doctormann Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 I just received an alert from HMG that the honorary consulate in Chiang Mai is closing on 16 May. After that date, anyone needing consular assistance will have to contact the UK Embassy in Bangkok. The contact number is +66 (0) 2305 8333 DM 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brit_Doggie Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Same as it happened here in pattaya so no surprise there you just lucky yours lasted longer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Fairfield Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Change in the way the UK provides assistance to British Nationals in Chiang Mai From 16 May the UK is changing the way that it provides consular assistance to British nationals in Chiang Mai and the surrounding area. From 16 May British nationals who find themselves in need of assistance in Northern Thailand, for example because they have been hospitalised, arrested, or been the victim of crime, should contact the Consular Section of the Embassy in Bangkok +66 (0) 2305 8333. The Embassy in Bangkok will provide consular advice and assistance, working with our Honorary Consul in Chiang Mai as necessary. The office in Chiang Mai will close from 16 May. This change follows on from the centralisation of notarial and documentary services into the Embassy in Bangkok on 2 February. Many of those services can be provided by post, without the need for British nationals to visit the Embassy. The Notarial team in Bangkok provide a same day service by appointment for those transactions that require attendance in person. Information about the range of notarial services we provide and how to make an appointment can be found here. These new arrangements will enable us to reinforce the consular team at the British Embassy in Bangkok to provide a more efficient notarial and documentary service, and consistent, high quality assistance to vulnerable British nationals who need our help when they get into difficulty. The Consul in Bangkok, Michael Hancock has said: This new way of operating in Northern Thailand will make the most efficient use of our resources, and offer an effective service to our most vulnerable customers via our experienced consular team in Bangkok, supported by our Honorary Consul in Chiang Mai. This is consistent with how we support British nationals elsewhere in Thailand. What to do in an emergency British nationals needing assistance should phone the British Embassy in Bangkok on +66 (0)2 305 8333 and follow the instructions to speak to a consular officer who will assist you. If you have an emergency out of working hours you will be directed to our 24 hour emergency line to speak to a member of our consular staff. Source: British Embassy Bangkok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post uptheos Posted April 8, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2015 Well, that settles it then the British national debt has been taken care of..........thanks David, you pretzel. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davehowden Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Don't wish to pry, but what exactly WILL the Consulate in CM be doing for Brits after May 16 then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post uptheos Posted April 8, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2015 Don't wish to pry, but what exactly WILL the Consulate in CM be doing for Brits after May 16 then? Probably answer the phone and tell you to call Bangkok! 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizard2010 Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Same thing happened to the Australian Embassy n Chiang Mai Must be for that people go to a Embassy so that way things done in a controlled office Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suradit69 Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 (edited) Same thing happened to the Australian Embassy n Chiang Mai Must be for that people go to a Embassy so that way things done in a controlled office Embassies are only located in the capital of the country ... in Bangkok. Presumably it was a consulate or honorary consulate. Edited April 8, 2015 by Suradit69 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post alant Posted April 8, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2015 quote "This is consistent with how we support British nationals elsewhere in Thailand." Thank will be piss bugger all then? Piss poor to think of a once proud empire reduced to jack, some may disagree but it is another example to the world that we are in decline to my way of thinking. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post asdecas Posted April 8, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2015 One recalls the days when, telegraphing ahead and arriving by elephant, one could arrange a chotapeg or two followed by dinner with HM Honorary Consul. Now, one is lucky if the ruffian is wearing a shirt. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masuk Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Same thing happened to the Australian Embassy n Chiang Mai Must be for that people go to a Embassy so that way things done in a controlled office Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masuk Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Same thing happened to the Australian Embassy n Chiang Mai Must be for that people go to a Embassy so that way things done in a controlled office I've only been here 3 years, and was unaware that there had been an Australian Embassy in Chiang Mai. As long as there is still an honorary consul here, we might be able to battle on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rayw Posted April 8, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2015 Absolutely disgusting and an abdication of social responsibility to it's citizens by a truly crap British Government. At least us Brits get a vote next month and a good time NOT to vote bloody Tory !!! Support the peoples' sensible centre party Lib Dems for a change as high time we gave them a real chance to Govern to see what they are really made of IMHO, At the very least Labour are the lesser of the two real main party evils as at least they care more about ordinary people. I really feel sorry for all of us Brit expats here living outside the Bangkok catchment area. Once again truly DISGUSTING !!!!!!!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post uptheos Posted April 8, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2015 A government that introduces such a thing as 'the bedroom tax' to save money, will certainly have no problem taking services away from ex pats abroad, who they already shaft with the frozen pension act. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiang mai Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 As for UK Consulate: Downscale and asset sales, nothing more, expats need to look to the financial aspects of running a country. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kingstonkid Posted April 8, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2015 Absolutely disgusting and an abdication of social responsibility to it's citizens by a truly crap British Government. At least us Brits get a vote next month and a good time NOT to vote bloody Tory !!! Support the peoples' sensible centre party Lib Dems for a change as high time we gave them a real chance to Govern to see what they are really made of IMHO, At the very least Labour are the lesser of the two real main party evils as at least they care more about ordinary people. I really feel sorry for all of us Brit expats here living outside the Bangkok catchment area. Once again truly DISGUSTING !!!!!!!! Do you really think a change in party will mean any difference. They need to save money and people that are no longer living in UK take a back seat. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ThaiPauly Posted April 8, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2015 I would not bet against them eventually closing the Embassy in Bangkok and centralising everything in Singapore. That will save these crooks a few more quid to go towards foreign aid! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmsally Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 I wouldn't want to pin it on any particular government. It was Tony Blair (or maybe just into Gordon Brown), that sold the front lawn of the UK Embassy BKK Then years ago another govt sold off the Brit consulate in CM. I wonder if the British Council will be staying at the same address. Maybe it is time for them to move. Earmarked for a boutique hotel perhaps. Although it is rented, so maybe the lease is up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uptheos Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 I wouldn't want to pin it on any particular government. It was Tony Blair (or maybe just into Gordon Brown), that sold the front lawn of the UK Embassy BKK Then years ago another govt sold off the Brit consulate in CM. I wonder if the British Council will be staying at the same address. Maybe it is time for them to move. Earmarked for a boutique hotel perhaps. Although it is rented, so maybe the lease is up. Facilities for ex pats are very low on their list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rinrada Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 This new way of operating in Northern Thailand will make the most efficient use of our resources, and offer an effective service to our most vulnerable customers via our experienced consular team in Bangkok, supported by our Honorary Consul in Chiang Mai Just as a bit of clarification from Michael Hancock.... statement directs that the Office will cease to exist... will close but suggests that our Hon Consul Ben will still be in "office"...maybe working from home (or a local pub...Ben only joking....recon) but what about his wonderful Thai assistant/s..?....not bloody cricket.... Got their numbers.... maybe get on the dog and bone... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post blazes Posted April 8, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2015 Absolutely disgusting and an abdication of social responsibility to it's citizens by a truly crap British Government. At least us Brits get a vote next month and a good time NOT to vote bloody Tory !!! Support the peoples' sensible centre party Lib Dems for a change as high time we gave them a real chance to Govern to see what they are really made of IMHO, At the very least Labour are the lesser of the two real main party evils as at least they care more about ordinary people. I really feel sorry for all of us Brit expats here living outside the Bangkok catchment area. Once again truly DISGUSTING !!!!!!!! For what an expat vote is worth, why not vote UKIP? At least they are opposed to the 55 million Euro per day gift from the British taxpayer to the monster's maw in Brussels.... 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godden Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 No loss, had to go there some years ago to have my signature witnessed, most ignorant people you could wish to meet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkles Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Same thing happened to the Australian Embassy n Chiang Mai Must be for that people go to a Embassy so that way things done in a controlled office I've only been here 3 years, and was unaware that there had been an Australian Embassy in Chiang Mai. As long as there is still an honorary consul here, we might be able to battle on! Never was an Australian Embassy in CM was there ? just Mike Walther who was the honorary consul working out of a landscaping business out of town and he's gone too as I understand it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loaded Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 If the teaching centre is staying open, the overhead to cover additional costs to maintain a consular office is relatively minimal - a couple of Thai staff salaries and a little for electricity. As the teaching centre can't cover its own operating costs without UK government cash, I'd say that's going as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Loaded Posted April 8, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2015 Absolutely disgusting and an abdication of social responsibility to it's citizens by a truly crap British Government. At least us Brits get a vote next month and a good time NOT to vote bloody Tory !!! Support the peoples' sensible centre party Lib Dems for a change as high time we gave them a real chance to Govern to see what they are really made of IMHO, At the very least Labour are the lesser of the two real main party evils as at least they care more about ordinary people. I really feel sorry for all of us Brit expats here living outside the Bangkok catchment area. Once again truly DISGUSTING !!!!!!!! Do you really think a change in party will mean any difference. They need to save money and people that are no longer living in UK take a back seat. They still want me to submit a tax return though despite no longer living there for 16 years. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizard2010 Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Same thing happened to the Australian Embassy n Chiang Mai Must be for that people go to a Embassy so that way things done in a controlled office I've only been here 3 years, and was unaware that there had been an Australian Embassy in Chiang Mai. As long as there is still an honorary consul here, we might be able to battle on! Sorry mate No there was was only a honorary consul They stopped the honorary consul a couple of months ago However the Aust Embassy will come to Chiang Mai 4 times per year You have to pay a fee to get paperwork certified by them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jko Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 This is happening at a time when the British resident and retiree community is expanding every year, and tourism from the UK steadily increases. The logic that the Embassy in Bangkok can provide urgent or adequate help in a personal emergency is flawed. Many British passport holders will unfortunately suffer as a result. In my opinion, this is an irresponsible, short-sighted decision. Will the British Council be next for the chop? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uptheos Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Same thing happened to the Australian Embassy n Chiang Mai Must be for that people go to a Embassy so that way things done in a controlled office I've only been here 3 years, and was unaware that there had been an Australian Embassy in Chiang Mai. As long as there is still an honorary consul here, we might be able to battle on! Sorry mate No there was was only a honorary consul They stopped the honorary consul a couple of months ago However the Aust Embassy will come to Chiang Mai 4 times per year You have to pay a fee to get paperwork certified by them Sounds like a good idea, put a couple of bods in a van and let them tour the provinces. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connda Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Well, us Yanks may moan and complain about how much it costs to get a document notarized or make a visit to the US Consulate, but, it makes the Consulate self-sufficient financially. Which means they stay open. Compared to the time and expense to travel to BKK, I'm really OK with having to shell out the $$$ to make my occasional visit. Plus I know what I'm getting at the CM US Consulate. The service is top-notch. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phuketboy Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 It sounds like Consul offices and Honorary Consul closures are across the country. The other week The Australian Honorary Consul in Phuket finished, someone posted the Australian Consul Office in Chiang Mai closed, another said the UK office in Pattaya closed and now the UK office in Chiang Mai as well. Does anyone know of any others? With everything going on in Thailand to indicate they don't want tourists/expats coming here anymore, is this just another move to make it harder and remove support? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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