Korean Job Discussion Forums

[invademyturf]

For all those fellow americans that are planning to go to Bangkok for some R/R and also to apply for either their tourist or working visa, THINK AGAIN> I had all the necessary paperwork to apply for a 5 year multiple entry tourist visa. I have had one done there before and my last 2 work visa done but i just finished my contract and plan to travel the country and rest before heading back to the USA> So I have had experience applying for these things. They have build a new visa section building outside the gates to the embassy. SO it is no longer necessary to enter the embassy compound. The embassy visa office is only open from 1:30-3:30 monday thru friday to accept visa applications. Interviews for visas are now daily from 10:30-11:30. So I got to the office at 1:30 with the necessary applications, fee and photo. I proceeded to the window and the girl told me that the new consel officer there was ANTI AMERICAN and HATED President Bush, and therefore had chosen to refuse giving any american a tourist visa. And that all working visas given to americans would be a single entry one. SHe told me that I would get a visa upon entry for one month and that was going to be my only option. She then told me to speak to another korean woman there, since I am fluent in korean, The Korean woman replied to me that there is a 200 US dollar CONSIDERATION FEE> she explained that if I paid that and the visa application fee that the counsel might consider my application as a serious one. I explained that if the Ministry of Justice knew about his unilateral decision with regards to issuing visas. She explained that the Ministry does not care as long as they make the most money as possible. I left in awe that they could do this. BUt I explained that the cost of plane ticket to singapore is the same and I can apply for one there an not need to pay off a dirty political/diplomatic a**. SHe agreed and said that so many american businessman do it just to save time. So fellow yankee's BEWARE of that place
take care

[JennyJJ]

I hope everyone doesn't blow off BKK because of this one report. My visit to the embassy there was just fine. However, I did find the service quite variable - I paid close attention to what was happening to the people in the line in front of me. Scruffy - got poor service: professional appearance - got excellent service.

Personal appearance may not have been an issue here - but I also found that a little Thai language helped a lot. Remember, most of the people working there are Thais, not Koreans. A little Sawadee Khaa, and Khap Khun Khaa might go a long way towards improving your service.

[gypsyfish]

JennyJJ, Was your trip to the embassy before or after invademyturf's?

Good advice about appearance and being polite, though.