soap

Australia network is gone forever.

CNA was taken off air by the current administration.

The Australia network is still showing on the K+ vinasat package from Vietnam

Well, we've managed to rattle the cage enough to get the powers that be to accept some people are unable to travel and will allow a third party to present the application at Trendy on their behalf. Staying silent and accepting a poor service would have achieved nothing, so well done everyone that did their bit.

I hope by the time I need another passport HMPO will have learned from the banks, insurance companies, online retail businesses etc that the internet can be a very useful tool and will commission someone to design an overseas application procedure that is safe, secure and second to none.

Sent from my GT-N5100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I would also like to thank the likes of Whatso, digital,soi hok for keeping up their persistent whingers about a system that had no regard for people less fortunate than themselves,were common sense nearly went out the window to be replaced by illogical reasoning that encouraged knocking your head against a brick wall.

How the powers that be and their followers on this thread could sanction these new changes without taking into account the effect on British citizens who live outside of Bangkok.Well they must of been at the back of the queue when they were giving the brains out

A quick update on my passport application.

I am not 13 days into my overstay, however my dear mother in Edinburgh contacted her local MSP to complain since I was getting nowhere with HMPO.. As it turns round they managed to get my application fast tracked so i received an email on Tuesday asking for proof of residence.. I explained my overstay situation so they agreed that i could scan it and email it that day..

Later on Tuesday they confirmed that my passport had been sent for printing and would be posted out immediately..

Does anyone know how long it takes to print and send to here.. I'm hoping i can receive it by tomorrow..

Scott

Well done,hope you get sorted now.Did your mother have to pay for the fast track service ?

Picked up my passport from Tendy today.

Went in just before 9.00 am (2 people said I would not be seen until 10.00 am) and walked out at 9.15 am with the new shiny passport.

I shall email HMPO and ask them why they issued a 32 page passport when I requested a 48 page jumbo version !

You do know it will take a while.

The last time i renewed my passport,i was entitled to ten years and nine months,needless to say my passport showed only ten years.

As i was in Liverpool, i went to HMPO to point out their mistake,i could not believe the amount of security, X-ray machines there was,you had a better chance of breaking into fort Knox.

After i pointed out their mistake,they took the passport back and told me they would issue a new passport with the correct date to expire,i received the new passport about ten days later.

So if you are going to send it back,i would not go booking your annual Kuoini holiday,as you could be in the monkey house on the charge of staying without a passport.

special provisions and services for people with disabilities - my a**

See post 1183.

It was pointed out to the officer I contacted in Newport that the reason my girl isn't living with me is due to her disability, but no special provision was offered and no suggestion made (other than travel to Thailand to apply in person, then travel back there again for collection).

So I would take what ever they say on the web site with a pinch of salt.

Newport also told me that there was NO provision for anyone,old,young, disabled, housebound,but to travel to Bangkok for the ten minutes it takes to present your documents,

Also a Mr Stanford from HMPO Newport told jip99 ? that the laws of Thailand say you must carry your passport. With you at all times,but now trendy wendy say you can nominate any tom dick or harry to collect your new passport if you send them your old passport.

So whose right and whose wrong.All i know is that a British citizen in Thailand is treated completely different than a British citizen in the UK.

You can imagine the outcry in the UK if they told anyone never mind elderly or disabled that they had to travel from lands end to john O'groats to spend ten minutes giving their documents.

I'm sure the likes of age concern etc would have a thing or two to say

We left the UK, we longer contribute to that country by way of taxes etc. Of course they are going to see us as being further down the pecking order. Get over it.

The whinging on this thread is incredible even by this forums standards.

It seems that the word whinging is accepted on this thread.

If that is the case i will go on whinging until these stupid rules are changed..

It just shows you,that the great majority of posters on this thread have the common sense to know that

My whinge with regard to making a British citizen travel,no matter what state is health is in over 2,000 kilometres to present their documents and then make the same journey when their new passport arrives

Is a valid whinge.

For those one or two posters who remind me of Victor Meldrew who would rather see their fellow British citizens have two feet in the grave rather than one foot in the grave and would show no compassion for the hardship that those less fortunate will have to endure to renew a passport and have the cheek to call them whingers.

Thank god i am not disabled,and my passport is valid for another five years, and with a little bit of luck when the time comes to renew my passport if these stupid rules are still in place i can travel to Bangkok to see

Miss. Trendy wendy.

And for those who think i am whinging,well you had better get used to it because as long as these stupid rules are in place i will have my whinge,well after these people who think its whinging.Have their passport and gone back to the football forums

special provisions and services for people with disabilities - my a**

See post 1183.

It was pointed out to the officer I contacted in Newport that the reason my girl isn't living with me is due to her disability, but no special provision was offered and no suggestion made (other than travel to Thailand to apply in person, then travel back there again for collection).

So I would take what ever they say on the web site with a pinch of salt.

Newport also told me that there was NO provision for anyone,old,young, disabled, housebound,but to travel to Bangkok for the ten minutes it takes to present your documents,

Also a Mr Stanford from HMPO Newport told jip99 ? that the laws of Thailand say you must carry your passport. With you at all times,but now trendy wendy say you can nominate any tom dick or harry to collect your new passport if you send them your old passport.

So whose right and whose wrong.All i know is that a British citizen in Thailand is treated completely different than a British citizen in the UK.

You can imagine the outcry in the UK if they told anyone never mind elderly or disabled that they had to travel from lands end to john O'groats to spend ten minutes giving their documents.

I'm sure the likes of age concern etc would have a thing or two to say

Well of course it's not 'just us' do some people really beleive that they treat applications from Thailand different to anywhere else? It will be the same for expats in all far flung places..

I contacted HMPO (again) yesterday and the woman I spoke to claimed that the delay in issuing my new passport was down to the additional security checks they have to do for applications originating in Thailand. She may have been bluffing, maybe not - I have no idea.

Just a update on my mates 13 year old daughters saga renewing her passport.

The documents were sent on the 5th March,the payment of 125 pounds (this was the fee for a childs passport

under the old rules)was taken out on the 12th March.

I cant remember what documents were sent off on the 5th March,only to say that the passport would have been returned by DHL to the address that they had given (common sense )

They then received a letter addressed to them at the address they had given in the first place,saying the HMPO wanted more information about proof of address this was on the 1st May.They sent the letter from the HMPO that they had received with their address on plus one or two other photo copies.

They have just now received another letter from the HMPO with their address on stating what the new rules are for proof of residence.With a Ryder at the bottom of the page saying if she gets a teacher at her school to write that miss so and so goes to this school and her address on record at the school is so and so.

They will accept that as proof of residence.

The HMPO very kindly sent a stamp addressed envelope (mind you her father did pay 125 pound for the privilege of getting a stamped addressed envelope)

Its now going into the 12th week, so i would think another 3weeks before before she gets a five year child passport.

CHARMING.

Here s your answer rajyindee concerning what provisions are in place for the disabled and elderly

in one word NONE

Since the 17 th April i have sent about five emails to HMPO Newport,after taking over a month and dealing with three

members of the HMPO Newport staff i finally received a answer to what i thought was a common sense question, that i consider

relevant to any elderly or disabled British citizen living in a lot of cases 1,000 kilometres plus from Bangkok.

My question

What if any is the procedure for a elderly or disabled British citizen living in the North or South of Thailand

who with these changes is required to undertake a 4,000 plus kilometre journey to renew his passport if his doctor advises

that to undertake such a journey would be detrimental to their health.

Their answer

Your application is then forwarded to our application processing centre in Liverpool. Please be advised that once your application has been received by Her Majesty's Passport Office it will take at least 4 weeks.

Noting your email, this is now the only route for applications to be processed from Thailand.

We understand that you have to travel to utilise this service and may be disappointed by our response, but trust we have been able to clarify our policy on this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Parfitt

So there is no procedure, and its not a case of "get on your bike" but more like "get on your wheelchair"

My reply

For the attention of Chris Parfitt

Dear Chris Parfitt

Thank you for your email confirming that there is no change to the HMPO policy to renew a British citizens passport in

Thailand.After reading the HMPO web site may i also congratulate the HMPO for the initiative they are taking for their fellow British citizens

in remote areas of the UK.

I wont bore you anymore, as i"m sure you are only the messenger for your superior masters,but please convey to your masters that they should be

ASHAMED to have a policy that gives NO OPTION for a elderly or disabled British citizen in the North or South of Thailand

to undertake a 2,000 kilometre round trip journey to present their passport documents that takes ten minutes,and then make them undertake the same journey when their passport finally arrives,even though they can produce a doctors certificate stating that to undertake a 4,000 kilometre journey to renew a passport would be detrimental to their health.

Have a nice day

Glasgow team helps keep trust in UK passports

HM Passport Office also utilise a video interview service for first time adult passport customers resident in remote areas of the UK. This service uses 23 local authority offices in Scotland to host a video interview. This service is also used in 3 local authority offices in Wales and 1 in England. Staff in Glasgow Office conduct the majority of the interviews and approximately 70% are for customers attending local authority sites in Scotland and 30% for customers attending local authority sites in England and Wales

.

Was up at Trendy yesterday to renew my passport. It didn't start well as I had a scrap with the car park attendant, you give these little men a uniform and well we all know what happens...

After that it was a doddle. Got up to the 28th floor, the place was packed so I feared the worse BUT I was seemingly the only one who was renewing my PP so I went straight up to the counter and was out within max 10 minutes..

Couple of points, you have to sign every page of your copied passport and the back of both photos. It doesn't seem to matter what time you get there, I went up there an hour early and it didn't matter..

Who knows how long it will take to come back though..

PP

We must soon be coming to the time when renewal passports are sent back for the first people under the new system. i.e those who applied at Trendy and have to collect from Trendy.

My appointment was 9th April so I am sure there are others before me.

I think you are a optimist Jip mate

I helped my friends 13 year old daughter with her documents.

They were sent off on the 4th March, arrived on the10th March,money taken out on the 12th March.

Then the HMPO sent a letter on the 1st May saying they wanted more information about proof of address.

She sent the letter she received from the HMPO with her address on plus a couple of photo copies as proof of address back to them on the 11 May.

So now its 11 weeks and she still as not received her 5 year child passport.

Her father paid 125 pound that was the fee for a 5 year child passport before these changes.

He as knocked is head against a brick wall trying to get any sense out of HMPO Liverpool.

There as been no mention about a refund off the 125pound he as paid before the changes

And it remains to be seen if the HMPO will have the audacity to make them travel the 1,000 plus kilometres

to Bangkok to receive her passport after paying the DHL courier fee

Bugger Me again!

We then have to go back to the Visa Application Centre to collect the new passport.

This is a wonderful change for someone living in northern Thailand !

They give with one hand and take away with the other!

We don't all live in Bangkok. In my case it is a 6 hour journey (minimum) to Bangkok, and that journey will need to be done twice. Plus inevitibly requiring 2 overnight stays. Others living in Surin and Ubon will travekl for considerably longer.

And once again, being without a passport that can be used for 4 weeks+ Why on earth cannot the old passport be cancelled when collecting the new one (assuming it has not expired)?

Is it legal to be in Thailand without a valid passport? I somehow doubt it! What if in the interim a British citizen is deported? His passport would be invalid, and he would not be allowed to fly!

TOTALLY ABSURD!

There are cases like that already. I know a person who has this problem. He sent his old passport for renewal in March. His application reached Liverpool on the 21st March. But until now, I mean 21st May the old passport is in Liverpool to be examined. His Thai visa has expired already, his old British passport expired already and they don't give a F. He went to British embassy in Thailand. No help, they told him it was his fault to send the original passport to UK!!?? But isn't it a requirement for renewal from overseas to send the original passport? Now Thai Immigration besides the fine warned him if he doesn't have a passport in 40 days he will be deported from Thailand! The calls were made. At UK they said the would send a request as an emergency case to Liverpool which would take another 3 days to be examined and then further information would be delivered by email or phone call.

Sincerely, I'm not British but in my opinion this the worst passport service in the world! What is wrong of issuing passports at the embassy? This is totally F. up.

He should never have sent his passport, only need to send photo copy.

In the guidance notes before the changes on the 26th March,they ticked the box to send your passport with the relevant documents

required.It was in black and white to send your current passport and any outdated passports as i read it.

I was helping my friends 13 year old daughter and i told her to send her expired British passport with the documents

required (she is half Thai)this was on or about the 7th March and she is still waiting for the passport.

They changed the rules on the 26th March without giving any hint whatsoever that these changes were to come into being from the

26 th March

I will try and upload a photo of the guidance note but if it does not turn out if you PM me i can give you the link to the

guidance notes before the changes

Anyone want to see the guidance notes PM me

A bit of an update to my experience (so far).

I submitted my application at Trendy on 9 April and my bank account was debited on 15 April. I am due to travel to UK on 3 June.

I phoned the HMPO people in UK today and eventually got put through to the tracking guy who gave me a reference number in case I have reason to call them again in the future. He basically told me that my passport is going through "the checks" but he couldn't say how far it had progressed and whether it was likely to take another day, week or month. He told me that it was highly unlikely that I would receive my new passport before 2 June ... no big deal - I'll get an ETD next week at the Embassy and head back to Songkhla to transfer my stamps to that from my current passport. I am none the wiser as to when I'm likely to receive my new passport. Luckily, the unis are on holiday until August ... hopefully it'll all be sorted before then.

I agree with Scotthai - it is a big deal, in fact it is a dog's breakfast as we know. The fact that they cannot give a timescale is shocking.

You applied 7 weeks before your travel date - under the old system with Hong Kong you would have been perfectly safe with that timescale.

We were obviously at trendy the same day - my card payment was taken a day later.

I am waiting for a response to my question about what they advise me to do if my passport is not back by 16th June (8 weeks after the card payment was taken) as I shall then be staying illegally in Thailand.

Lucky you - my visa runs out on 22 May.. So by Friday this week i will be living here illegally... added to this i will also have to pay 500 baht per day until they can send me my new passport.

None of this is my fault (well of course i could always have applied earlier) as when i applied the turnaround time was up to 4 weeks.. that is a reasonable time.. although i have had friends who have received their passports back in under 3 weeks before this new system was put in place..

They should do something to help us avoid the overstay fee.. As long as we can prove that the application was made in time and the payment received by them.. The embassy should arrange something with Thai immigration.. They won't though.. They just wash their hands of us.. As a previous poster said - criminals get better treatment..

Scot - are you on a Non-Imm 'O' or an extension ?

I believe that you could do a border run before Friday and get 90 days (with Non Imm O). If on an extension then you could 'renew'. Immigrations systems are not linked and your passport will not show as cancelled.

may cost you 1,300/1,400 Baht but will save overstay charges.

If you are married your local immigration will give you 60 days.

I think Scot said that his passport is still valid till 2017 but he as no more space for stamps

A bit of an update to my experience (so far).

I submitted my application at Trendy on 9 April and my bank account was debited on 15 April. I am due to travel to UK on 3 June.

I phoned the HMPO people in UK today and eventually got put through to the tracking guy who gave me a reference number in case I have reason to call them again in the future. He basically told me that my passport is going through "the checks" but he couldn't say how far it had progressed and whether it was likely to take another day, week or month. He told me that it was highly unlikely that I would receive my new passport before 2 June ... no big deal - I'll get an ETD next week at the Embassy and head back to Songkhla to transfer my stamps to that from my current passport. I am none the wiser as to when I'm likely to receive my new passport. Luckily, the unis are on holiday until August ... hopefully it'll all be sorted before then.

I agree with Scotthai - it is a big deal, in fact it is a dog's breakfast as we know. The fact that they cannot give a timescale is shocking.

You applied 7 weeks before your travel date - under the old system with Hong Kong you would have been perfectly safe with that timescale.

We were obviously at trendy the same day - my card payment was taken a day later.

I am waiting for a response to my question about what they advise me to do if my passport is not back by 16th June (8 weeks after the card payment was taken) as I shall then be staying illegally in Thailand.

Lucky you - my visa runs out on 22 May.. So by Friday this week i will be living here illegally... added to this i will also have to pay 500 baht per day until they can send me my new passport.

None of this is my fault (well of course i could always have applied earlier) as when i applied the turnaround time was up to 4 weeks.. that is a reasonable time.. although i have had friends who have received their passports back in under 3 weeks before this new system was put in place..

They should do something to help us avoid the overstay fee.. As long as we can prove that the application was made in time and the payment received by them.. The embassy should arrange something with Thai immigration.. They won't though.. They just wash their hands of us.. As a previous poster said - criminals get better treatment..

Scot

I don't like being the bearer of bad news,but if this ETD passport is a help for you even if you have to pay the 5,000 odd ฿.it maybe cheaper to apply for the ETD passport

My friend applied about the 5th of march to renew his 13 year old daughters British passport,I'm sure he paid the fees before they were reduced, so i will give you one guess if they have promised him a refund.

Then last week is wife received a letter from HMPO Liverpool saying they wanted more information about proof of address even though under the old system when they applied it would have been returned to there address by DHL that he had paid for when he first applied.

So now its over ten weeks and they are still waiting for a child's five year passport.

Good luck

One of the problems is an inflexible one size fits all policy. I can't see why the postal service via Liverpool should be a closed door for people with mobility or any health related issues if accompanied with a certified doctors/hospital letter. The only concession seems to be collection can be made by a nominee requested at the beginning of the application process.

There are bound to be many expats unaware of the recent changes to the new procedures and will inevitably fall foul of them. It seems the best policy is to apply in plenty of time and check the procedures of the local immigration office as to whether a letter from the embassy is required to certify the new passport. If I make it to 71 I just hope alzheimers hasn't kicked in. If I make it to 81 I think I will be beyond caring. They wouldn't deport an 81 year old...would

Of course it makes sense if you are elderly or disabled living in the North or South of Thailand to be allowed to send your documents by courier.But the spokesperson from the HMPO Newport used every trick in the book and fine tuned the laws of Thailand stating that you had to have your passport in your possession at all times contradicting the VFS statement that you can nominate someone to collect your passport.Giving proof that this is a complete shambles and they would rather hide their head in the sand.

I hope you aren't beyond caring when you reach 81 and then you can look forward to receiving your FREE passport when you reach the grand old age of 85.

But the only problem if you live in the North of Thailand your FREE passport could entail a 4,000 kilometre journey with a cost of 4 or 5 hundred quid to collect your FREE passport

Congratulations

Just read a report on another thread now closed (i wonder why) that the new Trendy office in Bangkok is now officially open.

The new sleek ultra modern office is a partnership between the British government and VFS.

Mr Paul Bute (known to is friends as " give him the bute" from is rugby days opened the new office,that will provide a fast and efficient hassle free visa application service for those wishing to start on the pathway to dear old blighty.

There was no mention in the report of their renowned,unbelievable experience that is their passport checking service,that enables a elderly or disabled British citizen living in the North or South of Thailand having to undertake a 4,000 plus kilometre journey in order to renew their passport. I presume that the passport service as advertised directing you to the Trendy office is not yet open and the past 6 weeks have been a joke or me having a bad dream

Thanks for some of the replies..

After further checking it turns out that Laos will not in fact put a tourist visa into an emergency travel document so that option is out..

As i see it the only possible option is waiting for my passport to arrive and then pay the overstay..

I really hope they get these problems sorted out quickly and my passport arrives soon.. My current visa finished on the 22nd so anytime before that and i would be thankful..

Has anyone who applied at VFS received their passport back or are we still waiting for our first sucessful story?

If I hear anything more or get my passport back I will update this thread..

You would think common sense would prevail in a case like this,were Scot as been doing volunteer work and is going to start university. He as been hoodwinked by the HMPO web site believing his passport would be back within a month, is own passport does not expire till 2017 but as no more room for visa stamps.

He now as a nail biting wait while the HMPO and the VFS process his passport,and lets face it the two of them have not been given efficiency awards on this thread. Plus the fact that the average time on this thread is over two months to process and return a passport plus the fact that he could be faced with a months overstay fines @ 500 ฿ a day.

Of course it would be wishful thinking if there was someone human from the British embassy in Bangkok to take a look at Scots predicament and come to the conclusion that he is not a terrorist,drug baron, or be a danger to society with a British passport in is hands.And from one "old boy" from the British embassy in Bangkok to phone another "old boy" @ HMPO Liverpool and just ask to fast track his application (wink wink) old boy?

But then again "pigs might fly"

I wish i had known about this thread a month ago.. I have some questions that some on here may be able to answer..

Firstly my situation. I have applied for my new passport on 17 April and the 110.86 fee was taken from my my account on 24 April. My passport is valid until 2017 but there is no space for any other visas. Also my current Non-O volunteer visa finishes on 22 May.. I have left that volunteer position and moved to start university.. Due to this I can't move directly so i needed to go to Laos and move onto a tourist visa..

My options - Can I go to the Embassy and get an emergency passport then go to Laos and put my new tourist visa into that emergency passport until my new passport arrives from Liverpool.. What else could possible be done.. All ideas will be greatfully received.. I realise that it's getting late in the day for options however when I applied I expected to have the passport back within 4 weeks.. 28 days is today which i why I checked the internet and found this thread..

I also want to ask. What would happen if I "lost" my current passport.. Would i be given an Emergency Travel Document that i could then go into Laos on and get a 60 day tourist visa while i wait for my new passport being recieved..

Scot

Welcome to the head banging club

I can understand being hoodwinked by HMPO web site PROUDLY patting themselves on the back stating that 95 percent ? of passports are returned within one month,compared with VFS who recommend that you allow between 6 weeks to 6 months.What i have read on this thread is 8 or 9 weeks if your lucky for your passport to be returned.

I am not sure but i think if you had a couple of years left on you passport,they would pin a extra page on your passport,but that was before common sense and logic went out the window.

I would not go along the road of "I've lost my passport" as you are going to open another can of worms and i have believed "if you always tell the truth,you cant tell i lie".

The British embassy in Bangkok have washed its hands of processing passports and visas for British citizens in Thailand and are now concentrating their efforts on "garden parties" but reluctantly i would have to say to go and see them, explaining your circumstances and hope they can suggest a solution for you.

Good luck with your studies and please report back on how you go on

I handed my application in on 7th May, and the fee was deducted from my account on 13th May. At Trendy I was told that the cost was 101.01 Pounds, and that's the amount I entered on my authorisation form, but the amount deducted was 102.86. I'm sure they have a random number generator somewhere. That's another obstacle out of the way.

Whatever lottery numbers they are doing.

Thats what you get charged.

Once again these civil servants show their incompetence,

So now you can nominate the biggest drug baron,terrorist, fraudster in Thailand to collect a passport

but they wont allow DHL to deliver the passport securely to your home.

It makes me wonder, when the HMPO office gave this you scratch my back i scratch your back contract to VFS they gave the contract on the understanding that VFS would charge for their checking service by appointment.( They are certainly not doing this out of the goodness of their heart.)

So why charge for one appointment when you can double your profits by charging for two appointments no matter how much inconvenience the applicant as to go through

yes and dont forget the nominee will need your passport which means you wont have it so making their must have passport at all times bollux mute which means you might as well have been able to send your pp to the uk rather than photocopy everypage...... and round and round in circles they go

EXACTLY

Plucked from SOAP @831;

But the difference being in Thailand they don't care if you are a elderly or disabled British citizen YOU MUST undertake a possible 4,000 kilometre journey to have your documents checked in order to renew your passport

PERIOD no options

It is inevitable that HMPO/HMG will eventually take this into consideration; but only after they have managed to separate feedback & constructive criticism from the avalanche of rants their intrays.

I would say my post was a fact,not a rant.

Its a pity that the HMPO did not ask for constructive feedback before they gave the contract to VFS because if you look at the opening post in this thread by Basset (i wonder if he works for the HMPO)as he as not been seen again after breaking the news on his post dated 26th March, revealing that these changes would be implemented from 26th March,i helped my friends daughter fill her passports forms etc the first week in March (still waiting) and as far as i can remember i did not read on the HMPO web site about these changes being implemented from March 26th.

I think constructive feedback from the HMPO giving notice about these changes would have been the appropriate thing to do rather than create a situation that you refer, soap @ 831