September 9, 2025Sep 9 2 hours ago, simon43 said: Thanks to the woeful lack of speed (about 2 months) of getting a new British passport by post from an overseas location, I need to make a lightning dash trip back to the UK tomorrow to collect my new passport in person! My current passport is full, not expired, and soon I need to travel into Myanmar again, where they take great pleasure, (as does Laos) of sticking full-page visa stickers in one's passport..... There is no 'pay extra for a faster service' from overseas embassies, but there is a 'pay extra, get your new passport in 4 hours' service if I present my ugly mug at a passport office in the UK. I've managed to get a BA flight from Bangkok to London (via Doha), then jump on a train to Peterborough (the London passport office had no available appointment times). present my ugly mug, do an online class with one of my Chinese students while I wait for my new passport, back on the train to Gatwick and a flight back to Bangkok on Turkmenistan Airways (which gets good reviews). Then off to Myanmar next week if my business visa comes through... What should I bring back from Peterborough/London to Laos/Myanmar?? Suggestions 🙂 Peanuts. For some reason my mate always wants British peanuts. Must be special.
September 9, 2025Sep 9 38 minutes ago, marin said: If you have followed Simon you quickly see he changes his mind a lot. A lot. Not really an expert at planning ahead. Or being consistent with his posts tales!
September 9, 2025Sep 9 Author 40 minutes ago, Trippy said: Can't the British embassy add more pages to your passport? The US embassy in Singapore did that for me many years ago, but don't know if they still offer that service. Might be worth looking into. Not any more! Remember that most British services don't give a flying feck any more. You can't add pages to a UK passport...
September 9, 2025Sep 9 1 minute ago, Yagoda said: For some reason my mate always wants British peanuts. Must be special. Everything British is special!
September 9, 2025Sep 9 2 hours ago, simon43 said: What should I bring back from Peterborough/London to Laos/Myanmar?? Suggestions A giant wheel of STILTON cheese.
September 9, 2025Sep 9 Author 35 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said: Given your situation - might you be able to get two passports ??? - one as a backup? (all you would need is a company letter explaining frequent travel and that you require a second passport for visa processing etc). I've ordered a bumper-size new British passport which should hopefully see me good until my demise.... As for comments that I change my mind a lot, you only think that because you're not party to my personal plans, which have always been to teach in Myanmar where possible, with breaks between terms in Thailand/Laos. As one can understand, the situation in Myanmar is not easy to predict (think the earthquake in March when I was teaching in Mandalay - luckily on holiday in CM at the time). I'm so sorry that I haven't shared all details with the forum!
September 9, 2025Sep 9 Just now, GammaGlobulin said: A giant wheel of STILTON cheese. Is that so you can get the drugs you must be on through airport security by overpowering the sniffer dogs?
September 9, 2025Sep 9 2 minutes ago, DezLez said: Everything British is special! Except their rules about Freedom of Speech, Immigration and Firearms. And scousers arent special unless its to needs.
September 9, 2025Sep 9 Author 4 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said: A giant wheel of STILTON cheese. Given the high cost of Stilton Cheese in Laos/Thailand/Myanmar, forget the drugs and bring back as much Stilton as I can carry.....
September 9, 2025Sep 9 17 minutes ago, johng said: Rubber Dinghy's work much better. Yes 1000s everyday with no PPs arrive by dingy to get luxury accommodation and benefits
September 9, 2025Sep 9 2 hours ago, simon43 said: Thanks to the woeful lack of speed (about 2 months) of getting a new British passport by post from an overseas location, I need to make a lightning dash trip back to the UK tomorrow to collect my new passport in person! My current passport is full, not expired, and soon I need to travel into Myanmar again, where they take great pleasure, (as does Laos) of sticking full-page visa stickers in one's passport..... There is no 'pay extra for a faster service' from overseas embassies, but there is a 'pay extra, get your new passport in 4 hours' service if I present my ugly mug at a passport office in the UK. I've managed to get a BA flight from Bangkok to London (via Doha), then jump on a train to Peterborough (the London passport office had no available appointment times). present my ugly mug, do an online class with one of my Chinese students while I wait for my new passport, back on the train to Gatwick and a flight back to Bangkok on Turkmenistan Airways (which gets good reviews). Then off to Myanmar next week if my business visa comes through... What should I bring back from Peterborough/London to Laos/Myanmar?? Suggestions 🙂 An honesty box?
September 9, 2025Sep 9 Author 1 hour ago, vinny41 said: Be aware there is a tube strike in London for the rest of this week Severe disruption hits London on second full day of Tube strike https://www.bbc.com/news/live/czew3z331dxt It is possible to get from Gatwick Airport to Peterborough using Thameslink and without using the tube there are direct trains and indirect trains I have to get from Heathrow to St. Pancras on Thursday morning. Any suggestions how to do that? Thanks. (I have already booked trains from Peterborough to Gatwosk via Croydon for my return flight).
September 9, 2025Sep 9 1 minute ago, simon43 said: I have to get from Heathrow to St. Pancras on Thursday morning. Any suggestions how to do that? Thats a very simple google search !!!... - Piccadilly line direct (55mins) - Cheapest. - or Heathrow Express (15 mins) then Circle or Hammersmith & City Line (35 mins) - more expensive.
September 9, 2025Sep 9 12 minutes ago, simon43 said: I've ordered a bumper-size new British passport which should hopefully see me good until my demise.... As for comments that I change my mind a lot, you only think that because you're not party to my personal plans, which have always been to teach in Myanmar where possible, with breaks between terms in Thailand/Laos. As one can understand, the situation in Myanmar is not easy to predict (think the earthquake in March when I was teaching in Mandalay - luckily on holiday in CM at the time). I'm so sorry that I haven't shared all details with the forum! How does it makes sense for you to teach online in Burma? Is the electric power delivery super stable there, or something? Just curious.
September 9, 2025Sep 9 2 hours ago, chickenslegs said: Crumpets and chocolate hobnobs. Perhaps you have not noticed there is plenty of crumpet here.
September 9, 2025Sep 9 13 minutes ago, simon43 said: Given the high cost of Stilton Cheese in Laos/Thailand/Myanmar, forget the drugs and bring back as much Stilton as I can carry..... The sniffer dogs will just love you.
September 9, 2025Sep 9 53 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said: Thats pretty awful from HMPO - its outrageously crap that 'they' have placed you in this situation - 2 months for a passport is ridiculous - that said, when I last renewed my passport it took exactly two months. Given your situation - might you be able to get two passports ??? - one as a backup? (all you would need is a company letter explaining frequent travel and that you require a second passport for visa processing etc). Worth a go at least - just so you don't find yourself in the same situation again. He's allowed two months... that really should have been enough. This is all bollerks. I renewed a month ago - 17 days total - Thailand to Thailand.
September 9, 2025Sep 9 22 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said: Thats a very simple google search !!!... - Piccadilly line direct (55mins) - Cheapest. - or Heathrow Express (15 mins) then Circle or Hammersmith & City Line (35 mins) - more expensive. Underground is on strike!
September 9, 2025Sep 9 1 hour ago, simon43 said: All very logical in fact! My passport has not expired at all. It is almost full! I was looking for a UK flag to put on my motorbike once I returned to Myanmar, since when traveling in rural regions the soldiers occasionally like to shoot at locals on motorbikes for no reason. My trips into Laos is to establish my retirement 'base' in Luang Prabang' since I cannot stay in Myanmar if I'm not employed (there is no retirement visa available). At some time in the future, I will want to stop teaching in-class and so I can return to my base in Laos. Also, I need to store my radio ham gear in Laos since I can't take it into Myanmar right now. I have no desire to put 800,000 THB into a Thai bank 🙂 See? It's not so confusing at all! My brain hurts! Good luck.😉
September 9, 2025Sep 9 42 minutes ago, nauseus said: This is all bollerks. I renewed a month ago - 17 days total - Thailand to Thailand. You think your fortunate experience is valid evidence that ALL passport renewals might take 17 days ? - thus any other timing is total bollerks.. The lack of sense in that comment is astonishing given the OP has already stated it has taken him 8 weeks so far.
September 9, 2025Sep 9 42 minutes ago, simon43 said: Given the high cost of Stilton Cheese in Laos/Thailand/Myanmar, forget the drugs and bring back as much Stilton as I can carry..... I love Stilton...so hard to get where I am. You have to go to Whole Foods and brave the woke. No, I dont need vegan fake Lamb Chops. Danish blue cheese is a OK substitute.
September 9, 2025Sep 9 23 minutes ago, BritManToo said: 45 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said: Thats a very simple google search !!!... - Piccadilly line direct (55mins) - Cheapest. - or Heathrow Express (15 mins) then Circle or Hammersmith & City Line (35 mins) - more expensive. Underground is on strike! Good point... Elizabeth Line - LHR to Farringdon (open during strike) - 35 mins ThamesLink - Thameslink to Kings Cross (open) - 2 mins (not allowing for walking(. Or.. UBER for £50 The underground strike concludes at 8am on 12th. https://tfl.gov.uk/campaign/strikes
September 9, 2025Sep 9 1 hour ago, norfolkandchance said: Next time use an Agent. Just renewed mine. B12500. Took 6 weeks. Would have been 4 weeks but HMPO needed a couple of extra documents. It doesn't happen any quicker by using an agent.
September 9, 2025Sep 9 51 minutes ago, simon43 said: I have to get from Heathrow to St. Pancras on Thursday morning. Any suggestions how to do that? Thanks. (I have already booked trains from Peterborough to Gatwosk via Croydon for my return flight). Elizabeth line Heathrow Terminals to either Tottenham Court Road or Farringdon bus or 10 minutes walk from either station to St. Pancras https://tfl.gov.uk/elizabeth-line/route/elizabeth/ Currently good service according to the above link
September 9, 2025Sep 9 Author 1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said: Thats a very simple google search !!!... - Piccadilly line direct (55mins) - Cheapest. - or Heathrow Express (15 mins) then Circle or Hammersmith & City Line (35 mins) - more expensive. No! There is a tube strike on that day...... That's why I asked for possible alternative transport. I might book an expensive private transfer since I cannot afford to miss my train to Peterborough.
September 9, 2025Sep 9 Author 1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said: How does it makes sense for you to teach online in Burma? Is the electric power delivery super stable there, or something? Just curious. Stable electricity?? (Rolls on floor with side-splitting laughter...) Typically only 2-3 hours per day, but I'm used to that. I take a solar charger, 12v DC to 220v AC inverter, 12v battery charger and buy the car battery and solar panel locally. Easy peasy! The internet connection is reliable (if you have 4 mobile phones, each with a sim card from a different network - I do!)
September 9, 2025Sep 9 1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said: You think your fortunate experience is valid evidence that ALL passport renewals might take 17 days ? - thus any other timing is total bollerks.. The lack of sense in that comment is astonishing given the OP has already stated it has taken him 8 weeks so far. Why not? It's a relatively recent example. Others have reported even quicker turnarounds. Any lack of sense here seems to be owned by the storyteller.
September 9, 2025Sep 9 9 minutes ago, nauseus said: Why not? It's a relatively recent example. Others have reported even quicker turnarounds. Any lack of sense here seems to be owned by the storyteller. Why is the op showing a lack of sense ?... You've stated the turn around is faster (17 days) with others reporting quicker turn arounds... So... why does the Op allowing himself 8 weeks show a lack of sense ?... thats well within the time frame you are claiming.
September 9, 2025Sep 9 1 hour ago, simon43 said: Stable electricity?? (Rolls on floor with side-splitting laughter...) Typically only 2-3 hours per day, but I'm used to that. I take a solar charger, 12v DC to 220v AC inverter, 12v battery charger and buy the car battery and solar panel locally. Easy peasy! The internet connection is reliable (if you have 4 mobile phones, each with a sim card from a different network - I do!) So, you need to share the wifi hotspot from FOUR phones to the laptop just to get decent internet on your laptop for video conferencing? Sounds rather complicated.
September 9, 2025Sep 9 Author 7 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said: So, you need to share the wifi hotspot from FOUR phones to the laptop just to get decent internet on your laptop for video conferencing? Sounds rather complicated. I use an app called Speedify that can combine as many different kind of internet connections that one has. I will use the allocated primary connection, but automatically combine others if the bandwidth/speed is lacking, or 'fall-back' to a 2nd or 3rd connection if the primary drops out. The internet is usually fast enough for a single internet connection to suffice, but the nice military guys have a habit of switching off mobile networks as they please, so Speedify is a useful app. I typically use the hotel wifi for one connection, ethernet to mobile phone #1, USB tether to mobile #2, wi-fi dongle to mobile #3 and mobile #4 is connected by writing the binary 1s and 0s on a piece of paper and pushing that into the SIM card slot 🙂 It IS complicated, which is one of many reasons why foreign teachers avoid Myanmar. I like a challenge and have got used to these problems 🙂
Create an account or sign in to comment