Important Notice for British Nationals

[Rooo]

Please find attached press release re changes to notary services on Phuket and Samui from 01 November 13. This has been timed to appear in newspapers from tomorrow (Sat 19^th). Recipients of this email are welcome to publish online from 1600hrs today.

I had expected some “notes to editors” to accompany the above but they have not yet arrived. Having studied the detail the only points that spring to mind from a Samui perspective re ‘pension letters’ are:

- Applicants should apply 4-6 weeks before their current permission to stay in the Kingdom expires, &

- Payment by bankers draft/cashiers cheque <the preferred method @ Samui Notary clinics> is still possible providing applicants add THB 200 admin fee plus THB 100 return EMS fee to the value of the cheque, payable to “The British Embassy”. Full details can be found on the ‘fee’ page via the link in the attached document.

With Regards,

___________________________________________________

Dave Covey | British Honorary Consul | Koh Samui | Thailand |

___________________________________________________

I have posted the contents below.

[churchill]

view does not work..

see http://www.samuitimes.com/important-notice-british-nationals/

Edited October 19, 2013 by churchill

[yorkie100]

Agreed, cannot open the links.

More importantly however, unless I am totally misreading the documents there seems to be a conflict of information.

In the 'important notice for British Nationals' it states: Approximately 70% of all requests for notarial and documentary services provided by our Honorary Consuls in Phuket and Koh Samui are for pension letters required by the Thai authorities. We do not require individuals to attend in person for this service, their application may be submitted by post.

Yet in the Notarial and documentary services guide for Thailand it states:

For our notarial services you will need to attend the embassy in person with your passport/identification and a proof of address eg utility bills, mail showing your name and local address, a house registration, etc. Please note that consular fees can change without prior notice. We provide the following services and documents

• legalisation of signature and seal
• letter confirming pension/income for Thai Immigration
• witness of declaration of existence
• affidavits / affirmations / declarations / marking of exhibits
• witness of signature
• certify photocopies of original UK document
• affirmation of freedom to marry in Thailand

[yorkie100]

Agreed, cannot open the links.

More importantly however, unless I am totally misreading the documents there seems to be a conflict of information.

In the 'important notice for British Nationals' it states: Approximately 70% of all requests for notarial and documentary services provided by our Honorary Consuls in Phuket and Koh Samui are for pension letters required by the Thai authorities. We do not require individuals to attend in person for this service, their application may be submitted by post.

Yet in the Notarial and documentary services guide for Thailand it states:

For our notarial services you will need to attend the embassy in person with your passport/identification and a proof of address eg utility bills, mail showing your name and local address, a house registration, etc. Please note that consular fees can change without prior notice. We provide the following services and documents

• legalisation of signature and seal
• letter confirming pension/income for Thai Immigration
• witness of declaration of existence
• affidavits / affirmations / declarations / marking of exhibits
• witness of signature
• certify photocopies of original UK document
• affirmation of freedom to marry in Thailand

Just received clarification of the above:

Pension letters are available by post as stated in the appropriate sub paragraph on the embassy website.

Appearances by person are required for just about everything else.

[Rooo]

Important Notice for British Nationals

With effect from 1 November 2013 all notarial and documentary services, e.g. pension letters, affirmations, certification of documents, previously provided by the Honorary Consuls in Phuket and Koh Samui will be transferred to the British Embassy in Bangkok in line with a global update of Consular policy.

Information on how to apply for your specific notarial or documentary need can be found atwww.gov.uk/notarial-and-documentary-services-guide-for-Thailand or by phoning 02 305 8333.

The British Embassy in Bangkok provides a same day service, for applications that require attendance in person, however, this is dependent on the submitted application being correctly completed. Please ensure that you provide all the necessary documentation for the service you require, there will be delays if your application is incomplete, and that you submit your application in good time.

Editors note – Applicants should apply 4-6 weeks before their current permission to stay in the Kingdom expires, & Payment by bankers draft/cashier’s cheque <the preferred method @ Samui Notary clinics> is still possible providing applicants add THB 200 admin fee plus THB 100 return EMS fee to the value of the cheque, payable to “The British Embassy”. Full details can be found on the ‘fee’ page via the link in the attached document.

Q&A

1. I understand that the FO has decided that all notarial services will be provided only at full consuls, and no longer by honorary consuls. Is this the case?

This change is not in relation to who carries out these services , but where. As part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) consular strategy 2013-2016 which was launched in April 2013, documentary and notarial services worldwide are being rationalised to provide a more modern and streamlined service. In many countries we will centralise notarial and documentary services in a single post per country. We are also working to introduce on line credit card payments and bookable appointments.

2. So this would mean these services are available only in Bangkok and Chiang Mai?

Yes, from 1 November, notarial and documentary services will be provided by the British Embassy in Bangkok and the British Consulate General in Chiang Mai.

3. When will this happen?

Our Honorary Consuls in Phuket and Koh Samui will cease to undertake notarial and documentary services on 1 November 2013.

4. Will any other services currently provided by Hon Cons be whisked away to BKK?

No

5. Will the embassy consider “clinics” to places like Phuket to provide notarial services? (Iif there is no clinic you risk having hundreds of angry Brits grumbling about cost and loss of working time necessitated by journey to Bkk.)

At the moment we do not think this will be necessary but we will keep this under review.

Approximately 70% of all requests for notarial and documentary services provided by our Honorary Consuls in Phuket and Koh Samui are for pension letters required by the Thai authorities. We do not require individuals to attend in person for this service, their application may be submitted by post. Details can be found at www.gov.uk/notarial-and-documentary-services-guide-for-thailand

6. I see a list of services on the website. (https://www.gov.uk/notarial-and-documentary-services-guide-for-thailand) Is that accurate and up to date?

Yes, we are constantly updating the information on the website to ensure that it is accurate and up to date. Anyone wishing to use our services should ensure that they have the most up to date information before submitting an application.

7. Has the FO offered any explanation as to why this has to happen? Any apology for the inconvenience it will cause?

These changes are part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s 2013-2016 Consular Strategy, which was launched by the British Foreign Secretary in April 2013. As the strategy makes clear, Consular Excellence is about high-quality, modern, cost-effective and efficient support to British nationals overseas. The changes will help make better use of our scarce resources and modernise the way we deliver these services. This will allow us to concentrate on front-line consular work, providing more support to our most vulnerable customers including, for example, minors, the elderly, people with mental health problems, and victims of serious crime abroad.