On my return visit to UK this summer I will obtain my new UK passport by personal same day visit to Peterborough Passport Office. Normally they cancel the old passport at the same time, but my Thai Visa will be in the old/ cancelled passport.

Heres the rub. I have been advised that Thai Immigration will only transfer the visa from old to new passport if there is a letter from British Embassy asking them to do so, and that letter can only be obtained by me reporting in person to the British Embassy Bangkok taking along both old and new passports.

Is this correct? As I live in Chiang Mai this would require me to fly down to Bangkok to get this letter, at fairly significant cost, flights, hotel etc etc.

Can anyone out there advise from recent experience? Thanks a lot !!

I did it without the infamous letter.

I guess it depends on what office you deal with.

BTW. Immigration do not move Visas.

Only Immigration Stamps

You can apply by mail, with copies of new passport ID page. E-mail the embassy, another member did it this way.

Immigration does not transfer visas. If you have a valid visa you have to use both passports until the visa expires.

Immigration will only transfer extension of stay stamps they have done.

Not sure but you should be able to get the letter from the UK consulate in Chiang Mai.

If not you can email copies of your passport to embassy and the will EMS the letter to you. You should check with the embassy for more info.

Apart from the embassy letter are there any immigration form(s) required to complete and submit as I am in the same boat. Cheers.

Form here: http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/pdf/transferstamp.pdf

Some offices may not accept it because they have their own form.

You will also need copies of both passports and TM6 departure card.

Form here: http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/pdf/transferstamp.pdf

Some offices may not accept it because they have their own form.

You will also need copies of both passports and TM6 departure card.

Thanks very much ubonjoe.

Form here: http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/pdf/transferstamp.pdf

Some offices may not accept it because they have their own form.

You will also need copies of both passports and TM6 departure card.

Is this form good for all immigration offices, or, only Bangkok?

It depends upon the office you use, They accepted it at the one up here when I had my stamps transferred.