumper]

We will at least stay over night, fly down. BK for a Milk Shake and if I can remember the name of the Mexican restaurant, that is some good food that you can't around here. So might as well have some fun while I'm there. Might even be a theater that shows English movies.

[Gar]

I'm in Pattaya now, and visited the outreach this morning. They announced that they will now accept passport renewal applications via mail. That would have saved me a trip down here but I'd have missed out on the restaurant visits. 555

[Lone Star]

We will at least stay over night, fly down. BK for a Milk Shake and if I can remember the name of the Mexican restaurant, that is some good food that you can't around here. So might as well have some fun while I'm there. Might even be a theater that shows English movies.

Loco Elvis is the Mexican restaurant I always frequent. On a corner across the street from the moat.

https://www.google.co.th/maps/place/Loc ... d98.993315

You might also want to try The River Market Restaurant. Great place. Also go there all the time. Great, peaceful view of the Ping River.

https://www.google.co.th/maps/place/The ... 99.0037344

[mak]

Renewal of passport by mail.

You may renew your passport by mail and/or change the name on your passport if all the following are true about you most recent U. S. Passport:
•Is undamaged and can be submitted with your application
•Was issued when you were age 16 or older
•Was issued within the last 15 years
•Was issued in your current name or you would like to change your name due to marriage

If all the above statements are true, please follow these instructions:
1.Documents to submit: •Your most recent passport and one photocopy of the passport personal data page
•One passport photograph, 2in x 2in (5cm x 5cm) set against a white background, taken in the last six months. No eyeglasses allowed in passport photos.
For specific photo instructions, please refer to the website: http://travel.state.gov/content/passpor ... mples.html
NOTE: Photos that do not meet these requirements will be rejected.
•Completed and signed Form DS-82. -The form must be completed electronically and printed. A form completed by hand could delay processing times. Make sure to provide a valid e-mail address and local contact number on the application form. https://travel.state.gov/content/passpo ... forms.html

•If your name has changed via marriage, please provide your original marriage certificate.*‡
•Printed checklist (PDF 239KB) including full return address.

2.Method of payment: •The non-refundable application fee for an adult passport book renewal is $110 (+$30 if applying for a passport card as well) which must be made in the form of a BANK DRAFT in THB. **All Bank Drafts must be: •Purchased from Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank, or Siam Commercial Bank(SCB). •You do not need an account at the bank to purchase a bank draft.
•Kasikorn Bankcalls a “bank draft” a “Bill of Exchange.”

•Made out to “American Embassy Bangkok”
•In the exact amount of Thai Baht (THB) for your total services (i.e., both passport book and card if you are opening that)
•Must have been issued within the last six months.
•At the official embassy exchange rate posted on our website.
•You can show this to the bank:
ลูกค้าท่านนี้ต้องการซื้อแบงค์ดร๊าฟ(สกุลเงินบาทเท่านั้น)
ตามจำนวนเงินที่ระบุด้านหลังสั่งจ่ายถึง
“American Embassy Bangkok”
รบกวนช่วยอำนวยความสะดวกให้ด้วยค่ะ

•Delivery Service: You must purchase and submit a separate 100 THB bank draft to pay for a return envelope. Do not include the cost of the envelope in your total bank draft for services.

Cashiers’ checks, personal checks, cash, credit or any other form of payment will not be accepted. DO NOT INCLUDE CASH WITH YOUR MAIL-IN APPLICATION.

3.Send your documents to the Embassy. There is no need to book an appointment for this type of application. Address all shipments to:

Passport-by-Mail Service
ACS/Consular Section,
U.S. Embassy,
95 Wireless Road,
Bangkok 10330, Thailand
•Sending services: You may send your application to the Embassy through Thai post (EMS or Register Service) or other courier services such as FedEx, DHL, or UPS. We suggest you choose a service that will provide you with a tracking number.
4.We will notify you by email when the new U.S. passport will be returned to you approximately three weeks after your application is received. •Using the separate 100THB Bank Draft to purchase a Pass Back envelope, the American Embassy will write the address you list on your checklist.
•The Embassy will then send you the expired U.S. passport (cancelled by the Embassy), the new U.S. passport, a letter to Thai Immigration to facilitate the transfer of your visa stamps, and if applicable, your original marriage certificate.


Note: Social Security number (SSN) is required for all passport applications. If you do not have a Social Security number, you must submit a signed and dated “Declaration of No Social Security Number.” (PDF 81KB) This document does not need to be notarized.

*If you have changed your name by any other means you are required to apply for the passport in person. Please book an appointment, please see ACS Appointment System.

**If you have marked for BOTH services (Passport Book and Card) on application, but Bank draft has issued for only one service. The other service will be automatically not issued. Please note the passport card will take one month longer to process. If you would like them returned to you separately please send a 200THB bank draft for the purchase of two return envelopes.

If you have urgent travel in less than two weeks, please visit our website and read about “Emergency Passports.”

[Stantheman]

A quick note about the passport return time, do not rely on the about 3 week time frame as here in U.S. daughter was told up to 5 weeks as they expect a large amount of renewal requests this year and next year. This is due to 10 year anniversary of U.S. requirement to have passport/passport card to travel to Mexico and Canada.