brewsterbudgen

Last time I did my 90-day report, the slip of paper in my passport was the new barcoded one and I was told that next time I reported I wouldn't need to complete the form, just hand in the passport.

My report is due this week but it's looking likely that it will be impossible for me to get over to Chaengwhattana in time due to work commitments, and I've left it too late to do one by post.

I will be leaving Thailand for a visit home (UK) in early April, returning to Thailand at the end of April.  If I skip the 90-day report due this week, remove the barcoded slip from my passport, and then just report with a new form 90 days after I arrive back in Thailand, will I be fined for missing the previous report, or will they be none the wiser?

I seem to remember a recent thread that posted an official sounding notice saying that Re-entry Permits were now available at the airport.  Has anyone actually got one there and, with the regular horror stories of long lines at passport control/immigration is it actually practical to get a permit there?

I will need a Re-entry Permit for April and would much prefer not to have to travel to Chaeng Wattana Immigration, but without positive reports of permits being easily available at the airport I guess I'll have to.  Are they still being issued at Suan Plu on Saturdays?

Now that I finally have my new British passport, is there anything else I need to do?  My Extension of Stay, landing card and 90-day report slip have all been transferred to the new passport.  I was thinking particularly about my 5 year Thai driving licence which contains my old passport number.  I would much prefer not to jump through all the hoops of getting this changed, and I'm hoping there will be no issues if I leave it (it doesn't expire until 2014).  I do use my driving licence for ID purposes and internal flights and, obviously, driving.

Having read the threads here that described an efficient renewal process for UK passports, despite having to apply via Hong Kong, I sent my renewal application off with great confidence.  The lady at the DHL stand at Emporium was very efficient and they have everything set up nicely there.  I paid my 962 baht for both inbound and outbound DHL, and went off clutching my receipt and tracking number.

I was able to check that my application was received in HK a day later (17 September).  A week later I received an email from a Mr ****** of the Consulate General's office with a query about my application, asking if I could fax a copy of my certificate of registration and I replied that I couldn't as it was in the UK, but as this was my 5th passport since 1968 I assumed they had all the information they required on file.  I received no reply, but my credit card was debited with the renewal fee.

Despite two chasing emails from me, I have heard nothing more from HK and the DHL tracking number is always "not found".  I now need to do my 90-day report, I also want to get a re-entry permit for Christmas and soon my employer will need to renew my annual extension of stay.  Presumably in the absence of my new passport, I have no choice but to use my existing passport, although I remember reading somewhere that it is cancelled as soon as HK receive the renewal application.

What is frustrating me is the difficulty in finding out what is delaying my application.  My emails are unanswered, despite HK initiating the correspondence.  There is a helpline number but it is based in the UK and charges 69 pence a minute, plus the international call costs.  I'm loathe to call it as I begrudge paying UK premium rate call costs plus the international costs, because my government in its infinite wisdom has decided to move passport renewals to HK, presumably to save their costs.  I have emailed the Embassy in Bangkok, asking for advice on continuing to use my old passport but haven't yet received a reply.

Should I just go on waiting, bite the bullet and call the helpline (or maybe call the HK Consulate) or does anyone have any other suggestions?

If you're on an extension of stay and work permit, presumably if you marry a Laos woman she would be allowed to stay with you in Thailand?  What visa or permission to stay would she require?

This might not be the correct part of the forum, but is it necessary for a westerner to marry a Laos in Laos or can the marriage be completed in Thailand?

Thanks.