Uk Passport Renewal For Thailand Resident - Where Best To Do?

[Johnnn]

I have done some research on the options, but would welcome feedback from members who have been in a similar situation.

I have an Extension of Stay and Reentry Permit for Thailand, valid until December 2011, but as the UK passport itself expires next March, it is only useful as a travel document (6 months validity) until September 2011.

As I am currently on my first visit to the UK since receiving my extension, my first thought was to renew the passport while I am here. According to the application form notes, as a non-UK resident I cannot apply the easy way by post, but it is possible to apply in person. My worry about this course is that when I return to Thailand, I will be checking in at the airport and presenting a blank new passport, with my (long-expired) non-O visa and still-valid Extension and Reentry Permit in my expired passport. I understand from a post by lopburi3 that in general this sort of situation should be OK (and Thai Immigration should let me in) but I am not totally confident that the check-in staff won't see it as a problem (no return ticket or visa...) I would welcome posts by members who have or have not had any problem, and with which airline.

The alternative course is to return to Thailand with my Extension of Stay and Reentry Permit still in my current passport, then apply to Hong Kong for the renewal. If I have understood the requirements correctly, this does not seem to be very difficult, at least for a credit card holder, requiring sending off by DHL (1) application form C1 (2) credit card payment form (3) photocopy of passport ID (photo) page and (4) 2 passport photos less than a month old - no countersignatory being required. My worries about following this course is that there would not be any checking of the application or photos before it arrives in Hong Kong, it may take several weeks, I may have to collect the passport from a DHL office somewhere (I am in Chainat, not Bangkok), or it may get lost entirely.

Thanks in advance for responses by members who have followed either course in a similar situation.

[CharlieH]

Should be NO problem, keep your old and new passports together, present them when entering Thailand, then go and get the relevant stamps etc transferred into your NEW passport when you are in Thailand.

[lopburi3]

As said it should not be a problem but could be. I have had issue just using re-entry permit in valid passport with EVA not knowing it was a valid entry visa - had to go up two levels in there food chain before approved to board aircraft. Being in an expired passport might add to the problems so I would take care of getting the new passport here - it is done every day and no reports of any being lost that I have read (although always allow plenty of time).

[skydiver77]

I reckon it would certainly be safer to apply for new passport after you return.

Get the required forms from the embassy or download.

Be aware Hong Kong are very strict on photos. Make sure you get the form detailing the requirements. They must be spot on, or will be refused.

If your appearance has not changed much, they will not need to be countersigned.

DHL will provide you with two tracking numbers to log on. For up to HK receiving, and after HK posting.

My new passport was delivered to my door, 10 days after application.

[Johnnn]

Thanks for the responses so far. The issue with renewing the passport in UK should indeed not be at Thai Immigration, since as mentioned they should only tell me to have the stamps transferred at the local immigration office. I would still be interested to hear of members' experiences checking in with an Extension of Stay and Reentry Permit, whether in a current or an expired passport, especially flying from London Heathrow. I have tried so far emailing BA and Thai Airways but so far without success.

It is reassuring to know that applying to Hong Kong from Thailand seems reliable and can take only ten days. I am thinking this may be the best course, the point about photo stringency being noted.