November 4, 2025Nov 4 31 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said: Yes entirely dependent on the extension (visas cannot be extended). 2 hours ago, steve187 said: would depend on what visa and what permission to stay stamp he is on. According to this thread it was a 30 day extension of a 60 day exempt entry. Routine options are now seemingly out.
November 4, 2025Nov 4 On 11/3/2025 at 8:40 AM, Upnotover said: Nobody knows about the application. Even if it had gone through properly the passport is only cancelled on the UK system. That information is not automatically shared unless the passport is declared stolen. So nobody would have a clue until you rocked up at the UK border. But isn't there a risk of the airline @AsparrownamedJack is planning to fly back to the UK becoming aware that his passport has been cancelled when they swipe the photopage through their scanner at BKK airport check-in, and, hence, deny him (rightly or wrongly) permission to board the flight? Strikes me that his safest course of action would be to apply for an emergency travel document: https://www.gov.uk/travel-urgently-from-abroad-without-uk-passport
November 4, 2025Nov 4 23 hours ago, roo860 said: Not every person from the UK is a member of AseanNow or Thaivisa as it was before, I've met countless people that aren't, so a few negative reports on pp renewal are a drop in the ocean compared to the positive ones. Beats me how anyone in their right mind, regardless of whether or not they are members of AseanNow, can seriously argue that the antiquated UK passport renewal procedures from Thailand really are the very best thing in passport renewals since sliced bread - unless they live within a stone's throw of one of the VFS offices in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, I suppose. Do you, by any chance?
November 4, 2025Nov 4 5 minutes ago, OJAS said: unless they live within a stone's throw of one of the VFS offices in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, One of the factors to consider when deciding where to live? Same for visa extension renewal, Driving license renewal etc. I.E. Sure it is idyllic to live in a house built in Isaan or hilltop Chiang Rai on your wife's family's land but... I know a guy who has to ride his motorbike 180kms just to retax it. I'm sure it is idyllic there as well.
November 4, 2025Nov 4 Popular Post 41 minutes ago, OJAS said: But isn't there a risk of the airline @AsparrownamedJack is planning to fly back to the UK becoming aware that his passport has been cancelled when they swipe the photopage through their scanner at BKK airport check-in, and, hence, deny him (rightly or wrongly) permission to board the flight? Strikes me that his safest course of action would be to apply for an emergency travel document: https://www.gov.uk/travel-urgently-from-abroad-without-uk-passport No. When the application is received by HMPO (as now seems to be the case) the old passport is cancelled on the UK based database. This cancellation is not shared with any other entity. So neither the airlines nor Thai immigration have any way of knowing the passport is not valid for travel. Only when lost or stolen is the passport added to the Interpol database, globally available to subscribing authorities. I'm not sure if there are countries other than Thailand with this issue, passports being retained during renewal, which creates this situation, normally HMPO is in possession of the passport being renewed and hence no need to broadcast it's cancellation far and wide.
November 4, 2025Nov 4 Popular Post 55 minutes ago, VocalNeal said: One of the factors to consider when deciding where to live? Yeah right, live in Bangkok so it's easy to apply for a passport every 10 years 😆
November 5, 2025Nov 5 22 hours ago, Upnotover said: No. When the application is received by HMPO (as now seems to be the case) the old passport is cancelled on the UK based database. This cancellation is not shared with any other entity. So neither the airlines nor Thai immigration have any way of knowing the passport is not valid for travel. Only when lost or stolen is the passport added to the Interpol database, globally available to subscribing authorities. I'm not sure if there are countries other than Thailand with this issue, passports being retained during renewal, which creates this situation, normally HMPO is in possession of the passport being renewed and hence no need to broadcast it's cancellation far and wide. OK. But, if I were in the OP's shoes, I think that I would still get an emergency travel document, for absolute peace of mind.
November 5, 2025Nov 5 1 hour ago, OJAS said: OK. But, if I were in the OP's shoes, I think that I would still get an emergency travel document, for absolute peace of mind. Not sure he can if he still has his passport, they will say go away and stop wasting our time
November 5, 2025Nov 5 Author Just contected to webchat for an update. Was told it's being reviewed - no indication of how long it might take. I had to remind them that they cocked up and I have been left waiting through no fault of my own. I feel as though some of them don't understand the importance and urgency of these documents. It also appears seem some are completely disconnected from the team overall. I asked for an email confirmation that my case is being given priority. Will contact again tomorrow otherwise. I've got a horrible feeling this is not over yet - some of their staff do not make me feel comfortable.
November 6, 2025Nov 6 21 hours ago, scubascuba3 said: Not sure he can if he still has his passport, they will say go away and stop wasting our time In that case, cannot the following HMPO statement regarding overseas passport applications can be safely ignored by not just the OP but all of us at passport renewal time, on the grounds that it is completely redundant? Don’t book any travel until you have a valid passport. If you need to travel more urgently, you may be able to apply for an Emergency Travel Document. In other words, does @Upnotover's assertion that "neither the airlines nor Thai immigration have any way of knowing the passport is not valid for travel" really mean that we can all travel abroad here, there and everywhere to our heart's content on the basis of our old passport while the renewal process is underway and without any need for an ETD, in the safe knowledge that we'll eventually be readmitted into Thailand with no questions asked (provided, of course, that we've obtained a re-entry permit)? Somehow I find this all hard to believe, but there we go - you learn something new every day.
November 6, 2025Nov 6 2 hours ago, OJAS said: In that case, cannot the following HMPO statement regarding overseas passport applications can be safely ignored by not just the OP but all of us at passport renewal time, on the grounds that it is completely redundant? Don’t book any travel until you have a valid passport. If you need to travel more urgently, you may be able to apply for an Emergency Travel Document. In other words, does @Upnotover's assertion that "neither the airlines nor Thai immigration have any way of knowing the passport is not valid for travel" really mean that we can all travel abroad here, there and everywhere to our heart's content on the basis of our old passport while the renewal process is underway and without any need for an ETD, in the safe knowledge that we'll eventually be readmitted into Thailand with no questions asked (provided, of course, that we've obtained a re-entry permit)? Somehow I find this all hard to believe, but there we go - you learn something new every day. You seem to have missed the part of the story that said the application was never received, so therefore never cancelled because they never received it, get it?
November 6, 2025Nov 6 35 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said: You seem to have missed the part of the story that said the application was never received, so therefore never cancelled because they never received it, get it? The application was received.... On 11/3/2025 at 8:59 PM, AsparrownamedJack said: Well, they've called a couple of times today so Kudos to them for that. Apparently my name wasn't clear on the app so, - it appears - they thought they'd just leave it there gathering dust. Having to sort out payment now which I don't understand since I've already given the details. I spoke to one lady about it who would not continue the call because the address didn't match - despite one chap earlier confirming it was OK. I've a hunch the lady is being a tad anal over the difference between 'Moo' and 'Village' on the application, despite it being bindingly obvious it's correct I have a headache
November 6, 2025Nov 6 2 hours ago, Upnotover said: The application was received.... Yes we know now...things have moved on since the start where HMPO said they hadn't received it
November 6, 2025Nov 6 On 11/5/2025 at 12:16 PM, scubascuba3 said: Not sure he can if he still has his passport, they will say go away and stop wasting our time Go away, stop wasting our time..........then go and "lose" your passport, keeping the old one, report it lost. Apply for new one. OK, you should report the loss to your local Police Station. How long would that report take to get the said Passport banned at check-in at Don Mueng.
November 13, 2025Nov 13 Author Popular Post Thought I'd give you all an update: All's well that ends well. I arrived back in Bangkok last night after a trip to Laos with a shiny new 60-day stamp in a shiny new passport. It was an expensive and stressful ordeal, and it's frankly ridiculous that HMPO could lose an application. It'd probably still be sitting there gathering dust now if I hadn't called when I did. But credit where credit is due, some of the staff had enough about them to help me out and expedite the printing and sending of my passport. Others - not so much. It was close. I was literally days away from the point of no return - where the cost of overstay would become too much and I'd have to return to the UK. Thankfully that didn't happen. So - a heads up to everybody. If you send any kind of application, check up after a couple of days to be sure they have it and are working on it. In hindsight, I should have called before to be sure, but I don't think it was unreasonable to expect HMPO not to drop the ball - they only had one job!...
November 14, 2025Nov 14 10 hours ago, AsparrownamedJack said: Thought I'd give you all an update: All's well that ends well. I arrived back in Bangkok last night after a trip to Laos with a shiny new 60-day stamp in a shiny new passport. It was an expensive and stressful ordeal, and it's frankly ridiculous that HMPO could lose an application. It'd probably still be sitting there gathering dust now if I hadn't called when I did. But credit where credit is due, some of the staff had enough about them to help me out and expedite the printing and sending of my passport. Others - not so much. It was close. I was literally days away from the point of no return - where the cost of overstay would become too much and I'd have to return to the UK. Thankfully that didn't happen. So - a heads up to everybody. If you send any kind of application, check up after a couple of days to be sure they have it and are working on it. In hindsight, I should have called before to be sure, but I don't think it was unreasonable to expect HMPO not to drop the ball - they only had one job!... Good to hear it worked out well in the end. Where did you cross into Laos? Was there any requirement for you to stay out 1 or more nights? (or did you fly out/in)?
November 14, 2025Nov 14 10 hours ago, AsparrownamedJack said: Thought I'd give you all an update: All's well that ends well. I arrived back in Bangkok last night after a trip to Laos with a shiny new 60-day stamp in a shiny new passport. It was an expensive and stressful ordeal, and it's frankly ridiculous that HMPO could lose an application. It'd probably still be sitting there gathering dust now if I hadn't called when I did. But credit where credit is due, some of the staff had enough about them to help me out and expedite the printing and sending of my passport. Others - not so much. It was close. I was literally days away from the point of no return - where the cost of overstay would become too much and I'd have to return to the UK. Thankfully that didn't happen. So - a heads up to everybody. If you send any kind of application, check up after a couple of days to be sure they have it and are working on it. In hindsight, I should have called before to be sure, but I don't think it was unreasonable to expect HMPO not to drop the ball - they only had one job!... Thanks for the update. Glad it worked out.
November 14, 2025Nov 14 12 hours ago, AsparrownamedJack said: Thought I'd give you all an update: All's well that ends well. I arrived back in Bangkok last night after a trip to Laos with a shiny new 60-day stamp in a shiny new passport. It was an expensive and stressful ordeal, and it's frankly ridiculous that HMPO could lose an application. It'd probably still be sitting there gathering dust now if I hadn't called when I did. But credit where credit is due, some of the staff had enough about them to help me out and expedite the printing and sending of my passport. Others - not so much. It was close. I was literally days away from the point of no return - where the cost of overstay would become too much and I'd have to return to the UK. Thankfully that didn't happen. So - a heads up to everybody. If you send any kind of application, check up after a couple of days to be sure they have it and are working on it. In hindsight, I should have called before to be sure, but I don't think it was unreasonable to expect HMPO not to drop the ball - they only had one job!... Glad to hear that all was well that ended well in your case. Presumably the next thing on your agenda will be a trip to your local immigration office in order to convert your "shiny new 60-day stamp" into a new 90-day non-O visa?
November 14, 2025Nov 14 Author 15 hours ago, Upnotover said: Good to hear it worked out well in the end. Where did you cross into Laos? Was there any requirement for you to stay out 1 or more nights? (or did you fly out/in)? Savannakhet. I was in and out (minibus). I used an agency to ensure there were no problems. And just in time considering the recent update from immigration,
November 14, 2025Nov 14 Author 16 hours ago, OJAS said: Glad to hear that all was well that ended well in your case. Presumably the next thing on your agenda will be a trip to your local immigration office in order to convert your "shiny new 60-day stamp" into a new 90-day non-O visa? More likely to be an education visa. I've been wanting to learn Thai properly for a long time but never got around to it. Now I might have no choice. And since AI gutted my previous career and drained my savings, I don't have the funds to get a Non-O. Not sure yet. A Non-B and work permit might also be a possibility, albeit somewhat less likely.
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