Obtaining first time UK passport for Thai wife, in Thailand

[tamoo]

Hi folks,

Can't seem to find the exact information I'm after on Thai Visa. Lots of roundabout topics, but nothing that hits the mark completely.

Back story:

My Thai wife and I are moving to Thailand next month. We've done the visa dance for many years, culminating in UK Citizenship being granted this week.

The next logical step is to obtain a UK passport for my wife, for needs of travel or returning home on short notice.

Due to time constraints, we can't apply from within the UK, as it can take 6 weeks plus the added hassle of travelling hundreds of miles to the nearest interview centre.

There seems to be lots of topics on obtaining passports from inside Thailand for babies, but nothing for mature Thais holding UK Citizenship.

Does anyone have any exerience of this? I'm assuming it is possible, as I've sourced the forms etc on the government websites.

I know the cost difference is a bug bear for a lot of people, but I'm not concerned about that. I'm more interested in the whole procedure to follow........ paperwork required, potential pitfalls, timelines etc.

Any information/experiences gratefully received, thanks folks.

Kind regards, tamoo

[7by7]

To be honest, I doubt you'll get a reply from anyone who has done this; most of our Thai partners who have naturalised as British obtained their first British passports in the UK.

It is possible, though.

Have you read Overseas British passport applications? It, and the links from there, should tell you what you need to know and do.

[tamoo]

Hi 7by7

Yes I've read through the online guidance. Like you say, there seems no reason that it shouldn't be possible, but then again, TIT.

Would be interesting to hear from someone who has done it succesfully.

Thanks for taking the time.

Kind regards, tamoo

[7by7]

but then again, TIT.

With respect; irrelevant.

Thai officials etc. will play no part in the application.

The clerical staff at VFS, where she will submit the application and collect her passport once issued, are Thai; but the application will be sent to the Passport Office in the UK for processing.

As anyone who has applied for Thai passport in London will tell you, obtaining that is a lot simpler, quicker and cheaper than obtaining a British passport in Bangkok!