Transcript of the above video: 

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing recent changes, recent news with regard to a new Consular Residence here in Thailand for the Consul-General up in Chiang Mai.

Now most of the time on this channel I talk about the US Embassy in Bangkok because that's primarily what we deal with out of our office, especially in the context of US Immigration where we process Fiancé(e) Visas, Marriage Visas, as well as other types of visas but for the most part we often do family immigration out of this Embassy. But there is a Consulate up in Chiang Mai and they do process Tourist Visas, although they do not process the Non-immigrant categories that have duel intent like the K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa as well as Immigrant Visas; those process out of the US Embassy in Bangkok. 

That being said, I thought of making this video after reading a recent posting on X from Thai Enquirer, that is @ThaiEnquirer on X, headline: Thailand approves US purchase of Chiang Mai property for Consul General Residence. Quoting directly: "The Cabinet has approved a request by the United States to purchase a house and land in Chiang Mai for use as the new residence of the US Consul-General the Government said on Monday. Deputy Government Spokeswoman Lalida Periswiwatana said the property in Chang Phueak sub-district, Muang district, includes a two-story house on 1 Rai and 87.6 square wah of land. Authorities found the site suitable and secure for diplomatic use. The approval was required because the US Government already owns more than 15 rai of land in Thailand, meaning additional acquisitions must receive Cabinet approval on a case-by-case basis. Thailand and the United States already have an agreement covering the acquisition of land and buildings for diplomatic or Consular purposes, so no new agreement was needed, Lalida said. She added that the move reflected the close relationship between Thailand and the United States, which has lasted more than 190 years, and underscored the strategic importance of Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand in bilateral cooperation." 

Yeah, and as I have discussed in other videos, that relationship is enshrined in the provisions of what is called the US-Thai Treaty of Amity which among other things grants Americans the right to do business with "national treatment" here in Thailand meaning Americans for example can own their company's 100% in Thailand, so issues pertaining to like this nominee crackdown and things, don't really have to affect Americans negatively because they can own their companies outright. There is no need in any practical sense to have any necessarily other involvement, whether genuine or otherwise, for a Thai Amity Treaty Company. So as I've discussed in other videos, Thai Amity Treaty companies can be very beneficial to Americans looking to do business here. 

That said, more to the point, yeah, it looks like we are seeing changes with respect to the Consular General in Chiang Mai. As I have discussed already, primarily for Visa purposes the only thing most people are going to end up processing out of there are going to be things like Tourist Visas. Meanwhile, American Citizen Services does provide services up at the Consulate in Chiang Mai, so things like notarizations as well as passport renewals and things can be done up there as well. That said, it's interesting; it's an interesting development, and I think it's a perfect example of just how deep and strong the relationship between the United States and Thailand truly is.