Last month in the Consular team

[British Consular Team]

We are back on the forum!

 

We are pleased to resume our monthly update about our activities and information that may be of interest to you on ASEAN Now. Let us know if you have any suggestions or topics you would like us to cover in the future and we will do our best to accommodate these.

 

First of all, we would like to take this opportunity to introduce our new HM Consul to Thailand, Joanne Finnamore-Crorkin. She arrived in October 2022 and has brought extensive experience in Consular work from many postings overseas including most recently in Malaysia. She is excited to engage more proactively with the British community in Thailand through several channels and outreach to various provinces. Stay tuned to UK in Thailand for upcoming opportunities to connect with us and register for British community events.

 

Now, let’s move on to our update.

 

Did you know that since Thailand completely lifted entry restrictions last year there were more than 640,000 Brits entering Thailand? Last month alone, there were 52,296 British travellers visiting the country.  

 

It was busy in our office during June (as usual). We issued 57 Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs), provided 138 documentary services and dealt with 83 emergency cases. This included 9 arrests, 21 welfare cases, 11 hospitalisations, 4 victims of crime, and 36 deaths. Out of those deaths, one was fatality resulting from a road traffic accident and 2 from suicides. We ensured that the bereaved families received necessary support during this difficult time.

 

Apart from operations in the office, some of our team also engaged in various external activities, including an outreach and British community event in Phuket, familiarisation visits to funeral directors in Bangkok, and we welcomed a visit from our Consular Director. She had fruitful discussions with Thai authorities who work with the Consular team on providing support to British nationals in the Thailand. She also met with other key stakeholders to thank them for their cooperation on providing assistance to British nationals in the country and briefed them on our on-going work on tourism safety which includes dealing with road traffic accidents and rape and sexual assaults.

 

If you have not already signed up to our Travel Advice – please do so now.

 

You may also find the Support for British Nationals guide and attached document useful.

 

See you next month!

Help for British People in Thailand.pdf

[brianthainess]

Just one question do you insist on an autopsy with forensic police in BKK when a brit dies?. I was told by RTP it is the law

[blackcab]

@British Consular Team Thank you for the update.

[Andycoops]

On 7/14/2023 at 11:51 AM, brianthainess said:

Just one question do you insist on an autopsy with forensic police in BKK when a brit dies?. I was told by RTP it is the law

I don't know if it's the law but it is certainly a requirement because the body cannot be released for cremation or to family members until a autopsy has been done by an official embassy appointed pathologist.

I know this because of expat UK deaths near me in Isaan and the bodies had to go to Khon Kaen for autopsy.

[brianthainess]

1 hour ago, Andycoops said:

I don't know if it's the law but it is certainly a requirement because the body cannot be released for cremation or to family members until a autopsy has been done by an official embassy appointed pathologist.

I know this because of expat UK deaths near me in Isaan and the bodies had to go to Khon Kaen for autopsy.

I had an OZ friend die it was the Thai Police forensic dept. in BKK that did the autopsy insisted by the police here he go to BKK. He died in hospital from MND. 

I'll see if the brit embassy answer 'coz last time they were on this forum they never answered any questions. It was just AN members. 

[Chaspul]

I understand that if they die in hospital, medical history is known, no autopsy required.

 

I am British. However,  my wife (Canadian) died September  2021 in bed at home. We were visited by first response RTP and later a fairly senior officer from Hua Hin Station.

It was obvious from oxygen machine by bed what ailed my wife.

 

Later at RTP station she asked for inclusion in report If we wanted autopsy or not. Anwer was no.

Died Monday, cremated Friday. 

Chas

[British Consular Team]

On 7/14/2023 at 11:51 AM, brianthainess said:

Just one question do you insist on an autopsy with forensic police in BKK when a brit dies?. I was told by RTP it is the law

Hello @brianthainess. Post-mortems are normally required in Thailand following the death of a non-Thai national. Exceptions may apply if the death occurred in a hospital unless the cause of death is unknown, unnatural, sudden or violent. 

You can find more information about what to do after a British person dies in Thailand on GOV.UK.

 

Hope this answers your question. ????

[brianthainess]

On 7/17/2023 at 8:30 AM, British Consular Team said:

Hello @brianthainess. Post-mortems are normally required in Thailand following the death of a non-Thai national. Exceptions may apply if the death occurred in a hospital unless the cause of death is unknown, unnatural, sudden or violent. 

You can find more information about what to do after a British person dies in Thailand on GOV.UK.

 

Hope this answers your question. ????

Thanks for your reply, BUT That also depends on the local police/hospital, my friend died in hospital from a long 4yr no cure illness, MND ( he was eventually hospitalized for just 3days before he died) the local police Insisted he be sent for Autopsy, to BKK. from KC So up to them init.