3 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   That is to stop fraud 

How? Other countries do it much more efficiently, and probably cheaper.

5 hours ago, OJAS said:

 

Only 1 copy of each and every passport page needed, whether it includes IMM visas and stamps or not. You also need to copy the first 2 and last 2 pages containing pure verbiage - plus, for good measure, the front and back covers. In particular, please note that colour copies of everything are insisted on by HMPO for some ridiculous reason.

 

People are constantly complaining on here about the amount of paperwork generated by IMM at extension of stay time, but the UK passport renewal process from Thailand really takes the biscuit in that regard IMHO!

Actually, it went quite easily. Filled in Sections 1,2,3,4 & 9 as indicated, section 4 being my patents details and dates, but the  Agent said it was not needed as neither was counter-sign of photo, thank God.

OK, copies of EVERY page of old, washed-up Passport. Luckily, I had scans of all the main pages stored on PC. WHY do they want copies of blank pages? Copies of Thai DL and ID for address confirmation. Whole job took two hours, and a ream of paper and Bht 12000! Sent it off to Thai Visa Express just a while back. See what happens.

14 hours ago, KannikaP said:

WHY do they want copies of blank pages?

 

Indeed! And in colour to boot!!

 

In addition, what is the rationale for requiring us to provide specific proof of our address, bearing in mind that HMPO won't send our replacement passports directly to us?

 

IMHO the whole UK passport renewal process from Thailand is stuck in some medieval time warp, bearing in mind that even the snail mail service dating back a couple of hundred years is apparently considered by HMPO to be far too technologically advanced to permit its use for submitting renewal applications! Let alone the internet, the use of which HMPO seem to be encouraging for passport renewals from practically everywhere on this great planet of ours, with the notable exception of LOS for some absurd and mysterious reason!!

 

Anyway, here endeth this rant about the UK passport renewal process from Thailand.

 

On 3/25/2025 at 10:38 PM, BrandonJT said:

Should tell that to the US Embassy that requires you to mail in your old passport to the embassy in order to apply for a new passport. That leaves you without any passport at all for 3-6 weeks.

 

So do you really think that it would be much better for you Americans to be forced to make physical trips to your embassy in Bangkok or consulate in Chiang Mai from wherever you live in Thailand in order to submit renewal applications in person, followed by further physical trips a few weeks later in order to collect your replacement passports? Because this is the sort of cumbersome bureaucratic nonsense we Brits renewing our passports from Thailand are faced with, believe it or not!

 

19 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Hopefully not too off topic... 

I would be frustrated if I was UK. 

Not everyone lives in CM or Bangkok. 

So what then? Use Agent.. assume in that situation the pp and docs are mailed to agent eg in Bangkok and eventually new pp mailed back to you. 

 

Hi DrJack, I live in Kalasin and used an agent twice in the past, most recently in November 2024. All you have to do is sign the passport application form and a power of attorney form for the application being done on your behalf.  Send old passport and proof of address(I used my pink ID card). The agent took care of any translations and printing / photocopying required and they used their company credit card to pay. 12,000 Baht all in for a 50 page UK passport. Cheaper than doing it in person as it requires 2 trips to Bangkok. 

8 minutes ago, OJAS said:

 

So do you really think that it would be much better for you Americans to be forced to make physical trips to your embassy in Bangkok or consulate in Chiang Mai from wherever you live in Thailand in order to submit renewal applications in person, followed by further physical trips a few weeks later in order to collect your replacement passports? Because this is the sort of cumbersome bureaucratic nonsense we Brits renewing our passports from Thailand are faced with, believe it or not!

 

No. I think they should just accept your application online, and send you your new passport, without ever requiring anything in person.

13 minutes ago, jim hayes said:

Cheaper than doing it in person as it requires 2 trips to Bangkok. 

Definitely: I can't imagine doing it in person at VSF if that required significant travel. 

You didn't need to provide the agent with the passport pics? 

 

I like (sympathize) with posts from @OJAS UK folk have a rough deal regarding passports imo. 

Just now, DrJack54 said:

You didn't need to provide the agent with the passport pic

Yes you do, sorry I forgot to mention that important point!

2 hours ago, jim hayes said:

Hi DrJack, I live in Kalasin and used an agent twice in the past, most recently in November 2024. All you have to do is sign the passport application form and a power of attorney form for the application being done on your behalf.  Send old passport and proof of address(I used my pink ID card). The agent took care of any translations and printing / photocopying required and they used their company credit card to pay. 12,000 Baht all in for a 50 page UK passport. Cheaper than doing it in person as it requires 2 trips to Bangkok. 

Not even a PoA for my application via Thai Visa Express