[CLASBYCLAN]

· (New). Fourth of July Celebration – Saturday - July 4th. The Veteran of Foreign Wars of the United States of America, on behalf of the U.S. Consulate General invites U.S. citizens in Chiang Mai to celebrate the Fourth of July on Saturday, July 4, from 2 to 8 p.m. The celebration on the grounds of the Chiang Mai Municipal Stadium, will feature a variety of entertainment, good ol’ American hot-dogs and soft drinks, children's games, a watermelon eating contest, door prizes, and a grand fireworks display at 8 p.m. All American participants will be asked to show either a U.S. passport or a photocopy of the passport to enter. Admission is 100 baht. Children 12 and under are admitted free; they must also show a U.S. passport or copy, or Thai ID card. A School ID is acceptable for children . The gate will open at 2 p.m. with no further admissions after 7 p.m. To expedite entrance, please don’t bring bulky items. No parking is available at the Sports Complex. Please take a taxi or have someone drop you off . Tell the driver: “Sanamkila Tessabon” . Who may attend: All US Citizens, their spouse and children. Guest Policy: Each American citizen may bring five non U.S. citizen guests. The guests must arrive with the U.S. citizen host and show a photo ID, passport, or copy of a passport. Large Groups, require advance approval.

This post has been edited by PeaceBlondie: 2009-05-30 10:40
Reason for edit: Title made more accurate, less of a rant. E mail removed

[venturalaw]

CLASBYCLAN, on 2009-05-30 07:38:18, said:

· (New). Fourth of July Celebration – Saturday - July 4th. The Veteran of Foreign Wars of the United States of America, on behalf of the U.S. Consulate General invites U.S. citizens in Chiang Mai to celebrate the Fourth of July on Saturday, July 4, from 2 to 8 p.m. The celebration on the grounds of the Chiang Mai Municipal Stadium, will feature a variety of entertainment, good ol’ American hot-dogs and soft drinks, children's games, a watermelon eating contest, door prizes, and a grand fireworks display at 8 p.m. All American participants will be asked to show either a U.S. passport or a photocopy of the passport to enter. Admission is 100 baht. Children 12 and under are admitted free; they must also show a U.S. passport or copy, or Thai ID card. A School ID is acceptable for children . The gate will open at 2 p.m. with no further admissions after 7 p.m. To expedite entrance, please don’t bring bulky items. No parking is available at the Sports Complex. Please take a taxi or have someone drop you off . Tell the driver: “Sanamkila Tessabon” . Who may attend: All US Citizens, their spouse and children. Guest Policy: Each American citizen may bring five non U.S. citizen guests. The guests must arrive with the U.S. citizen host and show a photo ID, passport, or copy of a passport. Large Groups, require advance approval. Query by email to: pax@generalmail.ch (5/29)

It is not for US citizens ONLY. Read your own post. Non-US citizen guests of US citizens are also invited. Being that it is a celebration of Independence Day, a US holiday, does it not make sense that only Americans and their interested guests be invited?

This post has been edited by venturalaw: 2009-05-30 07:49

[Jungian]

It is not just for US citizens however you need to bring one to get you in. Why? Because of security, it is that simple. I don't recall being invited to a Canada day celebration or a Victoria day party so.... But if you are really busting to go I would be happy to get you through the gate.

[zaphodbeeblebrox]

CLASBYCLAN, on 2009-05-30 07:38:18, said:

Why The hel_l Is This For Us Citizens Only?

You just need to pal up with a US citizen who can bring up to 5 non-American guests. The VFW probably received federal money to partially subsidize this, so it's primarily for US citizens. 100 baht is pretty cheap.

[CLASBYCLAN]

venturalaw, on 2009-05-30 00:48:15, said:

CLASBYCLAN, on 2009-05-30 07:38:18, said:

· (New). Fourth of July Celebration – Saturday - July 4th. The Veteran of Foreign Wars of the United States of America, on behalf of the U.S. Consulate General invites U.S. citizens in Chiang Mai to celebrate the Fourth of July on Saturday, July 4, from 2 to 8 p.m. The celebration on the grounds of the Chiang Mai Municipal Stadium, will feature a variety of entertainment, good ol’ American hot-dogs and soft drinks, children's games, a watermelon eating contest, door prizes, and a grand fireworks display at 8 p.m. All American participants will be asked to show either a U.S. passport or a photocopy of the passport to enter. Admission is 100 baht. Children 12 and under are admitted free; they must also show a U.S. passport or copy, or Thai ID card. A School ID is acceptable for children . The gate will open at 2 p.m. with no further admissions after 7 p.m. To expedite entrance, please don’t bring bulky items. No parking is available at the Sports Complex. Please take a taxi or have someone drop you off . Tell the driver: “Sanamkila Tessabon” . Who may attend: All US Citizens, their spouse and children. Guest Policy: Each American citizen may bring five non U.S. citizen guests. The guests must arrive with the U.S. citizen host and show a photo ID, passport, or copy of a passport. Large Groups, require advance approval. Query by email to: pax@generalmail.ch (5/29)

It is not for US citizens ONLY. Read your own post. Non-US citizen guests of US citizens are also invited. Being that it is a celebration of Independence Day, a US holiday, does it not make sense that only Americans and their interested guests be invited?

Oh thanks, just read my own post!!! and oooh US citizens can bring 5 non citizens WOW! Look, I'm just saying, can I not be chuffed about Independance day too, I celebrate Christmas and Im not a Christian, I get tipsy on Guiness on St Patrick Day and I'm not Irish!

[CLASBYCLAN]

zaphodbeeblebrox, on 2009-05-30 00:54:02, said:

CLASBYCLAN, on 2009-05-30 07:38:18, said:

Why The hel_l Is This For Us Citizens Only?

You just need to pal up with a US citizen who can bring up to 5 non-American guests. The VFW probably received federal money to partially subsidize this, so it's primarily for US citizens. 100 baht is pretty cheap.

Good point, thank you. I just don't wanna miss out on those hotdogs!

[Ulysses G.]

Is it true that they actually import decent hotdogs from America? There aren't any here and that is a fact.

[Jungian]

What I really want is a Philly Cheese Stake and a decent slice of pizza, I could drink a real beer too (Pennsylvania Dutch Bier) like a nice Penn Weizen, Victory St. Boisterous Hellerbock, Stoudt's Pils, Magic Hat #9, at least a Dock Street. I understand in the past they served Samuel Adams which is ok better than anything form South East Asia. Anyway screw the hot dogs!

[venturalaw]

Jungian, on 2009-05-30 08:14:55, said:

What I really want is a Philly Cheese Stake and a decent slice of pizza, I could drink a real beer too (Pennsylvania Dutch Bier) like a nice Penn Weizen, Victory St. Boisterous Hellerbock, Stoudt's Pils, Magic Hat #9, at least a Dock Street. I understand in the past they served Samuel Adams which is ok better than anything form South East Asia. Anyway screw the hot dogs!

It would be great to be able to find a bottle of TUMS (nowhere in Thailand) after all of the eating/drinking.

[jackr]

Jungian, on 2009-05-30 08:14:55, said:

I could drink a real beer too

There ain't none, you'll need to go to Europe for that

[Jungian]

jackr, on 2009-05-30 08:31:00, said:

Jungian, on 2009-05-30 08:14:55, said:

I could drink a real beer too

There ain't none, you'll need to go to Europe for that

No we make real beer in the USA most people just don't drink it because it is to strong. I wouldn't think about drinking something that came in a case, it has to come out of the vat or barrel thus when I do drink beer in Thailand I go to the German brew pub, just like home.

[NaiGreg]

jackr, on 2009-05-30 08:31:00, said:

Jungian, on 2009-05-30 08:14:55, said:

I could drink a real beer too

There ain't none, you'll need to go to Europe for that

The USA now leads the world in quality beer production (but also leads in crappy beer production)

The great brew masters have been lured to America with offers of $$$ for years. And last time I checked the USA had plenty of good farmland for producing grains, although many microbreweries still import much of their barley and hops.

U.S. Breweries Operating in 2008
65 Regional Craft Breweries
446 Microbreweries
990 Brewpubs
1,501 Total Craft Breweries

20 Large Breweries (Non-Craft)
24 Other Non-Craft Breweries

1,545 Total U.S. Breweries

Edit: It would be unfair to exclude Canada. Many fine beer products from Canada and fine grains. I just don't have the stats to back it up.

This post has been edited by NaiGreg: 2009-05-30 08:51

[orang37]

Sawasdee Khrup, TV friends,

My farang went to two of these July 4th. celebrations in the past years, leaving within one hour each time.

You had to pay for everything at the ones I went to, nothing free.

They had the inevitable message from the President (Shrub in the years I went) : I had to restrain myself from voicing my opinion on the war in Iraq as I would have done back in "Corporate Occupied Mallburgerland."

They had a senior-citizens singing group (missionaries ?) singing songs of old Americana. I think many of them were on IV drip life support.

I was bored out of my mind, and so was my Thai sweetheart at the time. What was fun was going to the other side of the Ping and watching the fireworks from there.

But I hope this one is more fun ! If it's in the old stadium, my thoughts turn to the availability of shade.

~o:37;

This post has been edited by orang37: 2009-05-30 09:24

[Dustoff]

It is good to see this thread moving away from a senseless crab about the Independence Day party being hosted by the American Veterans of Foreign Wars and the United States Consulate in Chiang Mai.

Before this year, the annual party was held on the grounds of the American Consulate and security restrictions were the same.

It would be interesting to see the response if I suggested that I should be able to hand a guard 100 Baht and gain access to any other country's Consulate. I believe that the 100 baht is not an entrance fee but used to help cover the cost of hosting this event. I suspect that the CM VFW's finances are limited and don't think that either they or the Consulate receive any American Federal funds for this celebration.

I don't get the problem with Americans who are outside of their own country getting together with their fellow countrymen and their families and friends to celebrate their freedom and independence as a nation. Given the attitude of the OC (original crabber), I would tend to prefer that she/he not show up anyway (not that I will be there myself).

[thaimiller]

I think I'll go to Dukes on this day, I know I'll be able to have a salty pizza without any loud mouth yanks spoiling the atmosphere.

[mnbcm]

Ulysses G., on 2009-05-30 08:13:06, said:

Is it true that they actually import decent hotdogs from America? There aren't any here and that is a fact.

I went once a couple years ago and it was a great event. I won a vacation and the best part... they import Mountain Dew!!!!!!

This post has been edited by mnbcm: 2009-05-30 10:23

[Maccheroncini]

Ha ha true!

thaimiller, on 2009-05-30 10:19:01, said:

I think I'll go to Dukes on this day, I know I'll be able to have a salty pizza without any loud mouth yanks spoiling the atmosphere.

[Ulysses G.]

thaimiller, on 2009-05-30 10:19:01, said:

I think I'll go to Dukes on this day, I know I'll be able to have a salty pizza without any loud mouth yanks spoiling the atmosphere.

I can't guarantee anything, but they have been known to give away free food at the Consulate on July 4 in past years. I have not heard of anyone else doing this.

[heybruce]

Jungian, on 2009-05-30 08:38:14, said:

jackr, on 2009-05-30 08:31:00, said:

Jungian, on 2009-05-30 08:14:55, said:

I could drink a real beer too

There ain't none, you'll need to go to Europe for that

No we make real beer in the USA most people just don't drink it because it is to strong. I wouldn't think about drinking something that came in a case, it has to come out of the vat or barrel thus when I do drink beer in Thailand I go to the German brew pub, just like home.

Good beer is all over the world, but you have to go to the beer, because good beer doesn't travel well. For the best Guiness you have to go to the British Isles, the best pilsner is in the Czech Republic (and the women there are so beautiful!) and if you like a really hopped up, strong ale (I do) the best I've found are in the many microbreweries in the U.S. These are just examples, there are many fine beers I'm omitting. Unfortunately here in Thailand you accept that bland beer is better than no beer.

[getgoin]

They are having Ballpark franks this year.

[mrmillersr]

thaimiller, on 2009-05-30 03:19:01, said:

I think I'll go to Dukes on this day, I know I'll be able to have a salty pizza without any loud mouth yanks spoiling the atmosphere.

Another Miller. And where might you be from?

[Mapguy]

First, I want to say I appreciate all the thoughtful and hard work being done by the American veterans of foreign wars. They are assisted by the American Consulate, but the VFW started doing some of the scut work last year. As such parties go, it is pretty nice; or at least it was when held on the consulate grounds.

What is a shame is that such extraordinary security precautions must apparently be put into play. This was also evident at the consulate parties. Indeed, I suspect that the reason that the party is being held off consulate grounds has to do with the Americans' continuing passion for security.

Look at the consulate itself. Ever visited there? It is like entering a fort!

Well, happy birthday, America, but perhaps it should be a time for reflection, not celebration. Why indeed the need for all this security? What is the face America presents to the world as it passes by the consulate or visits it? How did it come to be that?

This post has been edited by Mapguy: 2009-05-30 16:20

[cm96]

Mapguy: "Well, happy birthday, America, but perhaps it should be a time for reflection, not celebration. Why indeed the need for all this security? What is the face America presents to the world as it passes by the consulate or visits it? How did it come to be that?"

Reflect on the face America presents to passers by?? You must be joking. If you or your wife, son or daughter happened to be American and happened to work there
what kind of security would you want? You think the CM one is like a fort? Have you seen the one in Singapore?

A small sampling of "how it's come to that"-

ATHENS, Jan. 12, 2007 — An antitank grenade was fired into the heavily fortified American Embassy here just before dawn today. The building was empty, but the attack underscored deep anti-American sentiment here and revived fears of a new round of homegrown terror.

September 18, 2008 · Authorities in Yemen have been arresting suspects after an attack Wednesday on the U.S. embassy in the capital San'a. Two suicide car bombs set off a series of explosions outside the embassy.

Thursday, February 21, 2008
A charred body was found inside the U.S. embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, after rioters stormed the complex Thursday evening in protest of Kosovo's declaration of independence, sources in Belgrade told FOX News

Monday 6 December 2004
Islamist militants today attacked the US consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with explosives and machine guns, killing four security guards and five staff, Saudi officials said.
Gunmen fought their way into the complex, reportedly taking 18 staff and visa applicants hostage for a short time before Saudi security forces stormed the building, killing three attackers and arresting two others.

[Ulysses G.]

Thank you cm96.
Terrorism has been a fact of life for many decades now and the richest, most powerful nation on earth is a magnet for blood thirsty creeps trying to make political points. We would be irresponsible if we did not try to protect our Embassy personnel.
I know that it is fashionable to blame all of our problems on George Bush, but the same things have been said about every Republican President since I can remember and nothing has really changed. The Republicans screw up and a Democrat comes in, the Democrats blow it and the Republicans get another try - an imperfect system of checks and balances that usually works out eventually
Sure, America makes all kinds of mistakes and blunders - there aren't a lot of countries that haven't - but, in general, we also try to do the right thing, and you cannot say that about many of the leading nations.
You can't please everyone, but at least we give it a try. Who thinks that China or Russia would ever do the same?

[venturalaw]

Dustoff, on 2009-05-30 09:31:41, said:

It is good to see this thread moving away from a senseless crab about the Independence Day party being hosted by the American Veterans of Foreign Wars and the United States Consulate in Chiang Mai.

Before this year, the annual party was held on the grounds of the American Consulate and security restrictions were the same.

It would be interesting to see the response if I suggested that I should be able to hand a guard 100 Baht and gain access to any other country's Consulate. I believe that the 100 baht is not an entrance fee but used to help cover the cost of hosting this event. I suspect that the CM VFW's finances are limited and don't think that either they or the Consulate receive any American Federal funds for this celebration.

I don't get the problem with Americans who are outside of their own country getting together with their fellow countrymen and their families and friends to celebrate their freedom and independence as a nation. Given the attitude of the OC (original crabber), I would tend to prefer that she/he not show up anyway (not that I will be there myself).

My sentiments exactly! That is why I pointed out curtly that his complaint was a contradiction from what he had posted. What a dolt.