US Passport Renewal Hell - Thailand Edition May 2024

[DrJack54]

Couple of off topic posts removed

[1FinickyOne]

1 hour ago, Berkshire said:

Some of us just renewed our US passports recently--myself included--and it was rather painless....

 

 

me too - last year - no problems at all but I used an agent and let them deal with it... they do this all the time. 

[Rumpelstilskin]

16 hours ago, connda said:

I'm not going to name who they are (Thai defamation) but they are supposed to be experts.
But I'm not sure that I got the "regular" staff photographer.  The staff seemed confused about what they were doing, and my wife who was talking with them was absolutely livid when we left.  I was not a fun trip to Chiang Mai. 

Go to your local Thai post to get the 100 baht mailing stamp, easy. Recieved renewed PP with no problems. SCB bank cheque (or money order check)

[wwest5829]

16 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Others don't seem to have similar problems .

You can use an agent if it's too difficult. 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1316179-american-passport-renewal-process/ 

 

For Passport photos you need to get from expert photo shops. 

Agreed. It has been awhile but not too much of a bother for me once every 10 years.

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, Berkshire said:

it was rather painless....

It was tedious but process was fully laid out.

Paid online using Pay.gov without issue by a US credit card having a US billing address.

I renewed my passport including payment receipt in 2022 by mail to US embassy Bangkok from Bang Khun Thian district (Rama 2). Got passport pics from Kodak shop in Central Plaza; used them in previous passport renewal. They knew all the US rules for the photos to be acceptable, including sufficient border for the picture to be stapled to application.

Embassy required a 100 baht bank draft using KB (form of prepayment varied according to what bank is used) to cover its cost to mail back new and previous passports; as no one at the bank apparently never issued a bank draft before, took bank an hour to produce, even though the embassy provided what a generic bank draft looked like for that bank. The bank disagreed with the Embassy as to the name of the Embassy going on the draft. I was able to directly call the Embassy from KB to confirm for the bank the correct recipient name on the bank draft.

Sent whole package by Thailand Post EMS. To verify my name Post asked for my passport which of course was I the package. I showed my Thai driver license and offered photo of my current passport held I my tablet. No problem. DHL refused to deliver the passport package, saying it didn't want responsibility if passport was lost in transit within Thailand. Going out of Thailand it would deliver the passport package. But suggested I can use DHL E-commerce online to try using DHL; but Post was a short walk nearby.

Three weeks later received my new passport along with the retired passport. 

[klauskunkel]

2 hours ago, connda said:

"Prepaid envelope cannot be accepted if you are applying for a U.S. passport in Thailand."

With this phrase they mean this: We cannot accept just any stamped empty envelope you provide to send your passport back, you have to use the Courier Pass option.

 

They do not make it clear enough.

[connda]

2 hours ago, Phillip9 said:

Where are you getting your information??????

 

That's not what the official us embassy instructions say.  You pay a fee for return postage, not an actual envelope.

 

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/instructions-for-ds-82-processing-by-mail-and-online-fee-payment-for-u-s-citizens-residing-in-thailand/

 

 

I'm getting my information right the link you supplied.  It's not made up.  See screenshots:

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/instructions-for-ds-82-processing-by-mail-and-online-fee-payment-for-u-s-citizens-residing-in-thailand/

 

Step 7: Return envelope (image):

 

Checklist - See "Note" in bright red (image):

 

So we are prepaying for the Courier Pass Back Envelope - but - Note: Prepaid envelope cannot be accepted if you are applying for a U.S. passport in Thailand.
And I'm applying for a U.S. passport in Thailand!  I ain't making this up - just writing down what I'm seeing. 

Signed,
Totally Confused 😕

 

 

Edited May 28 by connda

[Klong Song]

Make sure you send them a bank draft not a cashiers check. Painless when I did mine. Took about two weeks for the new passport to arrive. 

[connda]

20 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

With this phrase they mean this: We cannot accept just any stamped empty envelope you provide to send your passport back, you have to use the Courier Pass option.

 

They do not make it clear enough.

Ok!  I can buy that.  Sorry, but I'm cursed with an over-analytical mind that tends to shred things and then reads between the lines.  That's probably what it is.  I should offer to edit their webpage to make it clear.  It would be easy enough:

Note:  Do not use a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you are applying for a passport in Thailand.  You may only use the Thai Post Office Courier Pass Back Envelope which can be purchase via the Thailand Post Mart website.

There - fixed it. 

 

[connda]

4 minutes ago, Klong Song said:

Make sure you send them a bank draft not a cashiers check. Painless when I did mine. Took about two weeks for the new passport to arrive. 

I looked online last night and Thailand is on the U.S. Pay.gov site, so I should be able to pay directly via that site using my U.S. credit card.  But thanks for the "heads up." I'll keep that in mind if I run into problems. 

[Skeptic7]

2 hours ago, Phillip9 said:

Where are you getting your information??????

 

That's not what the official us embassy instructions say.  You pay a fee for return postage, not an actual envelope.

 

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/instructions-for-ds-82-processing-by-mail-and-online-fee-payment-for-u-s-citizens-residing-in-thailand/

 

 

Nope. You pay for return postage AND an actual envelope, which is provided by them. Just did it earlier this year. 

[connda]

16 hours ago, novacova said:

The guy at the place I suggested to you earlier knows exactly what is required, he hasn’t failed once over the years, even with the pp photos.

What place was that?  You're talking with someone with short-term memory issues.

[Skeptic7]

2 minutes ago, connda said:

I looked online last night and Thailand is on the U.S. Pay.gov site, so I should be able to pay directly via that site using my U.S. credit card.  But thanks for the "heads up." I'll keep that in mind if I run into problems. 

Can pay with US credit card, no prob. If you care to go to my thread from earlier this year, can read about my detailed experience. A bit tedious but smooth and E-Z so long as you are diligent. 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1321954-usa-passport-renewal-by-post-report/

[Berkshire]

19 minutes ago, connda said:

I looked online last night and Thailand is on the U.S. Pay.gov site, so I should be able to pay directly via that site using my U.S. credit card.  But thanks for the "heads up." I'll keep that in mind if I run into problems. 

Yes you can.  I did.  I paid the $130 with a US credit card, and the Courier Pass Back with my Thai credit card.  You can go to this website, but you'll need to register to be able to purchase (https://www.thailandpostmart.com/product/1013460000929).  They have several options to pay, if I recall.  I did try to pay at the Post Office, but the counter staff didn't know much about it.  The supervisor suggested it could only be done online.  As for your photo, any photo shop should know what a US passport photo requires.  I went to a shop at Mee Chok plaza (near the Rim Ping) and just told them I needed US passport photos.  Didn't have to mention the size, white background, none of that.  They knew. 

[CM Dad]

17 hours ago, connda said:

Tomorrow I'm going to a studio which has done portraits for us.  Non-english speaker but we'll figure it out.  I'm taking the guidelines, my old photo that is good, the dimensions, a link to the State Department's guidelines and I'll print out a Thai translation as well.  And I'll take a tape measure.

And we'll stay there until I'm satisfied that we have pictures that fit the State Department's requirements.  I didn't do that today, I should have.  So I take some responsibility because I know better that to trust people who say the know what they are doing. 

Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

I began using an agent, who has now also become a close friend,  several years ago when Big Joke was in charge of Immigration and the US Consulate here in Chiang Mai refused to issue income verifications demanded by Immigration.  Prior to that, I had always done all of the paperwork myself for more than two decades.  I simply got tired of dealing will the whole process.  My friend, the agent, knew how I felt and so she just said "let me take care of all this for you".  She has been doing everything for me for several years now.  I only go to Immigration one a year with my wife for fifteen or twenty minutes.  I pay just under 10,000 baht for everything.  She also does all my 90-day reports and any other things I might need done for no additional fees.  In August of last year I had her handle getting a new US passport for me.  My passport didn't expire until about four months later, but I wanted to give myself lots of time in case any problems came up.  She took my new passport photos herself as I stood against the wall outside of her office building.  I gave her the passport fee and the mailing costs, along with my old passport, and three weeks later I had a new passport and she had the required stamps transferred to it at Immigration.  I have never understood why so many posters on the site have issues with using agents.  My experience has been wonderful and the service has been great.  In fact, I have been so pleased with all she does for me that I am taking her out for a nice dinner this weekend to celebrate her birthday.  By the way, I have lived here for more than thirty years and the first thing I did when I came was to begin learning the Thai language.  Now, whenever I deal with Thai government offices, banks, or any other Thai businesses I always speak to Thai people using their language.  Even if my wife is with me, I do most of the speaking, and I have always been treated politely.  My advice to all of those who have chosen to live here is to learn Thai and never show impatience or anger when dealing with those from whom you are seeking assistance.

[donmuang37]

The process is easy. I did it online & by mail last year.  Just follow the directions EXACTLY.  No fudging = no drama! I got mine back in 5 or 6 as advertised. Worked like a charm!  Good luck!

[AgMech Cowboy]

I'm very late to this party, so you are probably already sorted.  I renewed my passport by mail in November 2021. I just followed the directions on the Embassy website. The only thing I messed up on was including something to do with sending me the new passport in Thailand (was an envelop or money? I don't remember), but they sent me an email (or they called) and I took care of it straight away. I thought it was quite easy. 

 

I've never found photo shops to know the correct size. I've used 2 different shops in the last 15 yrs. I check the size needed for the forms (US passport, visa application, extensions, etc.) and tell them what I want.  As someone else stated, you can trim the size that you currently have rather than going to another shop.  (I remember many years ago one of our passports (my son or I) had a rectangular photo and they accepted it because the face size was correct).

[briando]

11 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

You can post in forum "immigration and visas to other countries" which is more appropriate forum.

You may not receive a reply.

I recently used MAIL option to renew my Oz pp.

Very simple. Turn around 20 days.

You mail to AU embassy Bangkok seamless and mailed back to you. 

I just sent my application in and today the embassy wrote back that my Mastercard from Bangkok Bank couldn't be processed so tomorrow I will go to Bangkok Bank to find out why.What a nuisance and it probably means I will have to use another way to pay.As regards the photos the Aus Embassy has very strict requirements about size and looks

[Robert Paulson]

1 hour ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

I'm very late to this party, so you are probably already sorted.  I renewed my passport by mail in November 2021. I just followed the directions on the Embassy website. The only thing I messed up on was including something to do with sending me the new passport in Thailand (was an envelop or money? I don't remember), but they sent me an email (or they called) and I took care of it straight away. I thought it was quite easy. 

 

I've never found photo shops to know the correct size. I've used 2 different shops in the last 15 yrs. I check the size needed for the forms (US passport, visa application, extensions, etc.) and tell them what I want.  As someone else stated, you can trim the size that you currently have rather than going to another shop.  (I remember many years ago one of our passports (my son or I) had a rectangular photo and they accepted it because the face size was correct).

I honestly just give them whatever photos I happen to have. I’ve done passport photos a couple times over the years have a stack of them. I then just cut them to the size with scissors for the us passport. I remember because my cuts weren’t even straight. In other words, I don’t think it’s too exacting. 

[connda]

1 hour ago, briando said:

I just sent my application in and today the embassy wrote back that my Mastercard from Bangkok Bank couldn't be processed so tomorrow I will go to Bangkok Bank to find out why.What a nuisance and it probably means I will have to use another way to pay.As regards the photos the Aus Embassy has very strict requirements about size and looks

Mods - can we keep this on topic: US Passport Renewal.  Please!  Thanks.

[connda]

So, why do you need to send two passport pictures if you are only sending one DS-82 Renewal application.  Or am I missing something here.  Are you suppose to send two DS-82 applications (although the checklist does not state to do so)

Signed,
Still confused  😕

[connda]

Well, got everything done except the pictures which I'll do tomorrow and to buy a "Black Pen" to make my signature.  Thailand - The Land Of Blue Pen Signatures, so I don't own a black pen.
USA - The Land Of Black Pen Signatures (I guess)  The instructions says, "Use black ink only" so black in it will be.  And they give you a whopping 5/16 of an inch space to write your (itsy-bitsy tiny teeny weeny) signature. 

[watthong]

1 hour ago, connda said:

So, why do you need to send two passport pictures if you are only sending one DS-82 Renewal application. 

 

In my case, I glued 1 onto the form itself at the blank space for photo. The other 1 I put in a little see-through paper envelope, with my name and old pp number in the back. It was returned untouched, still in the see through thing, included in the new pp package.

[I stand corrected at the mention of "cashier check" in my previous post. It was "bank draft" and I forgot the term for it so I said "cashier check."]

Edited May 28 by watthong

[timendres]

I was (last year) able to pay for my new passport using Pay.gov.

I was using a US Credit Card to make that payment.

 

Quote

Regarding the  Thailand Post Courier Pass Back envelope fee ฿100 THB:
What forms of payment does this application take.  I read another post where someone could not get the application to accept a payment.

 

This was the craziest part of the entire process:

 

You need to go to a Thai bank (they recommend KBank or Bangkok Bank, but any bank will do). You show them a document that the embassy provides you that explains to the bank that you need a "Bank Draft" (I cannot remember the exact name, but it is the equivalent of a "cashier's check" in the US). You must send this bank draft with your application to cover the return postage. There is no alternative for this.

 

You cannot send them a return envelope. That will bin it.

Edited May 28 by timendres

[it is what it is]

On 5/27/2024 at 3:24 PM, Caldera said:

 

Try to go without your wife. Whenever I want to get anything done in Thailand, I know that taking a Thai along will just mess things up.

 

You'd think they know how to get the point across efficiently in their own language, but it just never seems to happen. 

 

haha, couldn't agree more, every time i go to CW immigration i see foreigners with thai wives or gfs in tow. they never seem to add any benefit to the situation, indeed often the complete opposite. and more often than not the guys end up having very public petty squabbles with their other half. demeaning and embarrassing. don't do it.

[bbko]

8 hours ago, donmuang37 said:

The process is easy. I did it online & by mail last year.  Just follow the directions EXACTLY.  No fudging = no drama! I got mine back in 5 or 6 as advertised. Worked like a charm!  Good luck!

After living in Thailand for over 17 years, and as a US citizen I've renewed my passport here twice with the embassy in Bangkok; zero drama, zero problems.  Some people are a magnet for confusion, drama & problems.

[connda]

8 hours ago, timendres said:

You need to go to a Thai bank (they recommend KBank or Bangkok Bank, but any bank will do). You show them a document that the embassy provides you that explains to the bank that you need a "Bank Draft" (I cannot remember the exact name, but it is the equivalent of a "cashier's check" in the US). You must send this bank draft with your application to cover the return postage. There is no alternative for this.

Actually you don't.  You go to the Thai Post Mart and purchase the Courier Pass Back envelope for the Bangkok Embassy.  After purchasing it the Thai Post Mart sends you an email receipt with an order number.  You print this receipt out, write the order number down on your Passport Renewal checklist, and print out a copy of the receipt and include it in your renewal package.  The primary issue with this process is payment.  I could not get a debit card or Internet payment option to work.  Finally was able to get the QR Promptpay option to work with my bank's mobile app.  This is the primary way to pay for the return postage as per the instructions from the U.S. Embassy site regarding passport renewals.  So this is THE alternative and it's they way the Bangkok U.S. Embassy wants you to do it.

 

https://www.thailandpostmart.com/product/1013460000929

 

 

[connda]

8 hours ago, it is what it is said:

haha, couldn't agree more, every time i go to CW immigration i see foreigners with thai wives or gfs in tow. they never seem to add any benefit to the situation

Off topic but I'll reply as it's my OP.

I take my wife to Immigration every time I go.  In almost every case I let her do the talking as it tends to cut right thought the bureaucracy.  We've been doing marriage extension for a long time at our local Immigration office.  The head IO knows her, and she's getting to know the new female IO who now runs interference processes a lot of the initial paperwork prior to handing off to the head IO for final processing and review.  One of the basic tenets I've learned while living here is that these people don't like us and prefer to speak Thai with native Thai citizens.
So I just stay quiet and let my wife do the talking and we are usually in and out with a minimal amount of fuss and bother. 

Now can your 20 year old girlfriend or 30 something year old wife do that?  Maybe not.
But my "Pee" 64 year old wife tends to command a certain amount of respect from the younger IOs based on her age.  And my wife is not your typical Thai woman -- she is actually quite assertive.  Thai women are not assertive, mine is.  Just saying...

Back on topic! If you wish to take this further, please start your own thread. Thanks.

    Back to Passport Renewal Hell - 2024 Edition

[connda]

7 hours ago, bbko said:

After living in Thailand for over 17 years, and as a US citizen I've renewed my passport here twice with the embassy in Bangkok; zero drama, zero problems.  Some people are a magnet for confusion, drama & problems.

I've lived here 17 years and did my first passport renewal in person at the Chiang Mai US Embassy.  It was a piece of cake.

Now doing this new mail-in process which in itself is a magnet for confusion, drama & problems.
But thanks for the input - I'm happy your renewals went so smoothly.  Good for you. 

[radiochaser]

You can get a U.S. passport back in 2-3 weeks (reading from the comments) when applying for a renewal in Thailand????

This is what I find on the travel.state.gov website regarding processing times for a passport.   Note the "mailing times not included in processing times"!

Perhaps I should wait until I am in Thailand to renew my passport!

 

Current Processing Times (applied on or after December 18, 2023)

Routine	6 to 8 weeks
Expedited	2 to 3 weeks
Urgent	Must make an appointment and have international travel within 14 calendar days

About Our Processing Times

 

• Include the time your application is at one of our passport agencies or centers. 
• You may get your passport on a different date than your family member or friend.
• Mailing times are not included in processing times. Consider the total time it will take to receive your passport when you are booking travel. 
• It may take two weeks for your application to get to us, and two weeks for you to get your passport after we mail it. 

Edited May 29 by radiochaser