Reference Services
Reference Queries
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
TOPICS 2) Americana
3) U.S. History & Culture
4) U.S. Economics & Statistics
5) U.S. Government & Politics
6) U.S. Education & Studying in the U.S.
7) Thailand-U.S. Relations (Bilateral Issues)
Questions
Q: Do I need a visa to travel to the United States?
A: A citizen of a foreign country wishing to enter the United States generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Since Thailand doesn't participate in the Visa Waiver Program countries, Thai travelers need to have visas. For detailed information about visas, please visit the Visa pages of our website. If you still have questions after reading the information, you can send an email directly to mailto:visasbkk@state.gov. Please do not send visa questions to the IRC mailbox.
Q: Where can I obtain tourist information?
A: We've linked to several good resources on our Travel Guides page. Also check out the practical travelers tips at FirstGov's travel page. For Air travel security, the U.S.Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provides new revised guidelines on items that a traveler may check and/or carry on to an airplane in the United States at: Permitted and Prohibited Items. If you plan to bring any products or gifts into the United States, it's also a good idea to read the information about U.S. Customs Regulations.
Q: What's the weather like where I'm going?
A: The Weather Channel, a 24 hour cable channel, and the national newspaper USA Today are among a number of websites providing current weather reports and 5 day forecasts for U.S. cities.
Q: What time is it in the United States? What is the time difference between Thailand and the United States?
A: The continental United States is divided into four times zones: Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific. In addition, Alaska and Hawaii are each in their own time zone. The continental states observe daylight savings time during the summer months. The time zone in Bangkok, Thailand is approximately 12 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time. You may find these websites useful: Time & Temperature; World Time Server; and Time Zone Converter.
Q: What pets, agricultural products, or food items will Customs and Border Protection permit me to bring into the U.S.?
A: For information on travelling to the United States with your pet, or on what items you can bring into the U.S., please check out the information from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Bringing Agricultural Products into the United States. This page provides general guidelines on bringing agricultural products and live animals, and a general list of approved products and information resources for travelers. For more detailed information, please see also:Travel Alerts and Restricted/Prohibited Goods and Prohibited and Restricted Items.
Q: How can I find a brief summary of facts about the United States?
A: Please search the selected sources below:
The World Factbook is an annual publication by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States, with basic almanac-style information about the various countries of the world. The factbook gives two-to three-page summaries of the demographics, location, telecommunications capacity, government, industry, military capability, etc. of all U.S.-recognized countries and territories in the world. For the U.S., please click here
Profile of the United States from Information Please Almanac provides information on U.S. geography, population, vital statistics, civilian labor force, income and credit, and education.
A USA Country Profile in Thai can be found on the Northern America Division, Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Q: What is the National Anthem of the United States?
A: "The Star Spangled Banner", was ordered played at military and naval occasions by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, but was not designated the national anthem by an Act of Congress until 1931. The words were written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key, who had been inspired by the sight of the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry after a night of heavy British bombardment. The text was immediately set to a popular melody of the time, "To Anacreon in Heaven". The National Anthem consists of four verses. On almost every occasion only the first verse is sung. More information and lyrics of the song can be found at U.S. National Anthem.
Q: How many stars and stripes are on the U.S. flag?
A: There are 50 stars representing the 50 states and there are 13 stripes representing the 13 original states. A full picture of the flag is here. For more information on its history, please visit U.S. Flag Facts.
Q: How many States are there in the U.S?
A: There are fifty (50) states. The last two states to join the Union were Alaska (49th) and Hawaii (50th). Both joined in 1959. More information on the 50 states and U.S. territories is available from the following websites: U.S. State Facts; the Fifty States ; U.S. States and Territories and Online Links to State Resources.
A: Washington D.C. (Washington, District of Columbia) is the capital of the United States. It is one of the few national capitals founded solely as a seat of government. It is also a federal district under the authority of Congress. The local government is run by a mayor and a 13 member city council. Washington D.C. is represented in Congress by an elected, nonvoting Delegate to the House of Representatives and residents have been able to vote in Presidential elections since 1961.
Washington, D.C., was named for George Washington and Christopher Columbus. The present-day city of Washington is co-extensive with the District of Columbia, and the names are synonymous. It is the only city in the United States that is not part of a state.
Q: What is Puerto Rico if it isn't a state?
A: Puerto Rico is a commonwealth associated with the United States. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens. Puerto Ricans are unable to vote in U.S. Presidential elections but they do elect a nonvoting resident commissioner to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Q: What are the Postal Abbreviations for the U.S. states and territories?
A: The United States Postal Service offers Official USPS Abbreviations on which you can find postal abbreviations for the states and possessions. For more information, please see U.S. Postal Information.
Q: How can I find out the zip code of an address in the U.S.?
A: Zip Codes are a system used in the U.S. to facilitate the delivery of mail, consisting of a five- or nine-digit code printed directly after the address, the first five digits (initial code) indicating the state and post office or postal zone, the last four (expanded code) the box section or number, portion of a rural route, building, or other specific delivery location. You can find a ZIP Code by entering an address at Zip Code Lookup.
Q: What are the dates of public holidays in the United States?
A: The U.S. Office of Personnel Management provides complete listings of Federal Holidays in each year. For other U.S. holidays and popular dates, please browse United States Legal Federal Holidays. You may find an Overview of U.S. Holidays useful too.
Q: My school will prepare an exhibit about the Fourth of July. Please help us find historical background and information on how Americans celebrate this national holiday.
A: Please look at Fourth of July Celebrations and Travel with Kids: Fourth of July Celebrations. For more information on other public holidays, please see National Celebrations: Holidays in the United States.
Q: How can I trace someone in the United States?
A: Tracing people in the United States can be a lengthy and time consuming process. Many records, such as those held by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, are protected by the Privacy Act and cannot be divulged to third parties. A central registration system does not exist in the United States as it does in many countries. Therefore, searching for persons in the U.S. can be very difficult, especially when little information is known about the person. However, the Internet has made many other resources much more freely accessible. Search options include
http://www.switchboard.com,
http://www.555-1212.com/mindex.jsp,
http://zabasearch.com,
http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com,
and http://www.familiysearch.org on the Internet.
These websites can conduct nationwide searches with as little as a last name. A city of residence is not required.
One last option would be to contact a private investigator in the United States, although this can be quite expensive.
Q: How can I contact living former presidents: President Gerald Ford, President Jimmy Carter, President Bill Clinton, and President George Bush?
A: President Gerald Ford
The Honorable Gerald Ford
P.O. Box 927
Rancho Mirage CA 92270
tel: (1) 714-324-1763
President Jimmy Carter
The Honorable Jimmy Carter
The Carter Center
One Copenhill
453 Freedom Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30307
tel: (1) 404-331-3900
President George H.W. Bush
The Honorable George Bush
10000 Memorial Drive, Ste. 900
Houston TX 77024
tel: (1) 713-686-1188
President Bill Clinton
The Honorable William J. Clinton
55 W. 125th Street, 14th Floor
New York NY 10027
tel: (1) 212-348-8882
fax: (1) 212-348-9245
Q: What is the text of the U.S. Constitution?
A: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration provides the full text with images of the Constitution of the United States of America. You can view larger images and easily read the transcript with references.
Q: How can I obtain a copy of U.S. government publications on U.S. history?
A: The Outline of U.S. History: is a publication of the U.S. Department of State. It is a chronological look at how the United States took shape -- from its origins as an obscure set of colonies on the Atlantic coast a little more than 200 years ago into what one political analyst today calls "the first universal nation." The publication can be downloaded by chapter or printed in its entirety in a PDF file at Download PDF (4.38 MB).
For Thai readers, please find a brief history of the United States on our Quiz USA Resources page here.
Q: I need to do a report on American lives and culture, please provide me the websites and information.
A: Please visit the InfoUSA topic of Art and Culture, and see also Society and Values and refer to the following sections
| Religions in the U.S. | Diversity
| Social Welfare | Family Life |.
Portrait of the USA is a guide to various aspects of life in the United States, covering: people, geography, history, government, business, education, science and medicine, religion, social services, the arts, sports & entertainment, the media and U.S. holidays. A Thai version is also available for downloading by chapter here.
Snapshot USA is an E-journal of the U.S. Department of State Office of International Information Programs (IIP), June 2006. The journal is designed to provide a central resource for information about the United States. It is an introduction, tailored to the current generation of young people around the world, containing many facts and statistics, but also essays describing how Americans think about their country and the world.
The United States in 2005 -Who are We? : an E-journal of the U.S. Department of State Office of International Information Programs (IIP), December 2004. The journal describes in less than fifty pages who the people of the United States are today and how some Americans live their everyday lives and what is important to them.
For more information on American Culture, please visit the E-Journal page of the U.S. Department of State Office of International Information Programs (IIP) and look under the topic of U.S. Society & Values.
Q: What is the current population of the U.S.?
A: For the most updated figures please check the U.S. Census Bureau Pop Clocks. For more detailed information on the U.S. Census in 2000, please try: http://www.census.gov/.
The first census of the United States, taken in the 1790, was unique among early modern censuses: it was the first to be conceived as an integral part of the machinery of government. The Constitution provided for a population census to be taken "within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years" (Article 1, Section 2); and without lapse, such an enumeration has been made every ten years since 1790.
Q: I need a basic set of statistics about the U.S. covering population, economics, employment, education, crime, health and so on?
A: Statistical Abstract of the United States: published annually by the U.S. Government Printing Office (USGPO) is the basic resource for a very wide range of U.S. statistics. A valuable and compendious resource in itself, it also functions as a guidebook to other statistical series produced by the U.S. Government.
FedStats, a U.S. government web site, provides a one-stop web site for all U.S. government statistics, including:
- A-Z index with direct access to data listings in 275 categories
- Fast Facts Web links that allow users to get major economic and social statistics and online versions of the most frequently requested tables from the U.S. Statistical Abstract
- Keyword search capability for Internet users to search Web sites linked to FedStats
For more information on U.S. statistics, please click here.
Q: What is the U.S. Minimum Wage Rate?
A: The federal minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees is $5.15 an hour. Please find more details from the U.S. Department of Labor Home pages on: Questions and Answers about the Minimum Wage and Minimum Wage.
Q: How can I find the most current U.S. GDP and other key economic statistics?
A: The Economics and Statistics Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce provides timely access to the daily releases of key economic indicators from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau at Economic Indicators.Gov or Overview of the Economy .
Q: I want to do research on the U.S. Government. How is the U.S. Government organized?
A: United States governmental power and functions are carried out by three branches of government: legislative, judicial, and executive. View a complete diagram (.PDF) of the U.S. government's branches.
Executive Branch
The executive branch of the government is responsible for enforcing the laws of the land. The president, vice president, department heads (cabinet members), and heads of independent agencies carry out this mission.
Judicial Branch
Courts decide arguments about the meaning of laws and how they are applied. They also decide if laws violate the Constitution—this is known as judicial review, and it is how federal courts provide checks and balances on the legislative and executive branches.
Legislative Branch
Article I of the Constitution establishes the legislative or law making branch of government. The United States has a two-branch Congress—the Senate and the House of Representatives—and agencies that support Congress.
Please take a look also at the following publications:
The United States Government Manual is an official hand book of the federal government. It provides comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. It also includes information on quasi-official agencies, international organizations in which the United States participates, and boards, commissions, and committees. The Manual begins with reprints of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. The new edition of the Manual is available annually in late summer.
About America: How the United States Is Governed is a publication from the Bureau of International Information Program, U.S. Department of State. This publication describes how federal, state, and local governments are elected, how they operate, and how the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government relate under the U.S. constitutional system. A Thai version is also available here.
Q: How can I find list of all U.S. Government Directories?
A: FirstGov (http://www.firstgov.gov): the official web portal for the U.S.Government is an easy-to-search, free-access website designed to give you a centralized place to find information from U.S. local, state and federal government agency websites.
Q: How many presidents has the United States had?
A: The current President, President George W. Bush, is the 43rd President of the United States of America. Please visit the White House Office for more information on President Bush or any other president.
Q: How do I send a letter to President Bush ?
A: You may mail a letter to President Bush at this address:
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C.
USA 20500
Q: Who are the Secretaries of President Bush’s Cabinet?
A: The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments. For more information please visit the U.S. White House Office at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/
government/cabinet.html
Q: Where can I find information about the U.S. Congress?
A: The Congressional Directory is the official directory of the U.S. Congress, prepared by the Joint Committee on Printing (JCP). Published since 1888, the Congressional Directory presents short biographies of each member of the Senate and House, listed by state or district, and additional data, such as committee memberships, terms of service, administrative assistants and/or secretaries, and room and telephone numbers. It also lists officials of the courts, military establishments, and other Federal departments and agencies, including D.C. government officials, governors of states and territories, foreign diplomats, and members of the press, radio, and television galleries.
Q: How many members of Congress are there, and how long are their terms of office?
A: The U.S. Congress is bicameral, composed of two bodies, the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Senate has 100 members: two senators for each of the fifty states. Senators are elected for six years. One third of the Senate is elected every two years. The House of Representatives comprises 435 Representatives. The number representing each state is determined by the population, but every state is entitled to one representative. Representatives are elected every two years. A Resident Commissioner for Puerto Rico, and Delegates from American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam and the Virgin Islands complete the composition of Congress. The Resident Commissioner and Delegates have no vote in the full House but they do vote in the committees to which they are assigned.
Q: How does a bill become a law in the U.S.?
A: This complicated process is explained in the House of Representatives document How Our Laws are Made (156K): a detailed text description of the legislative process. Broadly speaking, a proposed law, whether initially introduced in the House or the Senate, or both, must be passed by both the House and the Senate, in exactly the same form, and then approved by the President, before becoming law. A Thai translation with a flowchart of the legislative process is available on page 10-11 of About America: How the United States Is Governed, a publication from the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State (Thai version).
Q: Why is the Donkey a symbol of the Democratic Party? And why is the Elephant a symbol of Republican Party?
A: Background history of these famous symbols of the two major political parties in the U.S. can be found from the Democrat Party: History of the Democratic Party Donkey and the Republican Party: Origin of the Elephant
Q: Where can I find information on the U.S. Elections?
A: You can find information on the upcoming Federal and State elections from Election 2006: Candidates & Information. For more information, please try Links to Election Resources provided by the International Information Programs, U.S. Department of States. For an overview of U.S. elections, process, procedures and past elections, including U.S. Elections 2004, please see Elections.
U.S. Education & Studying in the U.S.:
Q: Where can I find general information on U.S. Education?
A: Organization of U.S. Education System by the U.S. Department of Education. There, you can find the information on how U.S. education is governed, including the roles of the federal information system, national associations and the ways by which standards and quality are monitored.
A Diverse Educational System by the U.S. Department of State. From Portrait of the USA, this chapter describes the broad contours of U.S. education, including its structure, standards and challenges.
Education in The United States: Continuity and Change by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Information Programs, December 1997. (Electronic Journal).
Education in the United States: the Pre-University Years by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Information Programs, June 2000. (Electronic Journal).
Q: Where can I obtain a copy of an e-journal on “College and University Education in the United States” in Thai?
A: Please find the Thai Translation of this journal from the U.S. Embassy in Thailand Home Page at การศึกษาขั้นอุดมศึกษาในfอเมริกา .
Q: I would like to study in the United States- What do I do?
A: Check out Education USA , or Study in USA: a comprehensive, objective and timely resource for students interested in pursuing postsecondary studies in the United States. The web page also offers Education Advising Centers in Bangkok and guide books: Undergraduate, Graduate and Short Term Studies, predeparture information and living in the U.S. See more from If You Want to Study in the U.S. , and Study in the USA Inc..
Q: Where can I learn about Study in USA pre-departure orientation programs in Thailand?
A: Please check the information from U.S. Embassy in Thailand Website.
Q: Where can I find out about accredited institutions?
A: Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) provides list of Recognized Accrediting Organizations, this website has a list of all the organization and accreditation bodies they recognized.
Q: Where can I find the information on loans for international students?
A: You can find it in the Education USA website, under “Financial Assistance” and "Fulbright Scholarship".
Q: Where can I find the information on TOEFL and GMAT?
A: TOEFL® (Test of English as a Foreign LanguageTM) test measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand English as it is spoken, written, and heard in college and university settings. More information on the TOEFL test and other tests (see Test Directory on the TOEFL page) are provided by the Educational Testing Service.
GMAT® or The Graduate Management Admission Test® is a standardized assessment—delivered in English—that helps business schools assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management. Schools use the test as one predictor of academic performance in an MBA program or in other graduate management programs. More information on GMAT is provided by the Graduate Management Admission Council.
Q: What is the U.S. Au Pair Program? Is this program real? How can I determine whether the intermediary companies in Thailand are credible?
A: Au Pair and EduCare is an educational and cultural exchange program with a child care component. Au pairs come to the United States for one year to provide up to 45 hours of child care per week for their host family while pursuing educational credits. The EduCare participant provides up to 30 hours of child care a week. Sponsoring organizations in the U.S. have the responsibility for administering the program, within the regulations set by the Department of State (DOS). Please find more detailed information from What You Need to Know About the Au Pair Program (Brochure) HTML | *PDF (This brochure explains the program and answers some frequently asked questions)
The U.S. Embassy is not in a position to verify the existence or credibility of any Thai non-governmental organization.
Thailand-U.S. Relations (Bilateral Issues):
Q: When was the American Embassy in Bangkok built?
A: The American Embassy in Bangkok was built in 1950. In the mid-1990s, the Embassy moved into the new buildings after many years in its former site. The May 16, 1996, official opening of the American Embassy in Bangkok was presided over by then-Deputy Prime Minister Amnuay Viravan and U.S. Ambassador William Itoh. The new building, at 120-122 Wireless Road, is across the street from the old chancery (at 95 Wireless Rd.) which houses the Consular Section, Public Affairs, and many other sections. For more current information of the Embassy, please see About the U.S. Embassy in Thailand from the Embassy Home Page.
Q: Who were the previous American Ambassadors to Thailand?
A: Please find list of American Consuls, Ministers, and U.S. Ambassador to Thailand here.
Q: How can I find a brief report on Thai-U.S. Relations?
A: Background Notes: Thailand, an annual report released by the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State provides facts about Thailand and its geography, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and its relations with other countries including U.S.-Thai Relations.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. also provides a brief report on Thai-American Relations at Thai-U.S. Bilateral Issues which includes AN OVERVIEW OF THAI - U.S. RELATIONS, List of Thailand's Ambassadors to the U.S. Thai-American Relations , and Thailand - U.S. Agreements.
For documents related to Thai-U.S. Relations on various topics, please see the U.S. Embassy in Thailand 's Thailand-U.S.: Bilateral Issues & Policies.
Information on Thai-U.S. Relations in Thai is also available at U.S. Watch, a website maintained and developed by North American Division, Department of American and South Pacific Affairs, Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It offers current news and Thai-U.S. relations in various areas including: background history, economics, politics, society, and science & technology.
Q: How can I obtain the full text of the Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the United States of America 1966?
A: The Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. provides the electronic full text of the treaty at: http://www.thaiembdc.org/politics/thaius/1966taer.htm.
Most full texts of bilateral treaties between Thailand and the United States are available at the Treaty Division of Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please find contact information below:
Treaty Division, Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Address: 443 Sri Ayudhya Road, Bangkok 10400
Tel: 0-2643-5021-22
Fax: 0-2643-5020
E-mail:
treaties05@mfa.go.th
Website:
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/
1813.php?depcode=10605000
Q: Where can I find information on the Number of Thai Students in the U.S.?
A: Please see Study in USA and the annual Institute of International Education's Open Doors Report.
Q: Can you please provide a list of known NGOs and relief organizations in Thailand - especially those who have registered affiliates in the United States ?
A: Unfortunately, the U.S. Embassy is not in a position to verify the existence or credibility of any non-governmental organization operating in Thailand, nor do we have a complete list of all of the thousands of legitimate charitable organizations operating in the country. You may wish to contact the Royal Thai Embassy in the Untied States directly.
If you are looking for charitable organizations in the United States, you can consider searching the IRS page at
http://apps.irs.gov/app/pub78 looking for
organizations with "Thailand" in the name. The U.S. government also provides a list of charities operating in the Tsunami disaster area, many of which are operating in Thailand, at "http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov/about_usafc/
newsroom/annoucements_dynamic.asp?ID-833"
Reference Services
Reference Queries
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
TOPICS 2) Americana
3) U.S. History & Culture
4) U.S. Economics & Statistics
5) U.S. Government & Politics
6) U.S. Education & Studying in the U.S.
7) Thailand-U.S. Relations (Bilateral Issues)Questions
Q: Do I need a visa to travel to the United States?
A: A citizen of a foreign country wishing to enter the United States generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Since Thailand doesn't participate in the Visa Waiver Program countries, Thai travelers need to have visas. For detailed information about visas, please visit the Visa pages of our website. If you still have questions after reading the information, you can send an email directly to mailto:%20visasbkk@state.gov. Please do not send visa questions to the IRC mailbox.
Q: Where can I obtain tourist information?
A: We've linked to several good resources on our Travel Guides page. Also check out the practical travelers tips at FirstGov's travel page. For Air travel security, the U.S.Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provides new revised guidelines on items that a traveler may check and/or carry on to an airplane in the United States at: Permitted and Prohibited Items. If you plan to bring any products or gifts into the United States, it's also a good idea to read the information about U.S. Customs Regulations.
Q: What's the weather like where I'm going?
A: The Weather Channel, a 24 hour cable channel, and the national newspaper USA Today are among a number of websites providing current weather reports and 5 day forecasts for U.S. cities.
Q: What time is it in the United States? What is the time difference between Thailand and the United States?
A: The continental United States is divided into four times zones: Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific. In addition, Alaska and Hawaii are each in their own time zone. The continental states observe daylight savings time during the summer months. The time zone in Bangkok, Thailand is approximately 12 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time. You may find these websites useful: Time & Temperature; World Time Server; and Time Zone Converter.
Q: What pets, agricultural products, or food items will Customs and Border Protection permit me to bring into the U.S.?
A: For information on travelling to the United States with your pet, or on what items you can bring into the U.S., please check out the information from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Bringing Agricultural Products into the United States. This page provides general guidelines on bringing agricultural products and live animals, and a general list of approved products and information resources for travelers. For more detailed information, please see also:Travel Alerts and Restricted/Prohibited Goods and Prohibited and Restricted Items.
Q: How can I find a brief summary of facts about the United States?
A: Please search the selected sources below:
The World Factbook is an annual publication by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States, with basic almanac-style information about the various countries of the world. The factbook gives two-to three-page summaries of the demographics, location, telecommunications capacity, government, industry, military capability, etc. of all U.S.-recognized countries and territories in the world. For the U.S., please click here
Profile of the United States from Information Please Almanac provides information on U.S. geography, population, vital statistics, civilian labor force, income and credit, and education.
A USA Country Profile in Thai can be found on the Northern America Division, Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Q: What is the National Anthem of the United States?
A: "The Star Spangled Banner", was ordered played at military and naval occasions by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, but was not designated the national anthem by an Act of Congress until 1931. The words were written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key, who had been inspired by the sight of the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry after a night of heavy British bombardment. The text was immediately set to a popular melody of the time, "To Anacreon in Heaven". The National Anthem consists of four verses. On almost every occasion only the first verse is sung. More information and lyrics of the song can be found at U.S. National Anthem.
Q: How many stars and stripes are on the U.S. flag?
A: There are 50 stars representing the 50 states and there are 13 stripes representing the 13 original states. A full picture of the flag is here. For more information on its history, please visit U.S. Flag Facts.
Q: How many States are there in the U.S?
A: There are fifty (50) states. The last two states to join the Union were Alaska (49th) and Hawaii (50th). Both joined in 1959. More information on the 50 states and U.S. territories is available from the following websites: U.S. State Facts; the Fifty States ; U.S. States and Territories and Online Links to State Resources.
A: Washington D.C. (Washington, District of Columbia) is the capital of the United States. It is one of the few national capitals founded solely as a seat of government. It is also a federal district under the authority of Congress. The local government is run by a mayor and a 13 member city council. Washington D.C. is represented in Congress by an elected, nonvoting Delegate to the House of Representatives and residents have been able to vote in Presidential elections since 1961.
Washington, D.C., was named for George Washington and Christopher Columbus. The present-day city of Washington is co-extensive with the District of Columbia, and the names are synonymous. It is the only city in the United States that is not part of a state.
Q: What is Puerto Rico if it isn't a state?
A: Puerto Rico is a commonwealth associated with the United States. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens. Puerto Ricans are unable to vote in U.S. Presidential elections but they do elect a nonvoting resident commissioner to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Q: What are the Postal Abbreviations for the U.S. states and territories?
A: The United States Postal Service offers Official USPS Abbreviations on which you can find postal abbreviations for the states and possessions. For more information, please see U.S. Postal Information.
Q: How can I find out the zip code of an address in the U.S.?
A: Zip Codes are a system used in the U.S. to facilitate the delivery of mail, consisting of a five- or nine-digit code printed directly after the address, the first five digits (initial code) indicating the state and post office or postal zone, the last four (expanded code) the box section or number, portion of a rural route, building, or other specific delivery location. You can find a ZIP Code by entering an address at Zip Code Lookup.
Q: What are the dates of public holidays in the United States?
A: The U.S. Office of Personnel Management provides complete listings of Federal Holidays in each year. For other U.S. holidays and popular dates, please browse United States Legal Federal Holidays. You may find an Overview of U.S. Holidays useful too.
Q: My school will prepare an exhibit about the Fourth of July. Please help us find historical background and information on how Americans celebrate this national holiday.
A: Please look at Fourth of July Celebrations and Travel with Kids: Fourth of July Celebrations. For more information on other public holidays, please see National Celebrations: Holidays in the United States.
Q: How can I trace someone in the United States?
A: Tracing people in the United States can be a lengthy and time consuming process. Many records, such as those held by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, are protected by the Privacy Act and cannot be divulged to third parties. A central registration system does not exist in the United States as it does in many countries. Therefore, searching for persons in the U.S. can be very difficult, especially when little information is known about the person. However, the Internet has made many other resources much more freely accessible. Search options include http://www.switchboard.com, http://www.555-1212.com/mindex.jsp, http://zabasearch.com, http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com, and http://www.familiysearch.org on the Internet. These websites can conduct nationwide searches with as little as a last name. A city of residence is not required.
One last option would be to contact a private investigator in the United States, although this can be quite expensive.
Q: How can I contact living former presidents: President Gerald Ford, President Jimmy Carter, President Bill Clinton, and President George Bush?
A: President Gerald Ford
The Honorable Gerald Ford
P.O. Box 927
Rancho Mirage CA 92270
tel: (1) 714-324-1763President Jimmy Carter
The Honorable Jimmy Carter
The Carter Center
One Copenhill
453 Freedom Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30307
tel: (1) 404-331-3900President George H.W. Bush
The Honorable George Bush
10000 Memorial Drive, Ste. 900
Houston TX 77024
tel: (1) 713-686-1188President Bill Clinton
The Honorable William J. Clinton
55 W. 125th Street, 14th Floor
New York NY 10027
tel: (1) 212-348-8882
fax: (1) 212-348-9245Q: What is the text of the U.S. Constitution?
A: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration provides the full text with images of the Constitution of the United States of America. You can view larger images and easily read the transcript with references.
Q: How can I obtain a copy of U.S. government publications on U.S. history?
A: The Outline of U.S. History: is a publication of the U.S. Department of State. It is a chronological look at how the United States took shape -- from its origins as an obscure set of colonies on the Atlantic coast a little more than 200 years ago into what one political analyst today calls "the first universal nation." The publication can be downloaded by chapter or printed in its entirety in a PDF file at Download PDF (4.38 MB).
For Thai readers, please find a brief history of the United States on our Quiz USA Resources page here.
Q: I need to do a report on American lives and culture, please provide me the websites and information.
A: Please visit the InfoUSA topic of Art and Culture, and see also Society and Values and refer to the following sections | Religions in the U.S. | Diversity | Social Welfare | Family Life |.
Portrait of the USA is a guide to various aspects of life in the United States, covering: people, geography, history, government, business, education, science and medicine, religion, social services, the arts, sports & entertainment, the media and U.S. holidays. A Thai version is also available for downloading by chapter here.
Snapshot USA is an E-journal of the U.S. Department of State Office of International Information Programs (IIP), June 2006. The journal is designed to provide a central resource for information about the United States. It is an introduction, tailored to the current generation of young people around the world, containing many facts and statistics, but also essays describing how Americans think about their country and the world.
The United States in 2005 -Who are We? : an E-journal of the U.S. Department of State Office of International Information Programs (IIP), December 2004. The journal describes in less than fifty pages who the people of the United States are today and how some Americans live their everyday lives and what is important to them.
For more information on American Culture, please visit the E-Journal page of the U.S. Department of State Office of International Information Programs (IIP) and look under the topic of U.S. Society & Values.
Q: What is the current population of the U.S.?
A: For the most updated figures please check the U.S. Census Bureau Pop Clocks. For more detailed information on the U.S. Census in 2000, please try: http://www.census.gov/.
The first census of the United States, taken in the 1790, was unique among early modern censuses: it was the first to be conceived as an integral part of the machinery of government. The Constitution provided for a population census to be taken "within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years" (Article 1, Section 2); and without lapse, such an enumeration has been made every ten years since 1790.
Q: I need a basic set of statistics about the U.S. covering population, economics, employment, education, crime, health and so on?
A: Statistical Abstract of the United States: published annually by the U.S. Government Printing Office (USGPO) is the basic resource for a very wide range of U.S. statistics. A valuable and compendious resource in itself, it also functions as a guidebook to other statistical series produced by the U.S. Government.
FedStats, a U.S. government web site, provides a one-stop web site for all U.S. government statistics, including:
For more information on U.S. statistics, please click here.
- A-Z index with direct access to data listings in 275 categories
- Fast Facts Web links that allow users to get major economic and social statistics and online versions of the most frequently requested tables from the U.S. Statistical Abstract
- Keyword search capability for Internet users to search Web sites linked to FedStats
Q: What is the U.S. Minimum Wage Rate?
A: The federal minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees is $5.15 an hour. Please find more details from the U.S. Department of Labor Home pages on: Questions and Answers about the Minimum Wage and Minimum Wage.
Q: How can I find the most current U.S. GDP and other key economic statistics?
A: The Economics and Statistics Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce provides timely access to the daily releases of key economic indicators from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau at Economic Indicators.Gov or Overview of the Economy .
Q: I want to do research on the U.S. Government. How is the U.S. Government organized?
A: United States governmental power and functions are carried out by three branches of government: legislative, judicial, and executive. View a complete diagram (.PDF) of the U.S. government's branches.
Executive Branch
The executive branch of the government is responsible for enforcing the laws of the land. The president, vice president, department heads (cabinet members), and heads of independent agencies carry out this mission.Judicial Branch
Courts decide arguments about the meaning of laws and how they are applied. They also decide if laws violate the Constitution—this is known as judicial review, and it is how federal courts provide checks and balances on the legislative and executive branches.Legislative Branch
Article I of the Constitution establishes the legislative or law making branch of government. The United States has a two-branch Congress—the Senate and the House of Representatives—and agencies that support Congress.Please take a look also at the following publications:
The United States Government Manual is an official hand book of the federal government. It provides comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. It also includes information on quasi-official agencies, international organizations in which the United States participates, and boards, commissions, and committees. The Manual begins with reprints of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. The new edition of the Manual is available annually in late summer.
About America: How the United States Is Governed is a publication from the Bureau of International Information Program, U.S. Department of State. This publication describes how federal, state, and local governments are elected, how they operate, and how the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government relate under the U.S. constitutional system. A Thai version is also available here.
Q: How can I find list of all U.S. Government Directories?
A: FirstGov (http://www.firstgov.gov): the official web portal for the U.S.Government is an easy-to-search, free-access website designed to give you a centralized place to find information from U.S. local, state and federal government agency websites.
Q: How many presidents has the United States had?
A: The current President, President George W. Bush, is the 43rd President of the United States of America. Please visit the White House Office for more information on President Bush or any other president.
Q: How do I send a letter to President Bush ?
A: You may mail a letter to President Bush at this address:
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C.
USA 20500Q: Who are the Secretaries of President Bush’s Cabinet?
A: The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments. For more information please visit the U.S. White House Office at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/cabinet.html
Q: Where can I find information about the U.S. Congress?
A: The Congressional Directory is the official directory of the U.S. Congress, prepared by the Joint Committee on Printing (JCP). Published since 1888, the Congressional Directory presents short biographies of each member of the Senate and House, listed by state or district, and additional data, such as committee memberships, terms of service, administrative assistants and/or secretaries, and room and telephone numbers. It also lists officials of the courts, military establishments, and other Federal departments and agencies, including D.C. government officials, governors of states and territories, foreign diplomats, and members of the press, radio, and television galleries.
Q: How many members of Congress are there, and how long are their terms of office?
A: The U.S. Congress is bicameral, composed of two bodies, the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Senate has 100 members: two senators for each of the fifty states. Senators are elected for six years. One third of the Senate is elected every two years. The House of Representatives comprises 435 Representatives. The number representing each state is determined by the population, but every state is entitled to one representative. Representatives are elected every two years. A Resident Commissioner for Puerto Rico, and Delegates from American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam and the Virgin Islands complete the composition of Congress. The Resident Commissioner and Delegates have no vote in the full House but they do vote in the committees to which they are assigned.
Q: How does a bill become a law in the U.S.?
A: This complicated process is explained in the House of Representatives document How Our Laws are Made (156K): a detailed text description of the legislative process. Broadly speaking, a proposed law, whether initially introduced in the House or the Senate, or both, must be passed by both the House and the Senate, in exactly the same form, and then approved by the President, before becoming law. A Thai translation with a flowchart of the legislative process is available on page 10-11 of About America: How the United States Is Governed, a publication from the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State (Thai version).
Q: Why is the Donkey a symbol of the Democratic Party? And why is the Elephant a symbol of Republican Party?
A: Background history of these famous symbols of the two major political parties in the U.S. can be found from the Democrat Party: History of the Democratic Party Donkey and the Republican Party: Origin of the Elephant
Q: Where can I find information on the U.S. Elections?
A: You can find information on the upcoming Federal and State elections from Election 2006: Candidates & Information. For more information, please try Links to Election Resources provided by the International Information Programs, U.S. Department of States. For an overview of U.S. elections, process, procedures and past elections, including U.S. Elections 2004, please see Elections.
U.S. Education & Studying in the U.S.:
Q: Where can I find general information on U.S. Education?
A: Organization of U.S. Education System by the U.S. Department of Education. There, you can find the information on how U.S. education is governed, including the roles of the federal information system, national associations and the ways by which standards and quality are monitored.
A Diverse Educational System by the U.S. Department of State. From Portrait of the USA, this chapter describes the broad contours of U.S. education, including its structure, standards and challenges.
Education in The United States: Continuity and Change by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Information Programs, December 1997. (Electronic Journal).
Education in the United States: the Pre-University Years by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Information Programs, June 2000. (Electronic Journal).
Q: Where can I obtain a copy of an e-journal on “College and University Education in the United States” in Thai?
A: Please find the Thai Translation of this journal from the U.S. Embassy in Thailand Home Page at การศึกษาขั้นอุดมศึกษาในอเมริกา .
Q: I would like to study in the United States- What do I do?
A: Check out Education USA , or Study in USA: a comprehensive, objective and timely resource for students interested in pursuing postsecondary studies in the United States. The web page also offers Education Advising Centers in Bangkok and guide books: Undergraduate, Graduate and Short Term Studies, predeparture information and living in the U.S. See more from If You Want to Study in the U.S. , and Study in the USA Inc..
Q: Where can I learn about Study in USA pre-departure orientation programs in Thailand?
A: Please check the information from U.S. Embassy in Thailand:Teen2Twenties Page at: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/teens/predeparture.htm.
Q: Where can I find out about accredited institutions?
A: Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) provides list of Recognized Accrediting Organizations, this website has a list of all the organization and accreditation bodies they recognized.
Q: Where can I find the information on loans for international students?
A: You can find it in the Education USA website, under “Financial Assistance” and "Fulbright Scholarship".
Q: Where can I find the information on TOEFL and GMAT?
A: TOEFL® (Test of English as a Foreign LanguageTM) test measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand English as it is spoken, written, and heard in college and university settings. More information on the TOEFL test and other tests (see Test Directory on the TOEFL page) are provided by the Educational Testing Service.
GMAT® or The Graduate Management Admission Test® is a standardized assessment—delivered in English—that helps business schools assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management. Schools use the test as one predictor of academic performance in an MBA program or in other graduate management programs. More information on GMAT is provided by the Graduate Management Admission Council.
Q: What is the U.S. Au Pair Program? Is this program real? How can I determine whether the intermediary companies in Thailand are credible?
A: Au Pair and EduCare is an educational and cultural exchange program with a child care component. Au pairs come to the United States for one year to provide up to 45 hours of child care per week for their host family while pursuing educational credits. The EduCare participant provides up to 30 hours of child care a week. Sponsoring organizations in the U.S. have the responsibility for administering the program, within the regulations set by the Department of State (DOS). Please find more detailed information from What You Need to Know About the Au Pair Program (Brochure) HTML | *PDF (This brochure explains the program and answers some frequently asked questions)
The U.S. Embassy is not in a position to verify the existence or credibility of any Thai non-governmental organization.
Thailand-U.S. Relations (Bilateral Issues):
Q: When was the American Embassy in Bangkok built?
A: The American Embassy in Bangkok was built in 1950. In the mid-1990s, the Embassy moved into the new buildings after many years in its former site. The May 16, 1996, official opening of the American Embassy in Bangkok was presided over by then-Deputy Prime Minister Amnuay Viravan and U.S. Ambassador William Itoh. The new building, at 120-122 Wireless Road, is across the street from the old chancery (at 95 Wireless Rd.) which houses the Consular Section, Public Affairs, and many other sections. For more current information of the Embassy, please see About the U.S. Embassy in Thailand from the Embassy Home Page.
Q: Who were the previous American Ambassadors to Thailand?
A: Please find list of American Consuls, Ministers, and U.S. Ambassador to Thailand here.
Q: How can I find a brief report on Thai-U.S. Relations?
A: Background Notes: Thailand, an annual report released by the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State provides facts about Thailand and its geography, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and its relations with other countries including U.S.-Thai Relations.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. also provides a brief report on Thai-American Relations at Thai-U.S. Bilateral Issues which includes AN OVERVIEW OF THAI - U.S. RELATIONS, List of Thailand's Ambassadors to the U.S. Thai-American Relations , and Thailand - U.S. Agreements.
For documents related to Thai-U.S. Relations on various topics, please see the U.S. Embassy in Thailand 's Thailand-U.S.: Bilateral Issues & Policies.
Information on Thai-U.S. Relations in Thai is also available at U.S. Watch, a website maintained and developed by North American Division, Department of American and South Pacific Affairs, Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It offers current news and Thai-U.S. relations in various areas including: background history, economics, politics, society, and science & technology.
Q: How can I obtain the full text of the Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the United States of America 1966?
A: The Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. provides the electronic full text of the treaty at: http://www.thaiembdc.org/politics/thaius/1966taer.htm.
Most full texts of bilateral treaties between Thailand and the United States are available at the Treaty Division of Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please find contact information below:
Treaty Division, Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Address: 443 Sri Ayudhya Road, Bangkok 10400
Tel: 0-2643-5021-22
Fax: 0-2643-5020
E-mail: treaties05@mfa.go.th
Website:http://www.mfa.go.th/web/1813.php?depcode=10605000Q: Where can I find information on the Number of Thai Students in the U.S.?
A: Please see Study in USA and the annual Institute of International Education's Open Doors Report.
Q: Can you please provide a list of known NGOs and relief organizations in Thailand - especially those who have registered affiliates in the United States ?
A: Unfortunately, the U.S. Embassy is not in a position to verify the existence or credibility of any non-governmental organization operating in Thailand, nor do we have a complete list of all of the thousands of legitimate charitable organizations operating in the country. You may wish to contact the Royal Thai Embassy in the Untied States directly.
If you are looking for charitable organizations in the United States, you can consider searching the IRS page at http://apps.irs.gov/app/pub78 looking for organizations with "Thailand" in the name. The U.S. government also provides a list of charities operating in the Tsunami disaster area, many of which are operating in Thailand, at "http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov/about_usafc/newsroom/annoucements_dynamic.asp?ID-833"