Thailand Embassy Closure

[Audy_Rob 26]

All the staff at the police center were courteous & respectful last October.

And they still were when my fiancee was there on April 30th.

[thongd4me 69]

And they still were when my fiancee was there on April 30th.

Let's hope that doesn't change & that all VJr's now in Thailand can take care of business

safely & within a reasonable time.

I think about my family there every day.

Almost 40 years ago I was in Ethiopia for 2 years, beginning at the

time when they deposed Haile Selasse.

I never felt threatened there although there were significant events happening

every day as they went from a monarchy to "Ethiopian Socialism."

Thailand is a very different country and only the Thais can determine how this will all play out.

All we can do is wait & hope.

[thongd4me 69]

Let's hope that doesn't change & that all VJr's now in Thailand can take care of business

safely & within a reasonable time.

I think about my family there every day.

Almost 40 years ago I was in Ethiopia for 2 years, beginning at the

time when they deposed Haile Selasse.

I never felt threatened there although there were significant events happening

every day as they went from a monarchy to "Ethiopian Socialism."

Thailand is a very different country and only the Thais can determine how this will all play out.

All we can do is wait & hope.

In light of the gravity of recent events (burning of Central World mall)

this would be a time for the king to step forward and tell all parties to

back off and enforce the peace.

I'm not so sure that this will happen.

http://bangkok.usemb...denmessage.html

As of yesterday, emergency consular services were set up at:

WESTIN GRAND SUKHUMVIT, BANGKOK

259 SUKHUMVIT ROAD (corner of Soi 19)

That won't help many VJ folks however.

Edited May 19, 2010 by thongd4me

[rsn 135]

In light of the gravity of recent events (burning of Central World mall)

this would be a time for the king to step forward and tell all parties to

back off and enforce the peace.

I suspect that they only reason he hasn't is that he physically cannot.

[thongd4me 69]

I suspect that they only reason he hasn't is that he physically cannot.

I definitely agree.

My wife's view is that he has to be impartial and can't take sides.

In "The King Never Sleeps" there were several times when he stepped outside of that box,

but he is most famous for being the neutral peacemaker in past crises.

New statement by BKK embassy:

http://bangkok.usemb...t_thailand.html

Edited May 20, 2010 by thongd4me

[thongd4me 69]

http://www.thaivisa....an-t367441.html

[thongd4me 69]

http://www.thaivisa....an-t367441.html

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/051810_virtual_townhall.pdf

(transcript of virtual town hall meeting with US Ambassador John)

[kenny1 0]

Via Twitter, US Embassy BKK closed on May 24th. Security concerns and access issues.

[thongd4me 69]

Via Twitter, US Embassy BKK closed on May 24th. Security concerns and access issues.

As far as VJ is concerned, the embassy is closed, but they are open for consular services at this location:

Westin Grand (259 Sukhumvit Rd.)

Consular services

SERVICES:

• PASSPORTS – EMERGENCY and REGULAR
  
• CONSULAR REPORT OF BIRTH ABROAD (CRBA)*
  
• NOTARIALS (AFFIDAVITS, INCOME AFFIDAVITS, etc)
  
• PICK UP OF COMPLETED PASSPORTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS LISTED ABOVE
  
• DROP-OFF OF DOCUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF AN APPLICATION
  (may or may not be for visa services) - call to check

Edited May 21, 2010 by thongd4me