US Embassy reaches out to Phuket

PHUKET: During a visit to the Phuket Gazette offices last week, US Ambassador to Thailand Kristie A Kenney asked staff to remind readers that there will be an outreach clinic by the Consular Section of the US Embassy in Phuket tomorrow.

During her visit, Amb Kenney said that given the current funding problems in the US there was little likelihood of the country establishing a consulate in Phuket in the foreseeable future. That being the case, she encouraged American citizens to take full advantage of the outreach program, which saves hundreds of US citizens the time and expense of traveling to Bangkok each year.

To read the Phuket Gazette‘s exclusive interview with Amb Kenney, pick up a copy of the newspaper due out tomorrow afternoon. (Digital subscribers will be able to read it here.)

Consular visit details:

The consular staff will provide the following services at the Hilton Arcadia Phuket Resort and Spa in Karon from 8am to midday tomorrow – Friday, September 16.

The following services will be available during the visit:

Notarial services and certified copies (US$50 or 1,550 baht). This includes income affidavits for retirees in Thailand.

Passport renewal applications ($110 or 3,410 baht for adult passports, and $105 or 3,255 baht for a child’s passport).

Extra visa pages ($82 or 2,542 baht). Note: The embassy staff can accept applications, but the passports will have to be taken back to the embassy in Bangkok for final processing the next working day.

Prepaid Thailand Post envelopes will be available for purchase at the event for people wanting to have their passports mailed back to them.

Alternatively, applicants can collect their passport in person at the embassy or have a friend collect it by giving him or her written authorization to present to consular staff.

Social security, VA, or other federal benefits questions will be received and staff will try to provide forms and answers. If staff cannot answer questions at the outreach, they will send a response later.

Applicants for any services are required to bring exact change.

Consular Reports of Birth cannot be processed during consular outreach trips.

For more information about the outreach, call the American Citizen Services Unit at 02-205 4049 or email acsbkk@state.gov.

— Stephen Fein