I just got back from 2 weeks in Thailand.(what a country!) I have always been a big fan of Asian culture, and also the cuisine. Outside of Japan (where I have little Desire to go) Thailand seems to have the best rapport with the US, so that is whay I opted for that country. It turned out to be an excellent decision, and I had a great time and met all kinds of wonderful people. One couple in particular, was a Scot who was married to a Thai lady, and this woman's mother had a sister whose daughter was about my age and single. Well, the 4 of us had a blast. I brought some pics of Mexico with me and as my trip wound down, we began talking of them coming to visit me in Mexico. I came back home, and did not think much of it...I had already been to the INM website and saw that Thai residents arriving from Thailand, did not need visas to enter Mexico. I am assuming they simply get on a plane (like Americans do) and receive an FMT when they arrive. But then I got to thinking about my new friend, the single lady. I am wondering if she would have a problem, since Thailand (more notably Bangkok) is held by some to be the illicit sex trade capital of Asia. I was never aware of this and in fact, saw no signs of it, although I did not spend much time in Bangkok. The flight from Thailand lands in Houston, and then there is a direct flight to Veracruz.....do they (or she) need to go through the whole visa issue, if they are essentially just changing planes to Mexico? What if they should have to spend the night in Houston, in order to be able to make that connection? They would have tickets in hand for proof, but to a customs agent, I can see where that would make little difference. I am just wondering if anyone here has had any experience with this. In other words, landing in the US from another country, but being in the US, only for the purposes of changing planes. It seems there are relatively few countries for which the US does NOT require a visa to enter. Hmmmm.
Yes, I've traveled to Cancun via the US several times from the UK. She'll need to have the full works as if she was visiting the US as a tourist even if in transit. As did I (easy being a Brit) and my wife (not easy being Mexican). Might be easier for her to travel via Canada, Europe or South America.
As far as I know both the ITI (International to International) and the TWOV (Travel Without Visa) programs were suspended after 9/11. This is a link to the Dept of Homeland Security announcement of the suspension, dated Aug. 2003. DHS: Homeland Security and Department of State Take Immediate Steps To Make Air Travel Even Safer Basically it means that all arriving passengers require the proper documentation appropriate for their nationality and must clear customs. Some airports used to have secure lounges for ITI or TWOV, where you had to remain waiting for your connecting flight. They negated the need to clear US customs. I believe these are all gone now. I have heard that Miami no longer requires you to collect your checked luggage prior to going through customs, but will transfer them directly to your connecting flight. Not sure if that is true or not. Sure miss the good 'ole days of flying.
That was the case with us when we traveled through their last. I too remember the days the US had secure lounges for in transit passengers, it was like being in prison for a couple of hours.
Thanks guys....I was afraid of that, but glad I asked before they just "showed up" I will look for direct flights, maybe from BKK or Tokyo to Mexico City. (UGH!!!)
