This might save someone a trip to Bangkok if they want to apply for a passport or

require a stat dec etc.

The Consular Section of the Australian Embassy in Bangkok will organise a Consular outreach visit to Chiang Mai on Friday 27 February from 08.30 am to 12 noon and from 1.00 pm to

4.00 pm at the following address:

The Rim Resort
51/2 Arrak Road
T. Phrasingh, A. Muang
Chiang Mai 50200
Tel. 053 903999

During this visit, we will provide the following services:
* Passport renewal applications – please ensure you bring all original documents and photocopies with you.
* Notarial services
* Statutory declarations for marriage, retirement visas and driving licence renewals
* Witnessing documents

Fees are payable in cash only. Please contact the Consular section on 02 344 6300 to confirm fees payable.

http://www.thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/consular.html

I suppose they are trying to do the right thing and realise they normally don't give a toss about Australians living outside of Bangkok.

Australian honarary consul here in Chiangmai is a nice guy and does a great job but is very limited and restricted in what he can do.

First time I have heard of a such a visit. Would make more sense and benefit if they did it on a regular basis and advertised the fact. If Australians have registered with the embassy they have our email addresses. All very good if you happen to need their services the one day of this century [??] that they come to Chiangmai.

[statutory declarations for marriage, retirement visas and driving licence renewals] - never really figured out how the embassy was able help us in these matters here in Chiangmai without a trip to Bangkok.

Sounds more like a jolly to Chiangmai at the governments expense. Hope I am wrong!

We can only hope they are actually trying help Australian citizens, although their track record to now is not so promising.

I suppose they are trying to do the right thing and realise they normally don't give a toss about Australians living outside of Bangkok.

Australian honarary consul here in Chiangmai is a nice guy and does a great job but is very limited and restricted in what he can do.

First time I have heard of a such a visit. Would make more sense and benefit if they did it on a regular basis and advertised the fact. If Australians have registered with the embassy they have our email addresses. All very good if you happen to need their services the one day of this century [??] that they come to Chiangmai.

[statutory declarations for marriage, retirement visas and driving licence renewals] - never really figured out how the embassy was able help us in these matters here in Chiangmai without a trip to Bangkok.

Sounds more like a jolly to Chiangmai at the governments expense. Hope I am wrong!

We can only hope they are actually trying help Australian citizens, although their track record to now is not so promising.

I know of 2 people here in Chiang Rai who will be saved a trip to Bangkok to renwe their passports in CM.

In all dealings I've had with the Oz embassy, they've been pretty good.

The Embassy have been to Chiang Mai Last year

I think they try to come up 1 or 2 times a year

They think they are helping people who can not come down to Bangkok

Just looking to see as if they are doing something

But not really supporting so many in Chiang Mai

Interesting and welcome but if it wasn't posted here on TV how would Oz citizens know of the visit ?

Wouldn't it make more sense to give the current honorary consul more power and re imburse him for his efforts.

I see where the Aussies have their "Smart Traveller" registration

https://www.orao.dfat.gov.au/orao/weborao.nsf/fQuestion?OpenForm

It looks to be very similar to the STEP program of that we Americans have. When we sign up for STEP registration, we receive email updates about events like consular visits to our part of the world. I suspect that Aussies who had registered their presence in Chiang Mai via Smart Traveller received an email of the upcoming Consular visit.

I see where the Aussies have their "Smart Traveller" registration

https://www.orao.dfat.gov.au/orao/weborao.nsf/fQuestion?OpenForm

It looks to be very similar to the STEP program of that we Americans have. When we sign up for STEP registration, we receive email updates about events like consular visits to our part of the world. I suspect that Aussies who had registered their presence in Chiang Mai via Smart Traveller received an email of the upcoming Consular visit.

Nancy this is geared more to the traveller. When you receive your new passport there is quite a lengthy explanation inserted in booklet form, of advice and do's and don't when you are travelling overseas.

Its fairly typical of our Governments to cut back on services.The Australian visa facilities were outsourced to a Thai company years ago,quite some distance from our consulate which occupies a huge lump of expensive real estate on Sathorn Rd in Bangkok. Going to it you wont find many people actually working there.

There's also been recently a huge increase in fees should an Australian citizen wish to take his Thai wife to live in Australia on a semi permanent basis.The way of the world unfortuantly.