SAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

[AaronLV 12]

Well we are headed back in today at noon with our additional evidence.

When we went last Thursday, we had about 274 pages of calls from calling card, 48 pages of msn chats (although conversation was blanked, thinking they did not need to see the convo), 5 months of Mobile phone bills with thousands of texts, and phone calls, 50 pictures, with her family, and our trips we have taken together, and about 3 to 4 emails a month, but they were all reply emails from her, and he didn't read through them and see that they were all togther. He wanted more evidence of her contacting me, he told me it was to one sided.

So with that, I figured out a way to pull my SMS conversations off of my phone, late last night I realized my phone also logs all the missed calls, so I was able to pull a call log with over 300 missed calls from her over the past few months, to show she calls me and then I call back, we also printed just the emails from her. I also wrote a letter detailing how we communicate and by what means. He seemed really concerned there were not more emails, and being that my profession deals with computers there should have been more from her to me, however, she is not good on the computer, and hates to email, hence we only have a few, and the ones we do have she would just open an old email and reply to it, rather then typing a new one, so all of them have RE: in the subject line.

We also had a problem with her Mom's name on her Birth Certificate, but the problem was that her name was crossed out and re-written but you can't really see it, and they did not translate the part at the top that said it was a mistake by the official filling out the document. So we got an affidavit by her mom saying she has never changed her name, along with passport, thai ID, and her birth certificate, school certificate, and her sons death certificate to show she has always only gone by her name, never a change.

I do want to clarify a couple of things, the consular was not a bad guy, very nice a cordial. I think we should refrain from any name calling, it is really not helping anyone. He is doing his job, although it seems he is being a pain in the #### about it. His job is to weed out the liars, and if there are flags then he has to call them out. I just think he needs to take the time to be a bit more thorough in looking at the evidence, and maybe ask for some explanations rather then jumping straight to get more.

The questions he asked were:

How did we meet? Restaurant

Where was the restaurant? Sukumvit Soi 36

Which he replied, there is no restaurant on Soi 36. She replied it was the Vientianne

(There are quite a few restaurants on the Soi, just not right off Sukumvit, a bit down, I think he should have refrained from saying anything when he doesn't know)

Why is your address on the cards he sent you different from the address on your K1?

Then he went through her passport and asked about some of the trips she had made 2-3 years ago.

After that he started asking for the evidence from the girl standing behind him. Partly could have been my fault cause I did not really go over the packet of information with her prior to going in, I glossed over everything. I think I should have spent more time really explaining everything and putting some sticky's on it to make it easier to find stuff for them.

Oh well, hopefully today will go smooth and they will look at what we bring, and they will issue the Visa. I have had no sleep, and little food all weekend, I feel like my stress level is through the roof. So my advice is, prep as much as you can, and just wait to see what he asks for. Try not to get to worked up yet.

Will let everyone knows how it goes today.

-Aaron

[eric_f 0]

Did you get approved on your interview date? If not when will you find out? Sorry if I missed something as I read your post...

Negative!

~Eric

No, only one application was submitted. The 1-129F and G-325A's are submitted at the same time.

[Danno2 0]

Did you get approved on your interview date? If not when will you find out? Sorry if I missed something as I read your post...

Negative!

~Eric

No, only one application was submitted. The 1-129F and G-325A's are submitted at the same time.

Man I was reading this while on MSN with my girl. I about had a panic attack. Since we filed for the K1 I have been doing 90% of the calling because it cost me 1 cent a minute and if we talk all day there is really not much need for MSN or emails. I was like SOB!

My plan was to go back next month for 16 days. It would be our second visit and we would be spending time with mom / dad in the village before heading off to the coast for some fun. We of course would be taking lots of pictures along the way and then updating the proof of relationship packet with everything right about the time we get the NOA2. The relationship would be 1 year at that point (thin I know) but having everything else being cookie cutter i was thinking we would be fine. It looks like we will need a change of strategy on the emails & calls.

I'm sorry but I cant help but be a little pissed. It feels like we are having our method of communication dictated to us by the US government.

[mnbinth 2]

I can't believe they've become so tight on proof of a relationship. We showed pictures of our passports showing visa stamps traveling to Singapore together, the flight receipt to prove it, and a bunch of pictures together over the year prior to the interview. I hope all turns out well for you!

[Danno2 0]

I just went back and read the last 2 pages of the old thread. What a freaking time for me to take a few days off from it and also that thread getting closed down. I FEEL SO UPSET FOR YOU GUYS!

Chada told me she has all the call logs from her cell phone but she often used a card to call me and there is no log of the calls when she used the card. She also said if she uses her cell phone to get the logs its 8bt per minute. I know nothing about what calling cards are available. Can someone give me some advise on what card she can get that will have logs showing proof of her calls to me?

Its 11:30pm and after this I'm going to need a pill...

[Thai family 0]

This doesn't help with proof of relationship, but when filling out form on both ends, I assume any discrepancy of information is treated seriously, and then other aspects of the visa application are going to scrutinized. It is critical that the visa applicant understands clearly everything the petitioner has already sent and everything that is taken to the interview, and the order of importance. A successful interview hinges on everything that's already been submitted. The interview just confirms the previous paperwork. The kids case was different, as it was a K-3. They can be denied too, as it is not difficult to sign papers and register a marriage there. One thing that they did was to make it as simple and clear for the CO as possible. It might be helpful to have notarized affidavits from family on both sides that state what they know of your relationship and how they know it. They should be written in natural prose, as if telling a love story, rather than in legalese. He left the country three days after they were married and over 99% of their communication was by phone when they were apart, as her internet access was not very convenient. It may have also helped that the CO was aware of his presence when she interviewed.

This being said, there may be some discrimination going on, probably originating from how the case is being screened. I suspect the screener is as important to a successful interview as is the CO. The kids asked her questions, and went up to the window the second time after they spent some time looking through their file, and offered more documentation for consideration. Making the screener feel respected and important is probably a good idea.

Just in talking with my DIL, I can tell there is sometimes an "attitude" towards those from the northeast. Poise, confidence and apparent honesty probably contribute to a successful interview, too. There's nothing like quiet assertiveness with a smile. The kids are both quite good with people, so that couldn't have hurt.

Unfortunately, it sounds like things are changing in Bangkok. I wish you all well.

Thai Mom

[AaronLV 12]

We got to the embassy a little before 12:00 today, waited til 1pm to be let in. The same girl that was helping the consular the other day took my fiancee's new paperwork, thumbed through it, and then told her she would have to check with a consular to see if the affidavit that was notarized by the embassy of her mom testifying that her name was never changed (her bc, house registration, copy of thai id, and passport was attached), would be ok.

My attorney stayed with her as long as she could and then came out and we sat on the bus stop bench waiting til she came out. About 2:30, my attorney went back in to check on the status, and she still hadn't been called. So we waited a little more, then at 2:50, she walked out with no passport, a 3x5 card that said come back on Feb 5th to pick up your passport with VISA in it!!!

We were approved!!!

I must say this was a stressful weekend but all in all it worked out well. Just stay the course all will be well.

We are headed out to celebrate tonight

[eric_f 0]

congrats!

[ochef 0]

We got to the embassy a little before 12:00 today, waited til 1pm to be let in. The same girl that was helping the consular the other day took my fiancee's new paperwork, thumbed through it, and then told her she would have to check with a consular to see if the affidavit that was notarized by the embassy of her mom testifying that her name was never changed (her bc, house registration, copy of thai id, and passport was attached), would be ok.

My attorney stayed with her as long as she could and then came out and we sat on the bus stop bench waiting til she came out. About 2:30, my attorney went back in to check on the status, and she still hadn't been called. So we waited a little more, then at 2:50, she walked out with no passport, a 3x5 card that said come back on Feb 5th to pick up your passport with VISA in it!!!

We were approved!!!

I must say this was a stressful weekend but all in all it worked out well. Just stay the course all will be well.

We are headed out to celebrate tonight

Congrats!!!

[HYENA 4]

We got to the embassy a little before 12:00 today, waited til 1pm to be let in. The same girl that was helping the consular the other day took my fiancee's new paperwork, thumbed through it, and then told her she would have to check with a consular to see if the affidavit that was notarized by the embassy of her mom testifying that her name was never changed (her bc, house registration, copy of thai id, and passport was attached), would be ok.

My attorney stayed with her as long as she could and then came out and we sat on the bus stop bench waiting til she came out. About 2:30, my attorney went back in to check on the status, and she still hadn't been called. So we waited a little more, then at 2:50, she walked out with no passport, a 3x5 card that said come back on Feb 5th to pick up your passport with VISA in it!!!

We were approved!!!

I must say this was a stressful weekend but all in all it worked out well. Just stay the course all will be well.

We are headed out to celebrate tonight

That's awesome! Congratulations!!! Although I haven't gotten my NOA2 yet, tickets were 1060 to BKK and back from DC but I just booked mine for 1100 (last night they were 1300-1700) so I was hoping to get a lower tiered fare in case the trend was for prices to go up.

My friend will have to change his return if we're all going to return together...or not. Cross that bridge when i get to it.

I agree, name calling isn't helpful (but it sure was fun)...and also the mention of the treatment towards NW inhabitants (that's a sore spot with me but I won't get into the whole equality thing or the police will have to come by my house.

She deals with it far better than I but it hurts her deeply each time (usually daily) something is done to remind her of her "lower" status. Because of this also, I wouldn't consider marrying someone of the "higher" status jsut because I can't stand people who think they're better than anyone.

She's got some stomach virus/food poisoning thing right now so she didn't get to fire off an email today but my friend will be there Monday to keep her on top of the emails, etc.

I'm calling cthai to see if there's any possible way I can get a calling log from them. Since we're so far into it and I've got 9 months calling the same way, doesn't make sense to start something new only for tracking the last month of calls.

I next day-ed my color passport pics for my RFE so only waiting for them to stick it in the file and give me my darn NOA2 so my file can get moving again to BKK.

My fiancee is honest. Her first inkling was to make it all sound good (in Thai fashion) but I stressed the importance of 100% honesty then there would be absolutely nothing they could uncover.

Any anger/stress is always a reaction based upon fear (a little psychology for you). I'll keep my paws crossed and I'm praying my file gets NOA2 and gets sent off soon!

Thanks for all your help! Congrats again to those proceeding well and I hope the rest will get some closure and get moving again soon!

[bill13060 0]

We got to the embassy a little before 12:00 today, waited til 1pm to be let in. The same girl that was helping the consular the other day took my fiancee's new paperwork, thumbed through it, and then told her she would have to check with a consular to see if the affidavit that was notarized by the embassy of her mom testifying that her name was never changed (her bc, house registration, copy of thai id, and passport was attached), would be ok.

My attorney stayed with her as long as she could and then came out and we sat on the bus stop bench waiting til she came out. About 2:30, my attorney went back in to check on the status, and she still hadn't been called. So we waited a little more, then at 2:50, she walked out with no passport, a 3x5 card that said come back on Feb 5th to pick up your passport with VISA in it!!!

We were approved!!!

I must say this was a stressful weekend but all in all it worked out well. Just stay the course all will be well.

We are headed out to celebrate tonight

Good for you, I'm happy everything turned out ok for you. Thats great.

Edited February 2, 2009 by will92104

[Kang Lang 7]

congrats aaronlv!

[Thai family 0]

Did you get approved on your interview date? If not when will you find out? Sorry if I missed something as I read your post...

Negative!

~Eric

So you did two separate applications at the same time? I'll have to look up the numbers and see what they mean. I don't think I saw the entire what happened (I need to go back). So you did a fiancee and another one ...is that what made him suspicious? Trying to be unbiased, where do yo think he was coming from thinking it was a sham?

I think the best way is to get inside the head of Mr. Adipose (so to speak) and think like he is and see where he's coming from in order to do the right things. I'm not worried about the questions; she knows me better than I know myself. It's jsut the evidence...how to turn a grand of phone calls into papers and how to make the whole case two way. She's writing me emails now and I'm saving chat llogs. We do have sms's. Isn't there anyone else or are we stuck with window #5 dude same guy for everyone?

I'll let you know what the liars office says, as well. They've been in business long enough to be able to know what is needed.

Oh there was a question about the thai lady helping Mr. Adipose Alopecia. It sounds like she was holding the file while Mr. Pendulous Abdomen was firing the questions and asking her to retrieve things from the file (didn't sound like she was a translator but I don't think any of us have a language problem that I've heard of...can't imagine not being able to communicate and getting married)....so sounds like the lady was too lazy to open the file and would rather say "not have" than looking for it....

I'm still worried as hell here....doing all I can since I've got 5 weeks of emails to go then we'll have pics once I get there.

It's a bad idea to bad mouth everyone involved in this process, from the police to the CO. What goes around comes around. You don't know who knows who.

Thai Mom

[Thai family 0]

We got to the embassy a little before 12:00 today, waited til 1pm to be let in. The same girl that was helping the consular the other day took my fiancee's new paperwork, thumbed through it, and then told her she would have to check with a consular to see if the affidavit that was notarized by the embassy of her mom testifying that her name was never changed (her bc, house registration, copy of thai id, and passport was attached), would be ok.

My attorney stayed with her as long as she could and then came out and we sat on the bus stop bench waiting til she came out. About 2:30, my attorney went back in to check on the status, and she still hadn't been called. So we waited a little more, then at 2:50, she walked out with no passport, a 3x5 card that said come back on Feb 5th to pick up your passport with VISA in it!!!

We were approved!!!

I must say this was a stressful weekend but all in all it worked out well. Just stay the course all will be well.

We are headed out to celebrate tonight

That's great news Aaron! I am happy that it turned out well for you two.

Thai Mom

[Bonobo 0]

Hi everyone. I just got my NOA1 for my fiance visa request. She is from Thailand.

It seems as if everybody on this board universally has trouble at the interview process. Is this true? Are I-129F's from Thailand more difficult than others?? What is the big problem at the interview stage? I feel pretty disheartened after reading the experiences you have all had. Has anybody got any advice?

We speak every day either through MSN messenger (when my internet works) or I call her. We've been dating since 2005, so would it even help for her to start calling me/ addressing emails to me?

I appreciate any advice or info anybody can give me to help us out in this process.

Thanks.