Thailand Embassy hostile?

[lvriesling 11]

Below is a recent letter to the editor of a major Thailand daily newspaper... has anyone had a similar or a different experience?

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Applying-for-US-visa-was-not-pleasant-30174734.html

Home » Opinion » Applying for US visa was not pleasant

Applying for US visa was not pleasant

January 30, 2012 1:00 am

I'd like to share this experience with you.

I have been trying to get a tourist visa to the United States for my Thai spouse.

I thought it would be more or less the same procedure as for a Schengen visa, which we had applied for successfully three times already.

On Wednesday my wife had her interview. The American interviewer asked her why she'd married an old guy.

Before she could say a word, he himself answered, "Because of the money".

Then he asked her why she wanted to visit his country. She said, for a holiday with her husband and to visit her sister, who is married to an American guy and lives in Hawaii.

Then he said, "All young Thai ladies marry older men only for the money" and he denied her request for a visa.

Our experience with the embassy of the Netherlands in Bangkok could not have been more different. There they are polite, not discriminating, helpful, understanding and pleasant. And I could wait inside when my wife had the interview, instead of having to wait outside on Wireless Road in the US visa case.

I'd like to warn everybody living with a Thai spouse not to waste his time and money trying to get a tourist visa from the US embassy in Bangkok.

The American staff there look down on women. They should know that many, many Thai women lead happy lives married to foreigners.

Len Kneppers

Jomtien

[pinoygwapo 1]

I am so sorry to hear that. I had hoped your wife countered that, when, she was asked. I have read some interview experiences here at the US Embassy, which was similar to your wife's situation. She was asked "Is your husband too OLD for you?", she smartly responded (for me it was), "maybe, for you, but not for me, because he does many things that a lot of younger people do, such as sports, hiking and stuff" I was very impressed. His husband trained her wife to counter these kinds of questions prior to the interview. Perhaps, you should do it, too.

[lvriesling 11]

I am so sorry to hear that. I had hoped your wife countered that, when, she was asked. I have read some interview experiences here at the US Embassy, which was similar to your wife's situation. She was asked "Is your husband too OLD for you?", she smartly responded (for me it was), "maybe, for you, but not for me, because he does many things that ssa lot of younger people do, such as sports, hiking and stuff" I was very impressed. His husband trained her wife to counter these kinds of questions prior to the interview. Perhaps, you should do it, too.

It wasn't me - my wife got her CR-1 visa already, in September 2011 - I'm only quoting a letter to the editor that was recently printed in the Thai newspaper "The Nation" (the other major daily paper is the "Bangkok Post").

Edited February 4, 2012 by lvriesling

[pinoygwapo 1]

It wasn't me - my wife got her CR-1 visa already, November of last year - I'm only quoting a letter to the editor that was recently printed in the Thai newspaper "The Nation" (the other major daily paper is the "Bangkok Post").

whether it was or it wasn't your wife, I really felt sad about these kinds of news. They must treat applicants as people, with dignity. And I hope this would be brought to the US Embassy's attention!

[Boiler 43,850]

Until a few years ago I would have some sympathy. But being on this site you realise how many scammers are around, and seeing one after the other, day after day, must have a jading effect.

[Ning 619]

It wasn't me - my wife got her CR-1 visa already, in September 2011 - I'm only quoting a letter to the editor that was recently printed in the Thai newspaper "The Nation" (the other major daily paper is the "Bangkok Post").

I am married to a USC. I also applied 3 times for a tourist visa & was denied each time. At no time did the staff there ever say anything even close to what this artical says. The staff there were very professional. The last time I applied my husband asked what the problem was. They carefully explained that a person married to a USC would never be issued a tourist visa because of the strongest ties rule. Those ties are to the USC as soon as she enters the USA & for that reason any ties to Thailand become irrelevent.

We realised they were right & decided to change our plans to visit to obtaining immigrant visas for myself & our daugher. I am so happy they forced us to do this because we will soon become citizens & never have to deal with any of this again.

Keep in mind these stories are written by Thais who may be trying to inflame the gullible public. I dont believe this incident ever happened. If it were true it should explain that the USC could have done a better job at understanding the process. He would have found as we did there is little chance of getting a tourist visa.

The mayor of Thai Town near L A said there are 250 thouand Thais there. He estimates over 100 thousand are illegals many of whom came on tourist visas. People have to live with the history created by the actions of others.

[lvriesling 11]

Until a few years ago I would have some sympathy. But being on this site you realise how many scammers are around, and seeing one after the other, day after day, must have a jading effect.

Tourism creates jobs - American hotels, restaurants, etc. need those tourist dollars, especially in this bad economy. Unless there is a genuine threat somehow (no tourist visas for terorists, etc.), it's in the American interest to issue as many tourist visas as possible. US Embassy officials get paid to faithfully represent the interests of the United States.

[Boiler 43,850]

Tourism creates jobs - American hotels, restaurants, etc. need those tourist dollars, especially in this bad economy. Unless there is a genuine threat somehow (no tourist visas for terorists, etc.), it's in the American interest to issue as many tourist visas as possible. US Embassy officials get paid to faithfully represent the interests of the United States.

Read the reply above.

The issue is not tourists.

[lvriesling 11]

I am married to a USC. I also applied 3 times for a tourist visa & was denied each time. At no time did the staff there ever say anything even close to what this artical says. The staff there were very professional. The last time I applied my husband asked what the problem was. They carefully explained that a person married to a USC would never be issued a tourist visa because of the strongest ties rule. Those ties are to the USC as soon as she enters the USA & for that reason any ties to Thailand become irrelevent.

We realised they were right & decided to change our plans to visit to obtaining immigrant visas for myself & our daugher. I am so happy they forced us to do this because we will soon become citizens & never have to deal with any of this again.

Keep in mind these stories are written by Thais who may be trying to inflame the gullible public. I dont believe this incident ever happened.

As I read this, it seems to have been written by a citizen of The Netherlands who is married to a Thai woman. His Thai wife has a sister who lives in Hawaii and is married to a US citizen. They only wanted to visit her sister in Hawaii and enjoy a nice Hawaiian vacation. He easily obtained a tourist visa for his Thai wife when travelling back to The Netherlands, but was apparently treated quite differently when trying to get a tourist visa to USA. As the holder of a Dutch passport, he benefits from the Visa Waiver Program and so he does not need a visa - but his wife has a Thai passport, so she does have to get a visa in order to visit the United States.

[GandK 168]

Tourism creates jobs - American hotels, restaurants, etc. need those tourist dollars, especially in this bad economy. Unless there is a genuine threat somehow (no tourist visas for terorists, etc.), it's in the American interest to issue as many tourist visas as possible. US Embassy officials get paid to faithfully represent the interests of the United States.

That is correct but it only applies to legitimate tourists. You forgot the other side of the coin, illegal immigrants cost even more tax payer's money and jobs. They will not take that risk and issue visa easily unless they are convinced that the applicant does not impose an immigration threat. The USA does not and will not hand out as many tourist visa as possible as if they were tissue paper.

Edited February 4, 2012 by GandK

[lvriesling 11]

That is correct but it only applies to legitimate tourists. You forgot the other side of the coin, illegal immigrants cost even more tax payer's money and jobs. They will not take that risk and issue visa easily unless they are convinced that the applicant does not impose an immigration threat. The USA does not and will not hand out as many tourist visa as possible as if they were tissue paper.

Firstly, note that I said "unless there is a genuine threat somehow" - that would include an "immigration threat".

Secondly, how exactly does being on vacation and married to a citizen of The Netherlands make this Thai wife into "an immigration threat"?

Edited February 4, 2012 by lvriesling

[Ning 619]

As I read this, it seems to have been written by a citizen of The Netherlands who is married to a Thai woman. His Thai wife has a sister who lives in Hawaii and is married to a US citizen. They only wanted to visit her sister in Hawaii and enjoy a nice Hawaiian vacation. He easily obtained a tourist visa for his Thai wife when travelling back to The Netherlands, but was apparently treated quite differently when trying to get a tourist visa to USA. As the holder of a Dutch passport, he benefits from the Visa Waiver Program and so he does not need a visa - but his wife has a Thai passport, so she does have to get a visa in order to visit the United States.

I see your point but she remains a Thai citizen so has to prove beyond a doubt that she would return. We were told they believed our story but couldnt issue a tourist visa. They said it was a catch 22 which I had never heard of before that day. I know many Thais that would love to have a tourist visa & use it to gain entry only to never be seen again.

I can only say that in my five experiances with the U S embassy visa section I never had nor ever heard them speak to anyone in the way described. In fact when there was a huge problem with my case they went out of their way to help us including meeting us outside the building to bring me some documents. When they admitted they made a mistake in my interview date they allowed us to pick any day we wanted for the interview.

Any Thai that wants a tourist visa should study the strongest ties rule & do what they can to conform. If they dont or cant they will never get the visa.

[GandK 168]

Firstly, note that I said "unless there is a genuine threat somehow" - that would include an "immigration threat".

Secondly, how exactly does being on vacation and married to a citizen of The Netherlands make this Thai wife into "an immigration threat"?

First of all, It is up to the immigration officer to decide if an applicant poses an immigration threat. It is HIM who had access to the documents submitted for the tourist visa application. We are here making a lot of assumptions and we don't even know the entire circumstances and documents that were submitted.

Secondly, it is pretty silly to generalize a single incident, let alone one that is a reader's letter written to the nation. Just like you cannot generalize Old farang and young thai woman are married only because of money.

If you ask me I don't believe those were the exact words at the interview...

My sister who is a Thai citizen got her US tourist visa denied the first time because she just graduated from college, didn't have a job and could not show any strong ties.

Over a year after, she reapplied with letter of employment and property documents and she was given a tourist visa without any problem. As I recalled she said the staff were cold but professional at their work on both occasions.

The bottom line is there could be more to this story than what we know and as someone said above: People have to live with the history created by the actions of others.

In Thai we say "One dead fish makes the whole river stinks"

[Boiler 43,850]

In Thai we say "One dead fish makes the whole river stinks"

Love it.

[lvriesling 11]

The mayor of Thai Town near L A said there are 250 thouand Thais there. He estimates over 100 thousand are illegals many of whom came on tourist visas.

Can you provide a link to that quote?

According to this US Government source, the population of Thai Town is only 10,000, with another 40,000 Thais living elsewhere in Los Angeles County:

http://www.preserveamerica.gov/09-17-08PAcommunity-thaitownCA.html