What challenges have expats faced with the Los Angeles Thai Consulate regarding eVisas?

Nov 7, 2023
a year ago
Chris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Has anyone had challenges with the Los Angeles Thai Consulate regarding eVisas? They are difficult to get on the phone and will not answer questions via email, only repeat (verbatim) what they've already said. I'm guessing I'm not the only one with these issues, so I'm checking to see.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Many expats have reported challenges with the Los Angeles Thai Consulate regarding obtaining eVisas, noting difficulties in communication by phone and email. Suggestions for better communication include using Facebook Messenger with all relevant details in a single message and selecting options for Thai citizens when calling. Some users shared experiences with issues related to visa application fees and document verification.
Andy *******
No issues with them, whatsoever
Wylie *******
When you call select whatever option they have for thai citizens, if they have one. Had the same issue with the Chicago one and did that. Someone will actually pick up and once you have them on the line they will actually help.
Brian *********
Have you asked the questions here or the parent group? There’s a lot of knowledge around these groups.

The only issue I had was having to pay a second time for the application because it was kicked out because my name did not match my passport (though nothing was stated ‘as it appears on your passport’). Literally the first freaking thing. 🤮
Chris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brian ********
Just asked the question here. Received an email from LAXConsulate saying my application was on hold, and that I needed to upload XYZ documents. Since I had already uploaded XYZ documents in my original application I cannot figure out why they are asking me to do so again. Two years ago they turned down an application because of an "error," but they never mentioned what the error was. Honestly I wonder how anybody is able to secure an e-visa from them. For the record I've been coming to Thailand for 15 years and never had a problem with visas from the brick and mortar consulate.
Brian *********
@Chris *****
based only on what I’ve seen suggests there’s something not quite as expected about xyz docs or they just want you to do again? Not having any idea how the workflow works on their end maybe they genuinely can’t see the previous submission? 🤷‍♂️

Worst case just send the same stuff again?
Chris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brian ********
The worse case would be them sending me the same email saying the same thing, without telling me anything new. Pointless to resend the docs if in fact they are not "quite as expected." Their software tells me they can see the docs, so that can't be it.
Brian *********
@Chris *****
first, being a developer, no clearly what you see is not necessarily what they see, trust me in this! It is possible if a part of process is marked failed/rejected it could be removed from view as failed, insufficient, incomplete or other adjectives. I’ve written many of this type of workflow for government entities.

So I would suggest best effort diligence to find where you did not make the criteria. It is not their job to hold your hand, give you hints or help. It’s their job to evaluate required submissions based on documented criteria. Many, many people (self included) have passed this criteria.

If you want the visa it’s your job to read the manual and solve the problem. It’s not their job.

I understand you’re somewhat attempting to do this here but when there’s no evidence/artifacts for people to review here and you disregard suggestions without apparent effort, not much anyone can do for you. 👍
Brandon ************
Try Facebook messenger. Put all the information needed to ask and answer the question in a single message such as your full name, passport number, visa application number etc. If you send a bunch of messages they'll either get confused or ignore you. Just one quick and concise message.
Chris ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Thanks, Brandon.
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