'Passport error' keeps man's body at Thai hospital

[webfact]

'Passport error' keeps man's body at Thai hospital

 

FAMILY PHOTO

 

A woman whose stepfather died in Thailand two weeks ago says the hospital there will not release his body in a mix-up over passport numbers.

 

David D., 75, who retired to Phuket 15 years ago, will join a mass cremation at the hospital on Wednesday if the issue cannot be rectified.

 

Gemma Swift said she was "pleading" with embassy staff in Thailand to resolve a "purely administrative issue"

 

Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-56239435

 

 

-- © Copyright BBC 2021-03-02

 

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[Shuya]

Sounds like they keep his body as bail bond and will burn him if they don't pay the bill. Can a corpse be held hostage? 

[YetAnother]

per the linked article, the passport numbers didnt match ; good example of why you should keep your old passports; thais use our old passport numbers for various things, they just need a number; they dont know the numbers change with each new passport

[douglasspade]

Can an expired passport be accepted as identification to authorities? Can your visa length of permitted stay in the kingdom out date your passport? 

 

[madmitch]

I thought I recognised him from that blurred image. The BBC has the full name. Still being a pain in the butt even though he's dead!

 

Only joking

 

RIP Dave

[khunPer]

Sounds little strange, as immigration should glue the old and the new passport numbers together in their system, and if he had any extension of stay, which he probably had when living in Thailand for 15 years, he would likely have moved his entry visa stamp and extension to stay into the new passport, including the number of the old passport.

[Autonuaq]

In most countries you can get an overview of the old passport numbers that where assigned to you. Mostly the foreingn affairs office or the multiplicity can provide you this certified overview. 

 

With the renewal of my old passport they also printed on on the page next the ID page that this passport is the replacement of the passport with the number ... which was valid from ... until ..  and the namen of the issuer.

Had this also printed in the passports before. have seen this also in other western passports the last few years. 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, khunPer said:

Sounds little strange, as immigration should glue the old and the new passport numbers together in their system, and if he had any extension of stay, which he probably had when living in Thailand for 15 years, he would likely have moved his entry visa stamp and extension to stay into the new passport, including the number of the old passport.

But that's logical... you have to remember where we are.

[thenewgoo]

Unless this is about a bill at the hospital being unpaid then I can see no reason why the hospital wouldn't just let his relatives have their wishes. Surely any 'identity' issue can be resolved later. Just sounds strange. Yes, I know TiT.  

[connda]

You'd think the British Embassy would help, but - Meh!  About as worthless as nipples on men.

[webfact]

Private Thai funeral for man after passport error resolved

 

PHOTO SUPPLIED

 

A funeral service has taken place for a man whose body had been stuck at a Thai hospital following a mix-up over passport numbers.

 

The family of David D, 75, said he faced being placed in a mass cremation on Wednesday over the issue.

 

Stepdaughter Gemma Swift said an agreement to release his body was finally reached between the British Embassy and hospital.

 

Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-56266733

 

 

-- © Copyright BBC 2021-03-04

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[brianthainess]

A quick warning to all who don't have a direct relative in Thailand, I.E if your not married to your partner and don't make a power of attorney, then your body will not be released until a family member turns up to make the claim.  

[Sheryl]

1 minute ago, brianthainess said:

A quick warning to all who don't have a direct relative in Thailand, I.E if your not married to your partner and don't make a power of attorney, then your body will not be released until a family member turns up to make the claim.  

 

 There is no requirement that a family member come in person to claim a body.

 

Body will not be released until the relevant Embassy gives the OK, and Embassies will do this only after they have informed next of kin and received next of kin's authorization for arrangements. This could involve having a person in Thailand handle matters, or hiring a company (there are some specializing in this and not expensive) to do it. in some cases I think an Embassy make make the arrangements with funds sent from the family though of course they prefer not to have to do that.

 

I have first hand involvement in cases of people who died here with all their family abroad. In no case did the family have to come in person. But they did have to pay for disposal of the body and appoint someone in country to handle it.

 

[brianthainess]

19 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

 There is no requirement that a family member come in person to claim a body.

 

Body will not be released until the relevant Embassy gives the OK, and Embassies will do this only after they have informed next of kin and received next of kin's authorization for arrangements. This could involve having a person in Thailand handle matters, or hiring a company (there are some specializing in this and not expensive) to do it. in some cases I think an Embassy make make the arrangements with funds sent from the family though of course they prefer not to have to do that.

 

I have first hand involvement in cases of people who died here with all their family abroad. In no case did the family have to come in person. But they did have to pay for disposal of the body and appoint someone in country to handle it.

 

I stand corrected But I suppose i meant to say A family member gets involved.