The Thai Consulate in Los Angeles is in a beautiful affluent tree lined , coffee shop and hipster area on Larchmont . It reeks of fabulous people and yet it made us ridiculously nervous !
We have been dreaming of this adventure for nearly 3 years now and as it drew closer the only true obstacle that we faced was obtaining our multiple entry Thai tourist visa (know as an METV amongst travelers.) It allows for 180 days stay in Thailand for the princely sum of $200 per applicant and the main stipulation is that you leave every 60 days over a border to ‘check in’.
The list of requirements is lengthy from proof of employment letters, passport photos, copies of birth certificates and marriage , proof of accommodation whilst in Thailand and at least $7000 , yes , that’s SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS , in the bank account for each person. Thus allowing the Thai government not to be burdened with you should you not have enough money to live for that period of time. Thank goodness we started those college savings accounts at birth. 
We went to Los Angeles by train 
early this morning meeting our weary family leader, Justin, after a full 24 hour long LAFD shift saving lives. Straight to the consulate to hand in the packages of papers we had been accumulating. A guard greeted us ( kind of) , traded our California ID for a visitor badge and we went up to the 2nd floor. The kids had been warned to be on their best behavior and happily no one made a scene. 
The clerk looked through our papers , my heart and mind racing in case I had forgotten anything and asked us a few questions, shuffled the paper and passports , then handed us a receipt and said “come back at 3 o’clock ”
We retrieved our drivers licenses and walked back to the car. Just a little info to share here : if the visa is denied they keep your $200 per person fee and you have to agree to that. Nothing for it but a drive about Los Angeles for the next 5 hours.
The Grove and the Farmers Market amused and fed us with another stop for a Boba tea. 3pm was looming.
Back to Larchmont and another exchange of licenses , up to the desk only to be told to sit down it wasn’t ready … my nerves can’t take this!
Ten minutes later the clerk points to us and he summons us forward. Five passports with visas handed over with a “please check them” instruction and we had the visas !! 
We casually walked into the elevator and I wouldn’t be surprised if most of Hollywood heard our whoops of delight as the doors closed on us !!
Thailand here we come !!
~Arlene
Seven Months in Siam 