Renewing A Uk Passport At The British Consulate In Bangkok

[karTER]

On the 10th December, armed with all the correct documentation, photos, old passport and fee, we arrived at the British Consulate. It was 10:50 and we noticed that they close for lunch at 11:00. However, once you're in they will see to you. NOTE: Their queue ticket dispenser clock is at least 10 minute fast- by design, I wonder?

The very efficient lady checked through both mine, and my wife's, paperwork and she asked if I had my citizenship certificate with me? I was born in Germany but became a Brit way back in 1971 and fortunately had brought it with me on the off chance. She copied it and also our passports/entry stamps and we were told to come back to collect our new passports on 24th December- wishing my wife a happy birthday in the process.

Wifey was chuffed at the best wishes and I was happy at the timing, as we were going to avoid all the Christmas shut down times in England as we are due to travel on 2nd January, 2010.

On the 22nd December, two days before we are due to collect our passports, I get an email asking me to complete section 2 of the renewal form (essentially my parents' details) but carefully re-checking the supplied notes, it clearly said section 2 was not applicable. I mentioned this by reply and the chap immediately apologised, saying he had made an error and I was correct.

However, it seemed that there would be a delay as the UK had to confirm my nationality and he would chase this up.

Long story short and after much panic on my behalf, on the morning of the 24th, he contacted me again and told me that they hadn't received any notification and so they could not release my passport.

This was not good for me as we had a deadline and I asked him why? I was a British citizen, I was simply renewing my passport as I had done before, without problem, so why, when they had a copy of the document, did they need further verification? He couldn't comment and so I demanded to see him in person. We went along to at least collect my wife's replacement- issued on the 17th December, by the way.

He nervously explained that he had since seen his superiors and that they were all confident I was whom I claimed to be (like what were they expecting?) and that they would indeed issue my passport that afternoon, despite not getting their much needed approval from the UK. I finally ended up getting it on Christmas Eve just before closing time so there is a happy ending, but I do have some questions.

They state that it is first come first served policy there, but I'm not sure. My wife and I handed our application in together, but she had hers a full week before mine was even processed. How is that?

Why would they need approval from the UK if they already had a copy of my citizenship papers?

Further, were they trying to stall me by requesting information that was not applicable? I get the feeling they made a big mistake somewhere along the line and were trying to pass the blame off elsewhere.

I doubt I'll get to the bottom of it as I have what I desperately needed, but it does make you wonder. I suggest you allow plenty of time for renewals and if possible try to avoid public holidays. I had no option as I only had one clean page left and we only had thirty days in Thailand this time.

Tomorrow we're off to Thai Immigration to transfer our entry stamps- I hope it goes more smoothly than visiting the British Consulate...

[mahtin]

If you do a bit of googling you will find a lot of unhappy people posting about the British Embassy in Bangkok.

[astral]

I would have expected your current UK passport to be sufficient proof of your citizenship.

Are they going to be asking me for my birth certificate when I go to renew next time........

For once the Thais have the right idea.

All the documents are scanned on the computer and available for easy access.

[Pib]

Let it go for your own blood pressure purposes. Rack it up to civil servants who were working a little too fast or made minor mistakes, but had good intentions. Copies of important documents like your citizenship document will always be important...seems our digital copy world (i.e., an online copy easily accessable by all government agencies) is still years into the future. Your story still ended with a happy ending. Happy Holidays.

[KarenBravo]

My last eight passports have all been issued from the Brirish Embassy in Bangkok.

Each time quickly and efficiently. No complaints whatsoever.

[nam-thip]

I wouldn’t be surprised if the reason for the delay has something to do with you not being British by birth and how easy documents are obtained down Koa San road and other areas of Thailand.

Check, check, check must be the rule for all embassies in Thailand.

I’ve renewed two passports at the British Embassy in Bangkok and had them returned by post within four days of my application.

Excellent service.

[Phatcharanan]

Seconded

[karTER]

I would expect timely and accurate service for Brits born in the country, as indeed my wife received. And I have no doubt my being born outside of the UK caused most of the problems. However, this post was merely recounting my recent experiences and over all I am pleased and relieved at getting my new passport back, despite some anxious moments.

I accept the possibility of forgery (my citizenship papers) up to a point, but coupled with a current passport that has been well worn and run out of pages a year before expiry? That is a bit too much, particularly as I have renewed previous passports without complication. Anyway, done is done and I now have a new licence to travel for the next ten years.