Q&A session with the British Embassy Consular Team - ask your questions here!

[maddermax]

I, like many others, am totally dissatisfied with the lack of service from the British diplomatic service. It should, not only, not be called an embassy but also not a consulate as it provides very few consular services as they subcontract them out.

 

I paid my taxes in the UK for many years and even Class 3 contributions when working out of the UK. My tax deductions were index linked but my pension is not. I can't use the NHS if I go back to the UK and have no right to vote. So what are the advantages of being a UK citizen overseas? Oh yes, there are all those social benefits that the immigrants are seeking which I have paid for!

 

Over the years, as a merchant navy officer, I got stuck in out of the way places and needed help from the local embassy or consulate. No answer to telephone calls, knocking on the door or through other people. What are they there for and why did we pay taxes?

 

The British embassy should at least be providing the pension confirmation letter. They're not much use for anything else.

[bert bloggs]

I remember when we had a real embassy and they helped us ,getting a new passport was easy etc ,long gone i fear.

[steven100]

20 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Thaivisa will shortly be meeting with members of the British Embassy’s Consular Team. 

To answer questions ....... this could take weeks.  lol

[Chris657]

Why does a visitor from Thailand to the UK have to do 14 days quarantine on arrival in the UK? The stats would indicate that Thailand has handled the Covid-19 pandemic much better than the UK and has been complimented by the WHO which suggests to myself and several others I have spoken with that this stance when considering Thailand's close relations with China is more politically driven than health related ? 

[pixelaoffy]

46 minutes ago, maddermax said:

I, like many others, am totally dissatisfied with the lack of service from the British diplomatic service. It should, not only, not be called an embassy but also not a consulate as it provides very few consular services as they subcontract them out.

 

I paid my taxes in the UK for many years and even Class 3 contributions when working out of the UK. My tax deductions were index linked but my pension is not. I can't use the NHS if I go back to the UK and have no right to vote. So what are the advantages of being a UK citizen overseas? Oh yes, there are all those social benefits that the immigrants are seeking which I have paid for!

 

Over the years, as a merchant navy officer, I got stuck in out of the way places and needed help from the local embassy or consulate. No answer to telephone calls, knocking on the door or through other people. What are they there for and why did we pay taxes?

 

The British embassy should at least be providing the pension confirmation letter. They're not much use for anything else.

I know how you must feel.  Think about it, there are now illegals , possibly those that want to harm people in the UK and are currently in France waiting to get on a dingy, who will soon have more benefits regards housing and health services than you if you were to return  in what was once "Great Britain" 

[hotandsticky]

1 minute ago, Chris657 said:

Why does a visitor from Thailand to the UK have to do 14 days quarantine on arrival in the UK? The stats would indicate that Thailand has handled the Covid-19 pandemic much better than the UK and has been complimented by the WHO which suggests to myself and several others I have spoken with that this stance when considering Thailand's close relations with China is more politically driven than health related ? 

 

 

Don't confuse quarantine (which the Thais strictly enforce correctly) and 'self-isolation' that the British do not enforce correctly.

[Pilotman]

Just a good job that I am not in on the question and answer session with those Embassy muppets.  They are no more use than a chocolate fireguard and would be the very last organisation I would approach for help.  

[Kadilo]

I am on an extension of stay ( retirement) as over 50 but still working. 
Stuck in UK, cannot get back to Thailand to see partner and Thailand’s quarantine rules along with UK rules make that visit impossible. 
 

When my extension of stay expires, what are my options to renew as I can’t get into Thailand and I dont want to lose the 5 years it’s taken to get to this point. 

[joebrown]

Before stopping Income Confirmation Letters for Visa Extensions did HMG consider the alternative of 'contracting out' the service, in the same way it has done with passports?

I understand approximately 2500 expats were affected and your income would have been about 6m bht. As most expats in this category are pensioners (for life), why couldn't you have carried out an initial in depth examination of each applicants' pension income and bank statements, at an appropriate cost, say 5,000bht, and then 'guarantee' the income letter for immigration each year for 2000bht thereafter, following a minimal check on current bank statements?

I am at a loss to understand why Thai Immigration still accept income letters from other embassies who accept affidavits from retirees, but not from the UK Embassy? Something doesn't seem quite right as to the reason UK Embassy gave for withdrawing this service!

[hotchilli]

Why can we not obtain a UK passport renewal inside Thailand or at least be able to do it online, without the hassle of going to Bangkok to submit the application, and then have it posted to the UK passport office.

Surely an online form that can be completed is more efficient and cost effective, considering the fee that is now charged?

Or the ability to obtain one here.

[Khun Paul]

Again I see the Passport Question being raised numerous times and I shudder to think the HOOPS I will have to go through to get mine renewed. 

It is  a shambles that a UK Citizen has to possibly make two trips to get a renewal of pay over the top fdor an agent to get a renewal.

Before I used your system using HK ( Know that is no longer an option ) , simple and easy, even sending back to the UK Registered post would be more efficient I understand for a simple renewal , rather than use those cowboys you have farmed the job out to in Thailand . Whose attitude is certainly NOT CUSTOMER friendly , when I rang them I had to remind them that I was a British Citizen not some idiot which was how they treated me. 

[bert bloggs]

this time ,i just went to Britain on holiday and got a new passport while i was there ,far simpler ,as far as i am concerned we no longer have an Embassy in Bangkok

[CorpusChristie]

1 minute ago, bert bloggs said:

this time ,i just went to Britain on holiday and got a new passport while i was there ,far simpler ,as far as i am concerned we no longer have an Embassy in Bangkok

Embassys are not really necessary these days for regular citizens , we have not much use for them 

[Old Dissenter]

Can the income restrictions on spousal visas be relaxed as to allow British citizens with Thai wives to live in the UK?  

[CorpusChristie]

1 minute ago, Old Dissenter said:

Can the income restrictions on spousal visas be relaxed as to allow British citizens with Thai wives to live in the UK?  

How would you support yourself if you dont have the income to do so ?

[soi3eddie]

5 hours ago, brucefarang said:

My 10 year old sons English passport has expired (he has dual Thai/English citizenship) I emailed the Consulate back in March concerning renewal but have had no reply. Am I able to renew his passport still or must we apply for a new one?

If your son has an old expired passport then it should be treated as a renewal. Full info and instructions here >>  https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

[DaLa]

21 hours ago, PeeraponW said:

We were unable to use 3 visit visas for the UK due to the Virus situation.  As they will expire before the next opportunity to travel, will there be any compensation 

On a similar note, my wife and I have been returning to the UK twice a year for the last 10 years, so I applied for a 2 year multiple visit visa for her at a cost of $458 (why on earth they have to charge in US $ ?) My main concern is that she may never be able to use the visa or at best not use it to justify the cost.

 

Having had poor customer service from the Home Office previously I suspect the answer will be that the restrictions to travel were outside their control.

[soi3eddie]

2 hours ago, Kadilo said:

I am on an extension of stay ( retirement) as over 50 but still working. 
Stuck in UK, cannot get back to Thailand to see partner and Thailand’s quarantine rules along with UK rules make that visit impossible. 
 

When my extension of stay expires, what are my options to renew as I can’t get into Thailand and I dont want to lose the 5 years it’s taken to get to this point. 

A very valid question which will apply to many who are on retirement and marriage extensions. Can the British Embassy lobby Thai Immigration to make concessions on renewal of extensions?

 

[pattayamick]

I am an EU national. Married to a Thai for more than 30 years. We have children living and studying in the UK. Previously my wife was always issued a 5 year multiple UK visa. Last time just only a 6 month visa though.. May have been my mistake in trying to negotiate the visa jungle on your website. Is it possible to get a direct specific link to apply for a multiple long term visitor visa. ??

[hobobo]

I will shortly need to renew my UK passport (before October 2020). Is the service still available in Bangkok? When should I apply?

[Kadilo]

43 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

A very valid question which will apply to many who are on retirement and marriage extensions. Can the British Embassy lobby Thai Immigration to make concessions on renewal of extensions?

 

Or extend them at the Thai embassy of the country they are stuck in. 

[Derek B]

22 hours ago, PeeraponW said:

We were unable to use 3 visit visas for the UK due to the Virus situation.  As they will expire before the next opportunity to travel, will there be any compensation 

Or an extension or with revised entry dates

 

[brommers]

What is the point? Once you have left the UK you are regarded as a traitor and are tested as such. The UK has absolutely no interest in changing the frozen pension situation, the appalling & expensive passport renewal service and the lack of any other service. So don't waste your energy. 

[bodga]

Do you have a free drinking  water machine at the embassy,  didnt  want to  tax them with a difficult  question.

[Boyblue]

I am locked down in the UK after a visit to my 95 year old mum in hospital I was married in the UK to my Thai wife 17 years ago, we have a 7 year old son who was born in Thailand and has dual nationality. my wife has an indefinite leave to remain in the UK visa (ILR) issued in 2005. we live 6 months in both the UK and in our home in Thailand.

 

1. my wife can stay out of the UK for up to two years before her ILR runs out. In the current situation, will this be extended.

 

2. we went through a lot of hoops and expense to gain the ILR for my wife, why is there no reciprocal agreement with Thailand. instead i have to go through annual hoops showing an income of 4 times the Thai national average. how many Thais have 400,000 Thb in their bank account.

 

3. my wife and son are in Thailand, i am in the UK, the hoops I am being asked to jump through for me to return to my family are ridiculous and chaotic, no one seems to have thought the process through. What about my right to family life. Can the Embassy do anything to help us displaced husbands/wife's and parents to get back to Thailand without the ridiculous amount of paperwork, (like the Dr's certificate, Covid test 72 hours before flight to be sent to the Embassy for approval of visa, book a hotel with no flight date, which are near impossible to do).

 

good luck with the question session, sadly i believe it is another one of the Embassy's show the flag sessions, which will not amount to much more..... but thanks for trying.

 

 

[boatchef]

I am british stuck in the uk before I must return to my rotational job in europe.  Can my Thai wife handle our sons (16mths old) first passport application. I would be able to video call if necessary. So we could look at them meeting in the UK next rotation.

[bodga]

1 hour ago, bert bloggs said:

this time ,i just went to Britain on holiday and got a new passport while i was there ,far simpler ,as far as i am concerned we no longer have an Embassy in Bangkok

This  is  what I do, I get the fastrack one  where  you turn  up on a  particular  day and get it  all done there and then, wouldnt waste  my  time with the comedy show in Thailand

[PaDavid]

22 hours ago, sirwilly said:

WHY are our British Old age State Pensions Frozen the date we leave the UK??. While they are updated in Countries like the Philippines, USA, and others ??.

I asked my MP the same question. He gave me the same answer as per the gov.uk website. I don’t think this is anything the Embassy has control of

[PaDavid]

22 hours ago, MAJORUS said:

I have two pensions,The British State Pension and A British Army Pension Both are British Government pension but the British"Embassy"refuses to provide any letter for Thai Immigration certifying it's own government pensions WHY?? perhaps you should drop the word Embassy and call it a trade mission as that is what it is.

I thought I had replied to this, but can’t see it.

 

I’m in the same boat. State pension + RAF (30 years service). When trying to renew my non O visa at Thai Immigration last week, I was asked to prove I had a military pension. Very difficult when my annual statement comes from Equiniti (government agency) and my bank statement shows an obscure code for the payments in. In the end, I took copies of old photos of me in uniform!!!
 

It would certainly help if the Embassy were to provide statements for government pensions which they can easily validate. Not hopeful though. In fact not hopeful the Embassy will do anything useful for British expats living here. And I’m happy for Thai Visa to pass that comment on together with my name, should they wish to contact me.  
 

Rather than embark on a pointless public relations’ exercise, they’d be better off staying in their offices doing something actually helpful. 

[Smilinggekko]

1  Throughout the period of lockdown, how would you assess the quality of communications with your citizens within the Kingdom, in comparison with other embassies, eg EU or Commonwealth nations?  

 

2  Why does the UK not see itself an "at risk" destination for return when the rate of infection is several times that of Australia, who will be issuing letters for amnesty continuance as they assess it to be risky.  

 

3  When did the embassy last transfer staff too/from the UK?

 

4  Since COVID, US passports have essentially no value as even Europe is closed to them - regardless of the infection rate of the country they reside in. What has happened to international co-operation?  How long do you think it will be before our UK passports are also junk.

 

5  How many chillis does the ambassador take in his som tam?