cheekysailor

Due to Coronavirus our partner agency, VFS has closed. This means you are currently unable to renew your passport within Thailand.

The British Embassy is aware of the severity of the situation of British Nationals who are unable to renew their passports within Thailand. We have raised the issue with Her Majesty’s Passport Office. The need for a sustainable passport service to be available to British Nationals overseas has been recognised and Her Majesty’s Passport Office are working on a solution to this. If and when a solution has been found and agreed with Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Thailand we will contact all affected persons.

If your passport will expire before a solution has been agreed you will need to consider returning to UK to renew your passport.

The application and renewal of British Passports is owned by Her Majesty’s Passport Office. Until a solution has been found and cascaded to Embassies around the world, the British Embassy is unable to assist.

You can contact Her Majesty’s Passport Office directly on:

Telephone: 0300 222 0000
From outside the UK: +44 (0)300 222 0000
Textphone: 18001 0300 222 0222

You can also use the online enquiry form for general advice or to make a complaint.

I apologize that the Embassy cannot be of more assistance.

It is advisable to sign up to our Thailand Travel Advice and UK in Thailand Twitter and/or Facebook pages for regular updates.

Kind Regards

British Embassy Bangkok

8 hours ago, OJAS said:

I was being sarcastic!

 

I do, however, wonder whether it might be worth your while taking our Ambassador up on his recent invitation for those with difficulties with their passport situation to email the Embassy? I personally wouldn't be banking on the VFS offices reopening any time soon - and, in typical Home Office fashion, the needs of Thai nationals for UK visas will, in all probability, prove to be the crucial factor in determining when this will happen, rather than those of longstay Brits with expiring (or expired) passports.

 

https://www.facebook.com/ukinthailand/videos/241012710327189/

Several emails have been sent to the Embassy already. Standard response received

6 hours ago, pontious said:

I have just sent a test email on yahoo mail and got an auto reply a few minutes later. Have you sent one today.? No full stop after uk.

Oooops...  (silly me!)
   

Thanks

Anyone repeatedly seeing this prompt.

2 hours ago, JohnBarleycorn said:

2 hours ago, JohnBarleycorn said:

There is no alternative offered. HMPO is working with limited staff so any passport application is taking longer.

They offer the following advice.

1. Wait for VFS to open.

2. Apply foe an ETD - not possible if no travel plans.

3. Contact the British Embassy for local advice.

I did 3. There advice was contact HMPO !!!!!

The only correct one is 1.

Likewise, I followed the same procedure a couple of weeks ago, taking advice from the British consular I completed a complaint form. (great advice!) Then another one a few days later.... Then again.... Then again.  So far four complaints have been sent not one has been addressed.

In addition, I followed procedures followed by the video above using the email address given. as of yet no answer. Hopefully, I will hear something this week.

 

The only advice been given is was by the consular hotline which was: give up your job, your house, your pets, car etc and any other assets you have in Thailand for an indefinite period. Fly back to the UK as soon as possible On arrival back to the UK you 'may' be able to apply for a government loan to help you repatriate. (again shifting you onto another department) but we advise you to move in with family, who in my case are distant cousins  of whom I have not spoke to your for over five years, then it was only fleeting 'hello'. 
               Once  you have repaid the government loan you can apply for a passport.  Unfortunately, they were unaware that I would not be able to 'legally' apply for a UK bank loan as I do not 'legally' have a fixed home address.  Nor can I apply for a job as for the same reasons. So how do they expect me to repay the loan. It was then they suggested to release my assets in Thailand. In what only can be described as a dire market, thus losing thousands.

Or there is the the second option... Wait!

Thanks consular, it is pleasing to see that you are doing a stellar job and you are providing the correct advice such as applying for an 'overseas passport via post' a system that does not exist here in Thailand . With your comforting words, of 'it is not a consular problem but an HMPO problem. I am glad that I  sleep under the comfort blanket that you provide to British citizens during these troubled times.  Moreover, I take heed from your telephone messages and understand that we are living in unprecedented times and I treat the staff the same way that I am treated.

By the way, HMPO pretty much gave the same response exempt for selling my assets, instead I I was hit with a long pause of deafening silence before they said, 'Presently sir, this is consular issue.' 

 

Hopefully, your embassy and consular services will be more help than the British.  I will be watching this post with great interest for extra information regarding other countries.  

2 minutes ago, OJAS said:

If you would like to have a further crack, I'd be more than happy for you to use the wording of my latest complaint as set out in post #34. And you might like to email the Cabinet Office yourself this time (instead of bashing your head on a brick wall with HMPO yet again) since they will hopefully be able to knock FCO and HMPO heads together on this whole issue (their email address is [email protected]). IMHO the more people who inform the Cabinet Office that the government machine is not operating as smoothly as it should be in the case of passport renewals from Thailand at the present time, the better.

Thanks.  I will do.

After four hours of phone calls with HMPO and the British Consular the only advice is to wait.  The British Consular clearly do not know the procedures for applying for a passport here in Thailand.  They were unaware of VFS and recommended that I apply for passport extension (a procedure that has not been in place for the last ten years, according to HMPO)

They then nonchalantly asked why I could not come back home to live in the UK. Not the response I was looking for. After explaining that I not only work here, I have responsibilities such as pets, plus the added factor that I have no where to stay in the UK. (I do but I was not going to mention that.) I was then advised to file a complaint,  a procedure to which I have already completed but has fallen on deaf ears.  Her recommendation was  to try again!  I was then informed, 'this has already been addressed and they are looking into extending visas and passports'.  When I asked her for any documentation stating such she failed to deliver.  HMPO also stated to wait until VFS opens.  

With news afoot on the possible temporary removal of some restrictions in the UK, I have just spoken to a very helpful advisor at the UK passport office (Keith).  He said that, due to the backlog of passports which are already in the system, plus the lack of staff and the fact that staff do not have to go to work if not required. (he sounded very disgruntled when talking about this matter.) Even if the offices opened tomorrow, the renewal of passports is going to be 'some time' away yet.  I did press him on what he meant by 'some time', to which he joked they are 'way off'.   So I guess it is back to bombarding Simon Calder'

s Twitter page and seeing if he can flag this matter up either on BBC or one of his travel columns. Maybe then someone will start to listen.

4 hours ago, pontious said:

I assume you live here. Do you mean book a ticket somewhere  to show embassy but not actually travel.? If so I would not do that. If you have no reason for travel just tell them. is up to  them to tell you what to do.

If for some reason you want to travel you cannot to go to any country that requires 6 month validity on passport. You cannot come back to Thailand at present  anyway. They normally say contact HMPO for passport issues - tell them you have done that and it looks impossible to renew in time.

Yes, exactly that. I have no intention to leave Thailand as I work here. Buying a ticket to Malaysia would be just to get the ETD as a means to an end, in order to circumnavigate the situation. Ideally, the BE should be attempting to speak with Thai authorities, applying for an extension on passports until all offices are fully up and running, sadly this is not the case. 
As for going back to the UK which has been mentioned in another post, this is not an ideal scenario either as I work here in Thailand.  It is not practical to tell my boss I am going back to the UK.......  Oh and by the way, I don't know when I will be back.  Could be a month minimum, could be five. Let's take every day as it comes.

Thanks for the advice, any advice is appreciated at this time.  One 'possible' way to alleviate the problem is to book a flight to a neighbouring country, then apply for a ETD. Any thoughts on this procedure?

I have just spoke with the passport office back in the UK, at present give no confirmation on when the passport office will be open again.  The one thing the assistant did assure me is that due to the restrictions in force it is going to be a long drawn out process. Currently, I am here in Thailand and my passport expires in Jul. I attempted to get the ball rolling in March to no avail, now with no concrete direction in which to turn does anyone have any advice they would like to share with me in this matter.  Any help is appreciated.

1channel and Primewire are 'old hat' when it comes to video addons.  Try adding 'Exodus' its a relatively new kid on the block for movies and TV shows. 

I believe its 'horses for courses'. Kodi does what it does pretty well, it's just a matter of getting your head around the menus once you have mastered it I am sure you will be impressed.

Go to 'Video Add on's Go to BBC Iplayer icon.  If using a android box hold down the 'OK' button until you can see settings.

Select 'Add On Settings'

Make sure the 'Use Proxy' is selected.  

Select OK.

Then try again.

From an Android box:  

1. Log in to IlikeHD.

2. Click on the icon that resembles a human.

3. Click settings

4. Select ISP.

5. Change accordingly.

From a PC:

1. Log in to IlikeHD

2. Select the channel you require to watch.

3. Once selected at the bottom of the TV picture you will be able to select the required settings. 

Easy to buy them on line also for just a few Bitcoin.  Just a quick google search and you will find plenty for sale.

59 minutes ago, bek said:

I will try and keep it as simple as possible, without using a build.

Right now my immediate need is to watch the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix - which addon would be good for that?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you require a seamless stream I recommend using IlikeHD TV.  If its only the GP you can pay 50 baht for three hours.  Or 250 baht for 30 days.

SKY have there own F1 channel which will show all the coverage.

However if you want to give it a go try installing the ARES wizard (link for instructions below)
https://seo-michael.co.uk/tutorial-how-to-install-ares-wizard-kodi/

Then install Duggz build. As I have already said the 'all rounder' build works great.

Personally I think the new Duggz (all rounder) build which is on the Ares Wizard is the best out there at present.  Good quality HD Streams from a local proxy.  In BKK these work a dream providing you have a decent internet connection. In Pattaya you get the occasional buffering but its still watchable for live streams. Not sure on the other parts of the country.  FilmON free apk. has updated its streams and they are much better picture quality than before.  

As previously stated BBC Iplayer works a dream on kodi. ITV player also if using a VPN. Hola is a free VPN and works very well with this.

I have never had any issues with IlikeHD.  If having snags trying to watch the British Channels try change the server to Europe and that 'should' solve buffering issues.

Anybody experiencing issues please drop me a PM I will be more than happy to guide you through the process of getting your box up and running.

From an Android box:  

1. Log in to IlikeHD.

2. Click on the icon that resembles a human.

3. Click settings

4. Select ISP.

5. Change accordingly.

From a PC:

1. Log in to IlikeHD

2. Select the channel you require to watch.

3. Once selected at the bottom of the TV picture you will be able to select the required settings. 

I have been watching ILIKEHD over the last few days, I have also noticed constant buffering when using both 3BB and True. I have switched through the different ISP's all to no avail.  I attempted to watch UFC this morning but due to the constant freezing it became unwatchable.  However for anybody using an Android box and experiencing the problem here is how you can solve the problem.

1st. Download and install Hola from Google Play.  (Free VPN)  

2nd. Change ISP on Iikehd to United kingdom.

3rd.  Open Hola and set Ilikehd to play from the UK.

Open Ilikehd and watch 'bufferless' streams.

Now I am enjoying seamless steams on all channels.

Hola is also available on windows it 'should' work in the same way.

https://hola.org/

51 minutes ago, Franky Bear said:

It does sound like the pilot did a great job. 

Bravo Zulu

Unfortunately the 'BZ' will fall on many a deaf ear.  But as an ex 'RO' I know where you are coming from.

Caveat: I do not want this to sound "holier-than-thou", but the subject brought up something I've been thinking about in my first month here in Thailand and Chiang Mai. I have received both outstanding and incredibly poor service since I've been here. Interestingly, I was so disgusted with how (frustratingly) poor customer service had gotten in the U.S. before I left in late August that I had low expectations when I arrived anyway. Luckily, I live in a condo building with wonderfully responsive and reliable staff who have facilitated much of the installation for both internet and cable TV. Those specific-type firms are held in low esteem from my experience back home, so I did not think they would be any better here. What I have found, however, is this sort of ambivalence from some staff in dealing with farang customers. Personally, I feel that it's a language and ego issue for them. As I mentioned in a previous post, I have traveled all over the world. I have never been in a place where so many front line and customer service staff have no English proficiency at all. Now, here's where I will receive comments, I'm sure. The truth is, English, followed closely by French, is the world's international language. In many key international industries, it is the "official" language for communication (commercial aviation for example). It would improve the guest/customer/tourist experience exponentially if all these front line staff members were given an elemental course in English and would mitigate many of these communication-based customer issues, IMHO. I will casually step off my soap box now and await the onslaught of ugly American comments no doubt headed my way....

When I first moved here I went to Tesco to buy a big screen TV, a washing machine, a refrigerator an misc other stuff. My friend was with me buying same stuff. All in all about 50K worth of stuff. We left after an hour trying to find anyone who could speak English to help us. Came back next day and finally got one manager who could speak English-in Tesco.

Obviously, these people are not too bright. One would think with all the money spent by foreigners who speak English they would have a staff of at least a few who could speak English. But this is a country where common sense does not exist. All one has to do is read the constant dribble from disgruntled foreigners here to understand what really goes on here. Lots of nice people but lots of idiots here especially business people. And the truth is they don't care.

Common sense would be to learn the language where you repatriate yourself. Alternatively take somebody with you who does know the language, not too difficult finding a person who speaks Thai in Thailand!

Sir I am not sure what country you are actually from. However as I am English, I know that within the larger cities there are large Polish/Eastern European, middle eastern, Asian communities. I suspect that Britain is no different to any other country within the western world. Now put yourself in an average sales persons position within the UK for just five seconds. You are working for shop related wages, on little or no commission. If you had a customer trying to negotiate buying a washing machine and TV in Bengali would your attitude change. Would not one element of thought be thinking, 'If you are in this country..... Speak the bloody Queens English' Now I am sure you can understand how Thai's feel. By the way I am not a sales person, nor ever have been.

Caveat: I do not want this to sound "holier-than-thou", but the subject brought up something I've been thinking about in my first month here in Thailand and Chiang Mai. I have received both outstanding and incredibly poor service since I've been here. Interestingly, I was so disgusted with how (frustratingly) poor customer service had gotten in the U.S. before I left in late August that I had low expectations when I arrived anyway. Luckily, I live in a condo building with wonderfully responsive and reliable staff who have facilitated much of the installation for both internet and cable TV. Those specific-type firms are held in low esteem from my experience back home, so I did not think they would be any better here. What I have found, however, is this sort of ambivalence from some staff in dealing with farang customers. Personally, I feel that it's a language and ego issue for them. As I mentioned in a previous post, I have traveled all over the world. I have never been in a place where so many front line and customer service staff have no English proficiency at all. Now, here's where I will receive comments, I'm sure. The truth is, English, followed closely by French, is the world's international language. In many key international industries, it is the "official" language for communication (commercial aviation for example). It would improve the guest/customer/tourist experience exponentially if all these front line staff members were given an elemental course in English and would mitigate many of these communication-based customer issues, IMHO. I will casually step off my soap box now and await the onslaught of ugly American comments no doubt headed my way....

When I first moved here I went to Tesco to buy a big screen TV, a washing machine, a refrigerator an misc other stuff. My friend was with me buying same stuff. All in all about 50K worth of stuff. We left after an hour trying to find anyone who could speak English to help us. Came back next day and finally got one manager who could speak English-in Tesco.

Obviously, these people are not too bright. One would think with all the money spent by foreigners who speak English they would have a staff of at least a few who could speak English. But this is a country where common sense does not exist. All one has to do is read the constant dribble from disgruntled foreigners here to understand what really goes on here. Lots of nice people but lots of idiots here especially business people. And the truth is they don't care.

Sir I am not sure what country you are actually from. However as I am English, I know that within the larger cities there are large Polish/Eastern European, middle eastern, Asian communities. I suspect that Britain is no different to any other country within the western world. Now put yourself in an average sales persons position within the UK for just five seconds. You are working for shop related wages, on little or no commission. If you had a customer trying to negotiate buying a washing machine and TV in Bengali would your attitude change. Would not one element of thought be thinking, 'If you are in this country..... Speak the bloody Queens English' Now I am sure you can understand how Thai's feel. By the way I am not a sales person, nor ever have been.