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27 Mar, 2015

German Embassy rudeness leaves Thai orchid expert wilted – The Nation

Bangkok – The difficulty of Thais acquiring foreign visas has long been an issue, and some embassies make it so hard to apply for travel permission that even leading stand-up comedian Udom “Nose” Taepanich joked about it in his one-man shows.

But no one is laughing at the latest case of consular coarseness, which involves an elderly and highly respected professor who wanted to go to Germany.

The ordeal of Rapee Sagarik, 92-year-old professor of horticulture and founder of the Thailand Orchid Society, was posted on Facebook by his personal nurse Kloz Hirunburana.

“You’re old already. Why do you want to go to Germany?” an embassy staffer rudely asked the gentleman. “Do you have proof of life insurance or a medical check-up certificate?”

via Embassy rudeness leaves orchid expert wilted – The Nation.