Last month in the Consular team #11

Greetings once again,

In our continuous effort to keep you informed, here are our updates.

Casework and Assistance Highlights

In April, a number of British nationals travelling to Thailand declined, with 85,768 arrivals - a 24% decrease from the previous month.

Our team managed 155 new cases, including 57 deaths, 34 hospitalisation, 26 welfare concerns, 9 missing persons, 13 accidents, 26 arrests and some other case types. One of the arrest cases was following the conviction of a British national linked to a theft, leading to retaliatory attacks on the family home. The team facilitated 10 deportations including two Brits who worked illegally as a DJ and MC in Thailand.

Engagements and Outreach in April-May 2024

• The team visited Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, Thailand’s largest hospital group, and discussed about medical repatriation, financial assistance, and mass casualty management.
• HM Consul paid a visit to Department of Land Transport and met Inspector-General to discuss vehicle standards, motorcycle safety, and concerns regarding vehicle rentals in tourist areas.
• The British Chamber of Commerce members visited the embassy, receiving updates on the Consular section's roles and responsibilities.
• HM Ambassador and delegates had an outreach in Chonburi emphasized tourist safety and victim support. The delegates attended meetings with the governor and local authorities followed by British community event in the evening.
• A delegation from the Tourist Police Bureau visiting the UK.
• Consular team's crisis exercise deployment in Laos.
• Director for Consular and Crisis, visited Bangkok and Phuket from 7-9 May to review and bolster our consular services.

The highlight and most important event was the 3rd UK-Thailand Consular Dialogue which took place on 9 May 2024.

 Director for Consular and Crisis at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Commonwealth Office (FCDO), led the UK delegation to the UK-Thai consular dialogue with Deputy Director-General, Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Anantara Siam Hotel in Bangkok. Delegates discussed a wide range of themes, including immigration, protection and support for British and Thai nationals in the UK and Thailand through tourist safety, and coordination between UK and Thai authorities. The high-level conversation is critical to ensuring that those British nationals who call Thailand home along with over 800,000 tourists who come to Thailand on holiday, as well as the vast number of Thai nationals living or studying in the UK, receive high quality consular services and protection.

We remain committed to support British nationals and strengthening our partnerships across Thailand.

Stay safe and connected.

Consular Team, British Embassy Bangkok