Lots of misinformation out there in the wilds of the world folks - including from my local thai consulate in Cardiff (south wales, uk). Can't get through the telephone menu at the embassy in London to speak with a human being. What better place to ask a question than here - Why didn't I think of posting on Thaivsa earlier?

Anyway, residing here, in the Uk with Thai wife of nearly 5 years. Her 5 year Thai passport expired in August '06. I believe this is the first passport she has ever had and therefore can possibly get an extension of another 5 years. Now, time being like gold dust at the moment I can't get to London if need be to do this. Is it possible to apply via post? If so how and what is the process? Wife's indefinate leave to remain stamp is still in expired passport, how would we get this transfered into new passport?

I thankyou kindly in advance for your replies - thanks guys n' gals. Geevlus

write to the embassy asking for an application form and short explanation of procedures.

I believe that to have a biometric passport is now a requirement and as a consequence of this, attendance at the embassy is required. We are having to travel from Liverpool to London in order to get a passport for our son.

For the definitive answer, your wife should read the page on the embassy website concerning Thai passports.

Scouse.

Yes, even in Thailand, applicants for passports have to turn up in person and be digitally photographed etc which is then scanned onto the passport. The officials do all the work of inputting the information into the computer, no application form as such. It's easier if she has a new-version ID card, same information is used for the passport. All in all, not bad for 1,000 baht. Compare it with the UK - soon passport fees going up to £65 a pop. Ouch.

Wife's indefinate leave to remain stamp is still in expired passport, how would we get this transfered into new passport?

You apply to the IND and pay the rip off fee of £160. Alternatively, you don't bother and simply present both old and new passports when required.

You say you have been married for 5 years. How long has she been in the UK? If more than 3 years then she can apply for British nationality, if she wishes. See BN7 - Naturalisation as a British citizen. Then no need for an ILR stamp in any subsequent Thai passport, no visa needed for travel to Europe, the US etc.

Both the UK and Thailand allow dual citizenship, so doing so will not effect her Thai citizenship in any way.

Yes, even in Thailand, applicants for passports have to turn up in person and be digitally photographed etc which is then scanned onto the passport. The officials do all the work of inputting the information into the computer, no application form as such. It's easier if she has a new-version ID card, same information is used for the passport. All in all, not bad for 1,000 baht. Compare it with the UK - soon passport fees going up to £65 a pop. Ouch.

Also the Thai passports are not issued by the Embassy but gotta come from Bangkok (Ministry of PP issues...I suppose) so following receipt by the Embassy allow 4-6 weeks.

They will send it on to you if requested by registered post (from London ) for a contribution of (from memory ) £3 quid ...good value.

Also the Thai passports are not issued by the Embassy but gotta come from Bangkok (Ministry of PP issues...I suppose) so following receipt by the Embassy allow 4-6 weeks.

Hi

When my wife's passport expired albeit in Dec03 it was all done by mail and the existing passport was endorsed at the Thai London embassy to the effect that it had been extended for a further 5years. See second page of passport which is already pre-printed for extension of validity.

As advised by previous poster you should really now go for Naturalisation, makes life so much easier.

Good Luck

TBWG

Believe that, outside of Thailand, the non-biometric 5-year Thai passports' validity can be extended to 2010.

That does appear to be the case at the RTE in London. Non-biometric passports are only being extended by them until June 2010, after which, they say, all Thai passports will be biometric.

Believe that, outside of Thailand, the non-biometric 5-year Thai passports' validity can be extended to 2010.

True and it can be done by mail. He should look at the Thai Embassy website. www.thailandembassy.uk.com

How long this new bio-metric passport is valid for?

How long this new bio-metric passport is valid for?

5 years and it is not extendable.

Believe that, outside of Thailand, the non-biometric 5-year Thai passports' validity can be extended to 2010.

True and it can be done by mail. He should look at the Thai Embassy website. www.thailandembassy.uk.com

See Thai Embassy website.

Wife's indefinate leave to remain stamp is still in expired passport, how would we get this transfered into new passport?

You apply to the IND and pay the rip off fee of £160. Alternatively, you don't bother and simply present both old and new passports when required.

You say you have been married for 5 years. How long has she been in the UK? If more than 3 years then she can apply for British nationality, if she wishes. See BN7 - Naturalisation as a British citizen. Then no need for an ILR stamp in any subsequent Thai passport, no visa needed for travel to Europe, the US etc.

Both the UK and Thailand allow dual citizenship, so doing so will not effect her Thai citizenship in any way.

Not easy to get british nationality now,must either take citizen ship test(which i think 90% of british people whould fail,very hard) or get english language certificate esol level 3 with citizenship (years of study) not impossible though if dedicated to study,my wifes friend passed the test last week,but has had a private english tutor for years.

Personally I see nothing wrong in expecting people wishing to become British to demonstrate some knowledge of British history, politics, culture etc. and a reasonable ability in one of the native languages (It doesn't have to be English, it could be Welsh or Scottish Gaelic).

For more details on the test see Life in the UK Test.

What staggers me is that a large percentage of UK born and bred reckon they would find both the test and the language requirement hard. What a sad indictment of the UK's education system.

Well I know of 3 Thais that have got the ESOL certificate and whilst they had to work for it they obviously didn't find it impossible.

Well I know of 3 Thais that have got the ESOL certificate and whilst they had to work for it they obviously didn't find it impossible.

I would agree. I don't think the tests are as hard as everyone thinks - another rumour from the Daily Mail no doubt!!

My friend's Turkish husband passed and quite frinakly I find his Enlgish appalling given he has lived and worked here for five years - so if he can pass it I think anyone can.

Why not give it a try