Based on my own experience a few months ago, the only potential issue I see is your No 7. I think there is some fine print somewhere that refers to how old the document can be, and mine was too old because I chose something that had a translation, and all bills are in my wife's name.

What a palava. I now have a change of situation and need to cancel my Friday appointment. It transpires I will need to travel back to the UK in March for personal reasons so I might as well do it there using the same day premium service. I could just do a no show with VFS but not very polite.

But..... I have spent 1 hour trying to do this without success. Impossible to phone and getting the run arround online.

Has anyone successfully cancelled an appointment if so how ?

All phone numbers given both online and on the appointment form are incorrect and not recognised.

35 minutes ago, trucking said:

What a palava. I now have a change of situation and need to cancel my Friday appointment. It transpires I will need to travel back to the UK in March for personal reasons so I might as well do it there using the same day premium service. I could just do a no show with VFS but not very polite.

But..... I have spent 1 hour trying to do this without success. Impossible to phone and getting the run arround online.

Has anyone successfully cancelled an appointment if so how ?

All phone numbers given both online and on the appointment form are incorrect and not recognised.

Finally managed to succeed in cancelling !! What a yawn

22 minutes ago, OJAS said:

It IS a big deal for those of us with mobility issues, thank you very much!

3 hours ago, trucking said:

What a palava. I now have a change of situation and need to cancel my Friday appointment. It transpires I will need to travel back to the UK in March for personal reasons so I might as well do it there using the same day premium service. I could just do a no show with VFS but not very polite.

But..... I have spent 1 hour trying to do this without success. Impossible to phone and getting the run arround online.

Has anyone successfully cancelled an appointment if so how ?

All phone numbers given both online and on the appointment form are incorrect and not recognised.

They have an email address which you could have used, if they ignored it, their loss

Exit 3 from MRT large motorbike group there, 30 baht to the passport building

4 hours ago, trucking said:

What a palava. I now have a change of situation and need to cancel my Friday appointment. It transpires I will need to travel back to the UK in March for personal reasons so I might as well do it there using the same day premium service. I could just do a no show with VFS but not very polite.

A couple of years ago I went back to do mine, did VFS when they first started in 2014 and never again.

I couldn't use the same day service, it had been suspended the week before due to high demand. I used the 7 day service which worked out ok. I had booked appointment for 5pm at Liverpool on a Friday evening, it was a bit slow and came out about 6.30. Walked round to Wetherspoons then caught the train over to Birkenhead for the night boat to Belfast.

Got back to Sheffield Monday evening and new passport delivered Wed morning. Old passport came back following day.

Just now, brewsterbudgen said:

the Embassy issued 'new' UK passports, but I don't think they ever processed renewals.

What is the difference between a new passport and a renewal, which should, by definition, have the same number. Is it not the same form to fill in, I ask?

15 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

What is the difference between a new passport and a renewal, which should, by definition, have the same number. Is it not the same form to fill in, I ask?

In the main irrelevant.

Some folk use the term renewal.

It's a new passport are in the main has a new passport #.

Think there are few countries that issue new pp with same number as previous pp.

Not the norm.

As stated not important.

You still need to transfer stamps etc

36 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

What is the difference between a new passport and a renewal, which should, by definition, have the same number

always a new passport number, "NEW" is the clue

Just now, scubascuba3 said:

always a new passport number, "NEW" is the clue

Yes agree. But why does your Driving Licence, National Health number etc, keep the same one.

I think that in Sweden, you get an ID number at birth, birthdate followed by a 4 digit odd number for male, even for girls, and that's you for the rest of your life, Passport, DL, almost everything. Easy.

24 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

Yes agree. But why does your Driving Licence, National Health number etc, keep the same one.

I think that in Sweden, you get an ID number at birth, birthdate followed by a 4 digit odd number for male, even for girls, and that's you for the rest of your life, Passport, DL, almost everything. Easy.

Some things we don't need to know, rules are rules

56 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Some folk use the term renewal.

Indeed. UK HMPO for one...

Just now, Upnotover said:

Indeed. UK HMPO for one...

So glad that they told us what Renewal means, the only changes being the number, dates, maybe the photo and in my last 'Renewal' a change of colour.

Apart from that, the new one is exactly the same.

11 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

So glad that they told us what Renewal means, the only changes being the number, dates, maybe the photo and in my last 'Renewal' a change of colour.

Apart from that, the new one is exactly the same.

I guess it confuses some people, so probably good to make it clear. Perhaps a "new" passport should be seen as a "first" passport for pedants?

13 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

So glad that they told us what Renewal means, the only changes being the number, dates, maybe the photo and in my last 'Renewal' a change of colour.

Apart from that, the new one is exactly the same.

In other words pretty much everything.

Of course it has new photo.

Passports in the main are valid for 10 years.

That's why photos are required in the application.

BTW something they are very particular about.

Just now, brewsterbudgen said:

I guess it confuses some people, so probably good to make it clear. Perhaps a "new" passport should be seen as a "first" passport for pedants?

Would Replacement not be the more appropriate word?

I don't think that my fifteenth passport could be construed as 'First' or me as a Pedant, I only ask questions.

Just now, DrJack54 said:

In other words pretty much everything.

Of course it has new photo.

Passports in the main are valid for 10 years.

That's why photos are required in the application.

BTW something they are very particular about.

They use the same photo for UK Passport and Driving Licence I think, the parameters of which vary for different countries. My Thai DL and Pink Card show 50% shirt and 50% face.

My 3 year old niece got her first passport last year, and it is valid for 5 years. Imagine an IO trying to figure out if the photo and 8 year old person are the same.

Here are the choices, Renew, Replace, First.....pretty easy to follow I would think.

On 2/22/2026 at 1:13 PM, trucking said:

I have an appointment at VFS in Bangkok this week to renew my UK passport.

Just checking I have all my ducks in a row with anyone who has done this recently.

The documents I will be taking are as follows :

1) Current passport

2) Full colour copy of passport

3) Completed application form

4) Two colour photographs to the correct specifications

5) Printed appointment letter

6) Payment mandate form

7 ) Yellow housebook with printed English translation ( proof of address )

Have I missed anything vital ?

Thanks in advance

Marks sending machine does it for you including sending you the correct forms. Took 3 weeks. I used him a couple of years ago 3500 to 4000 baht. 5* reviews. Find him on facebook.

On 2/24/2026 at 10:26 AM, Hotrats said:

Yes. In the early 2000s all passport related matters and visa issuance was dealt with at the Embassy. Very efficient and friendly sevice it was too. Unfortunately that all came to an end when VFS was contracted to handle all these applications. It was a nightmare in comparison having to go through VFS, although I must say their service has vastly improved since they moved to Rama 9.

What dates did renewal via Hong Kong fit into that scenario?

23 hours ago, helloagain said:

Marks sending machine does it for you including sending you the correct forms. Took 3 weeks. I used him a couple of years ago 3500 to 4000 baht. 5* reviews. Find him on facebook.

A bit confusing. Who is Mark?

5 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

A bit confusing. Who is Mark?

The guy who runs "Marks Sending Machine".

Google him, not confusing at all.

3 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

What dates did renewal via Hong Kong fit into that scenario?

British passport applications in Thailand were processed via Hong Kong up to 10 December 2013, thereafter handled by HM Passport Office in the UK. Cannot find out when Hong Kong commenced processing passports instead of the British Embassy Bangkok.

2 hours ago, Bredbury Blue said:

Cannot find out when Hong Kong commenced processing passports instead of the British Embassy Bangkok.

During 2010, I believe, when what turned out to be the relatively short-lived Regional Passport Processing Centre was set up in Hong Kong. The link below contains futher info: although it was written in the Japanese context, I suspect that its contents were, in general, equally applicable to Thailand and all other countries in SE Asia.

https://bccjacumen.com/new-way-to-apply-for-uk-passport/

On 2/24/2026 at 3:35 PM, wil iam not said:

What is the difference between a new passport and a renewal, which should, by definition, have the same number. Is it not the same form to fill in, I ask?

There is no "New" UK passport application as such.

It is can be a first passport application or application to renew/replace/change/extend existing passport for whatever reason.

The process and price varies with service and application type.

On 2/23/2026 at 5:20 PM, SamSpade said:

I can never understand why people subject themselves to all this hassle...

Take your current passport to an agent (I used Thai Visa Express, didn't even need to take photos as they did them there & then), pay them 12,000 thb which is 1,200 THB pa or 100 THB pm, the Jumbo passport itself accounts for approx 1/2 of this so in reality it's more like 50 THB pm.

And that's it, no need to traipse to Bangkok (Twice).

Pay them an extra 1,000 THB and they'll go to immigration to have your stamps transferred over.

I genuinely struggle to understand why anyone would hand their passport over to an agent unless there is absolutely no alternative.

It’s the single most important document you own. It proves who you are, your legal status, your ability to travel, your right to stay. Without it, you’re effectively stuck - sometimes legally exposed. That’s not something I’d casually leave sitting in someone else’s drawer.

There are more than enough threads on this very forum about passports being “misplaced”, delayed, held over payment disputes, or worse. For me, that’s deterrent enough.

And the thing is - in most routine cases, doing it yourself is straightforward. Turn up with the right paperwork, queue, smile, stamp, done. Yes, it takes a morning. But at least your passport never leaves your sight, and you’re not relying on someone operating in a grey area with limited accountability.

Convenience is one thing. Handing over control of your identity is another.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1136296-lost-passport-due-to-agent-witholding

https://aseannow.com/topic/1332714-pros-and-cons-of-leaving-ones-passport-at-a-thai-visa-agents-office

https://aseannow.com/topic/1254817-agent-stole-me-and-wife-passport-we-need-help

17 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

I genuinely struggle to understand why anyone would hand their passport over to an agent unless there is absolutely no alternative.

It’s the single most important document you own. It proves who you are, your legal status, your ability to travel, your right to stay. Without it, you’re effectively stuck - sometimes legally exposed. That’s not something I’d casually leave sitting in someone else’s drawer.

There are more than enough threads on this very forum about passports being “misplaced”, delayed, held over payment disputes, or worse. For me, that’s deterrent enough.

And the thing is - in most routine cases, doing it yourself is straightforward. Turn up with the right paperwork, queue, smile, stamp, done. Yes, it takes a morning. But at least your passport never leaves your sight, and you’re not relying on someone operating in a grey area with limited accountability.

Convenience is one thing. Handing over control of your identity is another.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1136296-lost-passport-due-to-agent-witholding

https://aseannow.com/topic/1332714-pros-and-cons-of-leaving-ones-passport-at-a-thai-visa-agents-office

https://aseannow.com/topic/1254817-agent-stole-me-and-wife-passport-we-need-help

To each his own...

You mention a small (but very impactful) risk of an agent losing your passport, I could counter this with the (potentially much more impactful) risk of having an accident on one of your 2 trips to Bangkok (Or do you trust EMS more than an Agent so only have to go there once, obviously you cannot do it all in a single morning even if you lived in Bangkok).

End of the day, we should all decide the risk/reward of our actions, for me I use a trustworthy agent (& pay them) & so minimise the risk of them losing/keeping my passport but you are correct, I can't eliminate the risk completely just like you cannot completely eliminte the risk having an accident whilst travelling to/from Bangkok.

13 minutes ago, SamSpade said:

To each his own...

You mention a small (but very impactful) risk of an agent losing your passport, I could counter this with the (potentially much more impactful) risk of having an accident on one of your 2 trips to Bangkok (Or do you trust EMS more than an Agent so only have to go there once, obviously you cannot do it all in a single morning even if you lived in Bangkok).

End of the day, we should all decide the risk/reward of our actions, for me I use a trustworthy agent (& pay them) & so minimise the risk of them losing/keeping my passport but you are correct, I can't eliminate the risk completely just like you cannot completely eliminte the risk having an accident whilst travelling to/from Bangkok.

I think those are fair comments.

For someone living outside of Bangkok - the use of an agent optimises things and certainly minimises other risks (such as accident etc), the cost is also offset with the cost and time of travel (two journeys to VFS in BKK or Chiang Mai).

For those within Bangkok or close by - that risk is insignificant of course.

With regards to timing - for those in Bangkok - yes - it can all be done within a single morning - far less in fact.

In the past 18 months I've renewed two UK passports - Both involved approximately 20-30 mins at VFS (Belle Grand) - 20-30 mins travel each way - so approximately 1 to 1:30 hrs out of my morning.

Pickup (about a month later) can be made by anyone (with your receipt) and takes less time.

Each to their own - as you say - Personally, I don't leave anything to anyone else that I can do myself.

The same goes for Driving Licences.

Note: with my latest renewal - there was a delay for two reasons.

1) Payment was rejected (after filling out the archaic and insecure credit-card payment paper form) - through a Gov.uk link I was directed to an online payment portal - far more secure and I don't know why they don't use that to start with rather than the filling out the form which IMO is a financial security compromise.

2) Passport Photo was rejected and I had to post another (rejected as the photo was older than 6 months - how could they tell ?... I'd used the same photo on another Passport renewal more than 6 months earlier (I hold 2x UK passports for work travel / visa purposes).

I'm not sure an agent would have avoided either of these issues - however, it delayed issuance of a renewed passport by an additional month (so 2 months in total) - So, for those with two passports, when planning to renew, enter Thailand on the back-up, just incase there are delays in renewing the primary.

44 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

2) Passport Photo was rejected

I’’d only gone in to ask about what they needed for a passport renewal & as I had my passport where I always have my TM30 tucked into the cover, they just said I needed 2 passport photos which they took in the shop on an IPhone.

I wasn’t even stood with a plain backdrop behind me, it’s amazing what they can do with Phone cameras nowadays.

A couple of hours to get a new Passport is great, when I’ve used the express service in Liverpool it uses to take longer than that (used to get an appointment for before 9am & have to wait until after lunch to pick it up).

TBH I would have done it in Liverpool again but for some reason the same day service wasn’t available at the time & with it seemingly being so easy (and worked out not much more expensive with Taxi/Train each way) via Thai Visa Express I just went with them.

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Both involved approximately 20-30 mins at VFS (Belle Grand) - 20-30 mins travel each way - so approximately 1 to 1:30 hrs out of my morning

And what if you lived in Nakon Somewhere in the boons.