3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

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.

As below...

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

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.

22 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

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.

Isolated cases when a reputable agent is used as many people with tell you.

On 2/22/2026 at 6:13 AM, 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

I’m a bit late to this party. I was hoping to see how you got on but realised that you cancelled and are getting a new passport in the UK.

I have an appointment next Tuesday (24th March) at VFS and am going with the 7 items you list, although using my driving license for proof of address, not a House book.

Application form was simple as you only need to fill in 4 of the 10 sections for a renewal / new Passport.

I will update on my experience after my appointment.

43 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

I’m a bit late to this party. I was hoping to see how you got on but realised that you cancelled and are getting a new passport in the UK.

I have an appointment next Tuesday (24th March) at VFS and am going with the 7 items you list, although using my driving license for proof of address, not a House book.

Application form was simple as you only need to fill in 4 of the 10 sections for a renewal / new Passport.

I will update on my experience after my appointment.

I forgot to mention how easy it was to book an appointment with VFS. I logged in on Thursday (19th March) and could have had an appointment for the next day, the 20th. However, driving from Hua Hin, my wife said Tuesday would be better than Friday or Monday, and there were plenty of time slots available.

I took an updated phone receipt with my address on it....was.6 years ago so can't remember but D/L wasn't sufficient...

59 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

I have an appointment next Tuesday (24th March) at VFS

1 hour ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

I have an appointment next Tuesday (24th March) at VFS and am going with the 7 items you list, although using my driving license for proof of address, not a House book.

Application form was simple as you only need to fill in 4 of the 10 sections for a renewal / new Passport.

I will update on my experience after my appointment.

Looking forward to your update as I will go this year. Is the online appointment system fairly easy to get an appointment any day you want or are all the slots taken a month ahead a bit like immigration online bookings?

6 minutes ago, baansgr said:

I took an updated phone receipt with my address on it....was.6 years ago so can't remember but D/L wasn't sufficient...

Thanks for your input. I might look to take another proof of address as well, although a local visa agent has just told me that they accept Thai driving licence.

It is a bit strange really, because you have to apply in person and collect it yourself, so not sure why proof of Thai address is necessary.

1 minute ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

Looking forward to your update as I will go this year. Is the online appointment system fairly easy to get an appointment any day you want or are all the slots taken a month ahead a bit like immigration online bookings?

Lots of slots available, look at my second comment where I replied to myself about the appointment

1 hour ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

Thanks for your input. I might look to take another proof of address as well, although a local visa agent has just told me that they accept Thai driving licence.

It is a bit strange really, because you have to apply in person and collect it yourself, so not sure why proof of Thai address is necessary.

You can go to True, AIS or whatever supplier, ask them for a 50 baht top up and receipt with your address...

8 minutes ago, baansgr said:

You can go to True, AIS or whatever supplier, ask them for a 50 baht top up and receipt with your address...

Thanks; that would be okay as long as the receipt shows the address in English, which is a requirement

1 hour ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

Thanks for your input. I might look to take another proof of address as well, although a local visa agent has just told me that they accept Thai driving licence.

It is a bit strange really, because you have to apply in person and collect it yourself, so not sure why proof of Thai address is necessary.

I have just renewed mine, a coloured copy of Thai driving licence was accepted.

1 minute ago, Isan Farang said:

I have just renewed mine, a coloured copy of Thai driving licence was accepted.

Great, many thanks

That was what I have been told, but you know what it's like here, and I don't want a wasted drive from Hua Hin ... cheers

Just now, Eloquent pilgrim said:

Great, many thanks

That was what I have been told, but you know what it's like here, and I don't want a wasted drive from Hua Hin ... cheers

Make sure everything that is copied is in colour, due to my location i used an Agent and everthing was super easy.

16 minutes ago, Isan Farang said:

Make sure everything that is copied is in colour, due to my location i used an Agent and everthing was super easy.

Thanks again; yes, I have copied every passport page, and driving licence in coloured copies, and filled in the form in black biro using capital letters …. think I’m cushty, but you never know here; hope they're more friendly and helpful than the staff at the immigration office 😬

2 hours ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

Thanks for your input. I might look to take another proof of address as well, although a local visa agent has just told me that they accept Thai driving licence.

It is a bit strange really, because you have to apply in person and collect it yourself, so not sure why proof of Thai address is necessary.

I recently also took a bank statement with my address in English at the top, agreed to the driving licence, 100 baht charge by Bangkok Bank

24 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

I recently also took a bank statement with my address in English at the top, agreed to the driving licence, 100 baht charge by Bangkok Bank

Thanks very much. I have an account with Bangkok bank, for 100 Baht it will provide a safety net; I will go and get a statement on Monday .... cheers

VFS Global in Chiang Mai only advertise VISA to visit the UK.

There appears to be no link for passport renewal and they don't reply to emails.

OK, found it, have to follow links from HMPO and create an account at VFS.

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/tha/en/hmo/login

44 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

Thanks again; yes, I have copied every passport page, and driving licence in coloured copies, and filled in the form in black biro using capital letters …. think I’m cushty, but you never know here; hope they're more friendly and helpful than the staff at the immigration office 😬

(I just remembered, I applied by an agent which makes a big difference) I was told if you are applying for a UK passport renewal, you need the original document - you can use a Thai DL but you need to produce the original. I was recommended to get a stamped bank statement from kasikorn, it was easy enough. If that helps you any.

I just used an agent, the flights alone would have cost more.

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

VFS Global in Chiang Mai only advertise VISA to visit the UK.

There appears to be no link for passport renewal and they don't reply to emails.

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/tha/en/gbr/hmpo

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

VFS Global in Chiang Mai only advertise VISA to visit the UK.

There appears to be no link for passport renewal and they don't reply to emails.

I used a guy Mark Jacob, in Chiang Mai to process mine, was cheaper than the flights. He drops the papers into Chiang Mai VFS. They called me to tell me to pickup, they asked if I was using Khun Mark and to just send him a message to pickup.

That was about a year back.

18 minutes ago, recom273 said:

(I just remembered, I applied by an agent which makes a big difference) I was told if you are applying for a UK passport renewal, you need the original document - you can use a Thai DL but you need to produce the original. I was recommended to get a stamped bank statement from kasikorn, it was easy enough. If that helps you any.

I just used an agent, the flights alone would have cost more.

Thanks for your input. I don’t think using an agent makes any difference, other than personal convenience; unlike with Visas at immigration, they don’t hold any sway with VFS. If your application is incorrect or incomplete it will be refused even if you are using an agent.

I am fairly confident that my original Thai D/L and coloured copies will be accepted, but I will get a bank statement as well as a safety net …. cheers, I will post how I get on next week.

8 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

I will post how I get on next week.

That would be helpful.

If inclined please do a Thread report on the whole process once you receive your new pp.

My most recent pp renewal (Oz) had turnaround of 20 days till delivery of pp via post.

Bit off topic but amazes me how some countries do not have option of online + post for pp renewal.

Also some countries require the existing pp to be part of the application.

For Oz you retain the existing pp.

20 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

That would be helpful.

If inclined please do a Thread report on the whole process once you receive your new pp.

My most recent pp renewal (Oz) had turnaround of 20 days till delivery of pp via post.

Bit off topic but amazes me how some countries do not have option of online + post for pp renewal.

Also some countries require the existing pp to be part of the application.

For Oz you retain the existing pp.

Thanks Jack; you are always very helpful and informative on this forum, so I will certainly be inclined to post a compete account of the whole process next week, which will hopefully be a successful one.

Apparently, going back a few years, renewing a UK passport from Thailand required the old one to be sent back to the UK with the application; that thankfully changed some time ago, and now you just have to include coloured copies of every page of your old passport (every page including all blank ones) but you get to keep your old passport with you.

You can only use it for identification purposes and cannot use it to travel; then when you collect your new one, you have to take the old one back to have it invalidated completely by them cutting a corner off.

6 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

Apparently, going back a few years, renewing a UK passport from Thailand required the old one to be sent back to the UK with the application; that thankfully changed some time ago, and now you just have to include coloured copies of every page of your old passport (every page including all blank ones) but you get to keep your old passport with you.

Still some dark ages aspect to the process for some.

Think that eg USA and others the physical pp is sent to home country.

Photocopies of every page is IMO just plain nuts.

No wonder some people use an agent esp if don't live in Bangkok or CM

If it helps anyone, 3BB emailed me a bill address in English, no charge

4 hours ago, baansgr said:

I took an updated phone receipt with my address on it....was.6 years ago so can't remember but D/L wasn't sufficient...

My driving licence was sufficient 1 year ago.

1 hour ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

Thanks for your input. I don’t think using an agent makes any difference, other than personal convenience; unlike with Visas at immigration, they don’t hold any sway with VFS. If your application is incorrect or incomplete it will be refused even if you are using an agent.

I am fairly confident that my original Thai D/L and coloured copies will be accepted, but I will get a bank statement as well as a safety net …. cheers, I will post how I get on next week.

Correct .. makes no difference whatsoever.

I paid for the convenience of not having to repeat the process again, I did it once when they first started using VFS - 4 flights and a hotel plus days off work plus whatever expenses for 3-4 days in Bangkok cost way more than the agent.

Your document are fine, just one, the bank statement is sufficient. I made the comment and then realised that I sent mine and the agent informed me if I wanted to go the DL

route he would need an original - not just a copy - if you are submitting yourself, you will

probably have it in your pocket. Actually the process is really easy, I remember the first one I did, I needed a counter signatory from a UK doctor, engineer, accountant or priest - and was sent to Hong Kong via DHL. The process now is quite easy and fast, I wish we could post our own tho’ or even online - I used an app on my phone to take the photo, the app knew all about size and proportions, so easy.

58 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Still some dark ages aspect to the process for some.

Think that eg USA and others the physical pp is sent to home country.

Photocopies of every page is IMO just plain nuts.

No wonder some people use an agent esp if don't live in Bangkok or CM

Another thing that is nuts.

Even tho, as mentioned the passport with a cut corner is virtually worthless.

You take it to immigration and transfer all your extension stamps, I think mine was a free service and really effortless - it occupies the first two pages.

But every renewal I need to take the old passport and copies of original visa sticker from idk 12 years ago, plus entry stamp, even tho they have been transferred to the new passport by immigration.

7 hours ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

I’m a bit late to this party. I was hoping to see how you got on but realised that you cancelled and are getting a new passport in the UK.

I was ....... then they decided to have a war right in the place I was planning to pass through ( Middle East , Dubai ). Result is that although it is still doable , will have to be a non stop flight and as expected I can no longer do the round trip for 27,000 as planned , more like 38,000 with EVA .....and of course that could change.

So everything on hold for a month. If situation does not improve , back to plan A with VFS. Luckily I have a few months in hand as current passport still good for another year.

1 hour ago, recom273 said:

Correct .. makes no difference whatsoever.

I paid for the convenience of not having to repeat the process again, I did it once when they first started using VFS - 4 flights and a hotel plus days off work plus whatever expenses for 3-4 days in Bangkok cost way more than the agent.

Your document are fine, just one, the bank statement is sufficient. I made the comment and then realised that I sent mine and the agent informed me if I wanted to go the DL

route he would need an original - not just a copy - if you are submitting yourself, you will

probably have it in your pocket. Actually the process is really easy, I remember the first one I did, I needed a counter signatory from a UK doctor, engineer, accountant or priest - and was sent to Hong Kong via DHL. The process now is quite easy and fast, I wish we could post our own tho’ or even online - I used an app on my phone to take the photo, the app knew all about size and proportions, so easy.

Thanks, and yes, I will be submitting my original Thai D/L plus the colour copies I have made.

I have just been to my Bangkok Bank branch and obtained an up to date bank statement showing my address in English, which I will take as back up.

I want to try using my Thai D/L first to see if it is accepted. However, I have noticed something strange with my Thai Licence; the translation into English on my licence is incomplete, or more like, bizarre. It just shows my house number followed by Hua Hin. My wife says the address on the licence is complete in Thai, showing the compound name and soi.

This is the reason that I have just been to get the bank statement in case they won’t accept the licence, but I will try it first, and hold back the statement in case it is needed.