Emergency help for British nationals in Thailand

[Jonathan Fairfield]

If you need urgent help in Thailand, for example, if you’ve been arrested or hospitalised or are a victim of crime, call the 24-hour telephone number below. Select the option for consular assistance.

 

 

[colinneil]

Is this someones idea of a joke?

Call for emergency help, when my wife called the British embassy consular section asking for help/advice, just after i came out of a month long coma..... The clown she spoke to said and i quote..... Not our problem.

[Lungstib]

I am beginning to think that the British Embassy is nothing more than list of phone numbers and one woman employed in an office to 'put you through' to an extension in London. Its a long time ago but I remember when they cared and offered personal advice. Now long gone. They really have become the joke of foreign embassies in Thailand.

[Just Weird]

16 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Is this someones idea of a joke?

Call for emergency help, when my wife called the British embassy consular section asking for help/advice, just after i came out of a month long coma..... The clown she spoke to said and i quote..... Not our problem.

That's all the consular staff said?  Really? No other quote to put that in context?

 

Somehow, bearing in mind your frequently aired opinion of the British Embassy staff, I doubt that there wasn't more to it than that.  What sort of help was your wife asking for?

[Bert got kinky]

 

I won't be putting that number in my phone book, complete waste of time.

 

The British Embassy in Bangkok does not issue passports or visas, these are subbed out.

Their current website absolute pile of steaming and is impossible to navigate.

If you need any documents (the one thing that they still do) then you are hit with a 50 quid bill.

 

As for the article, I have never met a Brit abroad (in any country) who has actually been able to get any emergency help from our embassy.

As Colin rightfully proves, asking for any assistance from the British Embassy is a complete waste of time.

 

Any Brits who have lived here for a decent length of time will know that they British Embassy exists in Thailand only as a cushy posting.

 

[Just Weird]

5 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

I am beginning to think that the British Embassy is nothing more than list of phone numbers and one woman employed in an office to 'put you through' to an extension in London. Its a long time ago but I remember when they cared and offered personal advice. Now long gone. They really have become the joke of foreign embassies in Thailand.

"...the British Embassy is nothing more than list of phone numbers and one woman employed in an office to 'put you through' to an extension in London".

You couldn't be more wrong with that assessment.

 

"...I remember when they cared and offered personal advice".

They still do.

 

"They really have become the joke of foreign embassies in Thailand".

Nonsense, unless you're only referring to the usual bunch of Thaivisa irrational haters who love to spit their vitriol in the Embassy's direction.   How have they become the joke of foreign embassies...specifically?

[Bert got kinky]

3 minutes ago, Just Weird said:

That's all the consular staff said?  Really? No other quote to put that in context?

 

Somehow, bearing in mind your frequently aired opinion of the British Embassy staff, I doubt that there wasn't more to it than that.  What sort of help was your wife asking for?

I was basically told the same thing by the British Embassy staff in Buenos Aires when I asked for help.

The British Embassy are useless worldwide.

[Just Weird]

3 minutes ago, Bert got kinky said:

 

I won't be putting that number in my phone book, complete waste of time.

 

The British Embassy in Bangkok does not issue passports or visas, these are subbed out.

Their current website absolute pile of steaming and is impossible to navigate.

If you need any documents (the one thing that they still do) then you are hit with a 50 quid bill.

 

As for the article, I have never met a Brit abroad (in any country) who has actually been able to get any emergency help from our embassy.

As Colin rightfully proves, asking for any assistance from the British Embassy is a complete waste of time.

 

Any Brits who have lived here for a decent length of time will know that they British Embassy exists in Thailand only as a cushy posting.

 

Nonsense (apart from your second sentence and the £50 reference) from start to finish.

I'd love to know who you, or your family, would contact in the circumstances that the Embassy provides assistance if you won't call them!

[Just Weird]

5 minutes ago, Bert got kinky said:

I was basically told the same thing by the British Embassy staff in Buenos Aires when I asked for help.

The British Embassy are useless worldwide.

What help were you asking for, basically?

 

"The British Embassy are useless worldwide".

Those who have been assisted by them would disagree.

[Thailand]

Number 1 on my speed dial.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not really!

[Odysseus123]

4 minutes ago, Bert got kinky said:

I was basically told the same thing by the British Embassy staff in Buenos Aires when I asked for help.

The British Embassy are useless worldwide.

Tho' it's hard to believe that they wouldn't send a couple of Spitfires and a flotilla of gunboats if you were REALLY in trouble....

[Bert got kinky]

1 minute ago, Just Weird said:

Nonsense (apart from your second sentence and the £50 reference) from start to finish.

I'd love to know who you, or your family, would contact in the circumstances that the Embassy provides assistance if you won't call them!

 

During an emergency why would we waste time calling the British Embassy, knowing that absolutely nothing will be done.

 

 

 

 

[CharlieH]

Personal remarks/exchanges removed.

 

7) You will respect fellow members and post in a civil manner. No personal attacks, hateful or insulting towards other members, (flaming) Stalking of members on either the forum or via PM will not be allowed.

[Megascott]

The US embassy just came out with a bulletin proclaiming that services such as this will no longer be offered, perhaps the Brits caught wind of this and are gauging if it's worth the effort? 

Edited May 23, 2019 by Megascott

[Thailand]

3 minutes ago, Megascott said:

The US embassy just came out with a bulletin proclaiming that services such as this will no longer be offered, perhaps the Brits caught wind of this and are gauging if it's worth the effort? 

I suppose along with every man and his dog they could offer health insurance for retirees. The mention of which will result in another HI  pop up!

[simon43]

Wow - so many negative comments here.  The British Embassy are not hear to hold your hand.  But in times of crisis/emergency, they can and will certainly help or give advice, such as contacting relatives, providing a list of lawyers or (as I know from personal experience when working as a tourist police officer at Phuket Airport) - contacting a local TPV to visit a British national who has just been arrested.

 

 

[Sticky Wicket]

16 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Wow - so many negative comments here.  The British Embassy are not hear to hold your hand.  But in times of crisis/emergency, they can and will certainly help or give advice, such as contacting relatives, providing a list of lawyers or (as I know from personal experience when working as a tourist police officer at Phuket Airport) - contacting a local TPV to visit a British national who has just been arrested.

 

 

Because they are too busy spending money on other crap .

Subjects overseas are now treated like dogshit; it wasn't always like this you know!!

They should have enough staff in each country to deal with tourists/expats

Edited May 23, 2019 by Sticky Wicket

[Snow Leopard]

1 hour ago, Just Weird said:

"...the British Embassy is nothing more than list of phone numbers and one woman employed in an office to 'put you through' to an extension in London".

You couldn't be more wrong with that assessment.

 

"...I remember when they cared and offered personal advice".

They still do.

 

"They really have become the joke of foreign embassies in Thailand".

Nonsense, unless you're only referring to the usual bunch of Thaivisa irrational haters who love to spit their vitriol in the Embassy's direction.   How have they become the joke of foreign embassies...specifically?

The appointment system is a joke. The last time I went there was one person working. It took 4 weeks.

[SteveK]

I've only had terrible, rude and unhelpful experiences with the embassy. And I was gobsmacked that I had to wait seven weeks for what should have been an extremely basic service (which I was charged a lot for). Also the lady that dealt with me admitted that she knew nothing about Thailand (I had stupidly asked her about the local amphur office and she made it clear that she couldn't even be bothered to talk to me).

 

When I went to get my freedom to marry affidavit, the lady looked at my form and asked me to rewrite one line for some reason. I had my documents with me on an external hard drive and a usb stick, but no, I wasn't allowed to use them at the embassy computer, I suspect they were trying to quickly get rid of me so that I would have to make another appointment for weeks in the future. Rude doesn't even begin to describe it.

 

Luckily, I remembered I had emailed the document to myself, just in case, so logged in to my email, downloaded the document, made the tiny, tiny amendment they insisted on and emailed it to them from inside the embassy. Still took a good hour after that though to get my papers back.

 

They could be a LOT friendlier, more helpful, and more efficient, and the charges are a complete rip-off. The waiting time for an appointment is nothing short of scandalous.

Edited May 23, 2019 by SteveK

[Pilotman]

1 hour ago, Just Weird said:

"...the British Embassy is nothing more than list of phone numbers and one woman employed in an office to 'put you through' to an extension in London".

You couldn't be more wrong with that assessment.

 

"...I remember when they cared and offered personal advice".

They still do.

 

"They really have become the joke of foreign embassies in Thailand".

Nonsense, unless you're only referring to the usual bunch of Thaivisa irrational haters who love to spit their vitriol in the Embassy's direction.   How have they become the joke of foreign embassies...specifically?

The British Embassy the World over are a pitiful excuse for representing UK Nationals abroad and helping where they can.  They don't help at all.  Even if trade and commerce are involved, they are next to useless. May as well close them all down for all the good that they do and the help they (don not) provide. They would be the very last people I would approach if I needed help.  I left the UK precisely  because of the useless services on offer, the corrupt and biased Civil Service and the rapidly declining reputation and effectiveness of the Country.  The Embassy is just one more manifestation of these things.    

Edited May 23, 2019 by Pilotman

[Pilotman]

38 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Wow - so many negative comments here.  The British Embassy are not hear to hold your hand.  But in times of crisis/emergency, they can and will certainly help or give advice, such as contacting relatives, providing a list of lawyers or (as I know from personal experience when working as a tourist police officer at Phuket Airport) - contacting a local TPV to visit a British national who has just been arrested.

 

 

rubbish, they are and they don't.  I know of not one person who has a good thing to say about them.  They are beyond useless and a waste of UK taxpayers money.  May as well close them down and put all those muppets that 'work' there out of the job.  

[fishtank]

That is great information. I will now sleep well tonight safe in the knowledge that the Embassy is protecting me.????

[Jonathan Fairfield]

3 hours ago, Megascott said:

The US embassy just came out with a bulletin proclaiming that services such as this will no longer be offered, perhaps the Brits caught wind of this and are gauging if it's worth the effort? 

As far as I know, this isn't linked to anything the US Embassy might be doing. 

 

The British Embassy reached out to Thaivisa recently to ask if we would help share information on different services available to Brits in Thailand. 

 

It's part of an overall effort to try and improve communications between the Embassy and the expat community. 

[sunnyboy2018]

They never, in any country, give any meaningful assistance.  Absolute rotters. 

[sunnyboy2018]

2 hours ago, Pilotman said:

rubbish, they are and they don't.  I know of not one person who has a good thing to say about them.  They are beyond useless and a waste of UK taxpayers money.  May as well close them down and put all those muppets that 'work' there out of the job.  

too true

[sunnyboy2018]

2 hours ago, Pilotman said:

The British Embassy the World over are a pitiful excuse for representing UK Nationals abroad and helping where they can.  They don't help at all.  Even if trade and commerce are involved, they are next to useless. May as well close them all down for all the good that they do and the help they (don not) provide. They would be the very last people I would approach if I needed help.  I left the UK precisely  because of the useless services on offer, the corrupt and biased Civil Service and the rapidly declining reputation and effectiveness of the Country.  The Embassy is just one more manifestation of these things.    

Parasites all.

[sunnyboy2018]

2 hours ago, SteveK said:

I've only had terrible, rude and unhelpful experiences with the embassy. And I was gobsmacked that I had to wait seven weeks for what should have been an extremely basic service (which I was charged a lot for). Also the lady that dealt with me admitted that she knew nothing about Thailand (I had stupidly asked her about the local amphur office and she made it clear that she couldn't even be bothered to talk to me).

 

When I went to get my freedom to marry affidavit, the lady looked at my form and asked me to rewrite one line for some reason. I had my documents with me on an external hard drive and a usb stick, but no, I wasn't allowed to use them at the embassy computer, I suspect they were trying to quickly get rid of me so that I would have to make another appointment for weeks in the future. Rude doesn't even begin to describe it.

 

Luckily, I remembered I had emailed the document to myself, just in case, so logged in to my email, downloaded the document, made the tiny, tiny amendment they insisted on and emailed it to them from inside the embassy. Still took a good hour after that though to get my papers back.

 

They could be a LOT friendlier, more helpful, and more efficient, and the charges are a complete rip-off. The waiting time for an appointment is nothing short of scandalous.

You forget overpaid.

[Pilotman]

4 minutes ago, sunnyboy2018 said:

You forget overpaid.

yes indeed.  The locals working there are arrogant, unhelpful and useless, and should never be let in the front door, and the 'diplomats' on secondment are raking in nice overseas allowances for doing next to nothing.  Nice job if you can get it. 

[sammieuk1]

22 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

As far as I know, this isn't linked to anything the US Embassy might be doing. 

 

The British Embassy reached out to Thaivisa recently to ask if we would help share information on different services available to Brits in Thailand. 

 

It's part of an overall effort to try and improve communications between the Embassy and the expat community. 

Reading the posts here I'm not sure the communication improvements have gone to plan???? 

[evadgib]

3 hours ago, SteveK said:

I've only had terrible, rude and unhelpful experiences with the embassy. And I was gobsmacked that I had to wait seven weeks for what should have been an extremely basic service (which I was charged a lot for). Also the lady that dealt with me admitted that she knew nothing about Thailand (I had stupidly asked her about the local amphur office and she made it clear that she couldn't even be bothered to talk to me).

 

When I went to get my freedom to marry affidavit, the lady looked at my form and asked me to rewrite one line for some reason. I had my documents with me on an external hard drive and a usb stick, but no, I wasn't allowed to use them at the embassy computer, I suspect they were trying to quickly get rid of me so that I would have to make another appointment for weeks in the future. Rude doesn't even begin to describe it.

 

Luckily, I remembered I had emailed the document to myself, just in case, so logged in to my email, downloaded the document, made the tiny, tiny amendment they insisted on and emailed it to them from inside the embassy. Still took a good hour after that though to get my papers back.

 

They could be a LOT friendlier, more helpful, and more efficient, and the charges are a complete rip-off. The waiting time for an appointment is nothing short of scandalous.

So you arrived ill prepared, asked questions outside their remit that could and have been challenged either legally or via a complaint, & it was their fault...?

 

Some of you need to get a grip.