British Consular Team

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

Greetings from the Consular team! Apologies for the delay on sharing updates about last month. August was yet another busy month, despite a slight drop of British travellers from 64,457 in July to 62,781 in August. Last month we issued 44 Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) and provided 151 documentary services, including 117 affirmations of marriage. But, that's not all – we handled 128 urgent assistance related cases, ranging from arrests and detention, welfare, hospitalisations due to various reasons, which included strokes and age-related concerns. We provided support to a total of 58 families following the death of a loved one, which included a mix of hospital deaths, road traffic accidents and a drowning. Our assistance does not stop with the office operations. We’ve been meeting with various Thai authorities, strengthening our partnerships to better assist British nationals in the Thailand in times of need. Immigration Deportation cases continue to be a big focus for the team. To ensure our team stays up to date with current practices and policies, the Head of IDC Deportation Unit, delivered an informative session on the deportation process in Thailand and hosted a Q&A discussion with our team. It's worth noting that IDC handles upwards of 50 deportations on a daily basis, meaning we’re constantly looking for ways to improve our planning and time efficiency to ultimately reduce the time required for those in detention. Within the detention facility, medical support is available at the clinic located onsite. A certified volunteer nurse is present every day to offer assistance, and regular doctor visits are scheduled on a weekly basis. We have contributed a range of supplies to the clinic, for detained British people to help support their needs. Police Forensic Institute Each year there are on average 400 deaths of British nationals within Thailand. Our role is centred on providing support to bereaved families & partners, while relaying the step-by-step process which must be followed to register the death and proceed with funeral arrangements. In recent years, approximately 90 British nationals’ were transferred to The Police Forensic Institute (PFI) for autopsies. The team recently visited PFI to meet with the frontline staff and learn more about the procedures when dealing with autopsies for foreigners. It was an interesting experience, as we were given a behind the scenes tour of the various procedure rooms & storage facilities etc. Northeast Our first outreach to Northeast Thailand took place last month. HMC and delegates from Consular team met with Immigration, Police, Hospitals, Care homes, and Tourist Assistance Centres, to discuss our work and enhance cooperation to support British Nationals in the area. British communities in these areas are predominantly retirees, with authorities advising that they experience very few problems involving British Nationals. Accompanied by the Tourist Police, the team also visited Soi Samphan Thamit in Udon Thani, meeting British nationals and discussing their experiences of living in, and visiting the area. They also met Consular colleagues from the British Embassy Vientiane near the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai, to update on issues jointly affecting our regions. Hua Hin We also managed to include a brief outreach to Hua Hin – Deputy Consul and delegates from Consular team, met with Hua Hin hospital, Hua Hin police station, Hua Hin vice Mayor and the director of Bangkok Hua Hin hospital. Each meeting was based around relaying gratitude for the support from each agency to British nationals in the province, particularly during the pandemic. Another key aim was to discuss areas where we can build on our working relations & better understand areas open to improvement. Making Contact For emergency assistance, (such as in the event of the death, assault, arrest or hospitalisation of a British national), you can contact the Embassy on +66 23058333 and follow the instructions to be connected with consular officers. Here are examples of some of the ways in which we can assist British nationals: Help with making contact to friends and family back home using our phones and internet Issue an emergency travel document, print out tickets and other urgent documents to enable travel Provide information about transferring money or receiving emergency funds Support families and partners following the death a British national in Thailand Provide a list of local lawyers, interpreters, doctors & funeral directors etc. Provide support to British nationals detained, liaise with lawyers, authorities and families Support victims of rape, sexual or physical assault or other victims of crime when liaising with police, medical and victim support services Direct those in need of places of safety, specialist welfare services or support networks to the appropriate agencies Signpost those in need of emergency shelter to places of safety and charitable accommodation providers Areas which we’re unable to assist with: Making travel arrangements Helping with entering or exiting Thailand without a valid passport or Visa Paying any outstanding bills, medical costs or penalty fines Providing advice that is best given by a professional in that field or making decisions on your behalf Investigate crimes, search for missing people or interfere with the judicial process Request an enhanced level of treatment in hospital or prison than is already provided locally Look after children, force medical help or provide shelter at the Embassy

Hello @Eff1n2ret. Many thanks for your comment. Our focus currently is mainly on British Tourists who visit Thailand for a holiday. We encourage these tourists, through social media, our Travel Advice and by working with Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in London to take out insurance before they travel to Thailand. We are seeing an increase in visiting British Nationals who are hospitalised due to accidents (often after hiring motorbikes). Hospital bills can be high and getting the British National back to the UK costs are even higher. Often British Nationals leave Thai hospitals without paying their bills – we would like to see a change in this. Insurance for residents is a different subject. We would encourage all of those who live in Thailand to either have the funds to pay their medical bills (as seems to be the case with you) and/or have insurance. We realise that for some British Nationals, especially those who do not have sufficient funds, getting insurance can also be a problem. We plan to work on this issue in the future with potential companies who might be able to assist those nationals getting some form of insurance.