Which, if all goes well, should be ready for collection next week on Thursday, 24th December.

I am aware that we then have to visit the new Immigration Offices to transfer our "30 day on arrival" stamp to the new passport but how much time does one have to arrange this? Should we head straight down there on the same day, or can we leave it for a day or two- bearing in mind it is Christmas?

I am aware that the Thais don't celebrate Christmas, so does that mean they will be open for business on the 25th (Friday) and it is not a public holiday?

I have read elsewhere that one has to provide the following copies:

- The photo page of both passports

- Your visa*, entry card and stamp from your old passport

- Your previous visa* stamps (if any) in/out of Thailand

Where it refers to visa* here, do they mean the "30 day on arrival" stamp (of which we have several over the last couple of years) or just our 60 day, single entry tourist visa, of which we just have two.

Finally, the only reason I had to renew my passport is that it is completely full but it still has a year or so to run before expiry. Is it correct that they will add on any outstanding time to my new one. Again, I have heard somewhere that if there is any extra time they will add this to the 10 year expiry date; up to a maximum of nine months. Can anyone confirm this?

Appreciate any assistance as always.

The transfer doesn't take long and is free. How long it will take will depend on the how long the line for that section is. No problem if you wait a few days. I even waited almost a month last time, with no questions asked.

Christmas is not a public holiday in Thailand, government is functioning as usual that day.

With visa, they mean the visa and entry stamps etc, not just the tourist visa.

Hua Hin require 2 copies of EVERY page of old passport, TM card and new passport photo page. Charge 500 Baht

There is no charge in Bangkok - what did your receipt say?

Bangkok wants data page/arrival visa/stamp and departure card from old passport and data page from new. There is no requirement to copy every page (at least in May of this year).

As for UK passport believe they were providing up to 6 or 9 months extra validity for early renewal but did see a post that had ended with a new price schedule about a year ago so not sure if they still do or not.

I got an extra 9 months for early renewal a few months back.

Validity from 15-7-2009 to 15-4-2020.

Should have said we're in Bangkok at the start, but thanks to everyone for the advice.