The Canadian Embassy sits on Ram IV between Lumpini and Silom Road MRT stations. I use 'International Translations' on Silom Road as it is a 10 minute walk from the Embassy and one of the recommended translation services. Today I went there to pick the translations of our marriage certificate and Jaidan's birth. These are required to be submitted for Thavorn's visitor's visa to prove she is actually married to me and is Jaidan's mom.
I also found out yesterday that I can no longer drop the visa application off at the Embassy. This was a decision made after the shrine bombing in 2015 which was relatively close to the Embassy. Instead, you can either fill out an online application if you are computer savvy, read English well, and have the use of a scanner. This rules out most Thais IMHO.
The Canadian government has contracted out visa application services to the Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Bangkok - http://www.vfsglobal.ca/canada/thailand/ . Apparently they have these Visa Application Centres in most countries throughout the world. Apparently the center is staffed with Thai people who will help Thai's fill out the application. Perhaps the blind leading the blind. Of course there are charges for all the services they provide. When the application is complete they deliver the application to the embassy for processing.
Needless to say, we decided to forgo the VAC and we are filling out the forms and submitting them online direct to the visa processing center. The main reason we decided to do it online is that the VAC only permits the applicant to enter their offices. I found that somewhat strange as one of the forms you fill out is the naming of a representative to help you through the process. Go figure!
The translation office is on the second floor of a building. On the first floor is a restaurant that features dining with cats. I have to pass through it on my way to the translation offices. It is quite popular. I personally do not get it, but hi-so Thais and farangs are lining up to get in. Boggles the mind :-)
Cats have a short working day
Not too busy at 2 pm on a working day .. very busy over lunch and supper
Nothing like eating among the kitty litters
Also on Silom Road is the White Rabbit. Be careful in this bar or like Alice, you have find yourself down a strange hole. It is a gay bar :-)
Thavorn and I like to take Jaidan to Queens Park just up from where we live on Sukhumvit. The weather is ideal for playing in the park. Many farangs make use of the park.
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