josephbloggs

22 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

Yes, I say they are doing it purely because the media told them too, prior to Musk you lot were gushing over Tesla, EV's and climate change, since Musk backed  Trump you are happy to see that company and his cars destroyed.... because  the media told you to hate him, you are all weak man, and to make matters worse, you  specifically are English, Joe bloggs is an English phrase , so you're not even American, so that makes you a loser of the highest level

Thanks for your insight, amazing. 

Not going to engage with a load of personal insults, why not grow up.

BTW Joe Bloggs is not actually my real name.

16 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

I would reply in detail if your writing would make any sense and would be related to the original subject 8-) 

It has nothing to do with the original subject, it was just replying to your nonsensical points which had nothing to do with the original topic.

5 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Well I've viewed the full wrap on the train and there are no white Englishman in the art as Yagoda mentioned. Take a look yourself, full download of pics and a vid

 

https://newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/news/train-wrap-celebrating-ethnicity-and-the-vibrant-mix-of-colleagues-and-communities-unveiled-by-avanti-west-coast

 

It does serve Scotland but by far its routes are in the uk.

I can't believe you actually made me do this. Why are you all so keen to get offended by things which are only in your head? There is no conspiracy against white people. Look I found some for you!

What a ridiculous discussion. I can't believe a story about a train has people on here making it in a "white people are oppressed" thing. It's a nice colourful train - I like it. I use Avanti West Coast every time I am in the UK and think it's a ridiculously overpriced service with poor performance. But that is a nice colourful train.

6 hours ago, Sydebolle said:

I've been traveling for more than half a century and trust me, 50 years ago there was not even 10% of the bureaucracy anywhere which resulted in much faster processing, as less of everything was involved. 

Today, apart from removing belts and - anytime soon undies as well, you might wonder, what those authorities will invent next to make traveling more tedious?
 

50 years ago people hadn't started bombing planes. Personally I am ok to queue in security for five minutes if it makes my journey safer. Of course that wasn't as strict before 9/11 either. It's not invented to make your life more tedious is it, that's just being silly.

And the new generation of scanners are much quicker - no need to take off belt, watch, no need to empty your pockets, and no need to take your laptop out of your bag. So they have invented something to make it less tedious.

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What do they do with all that data. It does not prevent crime, mischief, it does not provide vital quality data for the host country? Which European country has such landing/departure cards and if not, WHY not? 

Erm, all of them are about to. EES comes in this year and next year you'll have to do ETIAS and you'll even have to pay for that.

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It is not only TM6, if you are interested then query the need of duplicated TM2, TM3 and TM4 when traveling overland by car; they still insist (we're taking about car travels) on passenger lists, crew lists as well as the call sign apart from the car plate registration, colour of vehicle, engine and chassis number. Needless to say, that these forms, as said in A4-duplicates, are not even looked at; just collected on departure (and the second copy on arrival) without even looking at the date. 

Ah, so now it's just a general rant as you think you shouldn't need documents to do things. Ok, let it all out.

5 hours ago, Khun Loong said:

I think we all know that the official site will not remain free for long.

Do we?

Did they charge for TM6?

4 hours ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

There are many 5 star hotels in Bangkok!! here is just a few...

 

• The Peninsula Bangkok (Riverside)
  • Known for its riverside location, 370 luxurious rooms, and a 3-tiered 88-meter pool. Features Michelin-star dining and a spa blending Thai and Ayurvedic practices.

     

    

     

    
• Mandarin Oriental Bangkok (Riverside)
  • A historic hotel with Indochine-style architecture, offering Michelin-star dining at Baan Phraya and a renowned spa. Famous for hosting royalty and dignitaries.

     

    

     

    
• Capella Bangkok (Riverside)
  • Opened in 2020, features private plunge pools in Veranda rooms, Michelin-starred Côte restaurant, and a riverside Auriga Spa. Known for personalized service.

     

    

     

    

     

    
• The Siam (Dusit)
  • A boutique luxury hotel with art deco and Thai aesthetics, offering privacy, unique experiences, and a riverside location with stunning antiques.

     

    

     

    
• Shangri-La Bangkok (Riverside)
  • Offers stunning Chao Phraya River views, easy Skytrain access, and luxurious rooms with Thai silk decor. Features a large poolside area and multiple dining options.

     

    
• Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel (Lumphini)
  • Known for authentic Thai-style luxury, with lush courtyards, infinity pools, and Michelin-starred dining options like Sushi Itto.

     

    

     

    
• The St. Regis Bangkok (Lumphini)
  • Centrally located, offering sophisticated Thai-influenced decor, a rooftop bar, and spacious suites with personalized butler service.

     

    

     

    
• Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River (Riverside)
  • A modern, riverside property with sleek design, multiple dining venues, and a focus on luxury and comfort. Highly rated for modern rooms.

     

    
• Sukhothai Bangkok (Sathorn)
  • Combines old-world charm with modern amenities, featuring opulent suites, a large pool, and award-winning Thai restaurant La Scala.

     

    

     

    
• The Okura Prestige Bangkok (Ploenchit)
  • Offers elegant Japanese-inspired design, an infinity pool, and a Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant, Elements. Known for city views and luxury.

     

    

     

    
• Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok (Siam)
  • Located near Siam Paragon, with private pool-access rooms, five dining outlets, and warm, family-friendly service.

     

    
• Banyan Tree Bangkok (Sathorn)
  • A sky-high retreat with a rooftop bar (Vertigo), spacious suites, and a spa. Offers panoramic city views and a tranquil escape.

     

    
• Waldorf Astoria Bangkok (Lumphini)
  • Features 171 spacious rooms, sophisticated design, and dining options like a rooftop champagne bar. Located in the business district.

     

    
• Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn (Sathorn)
  • A business-friendly hotel with 390 modern rooms, an infinity pool, and direct BTS Skytrain access. Known for soft beds and city views.

     

    

     

    
• SO/ Bangkok (Silom)
  • Themed rooms based on five elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Metal, Wood), with a vibrant design, rooftop bar, and proximity to Lumpini Park.

     

    

     

    
• Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok (Riverside)
  • Offers riverfront suites, an infinity pool, and multiple dining options. Known for its serene ambiance and proximity to Asiatique.

     

    

     

    
• The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel (Ploenchit)
  • Features a tropical lagoon-style pool, European flair, and proximity to shopping malls like Central Embassy. Highly rated for service.

     

    

     

    
• Conrad Bangkok (Lumphini)
  • A business-focused hotel with a full-service spa, live jazz at Diplomat Bar, and spacious rooms with Asian antiques.

     

    
• Sivatel Bangkok (Ploenchit)
  • Offers posh suites, an infinity pool, and a central location. Known for luxurious amenities and proximity to shopping.

     

    
• Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok (Lumphini)
  • A pet-friendly hotel with stylish rooms, a rooftop bar, and a vibrant atmosphere near Lumphini Park. Praised for its breakfast buffe

Seriously, dude, no-one needs a massive list copied from ChatGPT. EVERYONE knows there are tons of 5-star hotels in Bangkok. Don't feed the troll and don't waste bandwidth with copy and pasted AI nonsense that nobody is going to read.

13 hours ago, Yagoda said:

How come there are no white Englishman in the art? Or even a St Georges cross? Not diverse in England i guess

Wow, you inspected both sides of the length of the train!! Amazing, did you get access to the depot? How does it look?

And the West Coast Main Line services Scotland as well, so why would you expect a St George's Cross? Just looking for something to be upset about?

1 hour ago, AustinRacing said:

Considering it came out almost at the same time as the government one suggests insiders developing both websites together. One for the government and one for themselves to make money. 

The government one has been available for weeks.

4 minutes ago, phil2407 said:

No outrage from netizens ? 

sorry forgot only reserved for foreigners 

 

He is a foreigner.

Plus "netizens" get upset with things that happen online - you know, on the internet, hence "netizens". This was not.

How big is the chip on your shoulder exactly?

45 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

Absolutely amazing what the goons at the immigration come up with all the time. Considering the data entry it makes you wonder, what on Earth they want to do with this data, apart from exposing millions and millions and millions of non-Thais to potential data theft and/or data misuse. 

Welcome to Thailand, the country which never runs out of funny ideas 😉 

On no, the "goons" have come up with something that is free and takes you 2-3 minutes and makes your arrival better (eventually leading to e-gates in future).

Were the same "goons" responsible for bringing in electronic pre-arrival forms in Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Israel, Belize, The UK, The EU, Jamaica etc etc.

You lot don't half make mountains out of tiny tiny molehills.

37 minutes ago, VBF said:

For obvious reasons, I haven't looked and won't be looking at this fake site but I don't quite understand why anyone would bother with it assuming that you have to enter the same amount of information as on the official site. What's the incentive to pay to do the same job as you could do for free?

Pretty sure they are targetting people who don't know you don't have to pay.

On 4/26/2025 at 12:39 AM, proton said:

In Peterborough, shock from 10 years ago, now its another diversity dump with added homeless and beggars. Almost all the staff at the office were non white, hijab girl giving out passports could not understand a simple question, but then neither could the Indian woman at the Hotel reception. 4 hours service good, 207 quid, they don't even look at the old passport, just clip it and give back. Apply online upload photo, dead easy. Peterborough would by a nice place if not for a lot of the people!

Oh no, you had to deal with brown people - eeeeeeeeew, poor you.

As an update I got the same email today saying I owe £129. 

I just called them and had a very nice Indian fellow. I explained the problem, and he checked and said they could only take £14.51 and I owe £129. I explained my credit card has a pending amount of £143.51 and there is no charge of £14.51 to be seen, only £143.51 and it was impossible not for them to take the full amount. We went round and round for a while and then I just agreed to pay £129 over the phone. I am sending my daughter to the UK for the summer so I can't be bothered faffing around on this, I just need the passport.

So £129 has just been charged on my card. I'll reconcile everything at the end and if I have paid too much I'll deal with the credit card company, but I will report back when all the charges have fully gone through.

Even if it does somehow only end up being £143.51 in the end the system is still pathetic and embarrassing in 2025. 

Just now, Upnotover said:

As I said.  Not fake.  Just opportunistic. (I doubt they will get rich)

Yes, I was agreeing with you in a roundabout way.

When I went to India a few years ago I (stupidly) got tricked in to using a site that looked exactly like the real government site. And looking online tons of other people also did. However I still got my visa, I just paid a little too much for it.

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

All valid comments and complaints: 

 

When renewing both my son's and my own passports last year, I encountered several minor yet frustrating issues.

 

Firstly, in regard to your comment:
“They rejected proof of address as it was in your name and not your daughter's.”
For my son (under 16), proof of address in my name has always been acceptable. Perhaps the issue arose because your daughter is 16, in which case, proof of address might need to be in her name? - What did you end up using ?

 

 

 

Yeah, it has always been in my name but as she is 16 it is an adult passport so needed to be in her name. My wife got a letter from the district office which is based on our tabien bahn. She said it took five minutes and cost 10 baht. It's basically a letter certifying (in English) my daughter's details, the date she moved to this house, the address, then signed by the registrar. They are very familiar with it, my wife just said she needed it for a UK passport renewal and they knew what to do. It's called a Thor Ror 14/1 and looks like this (but obviously they fill it out).

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Regarding payment:
I raised concerns about the practice of writing down our card details on paper, including the security code, as I believe this poses a security risk. A more secure method should be implemented. Despite my complaint, I had no choice but to comply. However, a few weeks later, I received an email stating that the payment was rejected (UK card), and I was subsequently directed to an online payment portal.

This prompts the question: Why was this secure payment portal not utilised from the outset?

 

Very good question. And yes, it is a security risk although they do seal the payment form in an envelope in front of you, tape it closed and have you and the VFS person sign over the join. Still that is very weak but I guess the best they can do (VFS). No idea why it can't be done online and you've shown it actually can be. It's actually pretty pathetic in 2025.

 

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Finally, my passport photo was also rejected, necessitating the mailing of another photo to the UK.

On my first visit they said it was likely to be rejected as I had not had it countersigned, but they would go ahead anyway if I wanted to risk it. I had previously emailed to ask if countersigning was necessary and they said no if the person was still recognisable. To me she still is but then to a stranger I guess not. Anyway that was on me, I should have done it anyway to be safe, but it would have been moot anyway as I still had to make another appointment after getting proof of address.

41 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

While it doesn’t help the op i would advise anyone with a passport renewal in the near future to take a snapshot of their payment/application forms.

 

The relocation of HMPO ( from Liverpool to Corby ) has caused numerous problems recently, seemingly the new staff are unaware of the Thai/VFS Global procedures.

VFS Bangkok have not helped the confusion with some incorrect advice.

Yes, too late for me, but good advice. I do have the receipt that shows I agreed to a payment of £143.51 but a copy of the actual payment form would have been handy. I have probably done 10 renewals through VFS for me and my kids over the years and never had an issue other than some long processing times. Ah, remember the good old days when the passports were actually made at the embassy....

There is no charge of £14.51 on my card (the amount they say I have paid), but I have a pending payment of £143.51.

It is just monumental incompetence from HMPO. I will be calling them today and will report back, but reading that other thread doesn't fill me with confidence. How embarrassing as a Brit.

I have to say the whole VFS experience was pretty good - very efficient and the staff were very helpful. Still a massive PITA to trundle to Rama 9 but it's close to the MRT so not too bad.

47 minutes ago, PoorSucker said:

You like to go to immigration and certificate of residence?

He said it isn't difficult. And going to immigration once every five years to get a CoR isn't difficult is it. He didn't say he loves doing it. I didn't love doing it either but it wasn't difficult.

2 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

But Soros, Schwab, Gates and other woke billionaires are still a perfect beings in every way. 

Er......what have they got to do with this?

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

This thread goes into detail

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1356355-uk-passport-renewal-email-received-send-us-your-passport-2-weeks-after-applying/page/6/#comment-19770049

Thank you. Just read the whole thing, what a shambles.

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

You may have read that there's lot's of issues at the NEW passport office currently 

Ah, no I hadn't read that.