I was told I had an interview, but that consisted of a guy ignoring me through the glass partition

@Daniel *************

I was told 4 weeks, so I’d have to get started on that right away upon coming back there

According to Tod, they don’t actually have a central database, they just go by the stamps in your passport.

Ok all, I just got back from the Thai consulate here, and short version: I was denied.

The long version isn’t much longer. I got to the window and the agent shoved my papers and passport through the slot and said “I cannot give you a visa, you supposed to fly home after your non-immigrant visa.”

I started to ask questions, but he started to get irate, and then ignored me. I thought it best not to push it. The agent from banana hotel said I might be able to buy a ticket back to the states and they might issue one tomorrow, but he wasn’t sure.

Considering the cost of the ticket back home, the fact that my flight back to Thailand is tomorrow afternoon and I would ya vento change my flight and Airbnb reservation, and the fact that he wasn’t certain, I decided not to.

I’m returning to Thailand on the 30 day exempt visa. So my options right now seem to be:

A: make another run to Vientiane and try to get the tourist visa there with my current passport (I looked, they didn’t seem to stamp anything in my passport saying I was denied),

B: get a new passport from the American consulate and then make a visa run to Vientiane for the tourist visa,

C: those same two options, but with the ED Visa, which I was going to resume in three months anyway, just get it now instead. The question is whether to get a new passport first.

I guess another option is to spend a few months out of the country somewhere local (Vietnam?) and then return. But I’m annoyed at this arrogant visa agent here who wouldn’t engage in a conversation - I wasn’t being rude or confrontational. What do you think the best option is?

@Michael **********

they don’t fly to America, apparently.

Yes that's right

@Andrew ******

180rm, fyi. Also, Tod’s statement assumes that I somehow have more expertise than the agent, or that my coming in person might raise less suspicion than going through the agent. I’m not sure that’s the case.

Martin Sea Shepherd I had a whole spiel planned, how 6 months his place is cheaper than renting a hotel room for two months (which is true, I got a great deal) and how I was gonna sublet it when I left.

Martin Sea Shepherd bank statments, flight onward (to Cambodia, not home - that seems to be the sticking point), my rental lease, which is until December, which could be another flag for them.

Martin Sea Shepherd well, Penang has been much more difficult from Vientiane. The posts in the group confirm this. If I had known how difficult, I would’ve gone back to Vientiane.