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

[luckyman]

That piece of land belongs to the most expensive in the country.

So sell out and move to the better reachable outskirts of bkk sounds like a brilliant idea. Especially since the UK struggles to take good and decent care of its older citizens.

[johnatong]

That piece of land belongs to the most expensive in the country.

So sell out and move to the better reachable outskirts of bkk sounds like a brilliant idea. Especially since the UK struggles to take good and decent care of its older citizens.

"Especially since the UK struggles to take good and decent care of its older citizens."

Are you talking about expats ? If so what more "good and decent care" should be offered by the UK to those who have chosen to spend their later years in Thailand ?

Edited April 7, 2016 by johnatong

[Scouse Twoccer]

These single-story sprawling embassies are a waste of real estate anyway. Whatever business is transacted inside could probably be accomplished in a dozen rooms of economy office space.

The British embassy isn't single storey.

A waste of space? What other use would you suggest the British government uses it's own land for?

A dozen rooms of economy office space wouldn't really be a suitable way to represent the British government in Thailand.

[Scouse Twoccer]

It must be crown land in any case: leasehold would be all that's on offer. Still valuable.

Foreign governments own the land that their embassies occupy, it's not leased.

[Nicolas32]

Sadly it will not be missed by me and the reason why ? first bad attitude from G4S staff, secound the bloody overcharging on documents cost way too much for a stamp even after you done all the paperwork for them ..lazy sobs . next if your in shit they don't give a flying fuk about it citizens ,, Anyway even for a passport you have to wait god knows how many weeks for a passport appointment and also even longer if there is no slots .. Even staff at the passport office in the uk are a waste of space ... Plus all the while what does these civil servant do apart from partying or promoting Britain is great and going on Q&A speakings .. Also the only time they will help and put the red carpet out is when it something serious and the media watching them.. they are bunch of hypocrites to be fair?

A little old but whats the point to be fair ?

'The Foreign Office failed bereaved families' Grieving relatives felt “entirely let down” by the Foreign and Commonwealth office when their loved ones died overseas, according to a report by MPs

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatnews/11250054/The-Foreign-Office-failed-bereaved-families.html

MPs concerned FCO 'let down British torture victims'

Select committee calls for investigation but gives overall praise to Foreign Office for its work ..

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mps-concerned-fco-let-down-british-torture-victims-9877798.html

Edited April 7, 2016 by Nicolas32

[lemonjelly]

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.

Possibly, yes. Apparently an Indian gentleman also submitted a tender; seemed ideal, had premises (purveyors of bespoke things, no less), but was deemed unsuitable due to a rather off putting habit, that being, telling people that they were "lucky" and then grabbing and insisting on reading their palms, upon which he'd deftly remove their wristwatch and run away. It goes without saying, telling UK citizens who need UK Consulate assistance that they are "lucky" could raise their hopes and create a wrong impression of the services offered by the UK Consulate. Edited April 7, 2016 by lemonjelly

[MaiChai]

Quite embarrassing. Once Great Britain is selling off the family silver. Next we will be heading to rented office space somewhere for consular services. Later there will be nothing left to sell...

[nontabury]

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.

Another one slightly off topic. Quite often when the UK media refer to ex-pats in Asia, they always refer to Singapore and Hong Kong as if they are the places where most Brit ex-pats reside. Anyone any idea of the numbers of Brits living in the three countries including ThailandI?

[trogers]

Quite embarrassing. Once Great Britain is selling off the family silver. Next we will be heading to rented office space somewhere for consular services. Later there will be nothing left to sell...

18-yo? Call it, 'service to Queen and country'.

Edited April 8, 2016 by trogers

[Jack Garbo]

It must be crown land in any case: leasehold would be all that's on offer. Still valuable.

It's UK. govt land, bought in 1922 from "Nai"Lert a Thai developer. Part of the original plot has already been sold. The Brits are broke. .

[OMGImInPattaya]

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.

The headline is misleading at best...the Brits may sell the valuable land on which the embassy sits, they are not breaking off diplomatic relations with Thailand and shuttering their embassy ?

[Mr Freeze]

If the embassy does close , who will the private companies, that somehow manage to obtain visas for Thai girls to enter the UK and work as "Escorts " pay their bribes too ? Google Thai escorts London , and you'll see what I mean .

Does anybody else know of any other country that allows an independent company to run their visa department , that's located in the same building , and same floor as a corrupt Thai run company , that somehow manages to obtain visas , that others can't . It's a disgrace !

[laolover88]

On a serious note!!?

Without being ' favourable' to one view or the other You do have to wonder how an organisation can have managed to generate such contempt for its "services" except through poor service and excessive fees. I wonder what expats from other countries think about their embassies in Thailand?

[Varangkul]

Never mind. Once the decision by the British people to remain within the European Union is made, all Brits will probably come under the "command" of the German or the French Embassies. Now, there's a step up!

[louse1953]

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

No,no,no,the rich never sell what they own,they sell what the taxpayer owns and cream % off of that,then lease it back with taxpayers money.

[bkkcanuck8]

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.

The headline is misleading at best...the Brits may sell the valuable land on which the embassy sits, they are not breaking off diplomatic relations with Thailand and shuttering their embassy ?

It could be taking a step in the direction Canada (instigated by the Conservative government) has been taking though where it sells embassies and residences and moves processing into office buildings and requires the Ambassador to rent a place to live.... which leads to having to rent restaurants regularly for entertaining dignitaries.... sort of takes the shine off of being invited to the Ambassadors residence for a get together. Not only do they get rid of property that is going up in value (and sell it to third parties to make money on) -- and replaces it with having to rent... but the country loses out on future relationships and potential country to country contracts.

For example, lets say you are setting up a meeting between an Ambassador and a few Canadian executives on a trade mission -- and inviting one of the members of the Thai elite over for a little get together. Being invited to an Ambassador's residence is viewed in the context of Thais as something of a High Society status event.... Being invited to meet at a local restaurant.... not worth their time.

Edited April 8, 2016 by bkkcanuck8

[JAG]

If the embassy does close , who will the private companies, that somehow manage to obtain visas for Thai girls to enter the UK and work as "Escorts " pay their bribes too ? Google Thai escorts London , and you'll see what I mean .

Does anybody else know of any other country that allows an independent company to run their visa department , that's located in the same building , and same floor as a corrupt Thai run company , that somehow manages to obtain visas , that others can't . It's a disgrace !

Several years ago I attempted to get visas for my wife and baby to come to the UK for a holiday. At that time I was caring for my mother in the UK who had dementia. The application was turned down out of hand by the consular services. The Thai locally employed official gave me a card for an agency which she said would get me the visas ( for a substantial fee ). The card had a reference number which she told me to quote - presumably to ensure she got her commission.

I took it up with my MP when I returned home. He was told by the Home Office that all such matters were exclusively the concern of the consular services in the Bangkok Embassy and they were not able to get involved.

As far as I am concerned a folding table on Soi 4 is the most appropriate place for them. I hope that the umbrella leaks.

[OMGImInPattaya]

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.

The headline is misleading at best...the Brits may sell the valuable land on which the embassy sits, they are not breaking off diplomatic relations with Thailand and shuttering their embassy ?

It could be taking a step in the direction Canada (instigated by the Conservative government) has been taking though where it sells embassies and residences and moves processing into office buildings and requires the Ambassador to rent a place to live.... which leads to having to rent restaurants regularly for entertaining dignitaries.... sort of takes the shine off of being invited to the Ambassadors residence for a get together. Not only do they get rid of property that is going up in value (and sell it to third parties to make money on) -- and replaces it with having to rent... but the country loses out on future relationships and potential country to country contracts.

For example, lets say you are setting up a meeting between an Ambassador and a few Canadian executives on a trade mission -- and inviting one of the members of the Thai elite over for a little get together. Being invited to an Ambassador's residence is viewed in the context of Thais as something of a High Society status event.... Being invited to meet at a local restaurant.... not worth their time.

I agree with your points, however, I guess the Canadian government (and maybe the UK's as well) has made the calculation that the potential diplomatic and business benefits of shomoozing with hi-so Thais at a fancy residence are outweighed by the costs of maintaining a large embassy footprint and said historical ambassador's residence.

In addition, Canada hardly has many vital military, diplomatic, or trade interests in Thailand (or SE Asia) for that matter so it's easy to see why they might want to scale down their diplomatic presence in the region. Maybe it's the same for the UK, especially as much of their trade, security, and diplomatic interaction with other countries is done at the EU rather than individual country level.

[luckyman]

That piece of land belongs to the most expensive in the country.

So sell out and move to the better reachable outskirts of bkk sounds like a brilliant idea. Especially since the UK struggles to take good and decent care of its older citizens.

"Especially since the UK struggles to take good and decent care of its older citizens."

Are you talking about expats ? If so what more "good and decent care" should be offered by the UK to those who have chosen to spend their later years in Thailand ?

No, of course not, I meant the elderly still in the UK, the less fortunate ones, in the homes for the elderly where they lack sufficient staff and only get a wash once a week etc. etc.

Edited April 8, 2016 by luckyman

[TPI]

That piece of land belongs to the most expensive in the country.

So sell out and move to the better reachable outskirts of bkk sounds like a brilliant idea. Especially since the UK struggles to take good and decent care of its older citizens.

"Especially since the UK struggles to take good and decent care of its older citizens."

Are you talking about expats ? If so what more "good and decent care" should be offered by the UK to those who have chosen to spend their later years in Thailand ?

No, of course not, I meant the elderly still in the UK, the less fortunate ones, in the homes for the elderly where they lack sufficient staff and only get a wash once a week etc. etc.

C'mon people! Why should retirees not get indexed pensions when they live outside Britian? They earned the pension with their own money, they're entitled to indexing as much as anyone who has not bothered to improve his lifestyle, it's their money after all, it's not a handout from the government!! (not that pollies give a <deleted> about the people that put them there!)

[OMGImInPattaya]

That piece of land belongs to the most expensive in the country.

So sell out and move to the better reachable outskirts of bkk sounds like a brilliant idea. Especially since the UK struggles to take good and decent care of its older citizens.

"Especially since the UK struggles to take good and decent care of its older citizens."

Are you talking about expats ? If so what more "good and decent care" should be offered by the UK to those who have chosen to spend their later years in Thailand ?

No, of course not, I meant the elderly still in the UK, the less fortunate ones, in the homes for the elderly where they lack sufficient staff and only get a wash once a week etc. etc.

C'mon people! Why should retirees not get indexed pensions when they live outside Britian? They earned the pension with their own money, they're entitled to indexing as much as anyone who has not bothered to improve his lifestyle, it's their money after all, it's not a handout from the government!! (not that pollies give a <deleted> about the people that put them there!)

Never understood that...what's the logic behind the policy? USA government and private pensions are generally indexed to inflation no matter where the retiree resides. The one thing don't get is Medicare (senior government paid healthcare) if you're outside the US.

[johnatong]

That piece of land belongs to the most expensive in the country.

So sell out and move to the better reachable outskirts of bkk sounds like a brilliant idea. Especially since the UK struggles to take good and decent care of its older citizens.

"Especially since the UK struggles to take good and decent care of its older citizens."

Are you talking about expats ? If so what more "good and decent care" should be offered by the UK to those who have chosen to spend their later years in Thailand ?

No, of course not, I meant the elderly still in the UK, the less fortunate ones, in the homes for the elderly where they lack sufficient staff and only get a wash once a week etc. etc.

C'mon people! Why should retirees not get indexed pensions when they live outside Britian? They earned the pension with their own money, they're entitled to indexing as much as anyone who has not bothered to improve his lifestyle, it's their money after all, it's not a handout from the government!! (not that pollies give a <deleted> about the people that put them there!)

If you want an "inflation proofed" OAP then live in a place where it is paid.

Many choices but Thailand is not one.

I do not seek to defend the policy of "freezing" OAP's but reality has to be faced.

[dick dasterdly]

Never mind. Once the decision by the British people to remain within the European Union is made, all Brits will probably come under the "command" of the German or the French Embassies. Now, there's a step up!

You may laugh, but it made me wonder whether Brit ex-pats would at least receive some care from an EU govt compared to the zero care from the Brit Embassy who are only interested in promoting business interests !

[johnatong]

Never mind. Once the decision by the British people to remain within the European Union is made, all Brits will probably come under the "command" of the German or the French Embassies. Now, there's a step up!

You may laugh, but it made me wonder whether Brit ex-pats would at least receive some care from an EU govt compared to the zero care from the Brit Embassy who are only interested in promoting business interests !

What "care" is it that you expect the BE to provide ?

What "care" in your opinion is not provided ?

[biplanebluey]

These single-story sprawling embassies are a waste of real estate anyway. Whatever business is transacted inside could probably be accomplished in a dozen rooms of economy office space.

Doesn't look much bigger than a Ma and Pa Store to me !!!

[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!

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

I don't think i have to answer you about services.

But i would say an experience i had there was not a good one.

[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?

I don't think i have to answer you about services.

But i would say an experience i had there was not a good one.

What were you asking for ?

Something that is not available ?

I do not believe you you were just told to "sling your hook "

[dageurreotype]

Never mind that the British Embassy is (rightly IMO) viewed as being useless/not living up to perceived expectations, at least it was something. I've been told several times by police and lawyers to 'contact my embassy' over trivial matters. It's the perception and without it we're even more screwed. Duh.

[evadgib]

If the embassy does close , who will the private companies, that somehow manage to obtain visas for Thai girls to enter the UK and work as "Escorts " pay their bribes too ? Google Thai escorts London , and you'll see what I mean .

Does anybody else know of any other country that allows an independent company to run their visa department , that's located in the same building , and same floor as a corrupt Thai run company , that somehow manages to obtain visas , that others can't . It's a disgrace !

Several years ago I attempted to get visas for my wife and baby to come to the UK for a holiday. At that time I was caring for my mother in the UK who had dementia. The application was turned down out of hand by the consular services. The Thai locally employed official gave me a card for an agency which she said would get me the visas ( for a substantial fee ). The card had a reference number which she told me to quote - presumably to ensure she got her commission.

I took it up with my MP when I returned home. He was told by the Home Office that all such matters were exclusively the concern of the consular services in the Bangkok Embassy and they were not able to get involved.

As far as I am concerned a folding table on Soi 4 is the most appropriate place for them. I hope that the umbrella leaks.

You may well have been knocked back but your interpretation of events that followed differ significantly from whatever the facts might be.

[daiwill60]

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.

"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."

Which services are they then, and what is declared as being in need then? Where are the stipulations on what is which, Oh wise one?

Cannot disagree with the rest of what you say though.

But if what you are saying is true, why is it that in times of political strife does an embassy anywhere in the World supposedly become the place to go to ensure a level of protection or a safe means of exiting a country? Or am I being naive in my my understanding of the duties of an embassy, towards its expat community/citizens?