Speedo1968

Do you have a friend that can travel with you, a person he/she knows and trusts or is it a one way journey ?

I recently tried to scan my bank book in a machine in Khon Kaen for update and mini statement for Immigration report.  ( I later tried in my local bank - same problem. )
It would not scan and tried to write over existing print tried inside the bank and same problem also tried another branch - same problem !

I asked the the original bank for a new book explaining that its important, they told me I have to report to the police that the book had been stolen before they can issue a new book.   They were very guarded ( eyes down ) about why I had to report to the police and wouldn't answer why they just cant cancel one book and issue s new one.
Have 2 accounts for years same bank - K Bank

Any one else had this problem ?

On 1/30/2022 at 8:36 PM, mommysboy said:

Yes they would.

 

But likely you just need to contact your credit card company and they will open your card for international/online payments.

 

The transaction is done in the UK and classed as 'cardholder not present', and thus likely differs from previous transactions. 

Phoned my bank in UK my account is not blocked for anywhere the Passport Office miss read the number I gave them from the back of my credit card as a 3 and not 8.
Phoned PO again who are only open 3 days a week passports are taking 10 weeks and they won't expedite even though it was their error

My passport being renewed in UK, the Passport Office ( PO ) misread the security number for my credit card payment and wrote a 3 instead of an 8, payment rejected.
I phoned my bank in UK and they told me of the number error and they would make payment once Passport Office corrected it

Received email from PO Friday 5pm, their office hours Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8am to 3.30pm.

Phoned them on Tuesday 8am phone lines not working properly so was called from someone working from home.   Told them the problem they called someone else presumably working at PO who called me about an hour later.    All sorted.

They told me it is taking 10 weeks for new passport and even though it was partially their error can not speed up the process.
 

Excellent service in all my years here.
Didn't / don't like the fact that they recycle copies of peoples passports and applications and use for things such as next 90 day report.    I am all for recycling but ...
One time I had a full passport page copy of someone else.
They stopped doing this for a while but my last 2 visits they have started again

17 hours ago, mommysboy said:

Yes they would.

 

But likely you just need to contact your credit card company and they will open your card for international/online payments.

 

The transaction is done in the UK and classed as 'cardholder not present', and thus likely differs from previous transactions. 

OP - Thanks for the clarification

On 1/22/2022 at 3:45 PM, Brian K said:

so That's around 9 weeks.  Interestingly enough, a few days after I applied, money for the cost of the passport was taken out of my UK bank account.  Wondering (and hoping) therefore if that means it will take less than the advised 11 weeks.  

Anyone else with the same experience?

I have just ( after 2 weeks ) been advised by HMPO that payment by my credit card was not allowed probably / because I am in Thailand and payment is taken in the UK.
I have made purchases before in Thailand and no problems.
My accounts are fine and have been with bank for yonks.
Now have to wait for Tuesday ( 3 day week ) to contact HMPO.
Would they accept payment if my daughter in UK paid ?

Protect your dog from heartworm too if it has free range outside or in land that other dogs visit.

1 hour ago, digbeth said:

could be squirrels

OP - If squirrels is the sound general chat ?
Have seen chipmonks here.
This time of day 5pm whatever is making the noise start to making a fast tapping sound more like a rapping or running a stick over a washboard.    Sorry cant record

Up until this year there used to be a woodpecker come in to gardens surrounding the house I rent.
The owner kept the gardens in wonderful condition and have been in the family since the year "dot".

Many of the trees are / were very old and include a whole range of species.
Even a couple of crows had made it their evening resting place.

Recently part of the garden ( probably the oldest part ) was cleared for a new house.

The adjoining land looks like it has never been cleared.
I have not heard / seen the woodpecker since.

However, there is a bird ( not really seen only a fleeting glimpse of something  in the foliage ) that makes a sound similar to the woodpecker but harder, faster and sometimes changing in to a lazy drumming beat.
Sound is somewhat similar to a tokay.
Any ideas what bird this may be ?

17 hours ago, ukrules said:

Oh dear, looks to me like this agent has really screwed you over and sat on your application for months before submitting it.

 

 

 

 

OP Seems that way perhaps that is why they are not willing to show me evidence of date of sending to VFS, I was under the impression that they took to VFS perhaps they even sent by EMS or Courier.
Will ask them to return my passport but I can guess what they will reply - say nothing

On 1/20/2022 at 10:29 AM, thonglorjimmy said:

Did your agent give you an explanation for the delay?

No despite requests for information and frankly I dont expect them to

16 hours ago, Chris.B said:

Sounds logical, full marks for spotting that! ???? 

 

OP - I sent my passport to an agent in November and VFS Global notified me that they sent my new  passport application to HMPO on 13 January 2022.
It means agent sat and did nothing for all that time.
I have been checking my credit card account and no payment has at yet been made to HMPO.

16 hours ago, ukrules said:

You're renewing a passport and VFS global sent your visa to the UK?

 

The above is clear as mud and it sounds like you've got the message mixed up.

 

Looking at the time periods it sounds like they have sent your new passport from the UK to Bangkok on Jan 16th, in which case you should have it next week.

 

There's no way VFS global sit on a passport application for 2 months before sending it off - it's processed instantly - then it takes 2 months in the UK - then they mail the new passport to Bangkok - if I applied in November I would be expecting the new passport to arrive right around now which lines up with your dates here but this talk of 'visa sent to the uk' adds confusion.

 

When I renewed my passport last year the above sequence of events happened exactly in the timescales you have and I got my passport about 7 weeks after VFS global processed the application.

OP - I have notification ( with reference number ) from VFS Global dated 13 January 2022 that states my passport was forwarded to HMPO on that date i.e. 13/01/22.

I have asked the agent twice already to provide me with details as to when they sent / took my passport application to VFS as they ( agent ) had already received my passport some weeks before.
I won't name agent at this time.

16 hours ago, Eff1n2ret said:

The UK used to add on up to 9 unexpired months to the new passport, but stopped that because the EU will not recognise passports that have more than 10 years validity. Apart from that, I'm not sure if there is any maximum. Frequent travellers may fill up their passports well before the expiry date.

OP - many years ago I had  2 UK passports as I was visiting different countries every month between UK and Australia and in between.
One passport was left in UK for visas and tickets whilst I traveled on the other.
The company I was with used a very good travel agent.

I had been freelance before and after working with this company and know what a hassle it could be.

20 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You have to have at least 12 months remaining on your passport when you apply for a new extension of say (not a visa). If not they will only do the extension to the day your passport expires.

Not sure why immigration did not do your extension to the day your passport expires,

It seems they may of only given you a 60 day covid 19 extension when you applied in December.

Did you apply for your new passport yourself at VFS or did you use an agent. Your passport application should of been sent to the UK shortly after you applied if you did it yourself.

OP - they didn't tell me that at Khon Kaen Immigration when doing my 90 day reports

20 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You have to have at least 12 months remaining on your passport when you apply for a new extension of say (not a visa). If not they will only do the extension to the day your passport expires.

Not sure why immigration did not do your extension to the day your passport expires,

It seems they may of only given you a 60 day covid 19 extension when you applied in December.

Did you apply for your new passport yourself at VFS or did you use an agent. Your passport application should of been sent to the UK shortly after you applied if you did it yourself.

OP - used an agent, still trying to get agent to tell me when they sent to VFS, so far they have been unresponsive

1 hour ago, KC 71 said:

Was looking at my PP last night too.

I might renew mine just over a year early (in order to coincide with the yearly extensions)

OP - yes a year in advance, even though you loose a few dollars of pages, it's well worth the stress and inconvenience.

14 hours ago, dick turpin said:

The truth is finally out, your "agent" will be holding your original passport,

Check your credit card account and you will see when payment for the

new passport was taken, usually a couple of days after receipt of the

application in the UK

OP - Thanks have checked credit card account yesterday and nothing taken so far.
Now I guess its waiting for action in the UK

17 minutes ago, Eff1n2ret said:

When you apply at VFS, you have to submit a full copy of all the pages of your passport, which is returned to you, and you hand it in to have a corner cut off when you go to collect the new passport. Your passport has not been sent to the UK, it's in the hands of the agent. You should ask him to confirm that, also ask for proof of when he submitted the application to VFS. It's hard to understand how someone could have sat on the application for two months before it being sent to UK.

The reason for the convoluted system which requires two trips to be made to Bangkok is the UK's slavish and literal interpretation of the Thai law which requires a foreigner to be in  possession of their passport at all times. The agent system proves what a mockery that is.

OP - I have asked the agent to tell me, with proof, when he sent to VFS.  my understanding was that they took to Bangkok.

I have kept 2 full colour copies of my passport for what its worth.

17 minutes ago, steve187 said:

where is your passport now

 

OP - somewhere between here and there wherever that may be.
I assume between VFS and the HMPO ( passport office ) in UK.

24 minutes ago, dick turpin said:

Find it incredulous that VFS say they only sent passport on Jan 16,

itself a rather spurious date given this was a Sunday. As Joe asked,

did you apply in person or via an agent

OP - via an agent otherwise it means me traveling to Bangkok and the risks with COVID and having to spend hours in a bus or train

The agent says that VFS is a cause known only to itself.

16 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I think that is only for passports applied for online in the UK or in countries where it can be done.

It is not available for those applying via VFS here as far as I know.

Thanks ubonjoe, that''s what I think too after many tries

1 hour ago, phetpeter said:

You can confirm the receipt of your passport online, and can also inform them of your situation, normally I would assume your passport will be back in Thailand by the middle of Feb, hopefully you have a copy and receipt that your PP is in the system and an extension will be forthcoming from immigration. At worst if they want to be differcult, a late renewal fee will be given, A reminder you could have sent your passport up to 6months before it runs out!

Tried finding the online details about my passport but either it didnt work or came with no details
Do you have the online details site ?
Or perhaps my passport is still "on it's way" from Thailand

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You were given a 60 day extension from Dec to Feb? 

Was this a covid extension?

Obtain another covid extension that will cover you through till April. 

Hopefully by then your new pp will arrive.

BTW how long you have been here, same address etc etc has nothing to do with your extentions. 

 

OP - Thanks for your prompt response, not sure my current extension was a Covid one think it may have been.
Understand your remarks about bank account etc.