Consular Team 2020 Recap

[British Consular Team]

Sorry we are running behind with our weekly updates. It’s been a busy two months. Let's try to wrap up everything here with a summary of our work this year.

 

So far in 2020, we have dealt with 831 emergency cases. These include welfare issues, deaths, arrest and detention, hospitalisations, missing persons, rape and sexual assault and child welfare cases. Alongside this we have provided 1,489 notarial services. We are working hard to streamline these. This is on-going work to make more services digital and the entire process easier & faster. As part of this work British people in Thailand can now apply for affirmations of marriage and Emergency Travel Documents without coming to the Embassy. 

 

We have also been responding to the Covid-19 crisis since March. As part of our work we issued 1,700 visa extension letters and 144 movement letters to help British visitors travel across provinces or to Bangkok, and helped 210 of them return to the UK.

 

Apart from consular and notarial services, the team has also done a lot of work this year to prevent British visitors and residents in Thailand from becoming vulnerable. Here are some of our milestones:

 

- HMA Brian Davidson met Chiang Mai Vice Governor and relevant local authorities in Chiang Mai in December to talk about safer motorcycle rentals. More details of the project is here: https://bit.ly/39LULQ6;

 

- one of our Vice Consuls, Derek Johnstone, delivered online training to groups of teachers from 140 international schools that are members of International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT) as part of our work to raise awareness of sexual violence;

 

- we liaised with the Royal Thai Embassy in London to give out messages about the help we can provide to Brits returning to Thailand and going to ASQ. We also produced a Vlog sharing experiences of ASQ. You can watch it again at

 

- our Care Homes project group visited 11 care homes in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Khon Kaen, and Koh Samui. The goal for this is to establish cooperation and better communications for providing support to British residents and to reduce the vulnerability of elderly Brits living in care homes;

 

- last month we launched a monthly bulletin for Thai authorities up-country (e.g. immigration offices and TAC). The bulletin includes updates on the Embassy's Consular processes and policies, so they can pass this info on to British Nationals. It reaches 50 of our local authority partners. We’ve even spotted it being shared on their social media channels. 

 

As if things weren't busy enough, we have also moved twice – once to temporary premises and then to our new office at AIA Sathorn Tower. Check out this post for a reminder of our location: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1187404-weve-moved-into-our-new-office-aia-sathorn-tower/ and if you have any feedback on the new Consular office do please let us know. 

 

Finally, we would like to thank all of the Forum’s members who have engaged positively with us in this new initiative. 854 posts in Q&A and 70 posts in weekly updates - that's an impressive number for just 4 months in here. We are always keen to hear your suggestions on what we should cover in our updates, and of course your questions in the Q&A section so please keep them coming. Many of you have also asked if we can give you updates about what other Embassy teams are doing - watch this space for more on that in the new year. 

 

Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas and New Year holiday. Stay safe!

[faraday]

Thank you for all your hard work, & for keeping us updated.

 

Have a great Christmas!

 

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[Saltire]

Thanks for the update.

 

Do you think it may be be possible in future to apply for a certified copy of a UK passport and Certificate of Residence online, without a visit to Bangkok? The certified copy could be mailed out if original is needed.

 

So far I have had to go to Bangkok 3 times for driving licence, getting married etc.

 

This would be very useful and much more convenient for many.

 

Thanks

 

[British Consular Team]

On 12/24/2020 at 9:50 AM, Saltire said:

Thanks for the update.

 

Do you think it may be be possible in future to apply for a certified copy of a UK passport and Certificate of Residence online, without a visit to Bangkok? The certified copy could be mailed out if original is needed.

 

So far I have had to go to Bangkok 3 times for driving licence, getting married etc.

 

This would be very useful and much more convenient for many.

 

Thanks

 

 

Thanks for your question. We are always looking for more streamlined ways to provide all our services. There is currently no option to apply for a certified copy of passport online, but instead of travelling to Bangkok you can send your passport to us and we will return it to you within 10 working days https://www.gov.uk/guidance/notarial-and-documentary-services-guide-for-thailand#certified-copies-of-british-passports We are looking at certified copies of passports online as part of other processes, so it is something we are exploring. 

 

With regard to the affirmation of residence, the only option is to travel to Bangkok as you need to complete and sign the document in front of a Consular Officer. If your visa type allows, you can get a certificate of residence from your local Immigration Office to avoid numerous trips to Bangkok. 

[Saltire]

3 hours ago, British Consular Team said:

 

Thanks for your question. We are always looking for more streamlined ways to provide all our services. There is currently no option to apply for a certified copy of passport online, but instead of travelling to Bangkok you can send your passport to us and we will return it to you within 10 working days https://www.gov.uk/guidance/notarial-and-documentary-services-guide-for-thailand#certified-copies-of-british-passports We are looking at certified copies of passports online as part of other processes, so it is something we are exploring. 

 

With regard to the affirmation of residence, the only option is to travel to Bangkok as you need to complete and sign the document in front of a Consular Officer. If your visa type allows, you can get a certificate of residence from your local Immigration Office to avoid numerous trips to Bangkok. 

Thank you for your helpful response.

 

Unfortunately my immigration office and local amphur have refused in the past to provide this, and even if they did the local DLT insists on a consulate document for driving licence renewal. Fortunately that is 4 years away!

 

I am aware of the postal passport option but tbh i find it a risky option and would not fancy dealing with a passport that was lost in the mail

 

I look forward to your developments

 

 

[CharlieH]

You touched on "welfare" issues in your post, is there any provision for British Nationals that may be suffering with Mental Health issues, any support or help for those that may have a need to return to the UK to get it.

 

Some may find themselves isolated and a language barrier prevents getting help locally, and in many cases there just isnt any help available in more rural areas.

 

What help or advice would you give them ?

 

[British Consular Team]

On 1/4/2021 at 1:50 PM, CharlieH said:

You touched on "welfare" issues in your post, is there any provision for British Nationals that may be suffering with Mental Health issues, any support or help for those that may have a need to return to the UK to get it.

 

Some may find themselves isolated and a language barrier prevents getting help locally, and in many cases there just isnt any help available in more rural areas.

 

What help or advice would you give them ?

 

We understand that it can be difficult and stressful to face with language barrier when you need support for your mental health issues. If British nationals in Thailand find themselves suffering from mental health issues and having difficulties in getting help locally, they can contact the British Embassy Bangkok by telephone (02 305 8333) or contact us online. We can  listen and help find support from local medical facilities.