UK govt review casts doubt on future of British Embassy in Bangkok

[elgordo38]

I am not normally one to complain... but

The way us British citizens are treated by our own government in Thailand is disgraceful.

I paid my taxes for many years, in fact I still pay some to the UK and I get ZERO in return, the blighters in Embassy forget who pays their bloody wages.

The UK has no monopoly on disgraceful treatment to their citizens in foreign lands they are all the same oxygen sucking bunch of political hacks. I wonder if they intend to just pull embassy services out of Thailand it could start a trend. All governments are turning over stones to find new money they have squeezed all the old ways to death. When you leave your homeland you are truly on your own.

[flossiebear]

I am not normally one to complain... but

The way us British citizens are treated by our own government in Thailand is disgraceful.

I paid my taxes for many years, in fact I still pay some to the UK and I get ZERO in return, the blighters in Embassy forget who pays their bloody wages.

Yes but you are not living in UK now but spending most of your money or giving your money to Thai economy. You contribute nothing to the UK embassy now. Anyway I think the issue is not about cutbacks, it's that relations with Thailand are now very strIned and with no outlook for that to improve. Hence more of a statement to Thailand that we do not agree with current political situation. I fear for the future of expats in Thailand, as the signals are not looking good.

[Boycie]

The British Embassy in Bangkok 1993

[johnatong]

I am not normally one to complain... but

The way us British citizens are treated by our own government in Thailand is disgraceful.

I paid my taxes for many years, in fact I still pay some to the UK and I get ZERO in return, the blighters in Embassy forget who pays their bloody wages.

Yes but you are not living in UK now but spending most of your money or giving your money to Thai economy. You contribute nothing to the UK embassy now. Anyway I think the issue is not about cutbacks, it's that relations with Thailand are now very strIned and with no outlook for that to improve. Hence more of a statement to Thailand that we do not agree with current political situation. I fear for the future of expats in Thailand, as the signals are not looking good.

"I fear for the future of expats in Thailand, as the signals are not looking good."

What signals ? How many signals?

What do you "fear" ?

[flossiebear]

You have a Junta. Go figure?

[Harry2]

You would never have a major, serious nation downsizing in such a way. Not the Americans, not the Chinese, not the Japanese or indeed the French. Of course it is quite likely 'modern' Britain will relocate its Embassy to Nakhon Nayok, par for the course.

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

If they just move the embassy there is no need to complain, if they however close the embassy down I will go on holiday outside Thailand for a year to avoid the Brits complaining.

The sun is now really setting over the empire, will the crown jewels be next. 555

[johnatong]

Would that be the same "junta" that existed when you were attempting to extend your stay in Hua Hin ?

Difficult to "figure" what you are trying to say.

[flossiebear]

You have no rights whatsoever. The iron grip is increasing. Hence the signals from the UK embassy, and the FREE press reporting outside of Thailand of the current regime is grim reading. Slowly, slowly catch the monkey, which is how all dictatorships start. No signals of democracy. You are worthless because you are not Thai, never will be and you can be deported, confined, refused rentry, have your assets frozen if the economy is in crisis etc...... UK Bank of England extremely concerned about Chinese economy imploding. All the signals are there.

[Morakot]

Are you going to disappear just because you sell your house?

Of course not, you just buy/rent another one and move on.......

A new premise has already been identified.

Edited April 7, 2016 by Morakot

[johnatong]

You have no rights whatsoever. The iron grip is increasing. Hence the signals from the UK embassy, and the FREE press reporting outside of Thailand of the current regime is grim reading. Slowly, slowly catch the monkey, which is how all dictatorships start. No signals of democracy. You are worthless because you are not Thai, never will be and you can be deported, confined, refused rentry, have your assets frozen if the economy is in crisis etc...... UK Bank of England extremely concerned about Chinese economy imploding. All the signals are there.

What a Rant !

Best take a pill and calm down dear !

[Jools]

Considering how little they do for British subjects, it's a waste of money. The United States wastes a lot of money here on an Embassy too. Like the Brits, they do zero for Americans who get banged up by corrupt Thais. They are useless.

[dunroaming]

Can't see the point of moving as the embassy is in the area it should be. They could easily downsize though and save some money that way. With computerised technology there really is no need for the excessive amount of red tape and form filling unless of course that is the way they like it?

[flossiebear]

Take pill, calm down? I see I have touched a nerve.

[johnatong]

Considering how little they do for British subjects, it's a waste of money. The United States wastes a lot of money here on an Embassy too. Like the Brits, they do zero for Americans who get banged up by corrupt Thais. They are useless.

Did you mean the "banged up" criminal type of American, who are, of course. all "innocent"

[johnatong]

Take pill, calm down? I see I have touched a nerve.

Wrong dear !

The only "touched nerve" belongs to you !

[nontabury]

This thread will prove there are three certainties in life: Death, taxes....and that Brits like to whinge...

Nearly as much as Samran likes to always whinge about the Brits. Edited April 7, 2016 by nontabury

[godden]

UK has sold every thing British already the UK goverment would sell your ass if it could barstewards

[freedom4life]

I heard that all UK Consulate services in TH will be outsourced to a man with a folding table on Sukhumvit soi 4.

Good enough for the Brits.

[Changwatchap]

The ambassador Mark Kent is moving to Argentina later in the year, it was in the latest FCO announcements. So I guess an embassy is pointless.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/change-of-her-majestys-ambassador-to-the-argentine-republic

Edited April 7, 2016 by Changwatchap

[gandalf12]

UK has sold every thing British already the UK goverment would sell your ass if it could barstewards

Dont give them ideas or they will sell it

Edited April 7, 2016 by gandalf12

[Gandtee]

They should not contemplate a sale. There is so little open space now and this would become just another mall. The money is chicken feed in respect of the debt and it should be retained. The Australians did this in Tokyo and part of the land was an 800 year old garden, now gone.

But do you think the owners, the British Government really care?

[Jim walker]

Would be a shame for the Thai staff but the place was underused a small condo in some cheap area would do fine for all the use it was as an embassy

[dick dasterdly]

The British Embassy exists to promote work for British companies and 'jobs for the boys' network. It has made it v clear that it has no interest in anything that happens to British citizens either holidaying or living in Thailand.

They'll move somewhere else in Bangkok, and normal service (or to be more accurate, no service whatsoever for British citizens here) will continue.

[laolover88]

I heard that all UK Consulate services in TH will be outsourced to a man with a folding table on Sukhumvit soi 4.

But he's been there for ages in the Nana Hotel Car Park. Have you not seen him? He dresses in the Uniform of a Cambodian Admiral and is, I assure you, an entirely experienced and qualified Mor Doo who will forecast for your gf of the night, on the spot, her percentage chance of gaining a UK visa in the morning. Never knowingly undersold.Will also, for a price, perform some unusual card tricks with binary numbers. Your quadrilingual gf who can convert Eoros into $$ and then into Baht in 5 seconds may or may not be impressed.

Edited April 7, 2016 by laolover88

[Baerboxer]

They should not contemplate a sale. There is so little open space now and this would become just another mall. The money is chicken feed in respect of the debt and it should be retained. The Australians did this in Tokyo and part of the land was an 800 year old garden, now gone.

But do you think the owners, the British Government really care?

Nope. Wonder who the actual owners are? Wonder if the British government flogged off to some Panama investment trust long time ago? Stranger things have happened.

[Gandtee]

I heard that all UK Consulate services in TH will be outsourced to a man with a folding table on Sukhumvit soi 4.

I've been hacked. How did you find out about my folding table and then blow the gaff? Now I will have to apply for a work permit.

[dick dasterdly]

Would be a shame for the Thai staff but the place was underused a small condo in some cheap area would do fine for all the use it was as an embassy

Of course it was underused - they don't actually want to have to deal with British citizens here!

But to be fair, I'm sure they attended and hosted many cocktail parties, and did their best to promote British business interests.

[Baerboxer]

The ambassador Mark Kent is moving to Argentina later in the year, it was in the latest FCO announcements. So I guess an embassy is pointless.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/change-of-her-majestys-ambassador-to-the-argentine-republic

Lucky old Argentina!

Where will the new Ambassador and his husband live - Pattaya?

[bkkcanuck8]

Considering how little they do for British subjects, it's a waste of money. The United States wastes a lot of money here on an Embassy too. Like the Brits, they do zero for Americans who get banged up by corrupt Thais. They are useless.

Did you mean the "banged up" criminal type of American, who are, of course. all "innocent"

The embassy is not your personal representative. Thailand is NOT a colony of either the United States or Britain. When you leave the confines of your country and travel to another country it is YOU that are responsible -- not the government. If you cannot handle this don't leave your country and stay at home.

The embassy generally is a combination of a trade mission or for international development using government funds (which usually includes technology transfer - through contracts that are won by companies in your home country). All these contribute to increasing jobs at home.

The embassy is responsible for understanding the domestic situation where that information is required in the formulation of your countries foreign policies.

Walk by the US embassy and a large section that has no windows - and you can guess what probably goes on in there.... it is a hub for this activity in this region.... this information is used to make sure citizens in their home country are safe from foreign threats.

Policing in Thailand is not the responsibility of the Embassy - other than maybe to issue travel advisories or warnings (which if you heed you should stay at home).

It is not there to be there as your insurer if you run into trouble. You are responsible for acquiring the insurance that you need from a private insurer.

The embassy may offer some consular services for people in need but in most cases they will require a family member back in the home country to guarantor it.

If you have trouble with taking responsibility for yourself.... stay at home in your nanny state.

Edited April 7, 2016 by bkkcanuck8