Thai Passport Due To Expire

[rabcbroon]

My wifes Thai passport will expire in a few weeks. Does anyone know what documents etc. are required for renewal? And is it better to renew before it expires? And will they extend her current passport for another 5 years as opposed to issuing new passport?

Thanks

[Moonrakers]

Nevermind.

[rabcbroon]

Nevermind.

What??????????

[rocketmanbkk]

Are you in the Uk or where r u?

If u r, easy, got to the Thai embassy (get there early as it gets blooming busy) and then just apply.

They will keep it and send to you about a week laetr with an extension for 5 years.

Look on their website and email them for details, they are good but get there early!!!

[Maizefarmer]

rabcboon

I think what Moonrakers was getting at is that all this info is on the Thai MFA website ...... it's all there buddy (see details for MFA web-site below), but to answer your question .......

Get an E passport - and nope, these are not extended/extendable - a new one will be issued for another 5years.

This at least is the case as far as the E-passports go.

E-passport - whats that? These are the new style (well, newish by Thailands standards at least) passports that follow the ISO agreements (international standards organisation) i.e. contain bio-metric type data, have a bar-code for card reading machines for "swiping" through card readers anywhere in the world (that uses card readers), and a whole bunch of other security & id type data that the old style "DIY" type passports didn't have.

My wife had her Thai passport replaced in August - she had an old style DIY type and when she took it down to the passport office (Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Chang Wattana Rd) she was encouraged to get an E type passport, and was told (??) now is the passport type required if applying for a visa to go to the States, an makes visa application for some other countries (e.g. certain EU countries) a lot easier.

Doc's required?

She should take her Thai ID card, and if she has moved to a new address or her marrige status has changed since the last passport was issued, she should take her house reg doc's, and evidence of divorce or marrige (or both if both have taken place since the last passport was issued!) with as well.

... and that should be it.

How long to replace?

Next day it'll be ready for her (if everything is in order)

For full details regards docs required an any other info regards Thai passport issuance/replacement, check out the Ministry of Foreign Affairs web-site on:

http://www.mfa.go.th/web/11.php

I'll also message the above web-site/link address to your private message box just in case it the link is MOD'ED by the Gestapo - although I see no reason why it should be.

[dddave]

It's not clear if you are currently in Thailand or elsewhere.

There is a Thai passport office in CENTRAL-BANG NA shopping mall in the parking garage on the 5th floor, easy to spot as it is outlined in blue lights. They accept applications from 9am to 3pm. She will need her old passport, her Thai ID card and sometimes, the "Tabien Ban" or "House Paper", the document that functions as a birth certificate. They usually don't require this if her ID is one of the new ones. A new passport takes about a week.

Cost of a new passport is about B1200, I don't know about a renewal. No need to bring photos, they take them there.

Easy to get to. From On Nut BTS, take a taxi (about B70) or the #48 or #132 air con bus.

[bkkmick]

Nevermind

heh. Moonrakers went off to Bedlam for a rant. Hope he's feeling better now.

[Moonrakers]