US Embassy Bangkok

[StuB and BaiPai 0]

Hello Virginian (I'm a former from Annandale)

It would be great to be there on the 29th but we still do not have our Packet 4 (email or snail mail)....

A fellow Thailand VJ member Matt did post that he was able to go inside the Embassy and wait with his Fiance last month. He was not allowed up to the window for the interview but could sit close and listen to others. You may want to contact him if you have questions.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/user/103946-matt-an-bee/

Good Luck!

[Virginian61 1]

Thanks StuB. I'm hoping to go in just for moral support. I've read that the interview takes 10 minutes, but you may sit there waiting for 2-3-4 hours.

Fairfax- btw

[khaopat 0]

Got my wife's interview date today--October 12--so my completion date was 3 days after Virginian but my interview date is two weeks after. Oh well, now we know and it's nice having a date to plan towards.

[Virginian61 1]

Got my wife's interview date today--October 12--so my completion date was 3 days after Virginian but my interview date is two weeks after. Oh well, now we know and it's nice having a date to plan towards.

Looking at other threads some people are getting interviews in other countries in early September. Bangkok must be busy or short staffed.

But at least we have the date and can make medical, travel, family plans. We have to do that ceremony with the strings around the wrist - forget what it's called in Thai. Also I really wanted to get her to the US before winter. I'm concerned how she'll adapt to the cold and snow.

[ThaitoUSA 15]

We have to do that ceremony with the strings around the wrist - forget what it's called in Thai.

It's called the suu-khwan สู่ขวัญ ceremony. For those unfamiliar, prayers are recited by a special man who is referred to as a suu-khwan doctor. The term suu-khawn means to bind one's soul, as the strings that are placed on the wrists, first by the doctor and then by village elders, are done with blessings. Suu-khwan is often done at marriages, but may also be performed when a member of the household is traveling far away e.g. your wife leaving.

Generally it is best to leave the strings on for at least nine days, a month, or longer i.e. until they fall off. We had a suu-khawn ceremony on July 14th and are both still wearing the strings.

[Virginian61 1]

Still wearing the strings in Baltimore? I'm sure we'll do the same. I did when I left before.

Thanks for the explanation of suu kwan. My Thai isn't good enough to understand it all when my wife explained it.