VA community rallies in support of Thai family
April 28, 2009
The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok seems to have a hard time believing that Thai native Piya Thongprasertseree is indeed the brother of a 50-year-old Vinton restaurateur named Noot.
In recent months, officials have required Noot's brother to make the six-hour round-trip journey to Bangkok from his home in Pattaya, Thailand, to be interviewed -- on five separate occasions. If and when he clears the last of the hurdles, he will be allowed to travel to the United States to help Noot in the kitchen of her Pollard Street Thai restaurant, called Red Jasmine.
But proving a transcontinental blood link isn't easy. In 13 years, Phasook "Noot" Lenoel, 50, has spent more than $3,000 on applications, affidavits of support and DNA tests. She's mailed and faxed all manner of documents to the Department of Homeland Security and to Thailand, including family photographs featuring the two of them as well as a record of their frequent long-distance phone calls.
The Roanoke Times (VA)
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April 28, 2009
The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok seems to have a hard time believing that Thai native Piya Thongprasertseree is indeed the brother of a 50-year-old Vinton restaurateur named Noot. In recent months, officials have required Noot's brother to make the six-hour...
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