Picture courtesy of The Pattaya News

 

In a significant move to enhance administrative services, Pattaya officials met with Kanruthai Thit-orram, the acting head of the local passport office, to discuss improvements aimed at benefiting residents and tourists. The meeting, held at Pattaya City Hall on November 20, focused on streamlining passport services to handle increased demand during peak travel periods. This initiative is part of an effort to maintain the city’s status as a global destination.

 

The city, which draws millions of foreign visitors annually, faces challenges in managing the high demand for passport renewals and related services. Long queues and delays are common, particularly during the High Season and major holidays. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet and his secretary, Phumiphat Kamolnath, emphasized the need for a more efficient system and better coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

Kanruthai Thit-orram, the new acting head, committed to enhancing the performance of the passport office. The discussions also covered training for staff, expanding digital service access, and increasing public awareness. The aim is to ensure quick processing times and customer service that aligns with international standards, providing a convenient and responsive experience for all users.

 

Looking forward, both city officials and the passport office have agreed to work closely to implement these proposed improvements. Mayor Poramet reiterated the city’s commitment to offering not only tourist attractions but also exemplary public services. The enhancement of passport services is seen as an essential step toward achieving this vision, The Thaiger.

 

Key Takeaways

• Pattaya aims to enhance passport services for tourists and residents.
• Increased efficiency and reduced delays are primary goals.
• Collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and new digital services are key strategies.

 

Related Stories:

Austrian Caught at Phuket Airport With Forged Passport Stamps

UK Family’s Thailand Trip Delayed by Passport Sticker Mark

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-11-21

 

 

 

I believe they're talking about Jomtien immigration. I've personally received great treatment there but they need to hire more workers.

What has City Hall, Pattaya got to do with renewal of foreign passports?

It is about Thai passports being renewed, though the article does not make that crystal clear.

Passport  (for Thais) services are at Central Pattaya the beach

(forgot which floor)   previously at The Avenue they had a whole floor there,most foreigners will have to go to Bangkok for passport services.

Presumably the office is overloaded due to the "millions of foreign visitors annually" dragging back their new found loves to their homelands.

"The aim is to ensure quick processing times and customer service that aligns with international standards......"

 

I don't think they understand what international standards are. The US State Department warns applicants for a new passport that the turnaround time can be between six and eight weeks, and that's for applicants in the US!

1 hour ago, Will Iam Not said:

What has City Hall, Pattaya got to do with renewal of foreign passports?

 

What has this topic to do with foreign passports

1 hour ago, champers said:

It is about Thai passports being renewed, though the article does not make that crystal clear.

 

I thought it was pretty clear since there is no LOCAL foreign passport office in Thailand

10 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I believe they're talking about Jomtien immigration. I've personally received great treatment there but they need to hire more workers.

I didn't think they were. It mentions passport renewals, nothing to do with immigration.

11 hours ago, johng said:

Passport  (for Thais) services are at Central Pattaya the beach

(forgot which floor)   previously at The Avenue they had a whole floor there,most foreigners will have to go to Bangkok for passport services.

4th floor.

Hidden in some corner with a dedicated access from the parking garage so they can open before the sleepy 11o'clock of Central.

(same in Khon Kaen).

 

I walked there out of curiosity and hoping they would sell covers for passports 😁 (same size as mine I guess).

Very crowded about 2 weeks ago.

11 hours ago, Will Iam Not said:

What has City Hall, Pattaya got to do with renewal of foreign passports?

Nothing, because it's not foreign passports 😁

Article is quite confusing in mixing Thai administrative tasks with tourist (numbers).

Bad writing.

10 hours ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

"The aim is to ensure quick processing times and customer service that aligns with international standards......"

 

I don't think they understand what international standards are. The US State Department warns applicants for a new passport that the turnaround time can be between six and eight weeks, and that's for applicants in the US!

Took me almost 3 months, and I paid for expedited service, they reluctantly refunded me the $60 for the service.   Said they were behind on over 300,000 applications.      Peace

36 minutes ago, Explorator en Actione said:

Took me almost 3 months, and I paid for expedited service, they reluctantly refunded me the $60 for the service.   Said they were behind on over 300,000 applications.      Peace

 

My new passport took just over three weeks.

Pattaya City Hall Officials should also meet with Thai Immigration to improve services for foreigners if Pattaya wants to improve their image as a world class destination. For years, immigration service for Pattaya,at the Jomtein location, have been overcrowded and with slow processing times. Sometimes the line-ups are out into the street. Immigration services for foreigners need to be much faster, more convenient and easier. They need to improve the immigration services processing of visa renewals, TM30s, extensions, and all other services.

 

This article makes no sense... unless you replace the word "passport" wiht the word "visa". Thank you, AI 🙂

4 minutes ago, rick44 said:

This article makes no sense... unless you replace the word "passport" wiht the word "visa". Thank you, AI 🙂

Yes it is not a well written article (nothing to do with foreigners, visas or immigration).

But it is only about the local Thai Citizens Passport Office being more efficient (somehow in conjunction with City Hall) and producing new passport applications and passport renewals in a more timely manner. 

 

(When they were in the Avenue venue, their new passport turn around time was excellent, only 2-3 days, so maybe since they moved to Central something has changed. Anyway doesn't really affect us, only if you are waiting for your girlfriend/boyfriend to obtain a passport for travel with you).

 

 

 

18 hours ago, CallumWK said:

I thought it was pretty clear since there is no LOCAL foreign passport office in Thailand

Which is most inconvenient....

Can anyone answer the question, can a foreign passport be renewed by sending the application/passport back to the country of origin directly to be renewed or must it be done within Thailand a trek to Bangkok, once to apply and secondly to pick-up ?

21 hours ago, johng said:

Passport  (for Thais) services are at Central Pattaya the beach

(forgot which floor)   previously at The Avenue they had a whole floor there,most foreigners will have to go to Bangkok for passport services.

Fourth

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Which is most inconvenient....

Can anyone answer the question, can a foreign passport be renewed by sending the application/passport back to the country of origin directly to be renewed or must it be done within Thailand a trek to Bangkok, once to apply and secondly to pick-up ?

 

Does your country not have an embassy in Thailand? If so you can send it there, and they will send it back

Nothing to do with the headline, but I go back to Britain every 9 years and renew my passport . Make an appointment before hand, great service. 

18 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Does your country not have an embassy in Thailand? If so you can send it there, and they will send it back

Not if your British.

29 minutes ago, geisha said:

Nothing to do with the headline, but I go back to Britain every 9 years and renew my passport . Make an appointment before hand, great service. 

Presumably that's not the only reason you go?

11 hours ago, CallumWK said:

 

Does your country not have an embassy in Thailand? If so you can send it there, and they will send it back

Country of origin is UK... my last renewal I did at Trendy House, now it seems to have moved to some obscure location..

If I download the application, complete it and send it direct, it would be much easier than two trips to god knows where.

Or does it have to be checked and paid for before posting ?

My tgf recently got her passport renewed at the Central Mall office. I thought the whole process was already very quick and efficient.

On 11/21/2025 at 5:54 PM, snoop1130 said:

The city, which draws millions of foreign visitors annually, faces challenges in managing the high demand for passport renewals and related services

The office about which this OP is talking, is the one which renews THAI passports, nothing to do with Foreign visitors. 

Or did I make a mistake sending my UK Passport to VFS, via Thai Visa agent, paying Bht 6000 for their services which included return courier four weeks later.

4 hours ago, henryford1958 said:

My tgf recently got her passport renewed at the Central Mall office. I thought the whole process was already very quick and efficient.

Yes, my GF got hers returned in 3 days via the Passport Office in Central, Phitsanulok. Cost Bht 1000. Drive 30 minutes each way.

Mine, Post Office - Agent -VFS- British Passport Office - (India?)- VFS- Agent - my address. costing Bht 6000 for Passport, and Bht 6000 for the agent.

6 hours ago, hotchilli said:

If I download the application, complete it and send it direct, it would be much easier than two trips to god knows where.

Then you would be without your passport for n weeks.  That is why it is done through VFS, so you retain your original passport as is required of you in Thailand.  Good excuse for a couple of trips every 9 or 10 years.

6 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Country of origin is UK... my last renewal I did at Trendy House, now it seems to have moved to some obscure location..

If I download the application, complete it and send it direct, it would be much easier than two trips to god knows where.

Or does it have to be checked and paid for before posting ?

Yes. You cannot renew a UK Passport whilst in Thailand. VFS is (unfortunately) the only way.

6 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Country of origin is UK... my last renewal I did at Trendy House, now it seems to have moved to some obscure location..

If I download the application, complete it and send it direct, it would be much easier than two trips to god knows where.

Or does it have to be checked and paid for before posting ?

 

That obscure location is much better for those staying over in Bangkok - if you don't want to stay on the Sukhumvit area.

 

Shuttle buggy service to the building from Rama 9 MRT

 

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/tha/en/gbr/hmpo#:~:text=By MRT or,Grand Rama 9