Just now, scorecard said:

Yes the Aussie process is different. you take your current passport with you when you attend your meeting with Aussie Bkk consular staff*.

When the process to get a new passport is completed, meaning that your application for a new PP is approved (see* above) the Aussie consular staff add a stamp saying 'this passport is now cancelled, new passport is in process'. And they give the old / cancelled pp back to the holder at that meeting.

8 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Yes the Aussie process is different. you take your current passport with you when you attend your meeting with Aussie Bkk consular staff*.

Don't know when you last did Oz pp renewal.

It's all done online + mail.

My most recent February 2024.

The mailed package to Australian embassy Bangkok does not include current pp.

The new pp lands at your address approx 20 days after mailing application to embassy Bangkok.

The old pp has no hole punch or cut pages etc

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Don't know when you last did Oz pp renewal.

It's all done online + mail.

My most recent February 2024.

The mailed package to Australian embassy Bangkok does not include current pp.

The new pp lands at your address approx 20 days after mailing application to embassy Bangkok.

The old pp has no hole punch or cut pages etc

My recent OZ pport renewal was April 2026, and I should have explained further:

• I live permanently in Chiang Mai (CM).

• The Oz embassy Bkk does a consular outreach every few months to several major Thai cities.

• The CM outreach was announced to be on 1 April and I made an online appointment.

• The Bkk consular outreach team printed the PP renewal application form, and they asked for copies of the the photos to be sent to them before the outreach data, to be sure the photos were the correct photo format.

• I arrived at the CM outreach location (Marriott hotel) an hour before the agreed time

• The outreach team asked me to check the application form and to especially ensure:

  • My address details in CM were correct

  • My NOK name / address / mobile no. (my Thai son) was correct.

  • All the above checked in less than 5 minutes.

• The consular staff took my photos and I paid the full fee with my credit card.

• Then they put the stamp in my current pp saying it was cancelled and a new pp was in process. The consular staff didn't cut the corners or punch holes in the now cancelled pp. They gave the now cancelled pp back to me.

• About 2.5 weeks later I got an email from the Canberra pp office advising that my new passport was now in transit to the Bkk embassy.

• Two or three days later the Bkk embassy sent an email including in bold print the address on the envelope to be used to mail the new pp to me. They also advised the name and tel no of the courier service who would deliver the envelope to my house and they mentioned that the delivery agent spoke both Thai and English.

• One day later the agent called saying he was outside my house and advised that I must personally take and sign for the envelope.

• I signed for the envelope. Inside the house I opened the envelope. All the details in the new passport were correct.

• I noted there's more photos embedded in the pp book and there's now a thicker more solid plastic cover over the main pp page and the same plastic sheet is affixed to the back of the pp main page.

• An hour later a Bkk consular staff member called me to check that I had received the envelope and to confirm the details are all correct.

All done.

8 minutes ago, scorecard said:

My recent OZ pport renewal was April 2026, and I should have explained further

Ta for extremely detailed report.

As I post earlier. I had none of that nonsense.

My understanding is that complete online application is available using both Bangkok and CM Oz embassies.

The process you outline is IMO distant second to my online renewal.

Even the visit to post office was done by my Thai partner.

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Ta for extremely detailed report.

As I post earlier. I had none of that nonsense.

My understanding is that complete online application is available using both Bangkok and CM Oz embassies.

The process you outline is IMO distant second to my online renewal.

Even the visit to post office was done by my Thai partner.

Nowadays thee is no CM Oz embassy / consulate.

You may consider the process I mentioned as 'nonsense'.

I don't, in fact it was simple and straight forward.

3 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Nowadays thee is no CM Oz embassy / consulate.

Would it have been possible to mail application to Bangkok Au embassy?

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Would it have been possible to mail application to Bangkok Au embassy?

That sounds like the easiest method. But I discovered that it can be quite difficult to download the PP renewal application form. I checked this with the Bkk consular staff and they agred it's not always easy.

This prompted the Bkk embassy staff to put together the whole idea / process i've shared. This worked and was very easy. The consular outreach was held at the Mariott hotel CM just 10 minutes drive from my home in CM.

An Aussie neighbour had the same application form download problem, consular in Bkk asked for my permission to give my neighbour my mobile no. We've talked and he's just waiting for the announcement of the next CM outreach date.

I'm 82 very soon, my Thai son insists on driving me everywhere and he took me (10 minutes drive) to the Marriott, waited and we then went to Rimping to buy some good steak.

All very simple.

14 minutes ago, scorecard said:

That sounds like the easiest method. But I discovered that it can be quite difficult to download the PP renewal application form

Not arguing. Fact is it's simple process for Oz pp renewal.

Only posting for others with Oz pp.

All this, is off topic

It was a bit tense mailing out that old passport, I agree! I ran copies of each page and made a full scanned copy, and sent it off...I think I had both back in about 2.5 to 3 weeks. As scary as it is, it's a pretty efficient system. Hope you see them both soon. Cheers.

20 minutes ago, free lance said:

As scary as it is, it's a pretty efficient system. Hope you see them both soon.

I disagree. Many countries eg USA, UK, Canada etc require current pp to be sent with application.

That is ridiculous.

For example Oz pp renewal is done online and old pp is kept with applicant

If you’re outside Australia and have a current passport, it will generally be cancelled when you apply to renew it. (Their bold) This means you won’t be able to use it in connection with travel or identification. If you need your current passport to remain valid while you wait for your new passport, please contact your nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

https://www.passports.gov.au/help/applying-outside-australia

2 hours ago, JerryM said:

This means you won’t be able to use it in connection with travel or identification.

That's nonsense.

Just by way of couple of examples.

To attend bank. Check in to a hotel.

etc etc

Use current pp.

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

That's nonsense.

Just by way of couple of examples.

To attend bank. Check in to a hotel.

etc etc

Use current pp.

As per the government of Austalia above, your current passport has been invalidated.

You could do most the above with a copy of your now invalidated passport.

Be grateful you aren't doing it in America. You get to keep your passport there, but even with paying for expedited service it took over 8 weeks to process. Doing it overseas is the far better option even with the minor annoyance of losing your active passport for a bit.

While renewing your passport book you can also order an official passport wallet card for $30

I keep it together with my Thai ID card and insurance card.

I have my wife keep hers with her Thai ID and insurance to make sure the embassy gets notified and they get involved as they would for any American citizen and issue their CRODA report essential for banks etc.. Also handy when visiting back to the US to demonstrate citizenship should she get challenged.

.

On 8/12/2026 at 12:40 PM, BoganBob said:

Doing it overseas is the far better option even with the minor annoyance of losing your active passport for a bit.

Once your application for a new passport is accepted, your current passport is invalidated so you wouldn't have an active passport.

But 2024 mine went smooth in Thailand.

Edited August 16Aug 16 by JerryM

6 hours ago, JerryM said:

Once your application for a new passport is accepted, your current passport is invalidated so you wouldn't have an active passport.

Your posts in the main are paste from Google.

When pp renewal is applied for then for many countries the validity is irrelevant as old pp is mailed with application.

eg USA, UK, Canada etc.

For Oz renewal the pp is not part of application.

It's maintained and can be used for eg checking into hotels, banking etc.

Obviously not for international travel.

The above are posts from the Australia government passport website.

When you use your invalidated passport for ID, you must make sure the hotel or bank does not input your invalidated number.

2 hours ago, JerryM said:

When you use your invalidated passport for ID, you must make sure the hotel or bank does not input your invalidated number.

Is that a joke. Do more research.

Why Foreigners’ Bank Accounts in Thailand May Have Been Suspended

Common Reasons for Account Freezes

Foreigners may have their accounts frozen due to:

Expired or missing visa or passport information

Unusual or suspicious financial transactions

Requests from government agencies (e.g., Immigration, AMLO, Revenue Department)

Failure to update personal information (passport, address, visa status)

https://www.w-lawthai.com/why-foreigners-bank-accounts-in-thailand-may-be-frozen/

Edited August 16Aug 16 by JerryM

If you can pay for more pages do it. I renewed my U.S. passport in 2019, and only have a few pages left. They no longer let you add pages, have to renew if you fill it up.

On 8/11/2026 at 10:03 PM, DrJack54 said:

I disagree. Many countries eg USA, UK, Canada etc require current pp to be sent with application.

That is ridiculous.

For example Oz pp renewal is done online and old pp is kept with applicant

I mean...just my opinion, but a document going around the world and coming back in roughly two weeks is pretty efficient. Otherwise, if a US person renewing their passport were to retain the current, and then receive a new one in the mail, they could essentially hold two passports with "current" validity based on expiration dates that haven't elapsed yet. Would it be less stressful to keep the old and order a new one? Sure...but you can scan it and hold a full copy or two while it's off in the mail, just for good measure. If emergency travel is required, the US embassy supports emergency travel passports. Cheers.

The US has you send in your current passport when renewing overseas because the current one is invalidated as soon as the application for new passport is approved and the US Department of State does not want to deal with the possible repercussions of idiots running around with invalidated US passports.

Edited August 17Aug 17 by JerryM

5 hours ago, free lance said:

I mean...just my opinion, but a document going around the world and coming back in roughly two weeks is pretty efficient.

Most recent report I have read for USA pp renewal was 21 days.

Prior to that up to 6 weeks.

5 hours ago, free lance said:

Otherwise, if a US person renewing their passport were to retain the current, and then receive a new one in the mail, they could essentially hold two passports with "current" validity based on expiration dates that haven't elapsed yet

Doesn't work like that.

Keep in mind any valid visa or eg reentry permit remain valid even when old pp cancelled.

5 hours ago, free lance said:

Sure...but you can scan it and hold a full copy or two while it's off in the mail, just for good measure.

Wont cut it for many things such as attending bank.

5 hours ago, free lance said:

If emergency travel is required, the US embassy supports emergency travel passports

Most embassies provide that

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Most recent report I have read for USA pp renewal was 21 days.

Prior to that up to 6 weeks.

Doesn't work like that.

Keep in mind any valid visa or eg reentry permit remain valid even when old pp cancelled.

Wont cut it for many things such as attending bank.

Most embassies provide that

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Most recent report I have read for USA pp renewal was 21 days.

• Mine took between two and three weeks. Still pretty efficient.

...thanks for the feedback. Cheers.

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Doesn't work like that.

Keep in mind any valid visa or eg reentry permit remain valid even when old pp cancelled.

• But what does "cancelled" mean? I understand...but what I'm getting at is that (outside of Country X and any associated visas), if that passport isn't hole-punched as in one sent it in for renewal/replacement, how does anyone know? I guess what I'm trying to say is, in the more physical sense of having two passports, with neither appearing, on the surface, to be expired...who's to know?

At the end of the day, it's an efficient system. And if one deems it not to be, then why not go ahead and have all of your variables sorted well before its expiration? Cheers.

9 hours ago, free lance said:

I mean...just my opinion, but a document going around the world and coming back in roughly two weeks is pretty efficient. Otherwise, if a US person renewing their passport were to retain the current, and then receive a new one in the mail, they could essentially hold two passports with "current" validity based on expiration dates that haven't elapsed yet. Would it be less stressful to keep the old and order a new one? Sure...but you can scan it and hold a full copy or two while it's off in the mail, just for good measure. If emergency travel is required, the US embassy supports emergency travel passports. Cheers.

To clarify, the passport you send in only goes to the Thai embassy. The new passport does come from the US though, to the embassy. Then the embassy uses the postage that you paid for to send both the new passport and your old one back to you.

11 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

To clarify, the passport you send in only goes to the Thai embassy. The new passport does come from the US though, to the embassy. Then the embassy uses the postage that you paid for to send both the new passport and your old one back to you.

Oh, that's right...thank you for that.

On 8/2/2026 at 6:32 AM, LivingNThailand said:

I renewed my passport last July. The process was quite painless. The hardest part was trying to pay for the prepaid return envelope. The website wouldn't take my Thai debit card as payment so I had to use a credit card.

I don't have a credit card, only a debit card. Does this mean I won't be able to renew my passport?

24 minutes ago, Real Name Hidden said:

I don't have a credit card, only a debit card. Does this mean I won't be able to renew my passport?

Contact your bank and ask to make that card elfigible for online shopping.

That may or may not work.

Or you can sign up for True Money Wallet.

It's been a while but I think that's how I paid.

Worst case scenario might be opening a secured credit card at your Thai bank.

3 hours ago, Real Name Hidden said:

I don't have a credit card, only a debit card. Does this mean I won't be able to renew my passport?

Not really sure. That was my experience. Maybe there is some bank transfer options available? I wouldn’t worry. They will help you 😊