Passport renewal at the British Embassy in Bangkok

[Terrypom]

How difficult is it to renew a passport at the British Embassy in Bangkok. Thanks for any help.

[nzexpat]

Very difficult because the Embassy no longer renews passport !

https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

[i claudius]

It used to be easy when they did it ,now its a pain in the butt ,going back to the UK soon so i will make an appointment at the local office and get it done the same day ,

[personchester]

Very difficult because the Embassy no longer renews passport !

https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

For those Brits living around Bangkok or not far from Bangkok have no problem in renewing their passport now via the "Trendy "office as opposed to the British Embassy as was done in the past.

Those chaps that live far from Bangkok that is to say both North and South of Thailand have problems, because they have to travel twice to Bangkok, that takes many hours and the travel it is expensive that is a messy matter for those passport applicants.

The British Consulate offices in the various regions should again be able as in the past to take the passport application and sent the procedure to Bangkok to the HMPO set at the V.A.C. Trendy office.

[MJKT2014]

The web site says to get a passport application in at Trendy we need an appointment, and to get an appointment we need to email them? I emailed them, got a auto reply saying that this email address was for applying for appointments only (Yes I know that's why I emailed!). This doesn't inspire confidence.

* Question is how long do they take to actually agree by email reply to an appointment time? I'm still waiting for an answer after 18 hours.

[Jo12Jo]

Got my reply within 24 hours

[MJKT2014]

Yes, finally got a reply 24 hours later with an appointment 1 week later. If I miss appointment, I cannot make another for 8 weeks! Their reply also left some unanswered questions such as what to bring:

- - Document showing Thai address e.g. lease agreement, immigration letter, phone bill or electric bill.

I don't have a lease, phone bill or electric bill in my name. As they say "e.g." does this mean other items are acceptable as well?

1. What is the format of the immigration letter?

2. I have asked by email if my UK bank statement listing my Thai address is acceptable?

3. I have a Yellow House Book in Thai, so I suppose this can be translated at the Trendy site?

I'd prefer the bank statement option as I have one printed off the net already. They haven't answered after another 24 hours.

Edited April 23, 2015 by MJKT2014

[MJKT2014]

OK, got a reply that a bank statement is accepted as Thai address evidence. That will save doing a Thai-English translation service.

[williewolf]

Yes, finally got a reply 24 hours later with an appointment 1 week later. If I miss appointment, I cannot make another for 8 weeks! Their reply also left some unanswered questions such as what to bring:

- - Document showing Thai address e.g. lease agreement, immigration letter, phone bill or electric bill.

I don't have a lease, phone bill or electric bill in my name. As they say "e.g." does this mean other items are acceptable as well?

1. What is the format of the immigration letter?

2. I have asked by email if my UK bank statement listing my Thai address is acceptable?

3. I have a Yellow House Book in Thai, so I suppose this can be translated at the Trendy site?

I'd prefer the bank statement option as I have one printed off the net already. They haven't answered after another 24 hours.

That is why YOU choose the date and time of the appointment. I had my new passport in less than two weeks and the easter holidays were included in that time.

The people who work at this office were the most polite and helpful I have ever dealt with. Your expectations of receiving replies straight away may be a little too high as not only do they do passport renewals but UK visa applications also.

Go in with all guns blazing and I think you may be waiting a while for your new passport

[MJKT2014]

That is why YOU choose the date and time of the appointment. I had my new passport in less than two weeks and the easter holidays were included in that time.

That's encouraging news if its only two weeks:-) I let them choose my appointment time as I am available each day any time, and first available time they have is 7 days from my requesting. I haven't gone to appointment yet, but the email invite this week says:

>. This process (getting passport) may take at least 6 - 9 weeks approximately, from the time the applications reach Liverpool.

[66SJ66]

I’ve got everything ready to renew my British passport. All I need is an appointment to submit my application. I emailed Ba[email protected] with my full name and gave 3 alternative dates and times on 4 Aug at 8.35am. I got an automated response almost straight-away saying: ‘thank you for your email…you’ll need to schedule an appointment by email. Include your first and last name and 3 alternative dates and times. You will receive an email confirming your appointment’.

But I already did this in my original email to them which prompted the automated response! It’s now 6 Aug and I still haven't received confirmation of an appointment time and date. Anyone have any advice, please – eg: should I wait or resend my email?

[dabhand]

I’ve got everything ready to renew my British passport. All I need is an appointment to submit my application. I emailed Ba[email protected] with my full name and gave 3 alternative dates and times on 4 Aug at 8.35am. I got an automated response almost straight-away saying: ‘thank you for your email…you’ll need to schedule an appointment by email. Include your first and last name and 3 alternative dates and times. You will receive an email confirming your appointment’.

But I already did this in my original email to them which prompted the automated response! It’s now 6 Aug and I still haven't received confirmation of an appointment time and date. Anyone have any advice, please – eg: should I wait or resend my email?

You received the standard initial email response.

I received similar email to my appointment request of 17Jul. A confirmation email then came through about 2 hours later. In my case I had requested 23Jul and they were able to confirm this for me. A two day delay sounds iffy, but may depend on workload and also the date of your proposed appointment - a shorter notice period may prompt an earlier response.

[66SJ66]

I’ve got everything ready to renew my British passport. All I need is an appointment to submit my application. I emailed Ba[email protected] with my full name and gave 3 alternative dates and times on 4 Aug at 8.35am. I got an automated response almost straight-away saying: ‘thank you for your email…you’ll need to schedule an appointment by email. Include your first and last name and 3 alternative dates and times. You will receive an email confirming your appointment’.

But I already did this in my original email to them which prompted the automated response! It’s now 6 Aug and I still haven't received confirmation of an appointment time and date. Anyone have any advice, please – eg: should I wait or resend my email?

You received the standard initial email response.

I received similar email to my appointment request of 17Jul. A confirmation email then came through about 2 hours later. In my case I had requested 23Jul and they were able to confirm this for me. A two day delay sounds iffy, but may depend on workload and also the date of your proposed appointment - a shorter notice period may prompt an earlier response. ap

Thanks so much for your reply. I gave them about 19 days notice - perhaps that's the problem! I agree, it does sound iffy because so many other people's appointment email came through very quickly, within hours (like yours did). I resent my email an hour ago, so I"m hoping I'll hear from them very soon.

[Brit_Doggie]

Paid the 5k + agency did it all no hassle with replies, travel, time wasted, etc, in all well worth the extra 5 k to me, used to work trains going to and from London daily and felt sorry for the commuters travelling daily to and from work with long hours involved and little sleep albeit ok maybe good money, but done with travelling and enjoying life with as little hassle as possible.

[66SJ66]

I’ve got everything ready to renew my British passport. All I need is an appointment to submit my application. I emailed Ba[email protected] with my full name and gave 3 alternative dates and times on 4 Aug at 8.35am. I got an automated response almost straight-away saying: ‘thank you for your email…you’ll need to schedule an appointment by email. Include your first and last name and 3 alternative dates and times. You will receive an email confirming your appointment’.

But I already did this in my original email to them which prompted the automated response! It’s now 6 Aug and I still haven't received confirmation of an appointment time and date. Anyone have any advice, please – eg: should I wait or resend my email?

You received the standard initial email response.

I received similar email to my appointment request of 17Jul. A confirmation email then came through about 2 hours later. In my case I had requested 23Jul and they were able to confirm this for me. A two day delay sounds iffy, but may depend on workload and also the date of your proposed appointment - a shorter notice period may prompt an earlier response. ap

Thanks so much for your reply. I gave them about 19 days notice - perhaps that's the problem! I agree, it does sound iffy because so many other people's appointment email came through very quickly, within hours (like yours did). I resent my email an hour ago, so I"m hoping I'll hear from them very soon.

Just to say: I now have my appointment - email came through to me first thing this morning! Success at last :-) Thanks for the help.

[dabhand]

Received confirmation a few days back that the new UK passport is available for collection.

Only 13 days after handing over the application at Trendy.

That matches with an earlier poster so looks like they now have sorted themselves out. Good going for the peak summer travel period in the UK.

Edited August 8, 2015 by dabhand