The Role of Embassies for foreigners in Thailand

[@billytheweasel]

The US Embassy and Consulate seem to be full of very capable people who are limited by careful requirements which makes it seems like they wont, can't, or don't do much.

[@bradleys4783]

US Embassy has performed very well for me in the past. I was certainly treated with the upmost respect and provided valuable assistance. I cannot thank them enough for how well they treated me and guided me in the correct direction. Top notch folks who have a vey important job to do, and do it well IMO,

[@thomasjohnrobinson4658]

When I tried to contact the British Embassy they were not responsive at all,I emailed my MP in the UK who researched the answer to my question and she more amazed than I was about the Embassy being pretty useless.

[@bodazephyr6629]

The British had the nicest embassy in Bangkok until the UK's Foreign Office decided to sell it to balance their books. One useless current cohort and there goes a historic treasure that has been passed down through the generations......reminds me of a certain railway company ;-)

[@chrischiangmai]

What u talking about the Aussie embassy moved and sold its plot of land as the largest sale in the countries history

[@bodazephyr6629]

@@chrischiangmai I never said that the British embassy sale was the largest sale in the country's history. However.......after reading a couple of Bangkok Post articles it turns out that the sale of the British embassy WAS the largest sale in the country's history. The British embassy sold for 18.6 billion Baht in 2018 and the Australian embassy sold in 2017 for 4.6 billion Baht. While the Australian embassy sale might have been the largest in 2017, it went for nowhere near the amount that the British embassy was sold for.

[@johnclark7973]

Absolutely love this programs name! It's a great song! Ben is a good guy, knowledgeable and has a fantastic vocab. I won't be running towards any US Embassy, but I may be walking towards Ben's office one day. Lol

[@djtforever1414]

Watch Lethal Weapon 2 to see a documentary on how embassies/consulates work.

[@richardclaus4751]

I worked for US State for 31-years. I worked in Embassies in Europe, Far/Middle East, Africa and South America. I do not know of any cases where a civilian ran into a US Embassy and claimed sanction. I do know of a case where an employee did that, and there was a case in Vienna when a VIP Olympian escaped an Iron Curtain country and went to the Embassy but were told to come back in the morning (a boo boo for sure). The ACS office does visit prisoners, take them magazines, toiletries, and a list of lawyers.

[@johnclark7973]

Penthouse and TP, sweet!!

[@richardclaus4751]

@@johnclark7973 TP is always welcome I am sure as what is available in most prisons is either a bucket of water and your own left hand, or a scary version of sand paper. Reading material, like toiletries, were almost always from donations by US citizens working for the Embassy or expats. Toiletries were often the small items from hotels like shampoo, etc.

[@bearlemley]

This could be great Tesla to build a new factory in Thailand?

[@johnhowieson3144]

Uk embassy totally useless Failed to answer 3 emails and 1 recorded delivery letter. As i have dual passports contacted Irish embassy. Irish embassy responded 3 hrs later and answered my question. Well done Ireland

[@johnbell1810]

Tim, next time you have Ben, can you have him comment on the legality of the e-scooters, Beam that one can rent around Patong? I rented them for three days recently, but in end was stopped by a what seemed to be a policeman directing traffic. He told me that I could get fined up to 1000 baht because that scooter was illegal to drive on the streets. If one cannot drive them on the streets of Patong, the scooters are pretty much useless. Any advice?

[@LWPowers]

Well, we learned absolutely nothing useful in that interview except some movie plots. Next time, perhaps enumerate the specific benefits of the treaty of Amity, talk about the embassy and the relocation of the consulate (and it’s cost) and maybe talk about how many weeks it takes to get an appointment to pay for a ฿1,500 notary stamp on a ridiculous address of residence declaration.

[@runwader]

On my first trip to Bangkok I ran from sukhumvit Soi 15 to lumpini park and on my way there I passed the U.S. embassy on my right, after running around lumpini park I took the same route back to the hotel and again I passed the U.S. embassy on my right. WTH I did a quick uturn and ran up to the gate and asked if the embassy was on the other side of the road. Yeah it’s on both sides of the road.

[@bodazephyr6629]

I don't think it's true that Thailand and America have had the longest continuous alliance in Asia, as Thailand declared war on the United States in 1942.

[@masteryancodesan]

All couples fight

[@robheb1355]

They only did that on paper as they were being ran by the Japanese army, Japan made the rules in Thailand during the war.

[@somluck2813]

I went to the Australian Embassy last, about 5 years ago. I went to get a affidavit signed in relation to my income for a Thai visa extension. I was bemused by the Embassy officer. They said I could either have a letter in which they (the Embassy officer) 'certified' my income amount or I could do an affidavit. I thought, how could they 'certify' income amount? Were they going to do an audit of my world wide income? Were they going to access my tax records? Was the Australian Taxation Office going to provide her with my confidential tax information? How long would that take to do? Did she have a telephone number of a person in the Australian Tax Office that she could ring? Did she have computer access to the Australian Tax Office computer systems? So I asked her how did know what my income was. She said she would ask me. :-) She would then 'certify' that she was my income. I said I would go with affidavit. The reason being that I thought it was obviously more legitimate if I made the statement about my income and she merely witnessed me making the signature. When making an affidavit the person witnessing the signature does not read the affidavits. They simply witness the signature. This was something that the Embassy officer emphasised. So, no problem with Thai Immigration. A year or so later, the Australian Embassy said that they didn't issue either letters certifying income or income affidavits. Again, I was bemused. How could Embassy not provide affidavits in relation to income when they (the Embassy officer) did not read any affidavit. They solely witness person making the signature. I believe what actually happened was Thai Immigration worked out (and got sick and tied) of foreign embassies and farang lying to them. Thai Immigration change the means of substantiation to Thai bank accounts.

[@tomoconnell2858]

Ben is a good guy. Not sure about Tim’s choice of shirts.

[@guyh9992]

The Australian Channel Nine Embassy show about the consular section dealing with idiot tourists and expats was interesting. Lady I knew from work was on it and she became emotional at times after dealing with some of the sad stories particularly the groom who fell off a high rise balcony during his honeymoon.

[@nongwuaso9639]

Good show thank you

[@jurgschupbach3059]

I can talk about the role of thai consulate basel

[@cheechchong3869]

JAY SPLITS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@peterbergquist2239]

Thanks !

[@cleasberg3461]

born sweden can tell every one the embassi dont help any one born there but if you come from somalia ore is lady any one not born sweden stay sweden the help are there tim why have your friend there he only talk us crap but he pay for the time understand????

[@gunna2709]

If you ever have problems, go to the Somali embassy.

[@annetayag2837]

I thought the purpose of an ambassador in Thailand is to visit foreigners in jail,.that got their smoking a vape cigarette.

[@spicyroads]

I like that Tim is impressed by the red velvet display in an embassy

[@simonpaul830]

Again, this guy rambles on about everything and nothing. He never clears anything up and provides us, the viewers, with any kind of useful information that can help in any way at all. Absolutely effing useless guest

[@michaelregan166]

Just a plug for integrity legal

[@TheThaiger]

There is NO exchange of monies. Ben provides us with free info. The least we can do is thank him for his time.

[@bearlemley]

Which is good to know about

[@simonpaul830]

@@TheThaiger provides info? This guy never gives any useful info.

[@johnclark7973]

Ben gives the Thaiger material to broadcast, and Ben gets his name out there in return. That's how the world works.

[@SteveWilner]

Is that Quid Pro Quo? We should ask the lawyer or attorney but it's an American lawyer who is Thai but not a Thai lawyer and can we find out simply what it costs and does or hopefully it's a little better than billable hours but a man has to eat. I think I'll do a Howard Hefner joke if it's legit and say cats have no calories and I'll drop this there as finishing can be difficult for old guys I'm told....can we get more real or not? I love people that sell ice to Eskimos or sizzle not bacon.....

[@richardking4335]

Tim needs to stop looking at the camera. Otherwise, a great show.

[@bodazephyr6629]

I think it's good when Tim looks into the camera as then we can see his lovely, sparkling blue eyes.

[@dudewatchingyt]

So embassies can’t do jack S##$, got it

[@masteryancodesan]

They process paperwork saving you a trip to your home country.

[@johnclark7973]

Careful, you're gonna croak.

[@jnuechte]

Thumbnail on this is pretty funny. Instead of using a young handsome male, you should have a picture of the actual majority of expats living in Thailand. ie. Old, overweight male who moved to Thailand to find a 20 something female who is happy with his mediocre 50K/year retirement income. Bit of a better fit for all the expats I see here everyday...

[@runwader]

Change the 20 to 30 and that’ll be me in 10 years lol

[@dkexpat2755]

Maybe 30 years ago buddy, times changes. There are alot of nice expats in Thailand nowadays.

[@jnuechte]

@@dkexpat2755 There are plenty of nice expats, but the majority hasn’t changed, and is as I described.

[@runwader]

@@jnuechte are you Thai? Many of those old futts are contributing to the local economy which helps Thai businesses. Whereas most younger travelers have a lower budget and spend less.

[@shane0traveller451]

5555 amount of Money provided