ACS Outreach

[macca46]

Looking from the front of the hotel you have the entrance to the hotel underground car park then a side soi then a fairly large car park on the right parked there quite a few times even ok at night.

[LoneTraveler]

Thank you. I was thinking of parking in the open lot but I always worry about getting blocked in as drivers do not seem to care about blocking cars or trucks, which has happened to me at Big C and the airport. Albeit, they do leave the vehicles in neutral and expect an old man like me just to push them out of the way.

[mak]

Outreach in KK on August 19.

[parrot]

Another tip-of-the-hat to the ACS folks who come to visit the area a few times a year.....thus saving at least a hundred people a trip to Bangkok each time they visit. I went to Khonkaen today......got there at 10:30, #96 on the list of people who visited. I was done in 30 minutes.
ไก่ย่างวรรณา (gai yang Wan Na in KaoSuanKwang) a must stop on the way in to Khonkaen for chicken, pork lahb, and somtom......then another must stop on the way home to pick up several bags of vacuum packed grilled chicken. Pop them into the oven for 15 minutes and they taste as if they just came off the grill.

A reminder...as posted already: The American Embassy will NO LONGER ACCEPT CASH at outreach events beginning October 2016. Customers must purchase a bank draft from either Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank, or SCB, made out to American Embassy Bangkok, in the exact amount of Thai baht for total services.

I've a feeling there will be some screaming and gnashing of teeth but people who aren't aware come Oct 1st!

[FrazeeDK]

gee, do ya think some of the ACS staff got caught with their hand in the till or is this a Washington DC order from on high to move away from cash transactions??

[parrot]

gee, do ya think some of the ACS staff got caught with their hand in the till or is this a Washington DC order from on high to move away from cash transactions??

According to their little flyer, "The changes are due to security and policy regulations from the United States Department of State"

[mak]

Next Outreach in Udon: Friday November 4.
Reminder: starting Nov. 1 passport photos must be without glasses.
The reason for no cash is security. The State Department does not want their employees travelling with large amounts of cash. It makes them prime targets for a robbery.

[parrot]

Next ACS visit is on 4 Nov. If you're going to use their services, be sure to read through the payment procedures.......no cash!!

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok is pleased to provide services in Udon Thani on Friday, November 4, 2016 from 8:00 AM – NOON at the:

Centara Hotel & Convention Centre Udon Thani
Address: 277/1 Prajaksillapakhom Road,
Amphur Muang, Udon Thani 41000, Thailand
Phone: +66 (0) 4234 3555
Fax: +66 (0) 4234 3550
E-mail: cud@chr.co.th

Services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis; no appointment is necessary.

BANK DRAFT POLICY

REMINDER The U.S. embassy will NO LONGER ACCEPT CASH (U.S. Dollars and Thai Baht) at Outreach Events for American Citizen Services. This is a worldwide policy, and no exceptions can be considered.

All future payments at U.S. Embassy Outreach Events must be made in the form of a BANK DRAFT
· Bank Draft can be purchased from Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank or Siam Commercial Bank (SCB).
o You do not need an account at the bank to purchase a bank draft.
o Kasikorn Bank calls a “bank draft” a “Bill of Exchange.”
· Purchased in advance.
· Made out to the “American Embassy Bangkok.”
· In the exact amount of Thai Baht (THB) for your total service.
· At the official embassy exchange rate at the time of the outreach.
o Fees and exchange rates are listed below and posted on our website.
· Submitted at the time of service.

Delivery Service: Thai Post can mail back passports for applicants. If you require this service, you must purchase and submit a separate100 THB bank draft made out to “American Embassy Bangkok.” Do not include the cost of the envelope in your total bank draft for services.

Please note: cashiers’ checks, personal checks, cash, credit or any other form of payment will not be accepted.

SERVICES OFFERED AND OFFICIAL EXCHANGE RATES ON NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Renewal of adult passports ----- (3,850 THB)
Renewal of minor (under age 16) passports ----- (3,675 THB)
IMPORTANT: The child and both parents must appear in person.
Replacement of adult lost/stolen passports or first adult passport (over age 16) ----- (4,725 THB)
Replacement of minor (under age 16) lost/stolen passports ----- (3,675 THB)
IMPORTANT: The child and both parents must appear in person.
Adult passport card ----- (1,050 THB)
Minor passport card ----- (525 THB)
IMPORTANT: The child and both parents must appear in person.
Notary-including Income Affidavits (price per notary stamp) ----- (1,750 THB)

Above fees are based on an exchange rate of 35 THB to 1 USD


RETURN OF PASSPORT

There are two ways to receive your new passport:
1.) IN PERSON: Come to our office in Bangkok (or send a representative with a signed letter to pick up your passport on your behalf) during our appointment hours (M-F from 7:30-11 AM, except holidays and the last Friday of every month), but no appointment is necessary. Present your old passport for cancellation and collect your new passport. If you select this option, please submit a copy of your current passport when you apply.

2.) BY MAIL: Purchase a prepaid Thai Post envelope at the outreach for 100 THB (SEPARATE BANK DRAFT IS REQUIRED). Do not include the cost of the envelope in your total bank draft for services.

If you select this option, our staff will RETAIN your current passport in Bangkok, cancel it when the new passport arrives, and mail both passports to you at the same time.

NEARBY PARTICIPATING BANKS*

Bangkok Bank
154 Prachak Rd, Markkaeng,
Muang, Udon Thani 41000
Tel: 042-221-505 or 042-221-556

Bangkok Bank
227 Pho Sri Rd, Markkaeng,
Muang, Udon Thani 41000
Tel: 042-221-777 or 042-221-222

Siam Commercial Bank (SCB)
184 Prachak Rd, Markkaeng,
Muang, Udon Thani 41000
Tel: 042-247-720 or 042-247-725

*You may use any branch of the three participating banks. The above branches are suggested since they are near the venue.
SPECIAL NOTES

SOCIAL SECURITY, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND OTHER FEDERAL BENEFITS QUESTIONS WILL ONLY BE ANSWERED OVER EMAIL acsbkk@state.gov. CONSULAR REPORTS OF BIRTH ABROAD CANNOT BE PROCESSED AT CONSULAR OUTREACH EVENTS.

Please see: https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/for more information.
Send questions about total costs to acsbkk@state.gov or call 02-205-4049.
Follow us on Twitter by searching our username @ACSBKK

[Lone Star]

Next ACS visit is on 4 Nov. If you're going to use their services, be sure to read through the payment procedures.......no cash!!

...

BANK DRAFT POLICY

REMINDER The U.S. embassy will NO LONGER ACCEPT CASH (U.S. Dollars and Thai Baht) at Outreach Events for American Citizen Services. This is a worldwide policy, and no exceptions can be considered.

All future payments at U.S. Embassy Outreach Events must be made in the form of a BANK DRAFT
· Bank Draft can be purchased from Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank or Siam Commercial Bank (SCB).
o You do not need an account at the bank to purchase a bank draft.
o Kasikorn Bank calls a “bank draft” a “Bill of Exchange.”
· Purchased in advance.
· Made out to the “American Embassy Bangkok.”
· In the exact amount of Thai Baht (THB) for your total service.
· At the official embassy exchange rate at the time of the outreach.
o Fees and exchange rates are listed below and posted on our website.
· Submitted at the time of service.

...

SERVICES OFFERED AND OFFICIAL EXCHANGE RATES ON NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Renewal of adult passports ----- (3,850 THB)
Renewal of minor (under age 16) passports ----- (3,675 THB)
IMPORTANT: The child and both parents must appear in person.
Replacement of adult lost/stolen passports or first adult passport (over age 16) ----- (4,725 THB)
Replacement of minor (under age 16) lost/stolen passports ----- (3,675 THB)
IMPORTANT: The child and both parents must appear in person.
Adult passport card ----- (1,050 THB)
Minor passport card ----- (525 THB)
IMPORTANT: The child and both parents must appear in person.
Notary-including Income Affidavits (price per notary stamp) ----- (1,750 THB)

Above fees are based on an exchange rate of 35 THB to 1 USD


...

I'm wondering how this is going to work if the exchange rate changes (as it does almost daily) and an expat is sitting there with a bank draft that is a few baht short due to the change. Cash can't make up the difference, so ... I guess it'll be a trip back to the bank for another draft.

[bamakmak]

Next ACS visit is on 4 Nov. If you're going to use their services, be sure to read through the payment procedures.......no cash!!

...

BANK DRAFT POLICY

REMINDER The U.S. embassy will NO LONGER ACCEPT CASH (U.S. Dollars and Thai Baht) at Outreach Events for American Citizen Services. This is a worldwide policy, and no exceptions can be considered.

All future payments at U.S. Embassy Outreach Events must be made in the form of a BANK DRAFT
· Bank Draft can be purchased from Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank or Siam Commercial Bank (SCB).
o You do not need an account at the bank to purchase a bank draft.
o Kasikorn Bank calls a “bank draft” a “Bill of Exchange.”
· Purchased in advance.
· Made out to the “American Embassy Bangkok.”
· In the exact amount of Thai Baht (THB) for your total service.
· At the official embassy exchange rate at the time of the outreach.
o Fees and exchange rates are listed below and posted on our website.
· Submitted at the time of service.

...

SERVICES OFFERED AND OFFICIAL EXCHANGE RATES ON NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Renewal of adult passports ----- (3,850 THB)
Renewal of minor (under age 16) passports ----- (3,675 THB)
IMPORTANT: The child and both parents must appear in person.
Replacement of adult lost/stolen passports or first adult passport (over age 16) ----- (4,725 THB)
Replacement of minor (under age 16) lost/stolen passports ----- (3,675 THB)
IMPORTANT: The child and both parents must appear in person.
Adult passport card ----- (1,050 THB)
Minor passport card ----- (525 THB)
IMPORTANT: The child and both parents must appear in person.
Notary-including Income Affidavits (price per notary stamp) ----- (1,750 THB)

Above fees are based on an exchange rate of 35 THB to 1 USD


...

I'm wondering how this is going to work if the exchange rate changes (as it does almost daily) and an expat is sitting there with a bank draft that is a few baht short due to the change. Cash can't make up the difference, so ... I guess it'll be a trip back to the bank for another draft.

The official exchange rate used by the American embassy is currently set at 35:1. This is the exchange rate they have been using since early August and I have just confirmed with ACS that it will not be adjusted prior to the Udon Outreach held on 4 November.

[mak]

The given prices are what you go by. i.e. 1750 baht for an income letter.
Sample bank drafts:

Bank Draft Bangkok Bank 2.jpg (37.23 KiB) Viewed 3286 times

Note: Kasikorn Bank calls "bank draft" "Bill of Exchange".

[mak]

ACS hours are 0800-1200. You have the option of going early, get a firm price, proceed to the bank in the Mall to get the bank draft and return to pay. If you are in the door before 1200 you will be served.

[mak]

To answer a question a few of you have had, yes, someone can obtain a bank draft on behalf of someone else.

[mak]

Please find the attached example of a “Bill of Exchange” from Kasikorn Bank.

[mak]

SERVICES OFFERED AND OFFICIAL EXCHANGE RATES on November 4, 2016

Renewal of adult passports 3,850 THB

Renewal of minor (under age 16) passports 3,675 THB

IMPORTANT: The child and both parents must appear in person.

Replacement of adult lost/stolen passports 4,725 THB

Replacement of minor (under age 16) lost/stolen passports 3,675 THB

IMPORTANT: The child and both parents must appear in person.

Adult passport card 1,050 THB

Minor passport card 525 THB

IMPORTANT: The child and both parents must appear in person.

Notary (per notary stamp) 1,750 THB

https://th.usembassy.gov/consular-outre ... ni-110416/

[mak]

Today is the day.

[mak]

Another successful Outreach. Thank you ACS. There were a few wardens there to help, Bill, Burt, Al, Gus. Also the Ubon American Legion were present. About 100 people served. A few glitches with the Bank Drafts and the separate draft for the mailing option. Please register with the US Embassy Bangkok as they keep us up to date through emails.

[mak]

Just a reminder:

All payments at U.S. Embassy Outreach Events must be made in the form of a BANK DRAFT.
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 Bank calls a “bank draft” a “Bill of Exchange.”

•Purchased in advance.
•Made out to “American Embassy Bangkok”
•In the exact amount of Thai Baht (THB) for your total service.
•At the official embassy exchange rate at the time of the outreach

•In the exact amount of Thai Baht (THB) for your total service.
Delivery Service: Thai Post can mail back passports for applicants. If you require this service, you must purchase and submit a separate 100 THB bank draft. Do not include the cost of the envelope in your total bank draft for services
•3,960 THB – Renewal of adult passports
•3,780 THB – Renewal of minor (under age 16) passports
•4,860 THB – Replacement of adult lost/stolen passports
•3,780 THB – Replacement of minor (under age 16) lost/stolen passports
•1,080 THB – Adult passport card
•540 THB – Minor passport card
•1,800 THB (per notary stamp) – Notary– including income affidavits

Above fees are based on an exchange rate of 36 THB to 1 USD

[Mosquito]

Got my 1.8k baht bank draft from SCB (Robinson Mall), required my passport, local and stateside address, local phone # w/ signing the paperwork required (4-5 signatures).

[Gar]

Haven't seen Udon on the schedule yet. Making the sacrifice to go down to the March 03 visit in Pattaya. Hope Udon gets back on the schedule.