The good sides of the Dutch embassy in Bangkok
There is a lot to do about the Dutch Embassy in Bangkok and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will investigate abuses such as corruption and abuse of power. There would have been tampering with passport applications, naturalizations and a Thai accountant employed by the Embassy has pushed back a lot of money.
Expenses that are on the edge and an ambassador who doesn't take things too seriously with extravagant escapades and associated costs. Whether the claims are true remains to be seen. It is all grist to the mill of many people. According to them, people hardly work at embassies and it is only partying there.
Cutting ribbons, visiting receptions, shaking hands and raising a glass multiple times. Services? Downright bad, at least in some people's opinion. Reports that now appear about the Dutch Embassy in Bangkok will further reinforce that image.
However, embassy staff are flesh-and-blood people and, in fact, no different from people in any other industry. Within our society you have hard workers, slackers, honest and dishonest people. After this incident, no matter how reprehensible, do not want to tar all Embassies and the staff working there with the same brush. Nothing is strange to people.
A personal experience
It is now almost 15 years ago that my Dutch wife during our holiday to acute cardiac arrest Thailand died. We stayed together on the island of Koh Lanta and I can assure everyone that such an experience will stay with you for a lifetime. Thai authorities then contacted the Dutch Embassy in Bangkok and I am still more than grateful to that Embassy for all the support I received.
A lady working there gave me her private telephone number and I was allowed to call her at any time of the day, on weekends and even at night if I needed to. The return of my deceased wife to the Netherlands was also completely arranged by the Embassy. Even my ticket to the Netherlands was transferred from Thai Airways to KLM through their mediation. I didn't have to pay a penny, with tribute to both airlines. KLM even exchanged my economy seat for Business Class. Upon arrival at Schiphol, I was escorted to a separate room and taken care of by my immediate family. All arranged by that now maligned Embassy in Bangkok.
Editorial postscript:
The name of the contributor of this story is known to the editors.
That's another way to do it. A story always has two sides. Let's hope that it will soon become clear what is really going on.
Haven't had any problems there yet. New passport for my wife and recently for myself. Everything correctly finished and neatly delivered to your home by post. Income statement piece of cake and no problem here either. So fine for me.
Even after the tsunami disaster, the Embassy has done a good job in assisting many or relatives - but not all.
Yes, wonderful that you have been so well helped, and in my opinion no more than their duty to act in this way, and indeed that they are also people of flesh and blood. Imagine if you were not treated well in your situation…
But I still have to believe that those same people of flesh and blood can get the blood under your nails and it even seems that they take a satanic pleasure in acting this way, my experiences, and that is not a or twice, are downright bad and I have lived in Thailand for over 10 years.
I do agree with PeterPhuket. You can expect that when you experience something so terrible you will receive all the help and support. As Khun Peter wrote that embassies are paid for by our tax dollars and they are there to help us.
Also many times confronted with complaints about the embassy, especially when it concerns a rejection and whether I can do something about it and want to write about it. why they don't get their girlfriend. Strange thing also for me but the good have to suffer again among the bad and don't forget that the demands are getting stricter because many don't return. Personally, I have not had any bad experiences and had my business passport in the mail within a week. The blown affair is just a storm in a teacup because whoever started this is inactive and wants revenge.
The fact that he throws mud to that point but to play such a dirty game on the man is outrageous. These kinds of figures who were wrong themselves and are certainly not supposed to be working at the embassy.
In addition to the incredibly high rates (which the embassy obviously cannot do anything about) for every piece of paper or every statement you need, the service provided to Dutch people who do not come with visa matters is, in my experience, generally OK. Unfortunately, people do not always radiate friendliness. Certainly not at the first counter outside where you have to show your papers. There the treatment is often downright......
I'm not sure yet if I like the appointment system or not. Because you have to make an appointment for almost every incident, which can mean extra delay in Bangkok.
Something else is the treatment of Thais who come for a visa. However understandable it may be given the many requests and difficult cases, it is shocking how unfriendly the treatment can sometimes be.
There is no question of any help for people who do not understand something right away. The strange thing is that this condescending treatment mainly takes place by the Thai staff themselves, and you are lucky if you are occasionally helped by a Dutch employee. What is that attitude of Thais towards Thais?
Also not allowing the relevant Dutch partner in a visa application interview will certainly serve its purpose, but because not every Thai does not immediately understand our complicated rules, the Dutch-speaking partner can provide an immediate answer to very small simple questions.
In my own case, what bothers me most is the often unfriendly approach (understatement) at the 1st counter outside, whatever business you're gushing for.
Everything is aimed at making the work for the employees as simple as possible (in itself a good aim), but the help / service (for which the embassy is also there) to the visitor (and now I do not just mean the visa applicant ) is forgotten.
The fact that many more horror stories are circulating about the treatment at other embassies, such as the American one, does not make me any happier about the treatment at our embassy. Feeling belittled and dependent are words that have crossed my mind for years.
Unfortunately, I was also allowed to listen to a conversation twice on an “open telephone”, which clearly showed how people felt about other “whiners and cheaters” in front of the counter.
You can expect help from your embassy and not an irritated and condescending attitude.
All this probably has nothing to do with the problems that are happening at the embassy right now. After all, that is about corruption and abuse and like to prove things for that kind of thing.
Stories are always there. Every barmaid has a story that she knows someone at an embassy who can arrange something for the right return. As long as something is not proven, they are stories.
Waiting for research, but that will not give 100% certainty either. There always lingers “where there is smoke there is fire”) very annoying for people who are in good faith.
Just arranged my passport here at the Embassy. Perfect fast service and everyone equally friendly! Not a bad word about these friendly hard working people and because I live 500 kilometers from Bangkok my passport was delivered to my home within 10 days for 100 Baht by EMS.
THANKS
@Pootao. Yes, it can also be said, in addition to many negative reports (current crazy (visa) appointment system via external agency and for a fee). Friend has just applied for a new passport (at the embassy) and received it by post at home within 2 weeks. Neat treatment and fast service.
Unfortunately, to repeated questions by email about complications in retaining Dutch citizenship with 2 nationalities and long-term living in Thailand, there is simply no answer.