Renewing an Australian passport in Phuket

[Bulldozer Dawn]

Can the new (Canadian) Australian Honorary Consulate renew a Australian passport.

Has Australian member done this recently in Phuket.

Can it be done in Phuket?

What is the process?

How long does it take and what are the costs?

Thanks in advance for any input.

[PoorSucker]

Moved to Phuket forum.

[beechbum]

Larry used to be able to do it.(renewals)

The embassy officials come down every 2 months now, they where last here late March.

Keep an eye on the news for dates of the next visit or email them.

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

[Bulldozer Dawn]

Larry used to be able to do it.(renewals)

The embassy officials come down every 2 months now, they where last here late March.

Keep an eye on the news for dates of the next visit or email them.

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

Thanks BB. I know that Larry used to do it in the past. That is why I asked if his successor, the Candadian lawyer who is now the new Australian Honorary Consul also provides that service.

If anyone knows if she can provide that service please post.

Cheers

[illy]

is there a direct link, email, or phone number to the new consul? the pages on DFAT seem out of date and still list Larry's details.

Edited May 6, 2015 by illy

[Old Croc]

Try ringing and see if you get past her law firm staff to talk to her. I couldn't when I tried.

+66 (0) 76 510 111

Edited May 6, 2015 by Old Croc

[Bulldozer Dawn]

Try ringing and see if you get past her law firm staff to talk to her. I couldn't when I tried.

+66 (0) 76 510 111

Nope. I also couldn't get through and couldn't get an answer from the support staff.

And so, is there anyone out there who can confirm that the new Australian Honorary Consul in Phuket (who is a Canadian) can renew an Aussie passport.

[illy]

I also tried and no luck....also off topic a bit...

I just noticed that immigration has only stamped me for 71 days instead of 90.[non Imm B visa] The chap has written the date right over the stamp and was difficult to read, and looks he cant count either.

Do I have to go to the immigration office to sort it out ...sigh!]??

Edited May 6, 2015 by illy

[stevenl]

I also tried and no luck....also off topic a bit...

I just noticed that immigration has only stamped me for 71 days instead of 90.[non Imm B visa] The chap has written the date right over the stamp and was difficult to read, and looks he cant count either.

Do I have to go to the immigration office to sort it out ...sigh!]??

Yes, has to be corrected at immigration office.

[beechbum]

To the OP, PM sent

Edited May 6, 2015 by beechbum

[Bulldozer Dawn]

I also tried and no luck....also off topic a bit...

I just noticed that immigration has only stamped me for 71 days instead of 90.[non Imm B visa] The chap has written the date right over the stamp and was difficult to read, and looks he cant count either.

Do I have to go to the immigration office to sort it out ...sigh!]??

Is it a multi entry B. If so you could just head up to Ranong and do an in out to the casino. If you have no other travel plans within the 90 day period.

[Bulldozer Dawn]

To the OP, PM sent

Thanks BB. I have sent an email. We shall see what develops.

[illy]

I also tried and no luck....also off topic a bit...

I just noticed that immigration has only stamped me for 71 days instead of 90.[non Imm B visa] The chap has written the date right over the stamp and was difficult to read, and looks he cant count either.

Do I have to go to the immigration office to sort it out ...sigh!]??

Is it a multi entry B. If so you could just head up to Ranong and do an in out to the casino. If you have no other travel plans within the 90 day period.

only just arrived two days ago, better just to go to the immigration office AGAIN. yes its a multi entry B

[Bulldozer Dawn]

I also tried and no luck....also off topic a bit...

I just noticed that immigration has only stamped me for 71 days instead of 90.[non Imm B visa] The chap has written the date right over the stamp and was difficult to read, and looks he cant count either.

Do I have to go to the immigration office to sort it out ...sigh!]??

Is it a multi entry B. If so you could just head up to Ranong and do an in out to the casino. If you have no other travel plans within the 90 day period.

only just arrived two days ago, better just to go to the immigration office AGAIN. yes its a multi entry B

If it is a multi, than isn't 71 days or 90 days just semantics. You can pop in and out of the country as many times as you like on a multi B. I have had one in the past. And so you can just plan your next trip out on the day 71, or if you have already booked and paid for a trip on 90 days out, just pop up to ranong and do an in out. Of course you can go back to immigration...that option costs you nothing but your time...and sanity...

Anyway, back on topic, has anyone renewed an Aussie passport using the new Australian Consul who is a Canadian?

Edited May 6, 2015 by Bulldozer Dawn

[illy]

true but doesn't a land based [non airport] arrival only give you 30 days.? yes I can pop in and out but but I always time my visa runs to be exactly 3 months where possible so I only have to leave 4 times per year, doing too many visa runs interferes with my work too. but I see the online reporting is staring to take shape??.

[stevenl]

Online reporting and visa runs are not connected.

For each entry you get 90 days, but the strange number in your case makes me doubt it is an error, maybe your passport validity is up?

[Bulldozer Dawn]

true but doesn't a land based [non airport] arrival only give you 30 days.? yes I can pop in and out but but I always time my visa runs to be exactly 3 months where possible so I only have to leave 4 times per year, doing too many visa runs interferes with my work too. but I see the online reporting is staring to take shape??.

If you are on a mulit non B you will get 90 days every time you go in out. Land or air. You can go in out at Ranong at the Casino. 40 minute round trip on a nice new powercat with aircon. 950THB all in including your visa stamp in Myanmar/Andaman casino.

[Psimbo]

I also tried and no luck....also off topic a bit...

I just noticed that immigration has only stamped me for 71 days instead of 90.[non Imm B visa] The chap has written the date right over the stamp and was difficult to read, and looks he cant count either.

Do I have to go to the immigration office to sort it out ...sigh!]??

Is it a multi entry B. If so you could just head up to Ranong and do an in out to the casino. If you have no other travel plans within the 90 day period.

only just arrived two days ago, better just to go to the immigration office AGAIN. yes its a multi entry B

If it is a multi, than isn't 71 days or 90 days just semantics. You can pop in and out of the country as many times as you like on a multi B. I have had one in the past. And so you can just plan your next trip out on the day 71, or if you have already booked and paid for a trip on 90 days out, just pop up to ranong and do an in out. Of course you can go back to immigration...that option costs you nothing but your time...and sanity...

Anyway, back on topic, has anyone renewed an Aussie passport using the new Australian Consul who is a Canadian?

You seem to have a real bug up your backside about the fact that the new(ish) Australian Consul is Canadian. Does it equally frustrate you that the Austrian Consul (and others) are Thai?

Edited May 6, 2015 by Psimbo

[Bulldozer Dawn]

You seem to have a real bug up your backside about the fact that the new(ish) Australian Consul is Canadian. Does it equally frustrate you that the Austrian Consul (and others) are Thai?

No it concerns me that she receives a stipend paid by the Australian government out of my taxes and that I cannot access any relevant information regarding the services she provides as the Honorary Consul.

[illy]

no, my passport is valid until 2020 and my 12 month visa is valid until December I am pretty sure the guy just cocked it up, and I am foolish for not double checking as I left the immigration queue.

either that or his writing of the date is so illegible I can't understand what he wrote, as I said he wrote the date right on the ink of the stamp..very hard to see.

what exactly is online reporting? I am confused about this.

Online reporting and visa runs are not connected.

For each entry you get 90 days, but the strange number in your case makes me doubt it is an error, maybe your passport validity is up?

[stevenl]

no, my passport is valid until 2020 and my 12 month visa is valid until December I am pretty sure the guy just cocked it up, and I am foolish for not double checking as I left the immigration queue.

either that or his writing of the date is so illegible I can't understand what he wrote, as I said he wrote the date right on the ink of the stamp..very hard to see.

what exactly is online reporting? I am confused about this.

Online reporting and visa runs are not connected.

For each entry you get 90 days, but the strange number in your case makes me doubt it is an error, maybe your passport validity is up?

Since you're on visa and not extension of stay online reporting is not applicable to you.

It is the report people staying in Thailand for a period if time longer than 90 days have to do every 90 days.

[KarenBravo]

You seem to have a real bug up your backside about the fact that the new(ish) Australian Consul is Canadian. Does it equally frustrate you that the Austrian Consul (and others) are Thai?

No it concerns me that she receives a stipend paid by the Australian government out of my taxes and that I cannot access any relevant information regarding the services she provides as the Honorary Consul.

The amount of money she receives doesn't even cover her costs.

And the percentage of that, that you personally pay from your taxes is probably less than 0.000001 of a cent.

[beechbum]

^^How do you know the amount she's paid?

[KarenBravo]

She told me.

Went to her law company on Bypass road to get some paperwork notarized.

I was waiting in reception and she came and talked to me for about ten minutes.

I asked her all about how a Canadian ended up as an Australian honorary consul.

Bet she's the best looking honorary consul on the island.

Edited May 7, 2015 by KarenBravo

[Bulldozer Dawn]

bump

[Bulldozer Dawn]

Second bump.

Has anyone renewed an aussie passport in Phuket lately?

[Old Croc]

Almost certainly the Honorary Consul doesn't provide any sort of passport renewal service here. The Embassy web site sets out the procedures to follow.

It's disappointing that she wont take or vets phone calls from citizens like myself who wish to ask basic questions. I don't care what she looks like (KB), she is just a shadow of her predecessor as far as service provided..

The good news on the horizon is that funding was approved in the last budget for a Consulate General to finally be opened on Phuket. and citizens should then be able to access most services locally.

[Bulldozer Dawn]

Almost certainly the Honorary Consul doesn't provide any sort of passport renewal service here. The Embassy web site sets out the procedures to follow.

It's disappointing that she wont take or vets phone calls from citizens like myself who wish to ask basic questions. I don't care what she looks like (KB), she is just a shadow of her predecessor as far as service provided..

The good news on the horizon is that funding was approved in the last budget for a Consulate General to finally be opened on Phuket. and citizens should then be able to access most services locally.

Any news regarding the new Consulate General in Phuket. Or, as is often the case here in Thailand, is it just another case of hollow words and no action. Also has anyone been able to get access to speak with the Canadian lawyer who is our current Honorary Consul. I gave up, but perhaps someone else has had some success recently.

I wonder if a complaint to the Ombudsman in Australia would improve the current situation?

[Old Croc]

Almost certainly the Honorary Consul doesn't provide any sort of passport renewal service here. The Embassy web site sets out the procedures to follow.

It's disappointing that she wont take or vets phone calls from citizens like myself who wish to ask basic questions. I don't care what she looks like (KB), she is just a shadow of her predecessor as far as service provided..

The good news on the horizon is that funding was approved in the last budget for a Consulate General to finally be opened on Phuket. and citizens should then be able to access most services locally.

Any news regarding the new Consulate General in Phuket. Or, as is often the case here in Thailand, is it just another case of hollow words and no action. Also has anyone been able to get access to speak with the Canadian lawyer who is our current Honorary Consul. I gave up, but perhaps someone else has had some success recently.

I wonder if a complaint to the Ombudsman in Australia would improve the current situation?

The money for this, and a couple of other consulates, was allocated in the budget.

I read somewhere the positions have been advertised internally (Govt Gazette?) and they are seeking a suitable office premise to rent.

So, the "Honorary" officer will be replaced by a dedicated public servant.

Like most things on Phuket I'll believe it when I see it.

[Bulldozer Dawn]

Almost certainly the Honorary Consul doesn't provide any sort of passport renewal service here. The Embassy web site sets out the procedures to follow.

It's disappointing that she wont take or vets phone calls from citizens like myself who wish to ask basic questions. I don't care what she looks like (KB), she is just a shadow of her predecessor as far as service provided..

The good news on the horizon is that funding was approved in the last budget for a Consulate General to finally be opened on Phuket. and citizens should then be able to access most services locally.

Any news regarding the new Consulate General in Phuket. Or, as is often the case here in Thailand, is it just another case of hollow words and no action. Also has anyone been able to get access to speak with the Canadian lawyer who is our current Honorary Consul. I gave up, but perhaps someone else has had some success recently.

I wonder if a complaint to the Ombudsman in Australia would improve the current situation?

The money for this, and a couple of other consulates, was allocated in the budget.

I read somewhere the positions have been advertised internally (Govt Gazette?) and they are seeking a suitable office premise to rent.

So, the "Honorary" officer will be replaced by a dedicated public servant.

Like most things on Phuket I'll believe it when I see it.

Yep. Anyone who has lived here for a bit knows that everything announced for Phuket must be taken with a grain of salt. Most public servants from Australia are accountable for deliverables or KPIs. I wonder if the Honorary Consul has any of these.