24 minutes ago, Pasak110 said:

you all know each other in Oz, there's millions of us on the tiny island and afield....

Did mine in '24, not difficult at all, just get on with it....

You are so missing the point.

The process can be done completely online + post in many countries other than AU.

UK requires a visit to VSF by applicant (or agent)

Difficult for those not located in Bangkok.

UK passport renewal is ridiculous process.

Having recently renewed my sons British passport, it isn't difficult, but does require trips to VFS Bkk.

Interesting that the renewal of the British passport is approx B7000 and the Australian passport is approx B14500. Wonder why such huge difference in cost?

21 minutes ago, Bredbury Blue said:

Having recently renewed my sons British passport, it isn't difficult, but does require trips to VFS Bkk.

Spare a thought for those that live in Timbuktu or have mobility issues.

Yes yes an agent can act on your behalf.

Still doesn't make it less ridiculous.

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Spare a thought for those that live in Timbuktu or have mobility issues.

Yes yes an agent can act on your behalf.

Still doesn't make it less ridiculous.

I do consider those that dont live in Bkk, as I also don't live in Bkk.

22 minutes ago, Bredbury Blue said:

I do consider those that dont live in Bkk, as I also don't live in Bkk.

Don't think you are.

From the OP.....

"I would do it myself, as I have done in the past, but my health is failing now and I don't travel well. Two trips to Bangkok from Pattaya would be quite unpleasant for me and i want to avoid this if possible."

Clearly for some an agent would have to be used.

56 minutes ago, Bredbury Blue said:

Having recently renewed my sons British passport, it isn't difficult, but does require trips to VFS Bkk.

Interesting that the renewal of the British passport is approx B7000 and the Australian passport is approx B14500. Wonder why such huge difference in cost?

If you're applying from overseas, they add on approx a 4500THB surcharge.

The price of an Aussie passport is a disgrace.

Edited yesterday at 03:58 AM1 day by Will27

4 hours ago, Olmate said:

My agent did mine last week on renewing pport, renewing extension, transfer stamps etc.... same fee, no extra baht.,

Passport of which country?

Presumably the agent would need to arrange the new passport before processing the extension?

12 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

That question would take us well off topic.

But..... while we are complaining (quite rightly) about having to visit VfS (or use an agent) why the second visit? They have evidence of address and if DHL was good enough in the old days, from Hong Kong, why not now?

The reason (excuse) would be the requirement to physically cancel the passport which they only trust VFS to do, not the holder. Quite why they couldn't do this on application is unclear, that would at least reduce the "in person" attendance to 1 trip.

11 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

The reason (excuse) would be the requirement to physically cancel the passport which they only trust VFS to do, not the holder. Quite why they couldn't do this on application is unclear, that would at least reduce the "in person" attendance to 1 trip.

A good point because they say that the passport is not valid for travel once the application is submitted.

Even if they didn't cut the corner they could insert a stamp "New passport application submitted".

Anybody remember if the old passport was sent to Hong Kong when renewals were processed through there?

14 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

The reason (excuse) would be the requirement to physically cancel the passport which they only trust VFS to do, not the holder. Quite why they couldn't do this on application is unclear, that would at least reduce the "in person" attendance to 1 trip.

Canceling the expiring or full passport at VFS at the time of application for a new one would mean the holder/applicant would be breaking Thai immigration law where a foreigner must hold a valid passport to enter and remain in the country. Cutting off the corner of the biometrics page renders the passport cancelled and invalid.

However, there has been at least a couple of posts in the past year where, after delays in processing, some UK passport renewal applicants were required to send their "old" passport, via VFS, to the UKPO before the new passport was issued. The old, cancelled passport was returned to VFS along with the new one. Since that's a breach of Thai immigration laws per the first paragraph, I'm not sure how this contradictory procedure was allowed, but I didn't read about anyone being arrested.

6 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Canceling the expiring or full passport at VFS at the time of application for a new one would mean the holder/applicant would be breaking Thai immigration law where a foreigner must hold a valid passport to enter and remain in the country. Cutting off the corner of the biometrics page renders the passport cancelled and invalid.

However, there has been at least a couple of posts in the past year where, after delays in processing, some UK passport renewal applicants were required to send their "old" passport, via VFS, to the UKPO before the new passport was issued. The old, cancelled passport was returned to VFS along with the new one. Since that's a breach of Thai immigration laws per the first paragraph, I'm not sure how this contradictory procedure was allowed, but I didn't read about anyone being arrested.

In the same way that people who applied online, pretending to be in the UK, have not been arrested - they do run a number of risks though; Immigration rules as above plus false declaration to HMPO.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Don't think you are.

From the OP.....

"I would do it myself, as I have done in the past, but my health is failing now and I don't travel well. Two trips to Bangkok from Pattaya would be quite unpleasant for me and i want to avoid this if possible."

Clearly for some an agent would have to be used.

I know I am, AS I ALSO DON'T LIVE IN BKK.

3 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

Passport of which country?

Presumably the agent would need to arrange the new passport before processing the extension?

I renewed it, they did ext. and trnsf stamps all in one hit.

3 hours ago, Olmate said:

I renewed it, they did ext. and trnsf stamps all in one hit.

For clarity here, you renewed your Australian passport personally, and then used an agent "they" for the extension stamps transfer.

9 hours ago, Will27 said:

If you're applying from overseas, they add on approx a 4500THB surcharge.

The price of an Aussie passport is a disgrace.

But, when you factor in agents' costs in the case of us Brits, do the overall costs of British and Aussie passports to end users really differ that significantly from each other?

Edited yesterday at 01:36 PM1 day by OJAS

4 minutes ago, OJAS said:

But, when you factor in agents' costs in the case of us Brits, I don't think that the overall costs of British and Aussie passports to end users differ significantly from each other.

Bit off topic but:

Oz pp is not only renewal that can be done via Online application + mail.

One significant difference is that Oz application does not require current pp to be mailed.

UK is operating an antiquated renewal process.

Imagine in current technology UK requires VSF rubbish.

In any event OP lives in Pattaya and can use agent TVS posted earlier.

He needs this due to health.

He is not alone

1 hour ago, OJAS said:

But, when you factor in agents' costs in the case of us Brits, do the overall costs of British and Aussie passports to end users really differ that significantly from each other?

I'm not really concerned about the UK passport TBH.

14 500 Baht for a passport is criminal.

12 minutes ago, Will27 said:

I'm not really concerned about the UK passport TBH.

In itself bit ridiculous post.

The OP has ill health and due to ridiculous UK procedure for pp renewal will most likely use an agent.

In the main due to antiquated UK pp renewal requirements.

The Oz process was only thrown up as online is possible.

Not just AU.

Cost irrelevant

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

In itself bit ridiculous post.

The OP has ill health and due to ridiculous UK procedure for pl renewal will most likely use an agent.

In the main due to antiquated UK pp renewal requirements.

The Oz process was only thrown up as online is possible.

Not just AU.

Cost irrelevant

Maybe irrelevant to the original post.

But I was answering a question on why the price of the Oz passport is so much more expensive.

24 minutes ago, Will27 said:

But I was answering a question on why the price of the Oz passport is so much more expensive.

Was not an answer. Was a comment.

"Criminal"

Oz pp cost is irrelevant.

OP while living not far from Bangkok will still require use of agent due to circumstances.

Now that deserves the word "criminal'"

At very least primitive

12 hours ago, NanLaew said:

For clarity here, you renewed your Australian passport personally, and then used an agent "they" for the extension stamps transfer.

And the new yearly extension that fell due on exact same date, 90 days also. I thought a re entry was pushing it so will do in a month or so.

I hope the OP confirms which agent he selected, the cost involved, the delivery time frame and overall quality of service.

Good luck.

22 hours ago, Will27 said:

If you're applying from overseas, they add on approx a 4500THB surcharge.

The price of an Aussie passport is a disgrace.

So you don't think that being forced to (1) make 2 trips in person in connection with your passport renewal application (or shell out a small fortune for an agent to make these trips on your behalf), (2) provide colour copies of your existing passport in its entirety (including unused pages and front and back covers), and (3) submit evidence of your Thai address in Western script for zero useful purpose whatsoever (the UK powers-that-be steadfastly refuse to use it for getting your new passport to you) is in any way a disgrace (or criminal), then. Really??

Edited 14 hours ago14 hr by OJAS

Just now, OJAS said:

So you don't think that being forced to (1) make 2 trips in person in connection with your passport renewal application (or shell out a small fortune for an agent to make these trips on your behalf), (2) provide colour copies of your existing passport in its entirety (including unused pages and front and back covers), and (3) submit evidence of your Thai address in Western script for zero useful purpose whatsoever (the powers-that-be steadfastly refuse to use it for getting your new passport to you) is in any way a disgrace, then. Really?

I'm not sure what you don't understand about me not being concerned about getting a UK passport.

I was answering a question on why the Australian passport is so expensive.

14 minutes ago, Will27 said:

I'm not sure what you don't understand about me not being concerned about getting a UK passport.

I was answering a question on why the Australian passport is so expensive.

As far as I am concerned, the fact that you Aussies can renew your passports from Thailand online but we Brits cannot, trumps everything, including the cost.

2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

I hope the OP confirms which agent he selected, the cost involved, the delivery time frame and overall quality of service.

Good luck.

You will have to wait a while as I'm not going to renew until January. Just getting some info in advance at the moment. Anyway, it seems that it isn't going to be a problem if I use the right agent. Thai Visa Express seems like a good option. For annual extensions I have been using Khaotalo Visa as they are conveniently located nearby. However, Thanita, who has given me excellent service in the past, tells me that I would need a UK person to countersign the application - and maybe the photo. This might be difficult, hence my original post.

2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

I hope the OP confirms which agent he selected, the cost involved, the delivery time frame and overall quality of service.

Good luck.

To suggest that the whole process isn't difficult for those who don't live within a stone's throw of the VFS offices in Bangkok or Chiang Mai (as I don't either) is IMHO utterly preposterous.

On 9/15/2026 at 10:29 AM, Bredbury Blue said:

I do consider those that dont live in Bkk, as I also don't live in Bkk.

10 minutes ago, doctormann said:

You will have to wait a while as I'm not going to renew until January. Just getting some info in advance at the moment. Anyway, it seems that it isn't going to be a problem if I use the right agent. Thai Visa Express seems like a good option. For annual extensions I have been using Khaotalo Visa as they are conveniently located nearby. However, Thanita, who has given me excellent service in the past, tells me that I would need a UK person to countersign the application - and maybe the photo. This might be difficult, hence my original post.

So Khaotalo Visa are the clueless idiots that we Brits should avoid like the plague at passport renewal time then!

While there is almost certainly no need for new photos to be countersigned in your case, one important consideration which you will need to bear in mind in this connection is that they must be in full compliance with HMPO's over-fussy (IMHO) requirements, particularly as regards the acceptable background colour. Given Thaivisa Express's claim that they "can help" with passport photos, I would be most interested to learn what form this assistance takes. In particular, do they offer a photographic service themselves to those who deal with them in person (as distinct from by mail)?

1 hour ago, OJAS said:

So Khaotalo Visa are the clueless idiots that we Brits should avoid like the plague at passport renewal time then!

While there is almost certainly no need for new photos to be countersigned in your case, one important consideration which you will need to bear in mind in this connection is that they must be in full compliance with HMPO's over-fussy (IMHO) requirements, particularly as regards the acceptable background colour. Given Thaivisa Express's claim that they "can help" with passport photos, I would be most interested to learn what form this assistance takes. In particular, do they offer a photographic service themselves to those who deal with them in person (as distinct from by mail)?

I can only say that Khaotalo Visa have been absolutely excellent when it comes to extensions and I will continue to use them for that purpose. I have never used their passport service so i will ask Thanita if she is sure about the counter signature requirement. Maybe a simple misunderstanding. They are certainly not 'clueless idiots' - that's a bit harsh, coming from someone who has never used them!

On 9/13/2026 at 9:28 PM, DrJack54 said:

Off topic: why can't UK provide complete online pp renewal as per AU and others.

Ridiculous UK process

Yes, that's a very fair observation. HMPO and the Brit embassy see Thailand as a risky place to send passports through the post because of the high incidence of passport theft and fraud.

So, what do us old codgers do, especially those of us who live out in the sticks? We send our passports to agents. THROUGH THE POST!

And BTW @doctormann I also used Thai Visa Express earlier this year from Sakon Nakhon. Excellent service and no countersigning was necessary.

Edited 11 hours ago11 hr by Moonlover