British Consular Team

Greetings once again. Planning to travel more this year?! Here’s some things you might want to consider adding to your New Year’s resolutions. ✔️ Check out GOV.UK Travel Advice for the country you're visiting. Read and sign up to receive alerts to see if there are any safety concerns or special preparations you need to take. ✔️ Make sure your passport is valid and won't expire while you're travelling. Some countries require at least 6-month passport validity to enter the country. Please check before you travel. ✔️ Get your travel insurance. Make sure your insurance covers you for activities you are planning to do as well as medical emergencies. ✔️ Access to your finances In case the unexpected happens, it's also a good idea to get your finance in place. ✔️ Prepare a Will or Power of Attorney. Make sure you have someone handle things on your behalf when you’re unable to. ✔️ Emergency contacts in the back of your passport. Include contact details of your next of kin or people that can be contacted if something unexpected happens to you. ✔️ Keep the contact details for the Embassy close to where you'll be traveling to in case you need emergency Consular assistance. For urgent Consular support from British Embassy Bangkok, please call the 24-hour Contact Centre at +66 2 305 8333 and select option for Consular Assistance. Here are some stats of what kept Consular team at the British Embassy Bangkok busy in 2024. A big increase on the 1,465 cases we managed in 2023! Death 715 Child Welfare 43 Welfare 432 Missing Person 121 Hospitalisation 335 Arrest & Detention 234 Victim of Crime 67 Torture and mistreatment 12 Property 8 Accident / Emergency 40 Total 2,007 The 2,007 included: 87 deportations from Immigration Detention Centre. In 2023 we deported 51. 9 rape and sexual assault cases. In 2023 we supported 11 cases. 62 road traffic accident cases. In 2023 we dealt with 41.

Greetings once again. As we approach the holiday season, many of you may be planning to visit beautiful places in Thailand or other countries. We encourage you to sign up for Travel Advice specific to the country you will be visiting to stay informed about any important updates and ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here's one successful story of this year we'd like to share with you. The British Embassy Bangkok collaborates with CPALL and Tourist Police Tourist Police Bureau to increase awareness on motorcycle safety among tourists in Thailand. Posters will be displayed at 155 branches of 7-eleven in 18 tourist hotspot provinces. Joanne Finnamore-Crorkin, HM Consul at the British Embassy Bangkok said, "The safety of British tourists is one of the top priorities for the Embassy. This collaboration with the Tourist Police and 7-Eleven will greatly help raise awareness about motorcycle rental and riding safety among British tourists, especially in popular destinations that attract a large number of British visitors." "According to statistics from 2023, over 870,000 British tourists visited Thailand, reflecting the popularity of Thailand as a top destination for British travellers. The success of this project will be a crucial factor in attracting the return of British tourists and making them feel safe while traveling in Thailand. This will have a positive long-term impact on the Thai tourism economy," HM Consul concluded. This collaborative project to enhance motorcycle safety for British tourists highlights the British Embassy's commitment to work with both public and private sector in Thailand. Our cooperation in British tourists will help increase confidence of British tourists in traveling to Thailand. Wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year.

Greetings once again. In October, Consular Team hosted a meeting, joined by Tourist Police Commissioner Pol.Lt.Gen Saksira Pueak-Am and consuls from other diplomatic missions in Thailand. The meeting purpose was to discuss & enhance collaboration between the Tourist Police and Embassies, ensuring the safety of tourists when visiting Thailand. The session highlighted the ongoing efforts with the Tourism Community Project (STC) and the emergency hotline 1155 which is now available in eight languages. Representatives from different missions also discussed topics including Notarial and Documentary services, trends in assistance cases and issues affecting their nationals – seeking ways to address and remedy these areas.

Greetings once again. This time, we'd like to present you with an infographic summarizing what we have been dealing with since the beginning of 2024. Hope you enjoy it! 🙂

Greetings once again! Let's start with some stats. Here’s what kept Bangkok Consular team’s operations busy in July. We provided 110 notarial and documentary services, printed 39 Emergency Travel Documents, and dealt with 157 emergency Consular cases. These cases included deaths (65), welfare issues (27), hospitalisations (28), arrests and detentions (15), victim of crimes (6), child welfare (5), and missing persons (11). The number of enquiries regarding missing person has increased recently. If you come across similar situation, please see the Getting help if someone goes missing abroad guide on GOV.UK. The guide provides useful information about what to do when you want to report a missing person. Additional to office operations, we did some engagements with Thai authorities. Consular team members met Marine department to discuss marine safety ideas and potential collaboration. The team also attended Tourist Police Diplomatic Volunteer Training hosted by Tourist Police and joint by other 21 embassies. It was a good opportunity for Consular team to build network between diplomatic missions across Thailand with the aim to support one another and enhance Thailand’s tourism security. We’d love to hear your feedback. Please feel free to comment or leave any questions. See you next month. Bangkok Consular Team

Greetings once again! We are pleased to share with you about what Bangkok Consular Team did last month. If you want to know about anything else, please comment to let us know. Let’s start with travel Statistics. In June 2024, there were 62,229 British nationals entering Thailand – a slight decrease of 1.3% from May. This continues the trend we observed in May when 63,078 British nationals entered the country. Moving on to our operations. The Bangkok Consular team has been busy handling 120 Consular cases including missing persons, welfare issues, hospitalisations, arrests and detentions, and victim of crimes. More than half of the cases were deaths (70 cases). Many of these numbers occurred in private accommodation, some drug-related, and one due to road traffic accident. On the other side of our office, we provided 142 notarial services including 108 affirmations of marriage. Finally, did you know about Consular services provided at the British Embassy Bangkok? Check out the FAQs and answers below. Does the British Embassy issue a UK style birth certificate? No. More info: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/family-tree-guide-to-birth-certificates/guide-to-birth-certificates-accessible-version Does the UK Government offer any advice for a forthcoming trip to Vietnam? Yes. More info: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Does the British Embassy issue a British Passport? No. More info: https://www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport Does the British Embassy get British nationals out of prison? No. More info: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thailand-prisoner-pack/information-pack-for-british-nationals-arrested-or-detained-in-thailand Does the British Embassy offer any advice on living in Thailand? Yes. More info: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-thailand Does the British Embassy recommend specific lawyers if one is required? No. More info: https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=Thailand If I am raped, can you accompany me to the police station/hospital? Yes. More info: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rape-and-sexual-assault-in-thailand-information-for-victims/thailand-information-for-survivors-of-rape-and-sexual-assault Can I get consular assistance 24/7 from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office? Yes. Call us at +66 2 305 8333 or visit https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-bangkok If I lose my passport and need to travel urgently for an emergency, can you issue me with a replacement passport? No. More info: https://www.gov.uk/travel-urgently-from-abroad-without-uk-passport Can I get a letter from the Embassy to transfer my Thai visa from an old to new passport? No. Learn more about what services we provide at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/notarial-and-documentary-services-guide-for-thailand See you next month! Joanne Finnamore-Crokin, HM Consul Bangkok Consular Team

Greetings once again! In our ongoing effort to keep you updated, here are our latest updates and highlights. In May, we saw 63,078 British nationals arriving in Thailand, which is a notable 26% drop from April. Our dedicated team handled 147 new cases this month, including: 56 deaths, 33 hospitalisations, 31 welfare issues, 14 arrests and detentions,12 missing persons and other case types such as victim of crims and child welfare. Among these, 2 were related to road traffic accidents, making a total of 32 such cases so far this year. Important reminders We have just updated our guide about what to do after a British person dies in Thailand on GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/guidance/what-to-do-after-a-british-person-dies-in-thailand. For Consular assistance and contact details, please call +66 2 305 8333 or visit https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-bangkok. Finally, as holiday season kicks in, ensure you review the Travel Advice on GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for your destination to stay informed and prepared. Also, please ensure your passport is valid and has sufficient pages for visas. Thank you for staying connected with us. Joanne Finnamore-Crorkin

Greetings once again, In our continuous effort to keep you informed, here are our updates. Casework and Assistance Highlights In April, a number of British nationals travelling to Thailand declined, with 85,768 arrivals - a 24% decrease from the previous month. Our team managed 155 new cases, including 57 deaths, 34 hospitalisation, 26 welfare concerns, 9 missing persons, 13 accidents, 26 arrests and some other case types. One of the arrest cases was following the conviction of a British national linked to a theft, leading to retaliatory attacks on the family home. The team facilitated 10 deportations including two Brits who worked illegally as a DJ and MC in Thailand. Engagements and Outreach in April-May 2024 The team visited Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, Thailand’s largest hospital group, and discussed about medical repatriation, financial assistance, and mass casualty management. HM Consul paid a visit to Department of Land Transport and met Inspector-General to discuss vehicle standards, motorcycle safety, and concerns regarding vehicle rentals in tourist areas. The British Chamber of Commerce members visited the embassy, receiving updates on the Consular section's roles and responsibilities. HM Ambassador and delegates had an outreach in Chonburi emphasized tourist safety and victim support. The delegates attended meetings with the governor and local authorities followed by British community event in the evening. A delegation from the Tourist Police Bureau visiting the UK. Consular team's crisis exercise deployment in Laos. Director for Consular and Crisis, visited Bangkok and Phuket from 7-9 May to review and bolster our consular services. The highlight and most important event was the 3rd UK-Thailand Consular Dialogue which took place on 9 May 2024. Director for Consular and Crisis at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Commonwealth Office (FCDO), led the UK delegation to the UK-Thai consular dialogue with Deputy Director-General, Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Anantara Siam Hotel in Bangkok. Delegates discussed a wide range of themes, including immigration, protection and support for British and Thai nationals in the UK and Thailand through tourist safety, and coordination between UK and Thai authorities. The high-level conversation is critical to ensuring that those British nationals who call Thailand home along with over 800,000 tourists who come to Thailand on holiday, as well as the vast number of Thai nationals living or studying in the UK, receive high quality consular services and protection. We remain committed to support British nationals and strengthening our partnerships across Thailand. Stay safe and connected. Consular Team, British Embassy Bangkok

Greetings once again, Hope everyone enjoyed a festive and safe Songkran this year. Here’s our usual recap of last month. In March, 112,620 British travellers visited Thailand, marking an 17% increase from February. Bangkok Consular team handled 151 new cases. The majority involved welfare issues and medical emergencies. Additionally, there were 21 road traffic incidents and some arrest and detention cases concerning illegally working in Thailand. We continue to remind all travellers to adhere to local laws and customs. Additional to operations in the office, we have been working on some preparations for upcoming events in the next few months. Stay tuned for further updates. See you next month.

Greeting once again. Here is our usual monthly update. In February, 95,922 British travellers entered Thailand, a 16% decrease from the previous month. Bangkok Consular team dealt with 133 new cases. Death and welfare contributed to more than 70% of this number, including 16 road traffic accidents. We also dealt with some arrests and detentions relating to fraudulent activity and assaults. Next month is the hottest month of the year so it’s time for Songkran - Thailand's famous water festival. This marks the Thai New Year and it is celebrated across the country by splashing water on each other. While it's a time of joy, it's also essential to protect your passport and other valuables from water damage to fully enjoy the festival without having to worry. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you how important it is to stay updated with the latest updates from Thailand Travel Advice on GOV.UK. The page contains information that can help you stay up to date to ensure your safety in Thailand. Here is what you will find on Thailand Travel Advice: 1. Warnings and Insurance: The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to certain parts of Thailand. It's vital to check these areas and understand the implications for travel insurance and consular support. 2. Entry Requirements: Information is available on passport validity, visa requirements, and customs rules. For example, British passport holders can enter Thailand without a visa for 30 days for tourism purposes, but longer stays require a visa. 3. Safety and Security: Tips on avoiding petty thefts, and understanding local laws, including drug regulations and the strict lèse-majesté laws. It also covers advice for tourists, like being cautious with scams. 4. Health: This section advises the importance of having appropriate travel insurance that covers medical treatment. 5. Emergency support: In case of emergencies, there is information about how you can get help including contact numbers for ambulance, fire, and police, and British Embassy in Thailand. Signing up for email alerts on Thailand Travel Advice ensures that you have the most up to date information and that you can enjoy your time in Thailand safely. See you next edition and enjoy Songkran!

Greetings once again. Here is our usual monthly updates. Last month 102,458 British travellers entered Thailand. Bangkok Consular team dealt with 177 new cases. Death contributed to 40% of this number, including a high profile death in Chonburi. Hospitalisation case ranked 2nd, and welfare case ranked 3rd where we dealt with vulnerable elderly detainee and child abuse. In addition to our priorities of providing support to vulnerable British nationals, engaging in external meetings with our key stakeholders is also crucial for ensuring enhanced cooperation. Donation to the Police General Hospital To thank for their support of vulnerable detainees, we donated adult diapers to the Police General Hospital, fulfilling one of their needs. Department for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation The meeting was led by the Israeli Embassy and represented by 12 other embassies and the Bangkok Consuls group. We met the Deputy Director-General Chatchadaporn Boonpreeranat to discuss about how Thailand responses to major incidents in Thailand. Grand Palace Exclusive Visit - hosted by Tourist Police Bureau This was another opportunity to meet with the Tourist Police Bureau Commissioner. It facilitated informal discussions and social rapport building with the Head of Foreign Affairs at Tourist Police Bureau. This private invitation was extended to selected embassies, with notable attendees including U.S, French, Korean and UK embassies. Institute of Forensic Medicine and Tourist Assistance Centre This presented another chance for Consular frontline officers to maintain working relationships and professional cooperation. We took this opportunity to donate adult diapers. 40th Thai Travel Agents Association Anniversary This annual social event brought together key players in tourism, including members, international tourism promotion organizations, airlines, embassies, agencies, media, and the Tourism Council of Thailand. Its aim was to revitalise the industry and strengthen partnerships. HMA Courtesy Call to Minister of Transport A courtesy call to the new Transport Minister, Mr Suriya Juangroongruangkit, to discuss collaborations on achieving a low carbon society, becoming an electric vehicle production hub, and addressing road traffic accidents, especially those involving motorcycles among British nationals in Thailand. This covered discussions on invalid driving licences and local vehicle rental shops. Phuket Governor Bi-Weekly Meeting with Honorary Consuls/ Consuls An opportunity to meet the new Governor of Phuket at the regular bi-monthly meeting at the Phuket Governor's complex. The meeting highlighted topics of marine safety and motorbike safety, particularly the enforcement of driving license checks. The Governor expressed particular concern about motorbike safety. British tourists were ranked third in the number of visitors in 2023, following Russian and Chinese. See you next month!

Greetings once again! We’re back with more numbers this time. Last year the Consular team at the British Embassy Bangkok dealt with 1,465 cases in total. December was our busiest month with the section providing Consular assistance to 160 British Nationals Their cases included deaths, welfare support, arrests, and hospitalisations due to road traffic accidents and illness. We provided support to 47 families coping with the loss of loved ones, involving a mixture of hospital and home deaths. Additionally we issued 56 Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) and provided 151 documentary services. January is a month for making New Year resolutions. If you have not already thought about any resolutions, here are some to consider: 1. Write a will It's never too early to plan for the future. Drafting a will can ensure your assets are managed according to your wishes and your loved ones do not face added stress when coping with your passing away. 2. Plan your funeral While it may seem grim, planning your funeral in advance can relieve your loved ones of the burden during a difficult time. 3. Sign up for Travel Advice Stay informed about the latest travel advice in Thailand or any country you are travelling to. 4. Check your insurance Review your policies to ensure they're up-to-date and provide adequate coverage for your health and travel. 5. Visa renewal and passport validity Ensure your travel documents are in order and your visa is valid. Renew them if necessary. Detention at Thai immigration centres can be tough at times. 6. Emergency contact details in passport Update the back of your passport with the contact details of your emergency contact. 7. Travel with medications legally If you're traveling with medication, make sure you're aware of the laws and their use in your destination country by consulting the travel advice for that country. 8. Accessible financial information: Keep your financial information secure yet accessible in case of emergencies (ie pin numbers, NI numbers). Getting help in Thailand - the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is available for assistance. Our 24/7 Contact Centre is available for urgent help, and the Bangkok team is always ready to respond during working hours and when contacted out of office hours for emergency cases. Stay prepared and informed. Sign up to Thailand Travel Advice. See you next month!

Greetings once again! We’re back with our usual update. In the past month, we provided Consular assistance to 115 urgent cases, including situations such as missing persons, welfare support, hospitalizations for various reasons, and arrests. Our assistance extended to 49 families coping with the loss of loved ones, involving a mix of hospital and home deaths, primarily from natural causes. Additionally, we issued 45 Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) and provided 148 documentary services. We've noticed a growing trend in elderly welfare in Thailand, especially among those vulnerable due to dementia. Many are under the care of care homes or caregivers. To ensure proper care for those with dementia, we partnered with Dementia Carer Count in the UK, delivering intensive two-day training sessions for care home service providers in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants expressing the value and knowledge gained in supporting individuals with dementia. As the Christmas season approaches, the Consular Section of the British Embassy Bangkok wishes you a Merry and Safe Christmas. If you're planning to travel, remember to obtain travel insurance, sign up for Travel Advice for your destination if leaving Thailand, and check the validity of your passport (ensure the back page is filled with emergency contact details). If you have any suggestions on what else we should include in our monthly update, please feel free to let us know. Wishing you a joyful Christmas and safe travels.

Hello again! This month, the British Embassy is pleased to provide an overview of our work and a bit of up to date information on www.GOV.UK. In October, we managed 117 urgent assistance cases, including arrests and detentions, welfare support, and hospitalizations for various reasons. We extended support to a total of 37 families following the loss of their loved ones, which involved a mixture of deaths in hospitals and at home. Most were from natural courses. Additionally, we issued 33 Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) and offered 198 documentary services (allowing British nationals to get married in Thailand). As you can see, we dealt with a high number of deaths, this is common each month. Apart from providing support to the bereaved families, we also issue a Consular letter for Thai local authorities or hospitals to release the body for burial, cremation, or repatriation. This consular letter is issued free of charge. While we cannot pay any burial, cremation, or repatriation expenses ourselves or settle any debts (especially hospital bills), we can help transfer money from friends and relatives in the UK to pay any necessary costs here in Thailand. We have to hand details of local and international funeral directors and are constantly up-dating the list. Please visit GOV.UK for more information about what to do when a British person dies in Thailand. See you next month!

Hello everyone. Apologies to all readers that this month’s contribution from the Consular Section is brief. The main reason for this is because I have been deployed to the Middle East to assist with the on-going situation there. My main priority will be to work alongside my colleagues based in the region to ensure that British Nationals who require consular assistance are helped. It is quite normal for consular staff from all around the world to be deployed at short notice to other parts of the world to assist when a situation occurs. Earlier this year two team members flew to Jeddah to assist with the situation in Sudan. When situations like these arise, Embassies and High Commissions reach out to British Nationals through the specific Travel Advice for the country they are in, if they have to give important messaging. This is why it is important that all you all sign up to our Travel Advice so that you can receive up-dates as situations unfold. You will all be aware of the incident which happened at the beginning of October at Siam Paragon Shopping Mall. Luckily the incident did not take place over a significant amount of time. If it had done so, we would have up-dated our travel advice to warn British Nationals of the situation and advising them not to go to the area. Please do therefore sign up to our advice https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/Thailand Last but not least, here's a quick update on operation at the Embassy. In September, the number of British travellers entering Thailand decreased from 62,781 in August to 47,616. During this time, we issued 28 Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) and offered 135 documentary services, which included 111 affirmations of marriage. But that's not all – we also managed 106 urgent assistance cases, including arrests and detentions, welfare support, and hospitalisations for various reasons. We extended support to a total of 43 families following the loss of their loved one, which involved a mix of hospital deaths and natural deaths. Joanne Finnamore-Crorkin HM Consul, British Embassy Bangkok