jasonvr

I've searched around and haven't found anything. I did find exactly one person who asked the same question, and the only answer was about "heightened security".

It seems like an odd/dumb question, but I realized that on an upcoming trip I will be staying just down the street from the US Embassy in Bangkok. Never been inside one and thought it might be interesting just to visit (yes, I am a US citizen). The question is, is it possible or do you need to have specific business in order to be admitted inside?

gvlmike

To answer your question yes and no.

I grew up as a foreign service kid (my father is still a high-ranking diplomat serving overseas) and also have worked at various embassies as an intern through my university years and also as a brief time as a contractor.

The Consular Services section, split between the visa section and American Citizens Services section, is always separate from the main embassy, either through a different entrance or a different building.

As an American citizen, you can not be refused to be seen by a consular representative, so in theory, you can visit the embassy....but you will only be allowed to enter the Consular Services section unless in extreme circumstances.

In order to enter the main embassy where offices are located, you will need to be invited by a staff member and escorted. Keep in mind many offices at the embassy are also in sterile areas where a clearance might be needed and uncleared electronics (ie. cellphones) are not allowed.

Looking at the embassy website for Bangkok, it looks like the American Citizens Services section is separate from the embassy building (across the street) so I am assuming you will not be able to visit the embassy unless you have a contact at the embassy who can escort you.

jasonvr

Thanks for the answer. I assume both the ACS and main building are "US soil" since they are both part of the embassy. As geeky as it sounds, it seems cool to be able to step onto US soil while on another continent. No contact at the Embassy unfortunately.

Edit:

I should have looked a little harder. Doesn't sound like it would be a problem to enter the ACS at all:
http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/acslocationhours.html

gvlmike

Yes, both are part of the embassy and considered US soil. You will go through security to enter the building. This building looks like the consular building which will include areas for ACS and individuals who have appointments for visas.

Correct, this building is open to US citizens as it will contain the ACS. The main embassy building is across the street and one will need an escort to enter the main embassy building. No escort needed for the consular building.

Have fun on US soil while in Bangkok!

Christopher

Yes, but you won't find it very interesting: it will be full of people conducting consular business – getting passports renewed, having pages added to passports, applying for newborn baby's passport, seeking advice about this and that.

And you'll probably have to go through security of some sort to get in, and you might even be asked what your business is (if for no other reason so you can be directed to the correct area); not sure what sort of response you'd get if your answer is, "Oh, I just want to step on US soil and have a look around:!

ETA: The Australian High Commission (embassy-equivalent among Commonwealth countries) in London used to have a rather splendid newspaper reading room, in which one could read all the main papers from Australia (both national and local) from the past fortnight or so. This was open to the general public, not just to Australian citizens, and the room was very grand. Those days are long past, of course – not only do people now access the papers on-line using laptops, i-Pads, smart phones and so on, the High Commission is now strictly "business only".

trooper

Always good to see the word fortnight on a largely US website like this one...

Christopher

^

erik123

Would be a bore and waste of time - check nancy chandlers website on Bangkok - it has a good calendar (under updates) with things to do for single travelers with a few hours spare time.

rbwpi

I believe most US embassies have a library which contain US government publications. Wouldn't a US citizen be allowed to enter the library for research purposes?

The reason why I ask, is if a client contacts me while I'm overseas about a Federal taxation issue, the embassy library might be the best available resource for research.

BigBopper

For citizens, you get into the ACS.

For blind chinese dissident's, they'll send a car to come get you.

Doc Savage

Not the interwebs?

rbwpi

Not necessarily, as I might want to read the actual Internal Revenue Service Regulations, Revenue Proceedures, Tax Court rulings, etc.

Scifience

All of which are available on the IRS website.

vsuri

US Embassy (or any other embassy for that matter) is not considered US soil.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diploma...territoriality

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diploma...on#cite_note-5

RobbieRunner

This thread reminds me that society and the general thinking in America has certainly changed with the times.
I don't think our ancestors would ask if they could enter their own Embassy at ANY time and for ANY reason. Interesting how we have changed as a country and as a people.
Sign of the times, I suppose.