Dear Readers,
the Thai Foreign Office updated their website and they are quite detailed in describing their processing. I found it interesting to share with you. The fee for a new e-Passport is 1000 THB ($30) and is compared to EU-Countries e.g. Germany ($80) quite cheap. Surprisingly the standard processing time is just 3 days which is very efficient compared to other countries. Validity of the document is 5 years. Thailand is issuing ePassports since August 2005.
Introduction to Passport Division
Org-Chart Thai Passport Division
The Passport Division is a government agency under the Department of Consular Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its function is to provide services and accommodate Thai citizens’ needs in issuing valid passports and travel documents.
The Passport Division welcomes all Thai citizens. Walk in clients can apply in person at the Department of Consular Affairs, Chaengwattana Rd. or at the 3 Temporary Passport Offices in Bangkok (Bangna, Pinklao and Thailand’s Overseas Employment Service Center) on 5 working days from 8:00 -15:30 hrs. For those who reside outside Bangkok area can apply at the nearest Temporary Passport Office in Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Songkla, Ubon Ratchathani, Surat Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima or Yala (open in January 2008) on 5 working days from 8.30-16.30 hrs. The passports application service will not be interrupted by lunch breaks.
The normal processing time for issuing a passport is two workdays excluding the application day. Passport pick-up service is available only for the passport applications submitted in Bangkok. The applicants may request that their e-Passports be express-mailed to them which take 5 – 7 working days. Applications submitted outside Bangkok are required to apply for postage service which take 5 – 7 working days.
In addition, the Passport Division has arranged mobile units to provide services in issuing passports in rural areas enhancing our services to reach and cover those living outside Bangkok.
The Passport Division has promoted and developed services continuingly that meets the government’s Public Diplomacy which aimed to enhance better service efficiency and satisfaction for the people.
Passport Services Statistics
Passport services between the period of January 2005 – June, 2007, details as follow:
| Types of Service | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
| (Jan-Jun) | |||
| Ordinary e-Passport | 919,653 | 1,095,033 | 591,770 |
|
Official and Diplomatic e-Passports |
40,093 | 32,875 | 16,982 |
| Buddhist Monk / Hajj e-Passports | 6,008 | 3,806 | 4,313 |
| Passport Amendments | 95,413 | 40,253 | 14,461 |
| Total Passport Services Applications |
1,061,167 | 1,171,967 | 627,526 |
HERE is the link to the website of the Foreign Office of the Kingdom of Thailand.
