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

[smotherb]

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

Doesn't the property go to the ambassador's Thai gf anyway?

[kennypowers]

I guess all this debt is catching up with us! Now we even have to sell off our Embassies. Oh, how the mighty fall...

[NCFC]

Yeah, all those who love Thailand for the "freedom" but still want the Embassy folks to babysit them when they get in self-imposed trouble.

[khun custard]

I was always of the opinion that the land foreign embassies occupied were by the grace of the Monarchy (sorry if that causes flashing lights on TV's dashboard) or the socialist, dictator (whatever) entity ruling that country.

The days of dispatching a telegram and high tea awaiting the intrepid traveler on arrival - the only real value of Embassies is long gone.

For individual to expect any form of assistance from their embassy abroad is a joke, to expect tax payers to prop up government funded trade offices (for the benefit of free marketingof big biz) quite frankly is a wank!

Please, if they take out the Brit Embassy can they also dispose of that other bastion of the "sun never setting on the Empire" and all the pompousness that goes with it in the neither regions, in an alley, off Silom Rd. :-)

Did the British Club decline your membership application or were the fees beyond your financial means ?

Hmm... seem to touch a bit of a raw nerve here!!

The Emoticon :-) in my post represents a bit of giggle to most computer literate posters..... does it not??

But, to respond to your question on the establishment, in an alley, off Silom Rd.:

Never been a member, never wanted to be a member; financially - I would suggest they would appreciate my patronage and fees more than I need to pay for a membership in a location I seldom, if never visit.

Would you like me to share an overview of the establishment thru the opinions of some of the more recalcitrant, car park members

[Mosha]

Anyone who thinks the embassy is there for you, is fooling themselves. The embassy is there to promote business. That is any Western embassy.

Sent from my SMART_4G_Speedy_5inch using Tapatalk

[johnatong]

Anyone who thinks the embassy is there for you, is fooling themselves. The embassy is there to promote business. That is any Western embassy.

Sent from my SMART_4G_Speedy_5inch using Tapatalk

Those who lack knowledge about what the Embassy does and the services it provides for British citizens should open the link and learn.

https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-bangkok

[OMGImInPattaya]

They might as well sell off the remaining land for another likely condo monstrosity. There might as well be an empty condo to match the empty Central Embassy Mall from the first land sell-off.

I'm just glad I first came to Bangkok to live around the turn of the millennium and had the opportunity to attend several Pholenchit fairs in the old Embassy grounds and Armistice Day (I think thats what its called...for the end of WWI) commemoration ceremonies and afterwards tea and savories in the Ambassador's Residence. It was always an occasion to dress-up and also see the Nepalese Ghurka guards at work. I also had the opportunity to tour the residence and have tea during an open-house the embassies used to have to benefit various charities. Of course, this was all pre-9/11.

I never did find out what happened to Queen Vic...was she moved to less dignified quarters or sold-off for scrap by the accountants at the Foreign Office?

[technologybytes]

Anyone who thinks the embassy is there for you, is fooling themselves. The embassy is there to promote business. That is any Western embassy.

Sent from my SMART_4G_Speedy_5inch using Tapatalk

Those who lack knowledge about what the Embassy does and the services it provides for British citizens should open the link and learn.

https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-bangkok

You know what, thanks for the link, but no thanks... we actually knew where to find that info.

The problem is that there have been so many changes to consular and emabassy services that its just a shadow of its former self.

10 years ago I could renew my passport, get official letters and drop by for advice in the British Consulate in Chiang Mai... those days are long gone and even the embassy in Bangkok does not deal with passports, visas etc and you cannot get in without an appointment.

Meanwhile Americans Canadians and Pakistanis are all served well by local consulates....

[OMGImInPattaya]

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 think you are reading too much into it...its more likely a purely financial move. They already hived-off and sold off a large chunk of land years ago for a princly sum when relations were fine, and any decision to sell the rest would be just for the money. It's not like they wouldn't have an embassy in Bangkok, just move to less ostentatious quarters and put the ambassador up in a nice condo.

[johnatong]

They might as well sell off the remaining land for another likely condo monstrosity. There might as well be an empty condo to match the empty Central Embassy Mall from the first land sell-off.

I'm just glad I first came to Bangkok to live around the turn of the millennium and had the opportunity to attend several Pholenchit fairs in the old Embassy grounds and Armistice Day (I think thats what its called...for the end of WWI) commemoration ceremonies and afterwards tea and savories in the Ambassador's Residence. It was always an occasion to dress-up and also see the Nepalese Ghurka guards at work. I also had the opportunity to tour the residence and have tea during an open-house the embassies used to have to benefit various charities. Of course, this was all pre-9/11.

I never did find out what happened to Queen Vic...was she moved to less dignified quarters or sold-off for scrap by the accountants at the Foreign Office?

Queen Victoria's (statue) ............the story is told in the link.

http://www.richardbarrow.com/2012/12/queen-victoria-statue-at-the-british-embassy-in-bangkok/

[keskeseksa]

If they received the land from the Thai Government they should return it.

Embassies are redundant, consulates will do. Some countries even subcontract their visa section.

[Robbie Dye]

We could reply to the header "British citizens doubt the future of the U.K. and its government"

[johnatong]

If they received the land from the Thai Government they should return it.

Embassies are redundant, consulates will do. Some countries even subcontract their visa section.

The land was purchased (not gifted) in the 1920's

[osiboy]

i read a while back that the British embassy bkk was the 1st or second most profitable in the world , typical of the tory elite to outsource any profitable business to a mickey mouse set up in "trendy building" sukhumvit, that can't even be bothered to read the evidence submitted or as i suspect have Thais reading applications who don't comprehend half of what is in front of them, they then recommend there opinion to the embassy who take their opinion for gospel ,....end of process, devastating couples/families dreams and future plans and causing great hardship for no apparent justifiable reason , i had the required savings and receive carers allowance but they still found a way to deny even a visit visa ,to privatize a money making machine is idiotic and puts the countries security at risk ,.....is there anyone out there who believes there is no corruption involved in any successful visa applications ? , i forbid my son to join the forces this country ain't worth loosing your life for , both my grandads lost theirs and im sure they would turn in the graves to see what they laid their lives down for , wasn't it supposed for freedom ?, not so the rich can have more freedoms and privilages than others , if i live long enough to be left a pretty large inheritance it wont be spent in the UK , i used to be proud to be British , this exclusiveness for those fortunate enough to earn £20k is pure discrimination , there are Asians living in the UK with their 3 wives as it is allowed under the freedom of religion act i guess, i pity white Brits , we are the only ones who can't use the "race card" as a reason or excuse , there must be thousands wondering why they can't live with their wife when others can , i'm ashamed to be British , the Gov;t cant stop white Brits emigrating so just stop Asians entering as their remedy , pathetic , obviously some of us are more equal than others .

[Prbkk]

Slightly off topic but I wonder if the Thai embassy in Singapore is still in that ultra-prime spot on Orchard Rd? They used to talk about selling it, as arguably the most valuable plot in the country, but it was always a source of national pride.

[johnatong]

i read a while back that the British embassy bkk was the 1st or second most profitable in the world , typical of the tory elite to outsource any profitable business to a mickey mouse set up in "trendy building" sukhumvit, that can't even be bothered to read the evidence submitted or as i suspect have Thais reading applications who don't comprehend half of what is in front of them, they then recommend there opinion to the embassy who take their opinion for gospel ,....end of process, devastating couples/families dreams and future plans and causing great hardship for no apparent justifiable reason , i had the required savings and receive carers allowance but they still found a way to deny even a visit visa ,to privatize a money making machine is idiotic and puts the countries security at risk ,.....is there anyone out there who believes there is no corruption involved in any successful visa applications ? , i forbid my son to join the forces this country ain't worth loosing your life for , both my grandads lost theirs and im sure they would turn in the graves to see what they laid their lives down for , wasn't it supposed for freedom ?, not so the rich can have more freedoms and privilages than others , if i live long enough to be left a pretty large inheritance it wont be spent in the UK , i used to be proud to be British , this exclusiveness for those fortunate enough to earn £20k is pure discrimination , there are Asians living in the UK with their 3 wives as it is allowed under the freedom of religion act i guess, i pity white Brits , we are the only ones who can't use the "race card" as a reason or excuse , there must be thousands wondering why they can't live with their wife when others can , i'm ashamed to be British , the Gov;t cant stop white Brits emigrating so just stop Asians entering as their remedy , pathetic , obviously some of us are more equal than others .

You receive "carers allowance" whilst living in Thailand ?

How is that fiddled ?

[Jeremy50]

Most of the grounds were sold off 10 years ago anyway. Any new embassy should reflect the current world status of the UK, and the poor esteem in which the staff of the British embassy are currently held. Some squalid little shop house in a forgotten soi should be adequate.

[Denim]

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

Yes , but it will only be a sideline business. The main money earner will be from the peanuts and other nibbles.

[siliconvalley]

Wow.

I stated before, if and when embassies start to close, signals Thailand are not protecting UK or foreigners.

However, this can be an opportunity to integrate other western embassies data base. Consolidating US, UK, Canada, etc. Having the expat register once live. Then, continue the outreach program. If not, Wham, a slap in the face to our host.

[DaveinAsia]

Well it might as well not be there anyway.

Trendy Embassy anyone?

Very true! Not the embassies fault of course but policy of the fascist government in London under leadership of fuhrer Dave Cameron whose family are all tax dodgers

Perhaps you would comment on the Blair/Brown government review that sold off the first (and better) half of the BE and left the UK bankrupt?

You socialists have convenient memories.

What makes you think I'm a socialist? Partyless would be the best description.

Every PM since David Lloyd George was a mere servant of the elite. The only thing the government do is suck us dry.

Anyone who still has faith in politicians these days obviously has been asleep for a while or is either profiteering from them in one way or another

[evadgib]

This may prove to be the biggest hoax/April fools wind up since Orson Welles had an ND with a microphone in 1938!

('Negligent Discharge!')

The War of the Worlds

Edited April 7, 2016 by evadgib

[Nasrullah]

Yeah, all those who love Thailand for the "freedom" but still want the Embassy folks to babysit them when they get in self-imposed trouble.

Oh l.....lardy lardy daa!....I'm not even british and i take offence to that!....................grow up little boy!

[Ghostnigel]

They could just have a little kiosk on the pavement, with the Ambassador sitting on a plastic chair under a brolly....then the soi dogs can do us a favour, and piss on them as they go by....i think most of us would like to see the place gone. They do nothing to serve us anyway!

[mesterm]

Sensationalist title. As if they wouldn't maintain an embassy here.

[johnatong]

They could just have a little kiosk on the pavement, with the Ambassador sitting on a plastic chair under a brolly....then the soi dogs can do us a favour, and piss on them as they go by....i think most of us would like to see the place gone. They do nothing to serve us anyway!

What "service" did you want, expect or believed you were "entitled" to?

[johnatong]

Yeah, all those who love Thailand for the "freedom" but still want the Embassy folks to babysit them when they get in self-imposed trouble.

Oh l.....lardy lardy daa!....I'm not even british and i take offence to that!....................grow up little boy!

There is a lot of truth in the statement you take offence to.

A friend of mine is an Honorary Consul and is often awoken by cry babies pleading with him to get them out of police cells.

[Merylhighground]

They could just have a little kiosk on the pavement, with the Ambassador sitting on a plastic chair under a brolly....then the soi dogs can do us a favour, and piss on them as they go by....i think most of us would like to see the place gone. They do nothing to serve us anyway!

What "service" did you want, expect or believed you were "entitled" to?

Maybe one he's paid a lifetime's worth of income tax for.....?

Well done for imbecile post of the day.....

Edited April 7, 2016 by Merylhighground

[johnatong]

They could just have a little kiosk on the pavement, with the Ambassador sitting on a plastic chair under a brolly....then the soi dogs can do us a favour, and piss on them as they go by....i think most of us would like to see the place gone. They do nothing to serve us anyway!

What "service" did you want, expect or believed you were "entitled" to?

Maybe one he's paid a lifetime's worth of income tax for.....?

Well done for imbecile post of the day.....

You have failed to explain what this "service" that is expected consists of !

You have just taken the 'imbecile" crown ! Wear it proudly !

[Merylhighground]

with the Ambassador sitting on a plastic chair under a brolly...

Did you miss that bit? here's the crown back laddie.....

[johnatong]

with the Ambassador sitting on a plastic chair under a brolly...

Did you miss that bit? here's the crown back laddie.....

Not very good at this are you , lad.

Best you get back to junior school where your "humour" might be appreciated.