Changes To British Passport Services In Thailand

[Jip99]

No backlog of passport applications/renewals?

Here is a report from the Guardian newspaper.

White boxes from UK, orange boxes from overseas.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/10/passport-office-photographs-row-delays

What shocks me about the pictures in the article is that the overwhelming majority of the backed up applications are from overseas. Surely there must be many times more local applications than overseas; there should be more white boxes than orange. It certainly looks as if expat applications are being given a lower priority than non-expat ones.

If Liverpool is the only UKPA office where ALL applications and renewals from overseas are directed, then it stands to reason that there would be many more overseas applications than local ones, no?

In the article in the Daily Telegraph about the same subject, it states, "James Brokenshire, a junior Home Office minister said the number of applications is at its highest for 12 years."

So we have a junior flunky at the Home Office and an interim boss at the UKPA both either in total denial or suspiciously caught in another big lie. I seriously wonder if Theresa May appoints such gormless buggers so that she can fire them or announce reforms and 'action' and make herself look more executive than she really is. She has already managed to get a fellow cabinet minister that was openly critical of the Home Office's (and particularly of one of the Home Secretary's own advisers) attitude to security to apologize to the PM. This was in light of the plot to Islamicise secular state schools in Birmingham that seems to have been completely missed by the HO.

Has she got pictures of somebody or what?

You may wish to call him a junior flunky but apart from being MP for Bexley he is actually the Minister for Immigration.

His head may well be on the chopping block. B'stard doesn't reply to my emails either.

[digitalchromakey]

No backlog of passport applications/renewals?

Here is a report from the Guardian newspaper.

White boxes from UK, orange boxes from overseas.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/10/passport-office-photographs-row-delays

What shocks me about the pictures in the article is that the overwhelming majority of the backed up applications are from overseas. Surely there must be many times more local applications than overseas; there should be more white boxes than orange. It certainly looks as if expat applications are being given a lower priority than non-expat ones.

If Liverpool is the only UKPA office where ALL applications and renewals from overseas are directed, then it stands to reason that there would be many more overseas applications than local ones, no?

In the article in the Daily Telegraph about the same subject, it states, "James Brokenshire, a junior Home Office minister said the number of applications is at its highest for 12 years."

So we have a junior flunky at the Home Office and an interim boss at the UKPA both either in total denial or suspiciously caught in another big lie. I seriously wonder if Theresa May appoints such gormless buggers so that she can fire them or announce reforms and 'action' and make herself look more executive than she really is. She has already managed to get a fellow cabinet minister that was openly critical of the Home Office's (and particularly of one of the Home Secretary's own advisers) attitude to security to apologize to the PM. This was in light of the plot to Islamicise secular state schools in Birmingham that seems to have been completely missed by the HO.

Has she got pictures of somebody or what?

It's not only Liverpool, Durham seems to deal with the Middle East and Africa and there are probably other HMPOs involved as well - it makes sense to either spread the load, or to have only one specialist centre.

Maybe it's a co-incidence that the photos leaked to the Guardian showed the masses of (90%+) orange storage boxes (for overseas applications) 'laid to one side' in a conference room, maybe there are other rooms with mostly white boxes (domestic applications).

However, it does make sense at a coarse and brutal political level to fast track those with 'electoral power' by setting aside those with little to no political power, or influence, i.e. we expats, many of whom don't vote, pay taxes or even visit the UK that often.

Cynics would also point out that, in purely military terms, where there is going to be inevitable 'collateral damage', this must be reduced as much as is practicable, whilst however assuring an associated minimum of 'blue on blue'.

Edited June 11, 2014 by digitalchromakey

[digitalchromakey]

Felling a little nervous after the last couple of days press reports, I resolved to phone the HMPO UK Helpline and to try and get some info on progress.

Answered quickly - total length of call 11 mins on Skype.

For myself, with revision in Thai Extension Regulations last year, my Extension of Permission to stay expires on the same day as my passport, at the end of July.

So no risky border runs with a potentially cancelled passport or further extensions are possible in my case.

End of July it's lose my WP, board up my business, then get an ETD and become a visa runner until the new passport arrives, then start jumping hoops again.

So for me, I really hope the delays don't get longer than 10 weeks.

Got an application Reference Number 9 digits - plus one letter.

Me being me, I asked a few pertinent questions and got some straight answers, happened by luck to get a member of the application tracing team.

HMPO Application Steps:

1) Application Receipt in UK.

2) Process Payment - delay from this point to issue is 6-8 weeks 'currently'

3) Awaiting Examination - (assume that at this point your papers hop into an orange box somewhere)

4) Examination - check forms, photos, are all correct, check security, etc.

5) Passed for Issue - goes to the printers, you get your passport 7-10 days after this.

My application is at stage 3) - awaiting examination.

For reference, overseas applications are currently dealt with by HMPO offices at Liverpool, Durham, Peterborough, Belfast, Glasgow and Newport.

[Huayrat]

Did anyone get a reference number after submitting there application at Trendy, All I got was a photocopy of the 'document receipt' and a passport collection details.

I just rang +44 300 222 000 as was told I need a reference number for my son's application!?

He was able to look at my renewal application by just giving my date of birth! and I was told on the current address part I put my permanent address down in the UK, instead of my hotel address in Thailand (working in Thailand for 8 months and staying in several hotels during that time) and this was also a problem with the application.

I asked him if he could change it, but said he could not and I would have to wait until the officer looked at the application and he would email me.

Application date was on 21.05, arrived in the UK on 27.05. Charged my credit card on the 27.05 as well BUT they still haven't even looked at my applications!

Yes it happened to be aswell.. I called them as I was concerned how long it was taking and they asked for my application number.. I told them that I dint have or was not given one and that I only had a receipt..

Sorry sir we cannot help you without an application number.. They where told to F off and I slammed the phone down.. They obviously do not have a clue what they are doing

[digitalchromakey]

Did anyone get a reference number after submitting there application at Trendy, All I got was a photocopy of the 'document receipt' and a passport collection details.

I just rang +44 300 222 000 as was told I need a reference number for my son's application!?

He was able to look at my renewal application by just giving my date of birth! and I was told on the current address part I put my permanent address down in the UK, instead of my hotel address in Thailand (working in Thailand for 8 months and staying in several hotels during that time) and this was also a problem with the application.

I asked him if he could change it, but said he could not and I would have to wait until the officer looked at the application and he would email me.

Application date was on 21.05, arrived in the UK on 27.05. Charged my credit card on the 27.05 as well BUT they still haven't even looked at my applications!

Yes it happened to be as well.. I called them as I was concerned how long it was taking and they asked for my application number.. I told them that I dint have or was not given one and that I only had a receipt..

Sorry sir we cannot help you without an application number.. They where told to F off and I slammed the phone down.. They obviously do not have a clue what they are doing

So it looks like the UK Helpline service can be a bit random as well.

Trendy definitely do not issue any reference numbers on application, the photocopied form hand filled item they give you on application has no numbering at all.

When I called HMPO yesterday they wanted my first name, plus surname and DOB.

I was also asked for an application number but explained that for Thai applications no such number is issued.

HMPO were then more than happy to give me an Application Reference number for future calls (of which I am pretty sure there will be a few) - 9 digits followed by one alphabetic character.

[Tigerfish99]

The S*** has hit the fan at last over this scandalous neglect of a simple public service that is the right of every British Citizen.

However HMPO is still attempting to reduce the number of applications in transit by lengthening the delay for obtaining an appointment to submit your application and the communication coming out of Trendy is still ridiculous.

We are still awaiting an answer to an email application sent on 30th May and resent on 4th June.

Simple Maths:

HMPO issues 5,5 million passports a year, that is about 25,000 per day.

The prime Minister is clearly lying or is severely misinformed when he says the backlog is only 30,000 in total. The average number of applications daily is 25,000! And the seasonal rush is probably increasing this number by anything up to 50%!

Delaying applications for just a week will push back 125,000 applications plus seasonal effect.
As overseas applications have been taking 10 weeks instead of 6, and extra 4 weeks to process, i would estimate the current jam is of 500,000 to 750,000 passports in backlog, plus another 125-250,000 applications being micro-managed and being delayed through lengthening the lead time for an appointment.

There is an article in the daily Telegraph today that explains the awful problems that expats are facing right now

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10893479/Passport-backlog-British-diplomats-warned-of-crisis-at-high-level-meeting.html

Passport backlog: British diplomats warned of crisis at high-level meeting

Exclusive: Leaked letter reveals head of the Passport Office was confronted about delays while Home Office orders immediate reversal of relaxation on security checks

What an awful mess! And it is far from over!

This is going to be a major political crisis! Heads will roll at the highest level!

[churchill]

Not sure if this has been mentioned ..

I applied for my daughter's passport in April before the new regulations and fee reduction , which included return of the passport to my home address in Samui ..

I have just been informed that the passport is ready for collection in Bangkok .

I suggested that they should at least refund the difference in fees charged to compensate but no ….

[daiwill60]

Breaking News on BBC this morning

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-27789916

Edited June 12, 2014 by daiwill60

[daiwill60]

Did anyone get a reference number after submitting there application at Trendy, All I got was a photocopy of the 'document receipt' and a passport collection details.

I just rang +44 300 222 000 as was told I need a reference number for my son's application!?

He was able to look at my renewal application by just giving my date of birth! and I was told on the current address part I put my permanent address down in the UK, instead of my hotel address in Thailand (working in Thailand for 8 months and staying in several hotels during that time) and this was also a problem with the application.

I asked him if he could change it, but said he could not and I would have to wait until the officer looked at the application and he would email me.

Application date was on 21.05, arrived in the UK on 27.05. Charged my credit card on the 27.05 as well BUT they still haven't even looked at my applications!

Yes it happened to be as well.. I called them as I was concerned how long it was taking and they asked for my application number.. I told them that I dint have or was not given one and that I only had a receipt..

Sorry sir we cannot help you without an application number.. They where told to F off and I slammed the phone down.. They obviously do not have a clue what they are doing

So it looks like the UK Helpline service can be a bit random as well.

Trendy definitely do not issue any reference numbers on application, the photocopied form hand filled item they give you on application has no numbering at all.

When I called HMPO yesterday they wanted my first name, plus surname and DOB.

I was also asked for an application number but explained that for Thai applications no such number is issued.

HMPO were then more than happy to give me an Application Reference number for future calls (of which I am pretty sure there will be a few) - 9 digits followed by one alphabetic character.

Yes i received the same treatment from HMPO when i called them. At the end of the day the staff there were actually helpful in as much as they could be and, easily gave me the info I needed. except being able to tell me when i would receive my passport. Thye gave me a process tracking number to use when i would contact them in future, which meant nothing once the item was in the hands of being delivered by DHL. Apparently they can only give a DHL tracking number 10 days after a 10 day period ????

[digitalchromakey]

The S*** has hit the fan at last over this scandalous neglect of a simple public service that is the right of every British Citizen.

However HMPO is still attempting to reduce the number of applications in transit by lengthening the delay for obtaining an appointment to submit your application and the communication coming out of Trendy is still ridiculous.

We are still awaiting an answer to an email application sent on 30th May and resent on 4th June.

Simple Maths:

HMPO issues 5,5 million passports a year, that is about 25,000 per day.

The prime Minister is clearly lying or is severely misinformed when he says the backlog is only 30,000 in total. The average number of applications daily is 25,000! And the seasonal rush is probably increasing this number by anything up to 50%!

Delaying applications for just a week will push back 125,000 applications plus seasonal effect.

As overseas applications have been taking 10 weeks instead of 6, and extra 4 weeks to process, i would estimate the current jam is of 500,000 to 750,000 passports in backlog, plus another 125-250,000 applications being micro-managed and being delayed through lengthening the lead time for an appointment.

There is an article in the daily Telegraph today that explains the awful problems that expats are facing right now

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10893479/Passport-backlog-British-diplomats-warned-of-crisis-at-high-level-meeting.html

Passport backlog: British diplomats warned of crisis at high-level meeting

Exclusive: Leaked letter reveals head of the Passport Office was confronted about delays while Home Office orders immediate reversal of relaxation on security checks

What an awful mess! And it is far from over!

This is going to be a major political crisis! Heads will roll at the highest level!

Yes, it's a god awful mess........

However, on this thread there have been at least two reports of Trendy offering application appointments within 24 hours of email sending, both within the last week.

But both appointments that came back were 2 weeks in the future.

So I strongly recommend that you send an appointment email again a.s.a.p.. keep it super simple, just 3x dates and times.

Good luck.

Edited June 12, 2014 by digitalchromakey

[digitalchromakey]

Not sure if this has been mentioned ..

I applied for my daughter's passport in April before the new regulations and fee reduction , which included return of the passport to my home address in Samui ..

I have just been informed that the passport is ready for collection in Bangkok .

I suggested that they should at least refund the difference in fees charged to compensate but no ….

Same has been reported by others - new passport applied for prior to 26th march, returned to Trendy BKK, no refund.

New passport application system started in Thailand on 26th March, so if you sent yours to the UK in April, you were really lucky not to get bounced.

[Tigerfish99]

The S*** has hit the fan at last over this scandalous neglect of a simple public service that is the right of every British Citizen.

However HMPO is still attempting to reduce the number of applications in transit by lengthening the delay for obtaining an appointment to submit your application and the communication coming out of Trendy is still ridiculous.

We are still awaiting an answer to an email application sent on 30th May and resent on 4th June.

Simple Maths:

HMPO issues 5,5 million passports a year, that is about 25,000 per day.

The prime Minister is clearly lying or is severely misinformed when he says the backlog is only 30,000 in total. The average number of applications daily is 25,000! And the seasonal rush is probably increasing this number by anything up to 50%!

Delaying applications for just a week will push back 125,000 applications plus seasonal effect.

As overseas applications have been taking 10 weeks instead of 6, and extra 4 weeks to process, i would estimate the current jam is of 500,000 to 750,000 passports in backlog, plus another 125-250,000 applications being micro-managed and being delayed through lengthening the lead time for an appointment.

There is an article in the daily Telegraph today that explains the awful problems that expats are facing right now

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10893479/Passport-backlog-British-diplomats-warned-of-crisis-at-high-level-meeting.html

Passport backlog: British diplomats warned of crisis at high-level meeting

Exclusive: Leaked letter reveals head of the Passport Office was confronted about delays while Home Office orders immediate reversal of relaxation on security checks

What an awful mess! And it is far from over!

This is going to be a major political crisis! Heads will roll at the highest level!

Yes, it's a god awful mess........

However, on this thread there have been at least two reports of Trendy offering application appointments within 24 hours of email sending, both within the last week.

But both appointments that came back were 2 weeks in the future.

So I strongly recommend that you send an appointment email again a.s.a.p.. keep it super simple, just 3x dates and times.

Good luck.

Thanks for the advice, we will just fly in from CNX and turn up. It's going to be noisy and probably rude also!

[soap]

It is now official that common sense as prevailed,even to those on this thread who would hide their heads in the sand

And show no compassion to their fellow British citizens who are less fortunate than themselves.

Would once again like to thank the ardent common sense whingers who have campaigned throughout this thread

To change what can only be described as bungling in bulk.

Thank god i am not disabled,but i was so appalled at what was expected of the elderly and disabled British citizens

Who lived in the north or south of Thailand and who needed to renew their passport

I have just received this follow up email from HMPO Newport doing a complete about turn on this stupid rule giving

a British citizen NO OPTION but to possibly undertake a 4,000 kilometre journey to renew their passport

N

[email protected]

to me

17 hours agoDetails

Good Morning Mr M

Thank you for your email of 14 May 2014 about the procedure for elderly or Disabled British Citizens residing in Thailand who have been advised by a doctor that travelling to renew a British Passport would be detrimental to their health.

If a person is unable to apply in person, someone else may go on their behalf. A third party can also go to collect the passport however, they will have to provide evidence of who they are (some form of ID) and provide a letter from the applicant giving permission for the named person to collect the new passport on their behalf.

When the local office contacts the applicant to confirm the new passport is ready to collect, they will need to advise the office that someone else is collecting it and the local office will confirm details of how to do this.

We trust this clarifies the matter.

regards

Carol-Anne Peacock

Customer Contact Support Officer

Swyddog Cymorth Cyswllt Cwsmeriaid

Operations

Gweithrediadau

Her Majesty's Passport Office

Nexus House l Mission Court l Newport l NP20 2DW

Swyddfa Basbort Ei Mawrhydi

Tŷ Nexus l Mission Court l Casnewydd l NP20 2DW

T:+44 (0)1633 473125

[email protected]

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[Tigerfish99]

It is now official that common sense as prevailed,even to those on this thread who would hide their heads in the sand

And show no compassion to their fellow British citizens who are less fortunate than themselves.

Would once again like to thank the ardent common sense whingers who have campaigned throughout this thread

To change what can only be described as bungling in bulk.

Thank god i am not disabled,but i was so appalled at what was expected of the elderly and disabled British citizens

Who lived in the north or south of Thailand and who needed to renew their passport

I have just received this follow up email from HMPO Newport doing a complete about turn on this stupid rule giving

a British citizen NO OPTION but to possibly undertake a 4,000 kilometre journey to renew their passport

N

[email protected]

to me

17 hours agoDetails

Good Morning Mr M

Thank you for your email of 14 May 2014 about the procedure for elderly or Disabled British Citizens residing in Thailand who have been advised by a doctor that travelling to renew a British Passport would be detrimental to their health.

If a person is unable to apply in person, someone else may go on their behalf. A third party can also go to collect the passport however, they will have to provide evidence of who they are (some form of ID) and provide a letter from the applicant giving permission for the named person to collect the new passport on their behalf.

When the local office contacts the applicant to confirm the new passport is ready to collect, they will need to advise the office that someone else is collecting it and the local office will confirm details of how to do this.

We trust this clarifies the matter.

regards

Carol-Anne Peacock

Customer Contact Support Officer

Swyddog Cymorth Cyswllt Cwsmeriaid

Operations

Gweithrediadau

Her Majesty's Passport Office

Nexus House l Mission Court l Newport l NP20 2DW

Swyddfa Basbort Ei Mawrhydi

Tŷ Nexus l Mission Court l Casnewydd l NP20 2DW

T:+44 (0)1633 473125

[email protected]

**********************************************************************

This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and

intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they

are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify

the system manager.

This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept for the presence of computer viruses.

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The original of this email was scanned for viruses by the Government Secure Intranet virus scanning service supplied by Vodafone in partnership with Symantec. (CCTM Certificate Number 2009/09/0052.) This email has been certified virus free.

Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or recorded for legal purposes.

I am glad you got an answer from HMPO complaints office.

However, for this to function with TRENDY (HMPO's Thailand contracted UK passport application reviewer and forwarder) you would need a contact phone number, and staff to be able to communicate in the ENGLISH language. None of these available right now. As amazing as it may seem!

Cloud Cuckoo Land!

[rbkk]

It is now official that common sense as prevailed,even to those on this thread who would hide their heads in the sand

And show no compassion to their fellow British citizens who are less fortunate than themselves.

Would once again like to thank the ardent common sense whingers who have campaigned throughout this thread

To change what can only be described as bungling in bulk.

Thank god i am not disabled,but i was so appalled at what was expected of the elderly and disabled British citizens

Who lived in the north or south of Thailand and who needed to renew their passport

I have just received this follow up email from HMPO Newport doing a complete about turn on this stupid rule giving

a British citizen NO OPTION but to possibly undertake a 4,000 kilometre journey to renew their passport

N

[email protected]

to me

17 hours agoDetails

Good Morning Mr M

Thank you for your email of 14 May 2014 about the procedure for elderly or Disabled British Citizens residing in Thailand who have been advised by a doctor that travelling to renew a British Passport would be detrimental to their health.

If a person is unable to apply in person, someone else may go on their behalf. A third party can also go to collect the passport however, they will have to provide evidence of who they are (some form of ID) and provide a letter from the applicant giving permission for the named person to collect the new passport on their behalf.

When the local office contacts the applicant to confirm the new passport is ready to collect, they will need to advise the office that someone else is collecting it and the local office will confirm details of how to do this.

We trust this clarifies the matter.

regards

Carol-Anne Peacock

Customer Contact Support Officer

Swyddog Cymorth Cyswllt Cwsmeriaid

Operations

Gweithrediadau

Her Majesty's Passport Office

Nexus House l Mission Court l Newport l NP20 2DW

Swyddfa Basbort Ei Mawrhydi

Tŷ Nexus l Mission Court l Casnewydd l NP20 2DW

T:+44 (0)1633 473125

[email protected]

**********************************************************************

This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and

intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they

are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify

the system manager.

This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept for the presence of computer viruses.

**********************************************************************

The original of this email was scanned for viruses by the Government Secure Intranet virus scanning service supplied by Vodafone in partnership with Symantec. (CCTM Certificate Number 2009/09/0052.) This email has been certified virus free.

Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or recorded for legal purposes.

Is this a change in policy only for the elderly / disabled or does it include those who are some distance from Trendy? Previously I believe this option was only available as a written request at the time of application. Have the goal post shifted slightly again?

[digitalchromakey]

It is now official that common sense as prevailed,even to those on this thread who would hide their heads in the sand

And show no compassion to their fellow British citizens who are less fortunate than themselves.

Would once again like to thank the ardent common sense whingers who have campaigned throughout this thread

To change what can only be described as bungling in bulk.

Thank god i am not disabled,but i was so appalled at what was expected of the elderly and disabled British citizens

Who lived in the north or south of Thailand and who needed to renew their passport

I have just received this follow up email from HMPO Newport doing a complete about turn on this stupid rule giving

a British citizen NO OPTION but to possibly undertake a 4,000 kilometre journey to renew their passport

N

[email protected]

to me

17 hours agoDetails

Good Morning Mr M

Thank you for your email of 14 May 2014 about the procedure for elderly or Disabled British Citizens residing in Thailand who have been advised by a doctor that travelling to renew a British Passport would be detrimental to their health.

If a person is unable to apply in person, someone else may go on their behalf. A third party can also go to collect the passport however, they will have to provide evidence of who they are (some form of ID) and provide a letter from the applicant giving permission for the named person to collect the new passport on their behalf.

When the local office contacts the applicant to confirm the new passport is ready to collect, they will need to advise the office that someone else is collecting it and the local office will confirm details of how to do this.

We trust this clarifies the matter.

regards

Carol-Anne Peacock

Customer Contact Support Officer

Swyddog Cymorth Cyswllt Cwsmeriaid

Operations

Gweithrediadau

Her Majesty's Passport Office

Nexus House l Mission Court l Newport l NP20 2DW

Swyddfa Basbort Ei Mawrhydi

Tŷ Nexus l Mission Court l Casnewydd l NP20 2DW

T:+44 (0)1633 473125

[email protected]

**********************************************************************

This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and

intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they

are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify

the system manager.

This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept for the presence of computer viruses.

**********************************************************************

The original of this email was scanned for viruses by the Government Secure Intranet virus scanning service supplied by Vodafone in partnership with Symantec. (CCTM Certificate Number 2009/09/0052.) This email has been certified virus free.

Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or recorded for legal purposes.

Confirmation of some good news, another ray of light through the smoke of battle.

HMPO are now officially stating that third party application/collections are now possible for passport applicants living in Thailand, with written authorisation, this backs up what is now up on the HMPO web site.

Third Party Application Procedure - Thailand:

1) Third party makes appointment with Trendy.

2) Takes own photo ID, letter of authorization from applicant, applicant's papers, including completed payment form, photos, confirmation of address document - not yet clear if applicant's passport needs to go with third party for application.

3) Third party is contacted when passport is ready for collection in BKK - not yet certain if applicant's passport needs to go with third party for collection.

If, as what Trendy have written in recent emails is true, then the actual passport also no longer needs to go with the application.

So if true, then why can the application process/payment, as an option, not be done 100% On-line, with any copies/confirmation papers being posted directly to the UK?

[digitalchromakey]

It is now official that common sense as prevailed,even to those on this thread who would hide their heads in the sand

And show no compassion to their fellow British citizens who are less fortunate than themselves.

Would once again like to thank the ardent common sense whingers who have campaigned throughout this thread

To change what can only be described as bungling in bulk.

Thank god i am not disabled,but i was so appalled at what was expected of the elderly and disabled British citizens

Who lived in the north or south of Thailand and who needed to renew their passport

I have just received this follow up email from HMPO Newport doing a complete about turn on this stupid rule giving

a British citizen NO OPTION but to possibly undertake a 4,000 kilometre journey to renew their passport

N

[email protected]

to me

17 hours agoDetails

Good Morning Mr M

Thank you for your email of 14 May 2014 about the procedure for elderly or Disabled British Citizens residing in Thailand who have been advised by a doctor that travelling to renew a British Passport would be detrimental to their health.

If a person is unable to apply in person, someone else may go on their behalf. A third party can also go to collect the passport however, they will have to provide evidence of who they are (some form of ID) and provide a letter from the applicant giving permission for the named person to collect the new passport on their behalf.

When the local office contacts the applicant to confirm the new passport is ready to collect, they will need to advise the office that someone else is collecting it and the local office will confirm details of how to do this.

We trust this clarifies the matter.

regards

Carol-Anne Peacock

Customer Contact Support Officer

Swyddog Cymorth Cyswllt Cwsmeriaid

Operations

Gweithrediadau

Her Majesty's Passport Office

Nexus House l Mission Court l Newport l NP20 2DW

Swyddfa Basbort Ei Mawrhydi

Tŷ Nexus l Mission Court l Casnewydd l NP20 2DW

T:+44 (0)1633 473125

[email protected]

**********************************************************************

This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and

intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they

are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify

the system manager.

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I am glad you got an answer from HMPO complaints office.

However, for this to function with TRENDY (HMPO's Thailand contracted UK passport application reviewer and forwarder) you would need a contact phone number, and staff to be able to communicate in the ENGLISH language. None of these available right now. As amazing as it may seem!

Cloud Cuckoo Land!

Trendy only take your papers, count them as it were, look for writing, then forward them to HMPO.

Trendy are obviously not contracted by HMPO to offer application advice or assistance, hence no website or BKK Helpline.

There is no process of checking or review of the passport application/supporting papers at all in BKK, this is only done by HMPO in the UK at the payment, then examination stages.

[Jip99]

It is now official that common sense as prevailed,even to those on this thread who would hide their heads in the sand

And show no compassion to their fellow British citizens who are less fortunate than themselves.

Would once again like to thank the ardent common sense whingers who have campaigned throughout this thread

To change what can only be described as bungling in bulk.

Thank god i am not disabled,but i was so appalled at what was expected of the elderly and disabled British citizens

Who lived in the north or south of Thailand and who needed to renew their passport

I have just received this follow up email from HMPO Newport doing a complete about turn on this stupid rule giving

a British citizen NO OPTION but to possibly undertake a 4,000 kilometre journey to renew their passport

N

[email protected]

to me

17 hours agoDetails

Good Morning Mr M

Thank you for your email of 14 May 2014 about the procedure for elderly or Disabled British Citizens residing in Thailand who have been advised by a doctor that travelling to renew a British Passport would be detrimental to their health.

If a person is unable to apply in person, someone else may go on their behalf. A third party can also go to collect the passport however, they will have to provide evidence of who they are (some form of ID) and provide a letter from the applicant giving permission for the named person to collect the new passport on their behalf.

When the local office contacts the applicant to confirm the new passport is ready to collect, they will need to advise the office that someone else is collecting it and the local office will confirm details of how to do this.

We trust this clarifies the matter.

regards

Carol-Anne Peacock

Customer Contact Support Officer

Swyddog Cymorth Cyswllt Cwsmeriaid

Operations

Gweithrediadau

Her Majesty's Passport Office

Nexus House l Mission Court l Newport l NP20 2DW

Swyddfa Basbort Ei Mawrhydi

Tŷ Nexus l Mission Court l Casnewydd l NP20 2DW

T:+44 (0)1633 473125

[email protected]

**********************************************************************

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intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they

are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify

the system manager.

This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept for the presence of computer viruses.

**********************************************************************

The original of this email was scanned for viruses by the Government Secure Intranet virus scanning service supplied by Vodafone in partnership with Symantec. (CCTM Certificate Number 2009/09/0052.) This email has been certified virus free.

Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or recorded for legal purposes.

Confirmation of some good news, another ray of light through the smoke of battle.

HMPO are now officially stating that third party application/collections are now possible for passport applicants living in Thailand, with written authorisation, this backs up what is now up on the HMPO web site.

Third Party Application Procedure - Thailand:

1) Third party makes appointment with Trendy.

2) Takes own photo ID, letter of authorization from applicant, applicant's papers, including completed payment form, photos, confirmation of address document - not yet clear if applicant's passport needs to go with third party for application.

3) Third party is contacted when passport is ready for collection in BKK - not yet certain if applicant's passport needs to go with third party for collection.

If, as what Trendy have written in recent emails is true, then the actual passport also no longer needs to go with the application.

So if true, then why can the application process/payment, as an option, not be done 100% On-line, with any copies/confirmation papers being posted directly to the UK?

Passport cannot go with 3rd party applicant or the holder will be in breach of HMPO's assertion that you must retain possession at all times.

Similarly at collection. When I went they were not interested in seeing my old passport.

[evadgib]

Passport backlog: Ministers block relaxation of checks

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-27806441

I foresee heads rolling shortly...

The next step for Thailand based applicants would be to insist upon being able to apply from home, inc a skype interview if there are any concerns.

Edited June 12, 2014 by evadgib

[parryhandy]

reading that bbc article it looks like there were going to be more practical over many things including the stupid address proof rule until labour shadow home secretary started playing politics. grrrr

"Now we find out staff have been told to scale back vital security checks," <deleted> c*** !!what vital checks . the only people we need to be afraid of is our own bloody governments.

[watso63]

Not sure if this has been mentioned ..

I applied for my daughter's passport in April before the new regulations and fee reduction , which included return of the passport to my home address in Samui ..

I have just been informed that the passport is ready for collection in Bangkok .

I suggested that they should at least refund the difference in fees charged to compensate but no ….

No, no, no Churchill. You aren't the only one same happened to me. I applied in February, but had to drive from Surin to collect mine in May and stayed in a hotel overnight (well actually turned it into a Pattayapissup) costing me 12,000Thb. No refund. I needed the release after waiting in the house for weeks on end just in case DHL turned up with my passport. Which of course they never did and various emails and phone calls were pointless as all I ever got was the standard "your application is currently being considered" load of horlicks!

Sent from my GT-N5100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Edited June 12, 2014 by watso63

[watso63]

reading that bbc article it looks like there were going to be more practical over many things including the stupid address proof rule until labour shadow home secretary started playing politics. grrrr

"Now we find out staff have been told to scale back vital security checks," c*** !!what vital checks . the only people we need to be afraid of is our own bloody governments.

The countersignatory load of tosh should be kicked into the weeds. All of the listed professions have representatives and members of said professions doing time at Her Maj's pleasure...eg, weren't the two dudes that tried blowing up Glasgow Airport a couple of fine upstanding doctors??? Just a fellow British passport holder that can vouch you are who you say you are should be good enough...surely! Edited June 12, 2014 by watso63

[Dah fahrang]

an "eight pager" to Passport Office Staff - Overseas Policy and Procedures Changes, from The Guardian, today.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/interactive/2014/jun/11/passport-office-briefing-document

On a separate point, daughter got an e-mail from VFS in Bangkok yesterday. Grandson's renewal UK passport is now awaiting collection.

Applied on 28 April. Notified on 11 June. Will collect on Monday 16 June. We live in Ratchaburi, so the trip to Bangkok isn't too bad for us. Seven weeks in total.

Bad, but better than the real horror stories - worldwide - now appearing on a daily basis in the UK media.

[NanLaew]

.....

For reference, overseas applications are currently dealt with by HMPO offices at Liverpool, Durham, Peterborough, Belfast, Glasgow and Newport.

Good grief! That's just about all the UK pasport offices isn't it?

That means that an overseas applicants passport could be just about anywhere... in an orange box... waiting... and the passport people spuriously responding to emails and phone calls from Newport would probably have no bloody idea which orange box in which office either.

I am beginning to doubt if they can get ever catch up so that my planned $128 walk-in, 4-hour renewal in Glasgow in December can happen.

[sandyf]

Passport backlog: Ministers block relaxation of checks

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-27806441

I foresee heads rolling shortly...

The next step for Thailand based applicants would be to insist upon being able to apply from home, inc a skype interview if there are any concerns.

That has been denied on Sky news this morning.

It has just been confirmed that Theresa May is to address the backlog problem in the house at 10.30 local time this morning.

The leak on security checks is certainly to be brought up. I have just seen both DC & NC say the passport office will be working round the clock to clear the backlog.

[rajyindee]

After having been told by HMPO yesterday that my application was withdrawn on 24 May, I have just received an email from Trendy saying my passport is now available for collection from Bangkok. You couldn't make it up.

[rbkk]

After having been told by HMPO yesterday that my application was withdrawn on 24 May, I have just received an email from Trendy saying my passport is now available for collection from Bangkok. You couldn't make it up.

So, the next step will be....Is it what I ordered? Or is it the wrong size? These qu's are now playing in my head, after reading about an unfortunate poster here who got the wrong size passport delivered. Now, let's see if I can get BBC parliament here in Thailand.....

[sandyf]

Just watching it on the news. At 6.30 this morning there was a hundred yard queue outside the London passport office.

[sandyf]

It is now official that common sense as prevailed,even to those on this thread who would hide their heads in the sand

And show no compassion to their fellow British citizens who are less fortunate than themselves.

Would once again like to thank the ardent common sense whingers who have campaigned throughout this thread

To change what can only be described as bungling in bulk.

Thank god i am not disabled,but i was so appalled at what was expected of the elderly and disabled British citizens

Who lived in the north or south of Thailand and who needed to renew their passport

I have just received this follow up email from HMPO Newport doing a complete about turn on this stupid rule giving

a British citizen NO OPTION but to possibly undertake a 4,000 kilometre journey to renew their passport

N

[email protected]

to me

17 hours agoDetails

Good Morning Mr M

Thank you for your email of 14 May 2014 about the procedure for elderly or Disabled British Citizens residing in Thailand who have been advised by a doctor that travelling to renew a British Passport would be detrimental to their health.

If a person is unable to apply in person, someone else may go on their behalf. A third party can also go to collect the passport however, they will have to provide evidence of who they are (some form of ID) and provide a letter from the applicant giving permission for the named person to collect the new passport on their behalf.

When the local office contacts the applicant to confirm the new passport is ready to collect, they will need to advise the office that someone else is collecting it and the local office will confirm details of how to do this.

We trust this clarifies the matter.

regards

Carol-Anne Peacock

Customer Contact Support Officer

Swyddog Cymorth Cyswllt Cwsmeriaid

Operations

Gweithrediadau

Her Majesty's Passport Office

Nexus House l Mission Court l Newport l NP20 2DW

Swyddfa Basbort Ei Mawrhydi

Tŷ Nexus l Mission Court l Casnewydd l NP20 2DW

T:+44 (0)1633 473125

[email protected]

**********************************************************************

This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and

intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they

are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify

the system manager.

This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept for the presence of computer viruses.

**********************************************************************

The original of this email was scanned for viruses by the Government Secure Intranet virus scanning service supplied by Vodafone in partnership with Symantec. (CCTM Certificate Number 2009/09/0052.) This email has been certified virus free.

Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or recorded for legal purposes.

I am glad you got an answer from HMPO complaints office.

However, for this to function with TRENDY (HMPO's Thailand contracted UK passport application reviewer and forwarder) you would need a contact phone number, and staff to be able to communicate in the ENGLISH language. None of these available right now. As amazing as it may seem!

Cloud Cuckoo Land!

Trendy only take your papers, count them as it were, look for writing, then forward them to HMPO.

Trendy are obviously not contracted by HMPO to offer application advice or assistance, hence no website or BKK Helpline.

There is no process of checking or review of the passport application/supporting papers at all in BKK, this is only done by HMPO in the UK at the payment, then examination stages.

I can only assume that a detailed comparison of the passport against the copies does not count as checking.

[rbkk]

Free 12 month extension when renewing your passport just announced. Doesn't help me because my passport is full. I didn't catch all the details but ETD's free I think as well. I hope that applies to me. As of 21st June I become on overstay...