Travelling with a damaged passport vs ETD?

[arnold40844]

Hi there, I was hoping to get a few opinions on a current pickle I have found myself in.

1. British Citizen residing in Thailand
2. Trip booked to Malaysia in 3 weeks for the F1
3. Passport got wet last week

As mentioned above I have flights booked to Kuala Lumphur in about 3 weeks for the F1, I am currently using the extension of a non-o based on visiting my son to stay in Thailand. This was extended in CW last week, the passport was damaged at the time, she made reference to it getting wet and suggested that I replaced it as soon as possible. This did not stop her from adding the 60 day stamp though.

The plan was to get a re-entry permit and fly out to Malaysia at the end of the month, flying back a few days later. Given that my passport is damaged I am seriously concerned about using it to fly. the damage is very light, all the visas are visible and there is no clear damage other than the pages are a little wavy.

My question are as follows;

1. If I go down the ETC route, can I get my current visa added to it with the extension adding a re-entry permit, or am I going to be sent back to the UK in Malaysia?
2. Has anyone recently been to Malaysia and experienced an issue with a tatty passport? i know Cost Rica is very strict..
3. My Visa will be up in a little over 6 weeks, its cutting it to tight to apply now. Will I be okay staying here on Emergency document or will I need to cross a border with an ETD?

I am getting married in 4 weeks and really did not need the hassle of not having a passport for 2 months, it will likely disrupt a lot of plans. As the damage to the passport is very light, I am tempted to just risk it, get to the F1, get married, get a non-o multi and then change it.

Any input or opinions on this would be greatly appreciated. Bearing in mind I am aware of all the risks here, i am aware that if I risk it I may be deported from Malaysia to the UK.

[arnold40844]

I am actually seriously considering flying back to the UK for 2 days to get a new passport. this may be the best option.

[RandomSand]

Pages just a little wavy?

Try ironing the pages on a low heat setting.

[Mario2008]

A little bit wavy pages should not be a real problem if all information and stamps are clearly readable. But a damaged passport is always up to the immigration officer, and airline.

You can have everything transferred to the ETD and get a re-entry permit on that. If it is a valid multiple non-O visa, the visa itself will not be transferred. Extension can also be given on the ETD, but not past the validity date of the ETD.

[ubonjoe]

It does not sound like your passport is all that bad a condition.

As long as the photo page is legible and your stamps are also legible you should not have a problem.

You could get an ETD and get the stamps transferred to it at immigration and use it for your trip to Malaysia if you wanted to. It does not require you to return to the UK,

The most recent reports for getting a UK passport are that it is now only taking 2 or 3 weeks to get them.

[inbangkok]

How bad is the condition? Can you post a pic? A little water should not render a passport unusable unless pages are unreadable due to the ink running.

[arnold40844]

Genious!! I like your lateral thinking. I will try and use a slighty damp tea towel and an extremely flat surface and see how I go.

Pages just a little wavy?

Try ironing the pages on a low heat setting.

[arnold40844]

Its a massive improvement! In hindsight I probably should not have used starch though ...

I think i will try my luck with it..