SAWASDEE 2

[raptorea1 0]

Is getting interviews so soon at the BKK consulate a recent trend? I was banking on it being minimum 10 weeks from embassy receipt of Packet 3.

Yes it's much faster now... you'll be in the first half of December for sure. But the visa is valid for travel for quite a while; you don't have to fly immediately.

My paperwork went today. Do you think I will get in by mid December? I hope so. I heard it is only taking about two weeks to get appt.??

Thanks

Good luck all

[marryme 0]

Good luck to Every one on your process. Its nice to know that the interview is being process faster now.

[toma1 10]

That was the price on Kuwait Airlines after taxes.

Passengers Price Tax, fees + charges Full Price

1 Adult THB 20,790 THB 1,620 THB 22,410

I really dislike Kuwait Airlines. I used to fly them from MNL to BKK. Wasn't impressed with the condition of the aircraft at all... but it was my only option.

So how do you usually fly from TB to BKK, Tom? I've never had to fly to Asia from the East coast, since I moved here from Hawaii, and before that, lived in the Marshall Islands.

I am not looking forward to the loooooooong flights to get there...

I always fly from Hong Kong when I am working there. TPA-EWR-HKG-BKK my employer pays to get me to HKG and I fly Emirates to BKK.

Anna is just flying over on her own. There is not much point in me spending $1300 to fly over just to pick her up. I might fly her to JFK meet her there... we could spend a few nights in Manhattan before coming back to Florida. I hope it snows... LOL...

Is getting interviews so soon at the BKK consulate a recent trend? I was banking on it being minimum 10 weeks from embassy receipt of Packet 3.

Yes it's much faster now... you'll be in the first half of December for sure. But the visa is valid for travel for quite a while; you don't have to fly immediately.

My paperwork went today. Do you think I will get in by mid December? I hope so. I heard it is only taking about two weeks to get appt.??

Thanks

Good luck all

Yep, about 2-2.5 weeks it seems.

[mnbinth 2]

While everyone is on the topic of saving money on travel, I thought I'd share this tip. A new hotel website is offering $30 off your next hotel stay and it's good internationally. My wife both signed up and used it today. Just FYI. Link to instructions below.

http://savingingreenville.com/2008/11/13/3...t-hotelclubnet/

[birch- phuk_beer 0]

That was the price on Kuwait Airlines after taxes.

Passengers Price Tax, fees + charges Full Price

1 Adult THB 20,790 THB 1,620 THB 22,410

I really dislike Kuwait Airlines. I used to fly them from MNL to BKK. Wasn't impressed with the condition of the aircraft at all... but it was my only option.

So how do you usually fly from TB to BKK, Tom? I've never had to fly to Asia from the East coast, since I moved here from Hawaii, and before that, lived in the Marshall Islands.

I am not looking forward to the loooooooong flights to get there...

I always fly from Hong Kong when I am working there. TPA-EWR-HKG-BKK my employer pays to get me to HKG and I fly Emirates to BKK.

Anna is just flying over on her own. There is not much point in me spending $1300 to fly over just to pick her up. I might fly her to JFK meet her there... we could spend a few nights in Manhattan before coming back to Florida. I hope it snows... LOL...

Is getting interviews so soon at the BKK consulate a recent trend? I was banking on it being minimum 10 weeks from embassy receipt of Packet 3.

Yes it's much faster now... you'll be in the first half of December for sure. But the visa is valid for travel for quite a while; you don't have to fly immediately.

My paperwork went today. Do you think I will get in by mid December? I hope so. I heard it is only taking about two weeks to get appt.??

Thanks

Good luck all

Yep, about 2-2.5 weeks it seems.

really, can you point me to some info to this? thanks

and regarding being there for the interview. absofriginlutley!! you wouldnt catch me not there.

This shows the seriousness of what your doing and your commitment.

What better thing than to have the interviewer see your passport on topof everything, or asking your SO, when was the last time you saw your husband? 10 minutes ago, he's sitting right there.

Edited November 25, 2008 by Birch-Beer

[symbiosis 0]

That was the price on Kuwait Airlines after taxes.

Passengers Price Tax, fees + charges Full Price

1 Adult THB 20,790 THB 1,620 THB 22,410

I really dislike Kuwait Airlines. I used to fly them from MNL to BKK. Wasn't impressed with the condition of the aircraft at all... but it was my only option.

So how do you usually fly from TB to BKK, Tom? I've never had to fly to Asia from the East coast, since I moved here from Hawaii, and before that, lived in the Marshall Islands.

I am not looking forward to the loooooooong flights to get there...

I always fly from Hong Kong when I am working there. TPA-EWR-HKG-BKK my employer pays to get me to HKG and I fly Emirates to BKK.

Anna is just flying over on her own. There is not much point in me spending $1300 to fly over just to pick her up. I might fly her to JFK meet her there... we could spend a few nights in Manhattan before coming back to Florida. I hope it snows... LOL...

Is getting interviews so soon at the BKK consulate a recent trend? I was banking on it being minimum 10 weeks from embassy receipt of Packet 3.

Yes it's much faster now... you'll be in the first half of December for sure. But the visa is valid for travel for quite a while; you don't have to fly immediately.

My paperwork went today. Do you think I will get in by mid December? I hope so. I heard it is only taking about two weeks to get appt.??

Thanks

Good luck all

Yep, about 2-2.5 weeks it seems.

really, can you point me to some info to this? thanks

and regarding being there for the interview. absofriginlutley!! you wouldnt catch me not there.

This shows the seriousness of what your doing and your commitment.

What better thing than to have the interviewer see your passport on topof everything, or asking your SO, when was the last time you saw your husband? 10 minutes ago, he's sitting right there.

Just to be clear: I planned all along to be there and still do if I can find a way. But if the embassy gives us only two weeks notice at the height of the xmas season, I don't know if it's possible. Following the FAQ info, I was counting on getting at least two months notice.

[daboyz 36]

Maybe that mess at the airport will bring down ticket prices. Go PAD!

[eric_f 0]

I may be wrong but I'm sure you can reschedule the interview at the embassy That might solve a few problems. That, or wait to send in your packet 3 docs.

[Devkpaik 1]

anyone read this?

http://www.bangkokpost.net/

The airport is closed due to the protests.

[symbiosis 0]

Seems the "elites" (i.e., priviledged, rich, educated) in Thailand will once again get their way and succeed in overthrowing the elected government. Anything to keep those rural dum mak farmers from getting affordable healthcare.

Things never change.

[toma1 10]

Yep, about 2-2.5 weeks it seems.

really, can you point me to some info to this? thanks

No, it's just based on my conversations with some people that I know.

Did you get your date yet?

[ThaitoUSA 15]

symbiosis, though one could call the PAD 'elites,' it does not appear as though they represent the wealthy Thai. Mr. Thaksin and his cronies would fit that bill. The PAD appears to rally overwhelming support from the middle-class who felt discontent with Mr. Thaksin's populist i.e. socialist policies of universal healthcare and redistribution of wealth (1 million Baht per village scheme).

Mr. Sondhi, who has been backing the PAD since before Mr. Thaksin's removal, appears to have been scorned by Mr. Thaksin over a government-backed media deal that left him in the dark. Mr. Sondhi capitalized on his media connections to draw the disenfranchised Bangkokians and middle-class Thai into his cause.

What is of interest is the conversation between HM the King and Mr. Thaksin in April 2006. Hours after they met in Hua Hin, Mr. Thaksin agreed to step down as Prime Minister and called for the subsequent snap-election which he would go on to win. It was then in September that he was ousted by a military coup. It is widely speculated that General Prem, HM the King's Privy Council Chairman, orchestrated the coup. It is also of interest to note HM's noticeable silence during the past few months of increasingly disruptive protests. I have a feeling if things escalate to wide-spread violence, he shall break silence to restore order.

What is painfully obvious is the degree of internal turmoil in the Kingdom and how it is being perceived internationally: While politicians fight over power, the world watches. My prayers go out to all Thai, that they may be safe and that peace be restored.

[symbiosis 0]

symbiosis, though one could call the PAD 'elites,' it does not appear as though they represent the wealthy Thai. Mr. Thaksin and his cronies would fit that bill. The PAD appears to rally overwhelming support from the middle-class who felt discontent with Mr. Thaksin's populist i.e. socialist policies of universal healthcare and redistribution of wealth (1 million Baht per village scheme).

Mr. Sondhi, who has been backing the PAD since before Mr. Thaksin's removal, appears to have been scorned by Mr. Thaksin over a government-backed media deal that left him in the dark. Mr. Sondhi capitalized on his media connections to draw the disenfranchised Bangkokians and middle-class Thai into his cause.

What is of interest is the conversation between HM the King and Mr. Thaksin in April 2006. Hours after they met in Hua Hin, Mr. Thaksin agreed to step down as Prime Minister and called for the subsequent snap-election which he would go on to win. It was then in September that he was ousted by a military coup. It is widely speculated that General Prem, HM the King's Privy Council Chairman, orchestrated the coup. It is also of interest to note HM's noticeable silence during the past few months of increasingly disruptive protests. I have a feeling if things escalate to wide-spread violence, he shall break silence to restore order.

What is painfully obvious is the degree of internal turmoil in the Kingdom and how it is being perceived internationally: While politicians fight over power, the world watches. My prayers go out to all Thai, that they may be safe and that peace be restored.

I agree with much of what you've said, except to say "middle class" is, by definition, "elite" in Thailand. If Sondhi and the PAD succeed again in removing an elected government (now matter how it was elected), they will have succeeded in thwarting the will of the people, which is mainly the rural vote. Call it socialism if you will, but the 30 baht rural health scheme, among other such programs, greatly improved lives in Isan and elsewhere.

I lived and worked in Thailand as a journalist from 2004-2007, so saw some of this up close.

[toma1 10]

Seems the "elites" (i.e., priviledged, rich, educated) in Thailand will once again get their way and succeed in overthrowing the elected government. Anything to keep those rural dum mak farmers from getting affordable healthcare.

Things never change.

I know nothing of Thai politics, but it does seem to be that way. Most of my friends in BKK LOVE the PAD and they are mostly in that category I suppose. I had an interesting experience with a girl I liked a while back. We spent a lot of time together for almost half a year. She was a lecturer at a uni in BKK, and really only worked part time, which could not possibly have supported her lifestyle. She had VERY good conversational English skills. One day I asked, "So what does your dad do?" Well she didn't answer and kept right on talking, so I let it go. A few weeks later I asked "What does your family do for work?." She says, "My mother was a teacher and my grandmother was a teacher." So I asked again, "So what does your father do?"

And she says: "He works very hard."

"He's the governor."

I ponder this and ask, "Of the province?"

"Yes"

I didn't know what to say after that...

But you should have seen the spread they put out for dinner at her house... lol

Edited November 26, 2008 by toma1

[symbiosis 0]

And yes, Thaksin was corrupt and I would have been happy to see him ousted at the ballot box. Again, rough and tumble as Thai democracy has been (vote buying, violence, etc.), at least it was a start. When the military seized power in 2006, it reset the clock on the country by a good 20 years -- all the incremental progress toward democratic institutions was wiped out. Because I still have a certain Kon Thai's interest in mind, I will take the precaution of not saying exactly what I think of HM's involvement in all this, but suffice to say there's a sea of yellow on the streets today.

Edited November 26, 2008 by symbiosis