Yesterday I went to VFS at “The Shoppes at Belle Grand Rama 9” Bangkok, to renew / get a new UK passport; so I thought I would describe the whole procedure in case it helps anyone needing this service. From the beginning: last Thursday, 19th March, I logged onto the VFS Global website, which I had already registered with. I filled in my details and clicked on the link “ready to submit passport application” I was then offered appointments for as early as the next day, the 20th March, and for every day the following week. I chose yesterday, Tuesday 24th at 10.50 and quickly received a confirmation email of my appointment. Unsure of the traffic situation and consequently the driving time, I left early and arrived well before my appointment time. I approached the entrance desk 15 minutes before my appointment time, and was checked through security and started being processed 10 minutes before my scheduled appointment. I took with me an application form that I had filled in, coloured copies of every page of my passport (including all blank pages - superfluous but necessary) 2 recent professionally taken passport specification photos (180 Baht for 6 at Kodak shop - Hua Hin) the payment form (downloaded from website and filled in with the details of one of my UK credit cards) My current passport (obviously) my Thai driving licence and copies of it, and fortunately, a recent Bangkok bank statement with my Thai address in English. However, I had made an error on the application form; on the first page I filled in my UK address as my current address, which was what I thought was needed. The young lady told me it needed to be my address in Thailand, but she was very helpful and gave me another page 1 of the form to complete whilst stood at the counter. This was a bit of a problem because I had already handed her my Thai driving licence and copies, which she seemed willing to accept as proof of Thai address; but the English translation of address on my Thai driving license is incomplete, stating just my house number followed by Hua Hin; so, no soi name or sub-district. So when she then asked me if the Thai address I had just written on the form was the same as on my licence, I had to say no, and explained why; she asked if I had any other proof of address, and fortunately I had taken an up to date bank statement with me which has my address in full in English, exactly as it I had written on the form, which she accepted. In hindsight, I think if I had just written my Thai address in its incomplete form as it appears on my licence, it may well have been accepted; you have to apply in person and collect your new passport in person (of have someone you have authorised do so on your behalf) so they don’t need your Thai address for posting, but I wasn’t prepared to chance it, especially as I had the bank statement with me as back up anyway. The young lady was friendly and helpful and told me that my new passport should take about 4 weeks (flights, and consequently postal and courier services have all been negatively impacted by the middle east war) but my current passport, which I have retained after the application, does not expire until November. Almost immediately I received an email from VFS with their reference number telling me that my application has been forwarded to HMPO, and that I would subsequently hear from them to confirm their application number. I am yet to receive a mail from HMPO and as of this morning my UK credit card has not been debited with the fee. I will update as and when on both of these Apologies; this has ended up a bit long winded, but I wanted to give full details ✌️
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