How long to replace expired Thai passport (Thai citizen)

[westsail]

My wife has dual U.S-Thai citizenship,  She was ticketed to fly to the U.S. yesterday and realized the day before before that her Thai passport had expired.  I told her that she should be able to leave to travel to the U.S. since she is a citizen and she could apply for a new passport once she got to the U.S..  Wrong.....  She checked-in with the airline with no problem, but Thai Immigration would not let her leave.

Can someone tell me how long it normally takes to get a Thai passport.  Do the have an Express Service (for a fee)?  Would the process be much faster if she flies to Bangkok to apply instead of going to the Passport Office in Phuket? 

Thanks!

[Gottfrid]

Do not know about express service. Last time my wife renewed it took about a week. I have heard that applying in Bangkok will shorten that to between 4-6 days. However, seems quite useless as you have to travel for only a day or two.

[EVENKEEL]

Recently got my daughter her first one in Pattaya, took about a week maybe longer to be mailed.

[BKKBike09]

In Bangkok at MFA Chaengwattana they offer a same-day service (I think 3,000 for a 5-year passport). Apply in morning and pick up in afternoon. Best to book slot online.