ACS Wardens, Udon...FYI US Citizens

Post by **papaguido** » August 26, 2012, 11:04 am

US expats may not know of the presence of warden volunteers working to provide "eyes and ears" for the American Citizen Service (ACS) at the US embassy.

Our charge is to get to know the US expat community in order to provide support should the need arise. Our support is usually in the form of contacting ACS so they can get involved and to provide a single point of contact between the relevant parties.

There are seven wardens now in Udon, 2 in Khon Khaen and wardens in many US-expat populated areas. You might meet them at the bi-annual ACS Outreach visits when the consular officers are in town to provide consular and notarial services (income letters).

If you don't know a warden, contact ACS at the US Embassy 02-205-4049 (evenings 02-205-4000), and a warden will get in touch. Posting on the forum will also help you get in contact.

Please help us help our US expat community: if you hear of an expat being admitted to hospital, being arrested, or in need of financial assistance to get back home stateside, let us know. This would include events like a bus accident out on the highway or an incident at the airport.

Anyone you know who's had a heart attack or stroke and is trying to brave it out at home without seeing a doctor? Tell us, please! We got such a call about a guy out in the boonies. The warden took his Thai-nurse wife along to see him. She took one look at him and whispered that he would die that night without hospitalization. Nine months later he's much better although still somewhat paralyzed on one side.

Best of all, ACS and SSA/Manila worked to get him on SSA Disability with a generous benefit. For this he needed an SSA medical exam in Bkk because the specialist at Udon govt hospital couldn't do the exam to SSA standards. ACS coordinated with SSA for a fully equipped ambulance with attending personnel to convey him door-to-door to a hospital in Bangkok roundtrip. (Funding source unknown by the warden.) ACS later provided a donated wheelchair for his rehabilitation.

Along this same theme for those of us not aware, let's mention visas for any expat who's paralyzed, has no income or savings, etc. The BIB are not about to place such a guy out in the middle of the Friendship bridge and wish him luck. Although a paralyzed expat may have less than 65,000B/mo and no savings, Udon immigration will grant him a visa every 90 days for 2,000B. He must provide a photo of himself in bed, a letter signed by him stating that he is paralyzed but provided support by a care-giver, a map showing the route from home to the Immigration office and a recent letter from his doctor stamped by the hospital confirming his condition. Hope this helps someone disabled and planning to just hide out with no visa.

The wardens are also invited to call in any local security issues like troop call-up's, community problems arising from foreigners (mafia), cross-border fraud and document forgery, whatever. The US embassy security people are in close contact with their counterparts in other embassies as well as with the Thai authorities. Problems with how refugees from Yangoon, North Korea or Lao are handled? Please let us know, so the embassy can contact UNHCR and others.

Mod Note: Edited at OP's request.

Post by **Bronco** » August 26, 2012, 6:55 pm

I always have written to the embassy website and applauded,in person at the outreaches,the extent to which the American Embassy goes to make life easier for Americans living in Thailand.This is just another example.My American friend,here in Nongkhai, and I have an agreement that whichever of us expires first,that the other will help by contacting family, the Embassy and helping any way possible.This just makes things that much easier.Well done America.There are many things to be proud of,being American and the other things,well as my parents would say,"If you have nothing good to say,say nothing at all."

Post by **FrazeeDK** » August 27, 2012, 12:49 pm

The embassy provided an ambulance?? Perhaps they coordinated but their website states quite clearly they do not pay for any medical care... I worked for the State Dept. and indeed was duty officer in BKK on several occassions.. The embassy SOP quite clearly stated the U.S. government pays for nothing. Repatriation monies are loans based on guarantees of repayment from the person receiving them or their family. Medical assistance payments generally are based on monies provided by friends/families in the States. On the assistance side, yes, the ACS secdtion can provide excellent advice and aid on getting appropriate SSA benefits through the Manila office.

Post by **FrazeeDK** » August 27, 2012, 12:50 pm

and yes please.. The wardens in the area should make themselves known.. I registered with the ACS website and get their e-mail updates but have never been notified who the Udon Wardens are...

Post by **merchant seaman** » August 27, 2012, 12:55 pm

Even if not a member the local VFW Post is a great source for information for U.S. citizens. 5 ACS Wardens are members.

Post by **Jed** » August 27, 2012, 2:46 pm

Are their identities meant to be confidential for some reason?

Well at least I know UM username "papaguido" for one.

Thanks for that. Interesting and worth knowing.

Post by **papaguido** » August 27, 2012, 3:17 pm

Jed wrote:Are their identities meant to be confidential for some reason?

Well at least I know UM username "papaguido" for one.

Thanks for that. Interesting and worth knowing.

No I'm not one. I'm just sharing info that was posted from another forum. They also make an appearances at the ACS consular visits, so if you want to meet face to face you'll have a chance on Sept 13th (see link).

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/topic25708.html

Post by **DaveUdon** » August 27, 2012, 3:55 pm

[Post deleted at the request of DaveUdon]

Post by **Jed** » August 27, 2012, 4:37 pm

Ah yes, I see, thanks for clarifying you're not one PG.

I'll look around the ACS visit crowd next time for wardenlike people, then.

Seems like they'd be able to help many more people if those in need knew who they were, or how to find them.

I suppose they could track them down through the ACS, if able at the time.

Anyway, just curious about this arrangement and how it might work in practice.

Post by **DaveUdon** » August 27, 2012, 4:46 pm

Jed wrote:Are their identities meant to be confidential for some reason?

Hi Jed,

Wardens are charged with getting to know their US expat community themselves. Hence, it's an individual effort.

For a long time I concentrated on Udon Hospital since my wife was a nurse there and heard about admitted expats needing translators when the admin would call her. The VFW is a good source of names, but I'm not a VFW member, and new wardens from VFW have now been added. I got several leads from friends of guys needing help, and then a member of another forum alerted me and I joined their forum to assist. That's when I realized that these forums are an excellent source of "meet and greet."

Other wardens are more cautious and not so sure about that. Now I understand why. My own desire to spread the word caught up with me when I posted incorrect info about ACS here and elsewhere. mea culpa, and I have to simply be a little less enthusiastic in my approach.

I always make an effort to attend the Outreach meetings, and I see other wardens there as well. Since we've been issued green polo shirts with the embassy logo, we should be easy to recognize. Pls say hello! The color may change at the warden conference next month, but the logo should still be apparent.

BTW, when I was in western Ukraine last year to visit a new grand-daughter, my daughter complained about the rude reaction she would get whenever she called ACS in Kiev for info. I sent them an email explaining that I was a US citizen and asked for the warden contact in her area. They replied with, "Who are you and why do you want to know?" I shot back a nice reply explaining our own program and how we're encouraged to reach out to the community. Back came the reply, "Sorry for the inconvenience, for information please call xxx-xxx". Just saying. Sigh...

Regards

Post by **gudtymchuk** » August 27, 2012, 4:55 pm

Does seem a bit strange to read a post about the good work that ACS Wardens do but no names, locations or contact information..... would certainly be nice to have a ACS warden contact in the list of contacts in my mobile in the event of an emergency.

Post by **DaveUdon** » August 27, 2012, 5:18 pm

gudtymchuk wrote:Does seem a bit strange to read a post about the good work that ACS Wardens do but no names, locations or contact information..... would certainly be nice to have a ACS warden contact in the list of contacts in my mobile in the event of an emergency.

Hi gudtymchuk,

I would be happy to register my mobile no. with a forum PhuYai via PM. Kindly make an admin or moderator recommendation.

Regards

Post by **DaveUdon** » August 27, 2012, 5:37 pm

DaveUdon wrote:I would be happy to register my mobile no. with a forum PhuYai via PM. Kindly make an admin or moderator recommendation.

Perhaps the best way to get support is to call ACS at 02-205-4049 (after hours 02-205-4000), and they will also call us.

Regards

Post by **Stantheman** » August 27, 2012, 11:20 pm

DaveUdon wrote:
DaveUdon wrote:I would be happy to register my mobile no. with a forum PhuYai via PM. Kindly make an admin or moderator recommendation.
Perhaps the best way to get support is to call ACS at 02-205-4049 (after hours 02-205-4000), and they will also call us.

Regards

Dave I think the best thing is to have the numbers for the ACS as you posted. This is better then personal numbers as some might leave ACS and still receive calls from US Citizens needing assistance.

Post by **DaveUdon** » August 28, 2012, 6:33 am

Bronco wrote:My American friend,here in Nongkhai, and I have an agreement that whichever of us expires first,that the other will help by contacting family, the Embassy and helping any way possible.

Hi Bronco,

An excellent idea. Here's a few more:

Exchange meds and dosage information. This is esp valuable for ACS because they respond quickly if an expat's life is in danger because of lack of meds. It helps the hospital doctor as well if you're laid up and unable communicate.

Keep in touch periodically to let the other know all's well and that you're not on the floor hoping for help.

You might even consider documenting how to get funds via ATM or elsewhere, then sealing it in an envelope to be deposited with someone like a VFW social officer. There was a farang in local hospital with a stroke, and his Thai wife had no idea how to get access to his funds to help him.

There's an ex-social officer in Udon who still performs this function. PM me to contact him and put him in touch with you.

My wife and I have a simple, mutual power-of-atty agreement to be approved quickly by a judge in the event one of us can't communicate and the other needs to deal with the assets.

More as I think of it. Anyone else?

Regards

Post by **karonsteve** » August 28, 2012, 4:33 pm

DIsposal of the body?

Post by **bumper** » August 28, 2012, 7:27 pm

Do you mean a VFW Service Officer?

Never heard of Social Officer.

I can tell you from personal experience, Social Sercurity is a nightmare to do. There are Doctors and Lawyers in the states who work only on Disability cases for Social Security, None here that I know of. Very few Doctors here in Udon understand the requirements. It took me four years to get a proper report. I finally hiored a lawyer in the states and did everything via e-mail.

Trust me not an easy task, you won't get a Social Security exam in the states for $3.50.

I saw the problem as two fold, one is the language barrier, speaking of Udon. The second Thai doctors are used to just saying what is wrong, not explining in detail and how it effects your abilty to work. If anyone knows of a Doctor in Bangkok that can truly to that. That would be the way I would go, if I had to do it agian. Thnak Goodness I won't have to go that again.

Yes disposal of the body can be part of it. If you die and have not made the proper arrangements befoer hand your body will be stuck ina refrigerator till things can be worked out, by the Embassy.

A proper will is essential. Granted it won't bother you much,. ( I Assume ) But you will leave a real can of worms for your friends to deal with on your passing.

This is timely time for me to do another review and make sure my wishes are clear. Being a member of the Local VFW mine is not that difficult to do.

If your not a member, you need someone to act in your behalf.

Post by **DaveUdon** » August 28, 2012, 8:15 pm

bumper wrote:Do you mean a VFW Service Officer?

Thanks, probably. Not being a VFW member, I can't be certain of our friend's former title with the Udon branch/chapter. He's been here many, many years and still enjoys helping others as he did when he was serving the VFW. I thought he said "Social" but it could have been "Service".

Anyway, he offered his "personal document archive" service to me 11 years ago even though I hadn't served outside CONUS. "No combat..." was his only comment when he read my DD-214 discharge paper. Oh well...

He also enjoys helping the Thai families of deceased members with getting their benefits due from SSA, and other org's.

If a member would like me to PM him to put him in touch, let me know.

Regards

Post by **parrot** » August 28, 2012, 8:18 pm

In 16 years, I've known 19 expats who have died in Udon. Two were buried in cemeteries....the rest went up in smoke. I've not known of any who were shipped back home.....or even wanted to be shipped back home. You could.......but (if you live here) why bother?

Post by **bumper** » August 29, 2012, 4:21 pm

I agree, a crispy critter here is good enough for me. But, make your wishes known in writing is a good idea, I believe.

For us married guys not a big problem for the family. The guys who are not maried seem to be the ones that end up in the refrigerator while the Embassy sort things out. Last guy that ahppened to they sold his motorcylce to cover his cost of cremeation. No free rides in death either.

VFW Sevice Office I know who you are taling about. He has served for years helping widows out. He has helped with simple matters with Social Security. Making sure the widows file their annual statements, simple retirement benefits Ect. But, if your talking about a disabilty award, anything but simple.

The hardest part is getting a doctors report that complies Social Security requirements. If someone knows a Doctor or hospital in Bangkok that has expeience with that. It may help others in the future if you can share it.

I think I still have contact information fror the lawyer in the states, that took my case. Mine was turned down twice and went hearing. Social Security position based on what I saw. Is to deny the claim so people will get frustrated and just give up. If your claim is legitimate you just got to keep trying eventually sanity will come into play. My case took five years.

Hope no one else has to do it.