I'm in Bangkok and need a new passport.

Is it worth paying an agency 5,000 baht to do it or go to the place myself?

Last time I went to soi 13, Trendy.

As the primary reason for using an agent is to avoid travel to/from Bangkok it would seem hardly worthwhile if you live there. Currently VFS at The Shoppes at Belle Grand Rama 9 131/1,141/1, Unit, Grand Rama 9, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310.

My mate did it all as a walk-in at Trendy just before they relocated, no appointment. He was on business in Bangkok so just walked in, said he was on urgent business and had no time for appointment. They served him with minimal waiting time. He had the requisite forms, pictures and paperwork but no copies. Rather than traipsing downstairs to the photocopy shops, he took VFS up on their offer to do all the required copying at their nominal fee. The following month, after getting the email from VFS, and again being on business in Bangkok, he dropped by and collected it.

YMMV

7 hours ago, NanLaew said:

their nominal fee

Their photocopying fee is certainly not nominal.

52 minutes ago, Gaccha said:

Their photocopying fee is certainly not nominal.

440 baht too rich for you?

They did charge 2650 baht for the convenience of the appointment-free experience.

5 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

440 baht too rich for you?

It's irrelevant if I think it's too much for me.

It's not nominal because, to quote the dictionary, it would need to be "far below the real value or cost" for it to be nominal.

3 minutes ago, Gaccha said:

It's irrelevant if I think it's too much for me.

It's not nominal because, to quote the dictionary, it would need to be "far below the real value or cost" for it to be nominal.

Cost, eh? I guess my friend's time is more valuable than yours.

14 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

440 baht too rich for you?

They did charge 2650 baht for the convenience of the appointment-free experience.

Too much for me. Nice to let us know you are rich.

Just now, JimCM said:

Too much for me. Nice to let us know you are rich.

Sorry to disappoint anyone here, but it wasn't me. It was my friend (and he's not rich either).

Can't you just do it online?

Recently, did my Irish passport renewal online completely. 2800 baht and posted to my home in Thailand.

Surely, the great British government offers such a service!

Book your appointment.

Make your photocopies and fill out the simple forms.

Note that the VFS has moved to a new location (nearly two years ago).

Pick it up approximately a month later (or have anyone do so).

If thats something you'd consider tricky, taxing or difficult - then yep, an agent would help !!!

That you had to actually ask that question on here in the first place - defo go for an agent !!!

11 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Cost, eh? I guess my friend's time is more valuable than yours.

You seem to be struggling to grasp the point here: what I think or feel as to cost or time spent is completely irrelevant as to whether it is nominal or not.

11 hours ago, hughrection said:

Can't you just do it online?

Recently, did my Irish passport renewal online completely. 2800 baht and posted to my home in Thailand.

Surely, the great British government offers such a service!

No. There is no online service for UK passport renewals for people living in Thailand.

29 minutes ago, Gaccha said:

You seem to be struggling to grasp the point here: what I think or feel as to cost or time spent is completely irrelevant as to whether it is nominal or not.

I'm not struggling near as much as you are with your comprehension of your quote from a dictionary.

10 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Book your appointment.

Make your photocopies and fill out the simple forms.

Note that the VFS has moved to a new location (nearly two years ago).

Pick it up approximately a month later (or have anyone do so).

If thats something you'd consider tricky, taxing or difficult - then yep, an agent would help !!!

That you had to actually ask that question on here in the first place - defo go for an agent !!!

Thank you for your time. With me it all about time. If I lose more than 5,000 baht by taking the time off work.

How many hours did it take you to do the business there?

I did mine two weeks ago at VFS in Chiang Mai. Just book an appointment online and photocopy everything yourself. It was very easy and stress free. The staff were very professional and helpful. My passport is already done and I'll be picking it up this week.

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

your comprehension of your quote from a dictionary

You clearly need baby steps to grasp this point:

1. Nominal= far below the real value or cost

2. The cost at VFS is higher than other options

3. The VFS cost is therefore not below the real value or cost

4. My subjective feelings play no part in the determination of the real value or cost

1 hour ago, JimCM said:

Thank you for your time. With me it all about time. If I lose more than 5,000 baht by taking the time off work.

How many hours did it take you to do the business there?

Then that makes ‘some’ sense in specific circumstances.

It took me about 2 hours in total.

Travel time to get there.

15mins wait (I was early for the booking time).

10-15mins processing.

Travel time to get home.

Collection of new passport can be anyone.

Also - even with an agent - you’ll still consume time getting to their office & signing your forms etc unless you plan on having them visit your office / house.

But there is another facet at hand - in doing this ourselves - someone else’s error is avoided.

This is why I try to do everything myself here (where possible - Driving licenses etc).

On 2/10/2026 at 3:10 AM, richard_smith237 said:

But there is another facet at hand - in doing this ourselves - someone else’s error is avoided.

Would there not be less chance of an error by an agent that offers this service and must complete these forms often as opposed to an individual that seldom has to renew a passport?

I heard you can do everything online now but will have to check.

6 hours ago, JimCM said:

I heard you can do everything online now but will have to check.

Not if you're applying in Thailand. You (or your agent) need to submit the application and supporting documents to VFS in person.

On 2/9/2026 at 8:51 PM, hughrection said:

Can't you just do it online?

Recently, did my Irish passport renewal online completely. 2800 baht and posted to my home in Thailand.

Surely, the great British government offers such a service!

Nope, while His Majesty's Passport Office does offer an online renewal service for those living in the UK (and, indeed, encourages its use in their case), those of us living in Thailand are barred from using it for some ridiculous reason. Indeed, even the snail mail service dating back to the issue of the Penny Black in 1840 is apparently considered far too high tech for this purpose. Shanks' Pony is, instead, the strict order of the day for submitting applications (which must be completed in our neatest handwriting) here in LOS and subsequently receiving new passports, whether we or an agent are holding the pony's reins.

48 minutes ago, OJAS said:

Nope, while His Majesty's Passport Office does offer an online renewal service for those living in the UK (and, indeed, encourages its use in their case), those of us living in Thailand are barred from using it for some ridiculous reason.

In fact, it's possible to apply online from most countries in the world. The alleged reason why we in Thailand have to either apply in person or use an accredited agent is that we are required by law to be in possession of our passports at all times. This jobsworth interpretation by HMPO and the British Embassy is as you say ridiculous, (a) because in the 16 years I have lived here I've never been asked to produce my passport by anyone except immigration and hotel receptions, and the latter invariably accept my driving licence, and (b) if you hand your passport to an agent you are no longer in possession of it. Carrying a scan of your passport and current extension should meet any situation here.

On 3/6/2026 at 10:33 AM, Eff1n2ret said:

In fact, it's possible to apply online from most countries in the world. The alleged reason why we in Thailand have to either apply in person or use an accredited agent is that we are required by law to be in possession of our passports at all times. This jobsworth interpretation by HMPO and the British Embassy is as you say ridiculous, (a) because in the 16 years I have lived here I've never been asked to produce my passport by anyone except immigration and hotel receptions, and the latter invariably accept my driving licence, and (b) if you hand your passport to an agent you are no longer in possession of it. Carrying a scan of your passport and current extension should meet any situation here.

Plus the declaration that you sign stating that you are in the UK.

38 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

Plus the declaration that you sign stating that you are in the UK.

Sorry, I don't understand that. If you access the gov.uk website for renewing a passport, click the 'apply online' box, enter , for example, South Africa as your place of application and answer another couple of questions you'll get the instructions for how to apply online. It's the same for applying from most countries in the world. It's not necessary to be in the UK to apply online, we in Thailand are in one of the few countries where we suffer this arbitrary discrimination. I once wrote to HMPO and asked for an explanation and didn't get one.

1 hour ago, Eff1n2ret said:

Sorry, I don't understand that. If you access the gov.uk website for renewing a passport, click the 'apply online' box, enter , for example, South Africa as your place of application and answer another couple of questions you'll get the instructions for how to apply online. It's the same for applying from most countries in the world. It's not necessary to be in the UK to apply online, we in Thailand are in one of the few countries where we suffer this arbitrary discrimination. I once wrote to HMPO and asked for an explanation and didn't get one.

This is the UKPO response to a question that asked - specifically about posting back to the UK. If the declaration does not apply to online applications (which are not permitted in Thailand) then so be it.

Thank you for your enquiry.


The Home Office advise that for security purposes a passport must not be taken over a border without the holder in possession.

If you post your passport to a residential address in another country it potentially could be retained by the Border Agency and cancelled, This could influence that actual granting of a UK Passport as there is no absolute entitlement.

The package you use could also be damaged during the delivery process and be compromised or end up in the possession of a 3rd party which could lead to identity theft.


To confirm the notes on the declaration form that you need to read before signing;


When the application form is completed and signed by yourself, if you are not resident at the address you provide, you are making a false statement for which you could be prosecuted and a potential prison sentence.

If the passport is lost in transit or has a delivery issue you will need to attend in person to collect it. As you possibly will not have any other travel documents to return to the UK it would leave you in a difficult position.


Taking the above into account and you state that the action you are suggesting will save time and money, the repercussions of being caught are severe.


I hope this has been of assistance and recommend strongly that you follow the standard process.


If you require any further information, please contact us through our helpline on +44 (0)300 222 0000 or via e-mail [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>


Kind Regards,

C Banks

Customer Service Management Team

HM Passport Office Operations