Thank you! This is what I was hoping to hear. May I ask how you know this? I only ask because I've done some research online and I can't find any information pertaining to this specific circumstance. In fact, I was considering flying into the US and then to Thailand just to be safe. So I'd be thrilled if I could go straight there from Italy. Once I'm in Phuket, I plan to seek a longer-term visa, perhaps an ED visa. Any thoughts?