US Embassy Bangkok: Going to America Is As Easy As ABC! Really!

July 17, 2013 By in Ambassadors, Consular Work, DCM, Foreign Service, FSOs, Public Diplomacy, Social Media, Technology and Work, U.S. Missions, Visas Tags: , , , , ,

◉ By Domani Spero

The US Embassy in Bangkok has added a new video to its musical collection. This one aims to convey to Thai applicants that “going to America is as easy as ABC”;  that it is “easy as One Two Three, and simple as Do Re Mi”  and plugs in the embassy visa page.  Performed by embassy staff to the tune of Jackson 5’s ABC (with Thai subtitle), the 2- minute video currently has 6,748 views in YouTube. We should note that both Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney and her DCM Judith B. Cefkin also made cameo appearance in the video.

While the video has some positive comments, posted comments also includes “Not that simple and NOT a very pleasant experience for the applicant” and “LOL It’s totally different when you go for visa interviewing and how this video like.”  We understand why the embassy would like to show the visa application process as a painless one, even a “fun” experience, but in reality, it is neither.  We love this video and its creative way of telling visa clients to go check out the visa process, but customers can see through the gap.  It’s not as easy as ABC when you’re on the other side of the hardline.  We have to recognize that.

Lyrics appended below since we know you’d love to sing along with this.

Going to America Is As Easy As ABC!

You want to go to America
But you don’t know what to do
Like how to apply and what to bring
We are here to help you

I’m gonna teach you, all about applying
Sit yourself down and take a seat
All you’ve got to do is look on the web

ABC
Easy as One Two Three
Simple as Do Re Mi
ABC
One Two Three
Everybody it’s easy (x2)

Come on and visit our website
Everything you need to know is there
I’m going to teach you how to figure it out
Come on let me show you what it’s all about

Application, appointment, interview
Everything you need to know
About applying for a visa, and how to get it down
Until the application is complete

We’re going to show you
Different types of visas
How to find what you need
Listen to me that’s all you’ve got to do

ABC
Easy as One Two Three
Simple as Do Re Mi
ABC
One Two Three
Everybody it’s easy (x2)

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