New passport obtained abroad - Phuket AIrport Arrivals

My (German) wife obtained a new passport at her Embassy in  London at Christmas. Her old passport was only 4 years old, but full. We happened to be taken to a desk with what presumably was a trainee, with a more senior officer looking over his shoulder. She presented both her old passport (with her 9 month old retirement visa from Thai Consulate, London) and her new passport. It was all beyond the trainee, so the more experienced officer took her to an empty desk, logged in, and processed her entry. Took about 15 minutes, during which time I went downstairs and collected the luggage from the belt.

End result is an entry in the new passport with a one year stamp, a reference to the visa in the old passport and a smile and "Welcome back to Thailand".  All very efficient and professional.