Here Are the Complete Guide About the UK Embassy and Consulate in Thailand
When planning to go back to the UK with your Thai fiancée, you need to complete all the required papers to get through the airport and pass immigration securities. Hence, you have to visit the UK embassy in Thailand to process the papers of your fiancée for visa and other documentation. Also, if both of you are planning to marry you’ll have to inquire your embassy for proper procedures and fill up forms.
Difference between an embassy and consulate
You must be wondering the difference between the embassy and the consulate and where you should proceed. These offices are both government representations in other countries. Each host will only have one embassy, but can have several consulate offices in many parts of the country. Usually, embassies are located in the host’s capital city and perform much bigger functions compared to consulates, including diplomatic relations with foreign nations.
On the other hand, consulates are situated in the host’s major cities and usually functions as an immigration office to protect and assist its citizens in the foreign lands.
Information on the UK embassy in Thailand
Visa requirements, visa application, tourist information, weather, maps, and other travel information can be obtained at the British embassy. The office is located in Thailand’s capital city Bangkok.
Address:
United Kingdom Embassy, 14 Wireless Road, Lumpini Pathumwan, Bangkok
10330 Thailand
Fax number: +66 (0) 2255-9278
Phone Number: +66 (0) 2305-83333
Email: Info.Bangkok@fco.gov.uk
Website Link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-bangkok
Office hours:
(Local Time) Opens from Monday to Thursday at 8AM to 4:30PM and on Friday at 8AM to 1PM
Access to the Office
The embassy ensures that their office is fully accessible, not just to anyone, but to disabled members of the public as well. Hence, the office personnel will endeavour to provide assistance for the requirements of people with disabilities. For security reasons, some access routes of the facility are strictly restricted although the normal entrances are generally unobstructed. Wheelchairs cannot use the usual public access route, however, the security assist to use alternative gates. For visually impaired persons, guide dogs are welcome and signs are generally clear and easy to read. For visitors who have hearing problems or deaf, hearing dogs are welcome as well. However, there are no hearing loops, Minicom, and textphones installed. And, the staff does not use sign language, but Thai sign language interpreters can be arranged.
For the Year 2013, the embassy will be closed on the following office holidays:
• January 1 (New Year’s day)
• February 25 (Makha Bucha Day)
• March 29 (Good Friday)
• April 1 (Easter Monday)
• April 15 and 16 (Songkran Festival)
• May 6 (Substitution Day – Coronation Day and UK Early May Bank Holiday)
• July 22 (Asarnha Bucha Day)
• August 12 (HM Queen’s Birthday)
• October 23 (Chulalongkorn Day)
• December 5 (HM King’s Birthday)
• December 25 (Christmas Day)
• December 26 (Boxing Day)
• December 31 (New Year’s eve)
In general, the embassy helps to sustain a good relationship between Thailand and the UK. Also, the office deals with visa applications for interested persons who are willing to study, visit, work, and live in the UK. Office services are as follows:
• Visa application – more information can be accessed at the UK Border Agency website.
• Provides information for birth and death registration which occurred overseas. Process documents for couples who are planning to get married or civil partnership out of the country.
• Provides passport renewal and replacement, including replacement for other travel documents.
• Provides information on official and other documents, such as certificates, letters, and notes that are available.
• Provides travel advice on staying safe and avoiding trouble when traveling around Thailand. The office also provides links to other embassies, high commissions, and other diplomatic offices and facilities around the world.
Also, you may follow the British Embassy Bangkok on Facebook, Twitter, Flicker, and on YouTube. Just click on this link
https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-bangkok for more details.
II. Consulates
Generally, consulates are not located in the country-host’s capital city. But, they are usually situated in major tourist destination cities. Consulates are like small embassies and they function just the same. However, they only carry minor diplomatic functions to foster trade and take care of their citizens in foreign lands.
The British Consulate in Chiang Mai, Thailand
There are around 166 foreign representations in Thailand, and 17 in Chiang Mai, the British consulate in one of them. And, it is one of the 465 British diplomatic and consular representations overseas. Information details are as follows:
Address: 198 Bumrungraj Rd., Muang, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand
Telephone: (+66) (53) 263 015
Telefax: (+66) (53) 263 016
Email: ukconsul@loxinfo.co.th or chiangmai@britishcouncil.or.th
Office Hours: 09:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Head of Mission: Mr. Jon Glendinning, Consul
The British Consulate in Chiang Mai, is located in the east of Ping River and sits perfectly between the centre of the city and the Super Highway.
Why Chiang Mai?
There are lots of cities in Thailand, but Chiang Mai is particularly significant because of its historical value. In 1915, the British consulate building is constructed by Consul General in Chiang Mai, Thailand, William Alfred Rae Wood.
The consulates primary function then was to protect and ensure justice for the British citizens in the city and secure the interest of the teak companies operating in Northern Thailand. Also, Chiang Mai is a strategic location for the consulate as it is the largest and culturally rich city in the north of Thailand. Hence, it becomes one of the most visited cities in the country because of its wonderful attractions and destinations. Various religious sites can be found in Chiang Mai, such as the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep among others. Since 1915 – the construction of the British Consulate building – a lot of refurbishments have been made to the edifice. Aside from the beautiful landscape, a new Learning Lounge has been set up for visitors to obtain various information on English courses for adults and kids, examination services, and more. According to the British Embassy in Bangkok, there are over 870,000 British nationals travel to Thailand annually. Some spend their time for vacation in beautiful, calm, and white sand beaches, while others live and work across cities.
To help ensure safety travel and stay of British nationals in Thailand, the consulate along with the embassy collaborates to provide help and assistance. Some of their services are as follows:
• Providing information campaigns and up-to-date travel advice to British nationals for their security while staying in Thailand.
• Providing detailed materials for tourists, especially for first time travelers in Thailand. Both offices can provide detailed information whenever British nationals have difficulties and distress.
• Providing support for documentation, such as emergency travel documents, notarial and replacement, documentary services, which also includes visa and passport application.
• Providing assistance and support for British nationals in case of major crisis or any major incidents in Thailand.
When you are processing documents, such as passports, it is advisable that you inquire or go to the consulate early to avoid hassles. For passport renewal, you might be able to pay cash, around 11,000 THB, but price may vary depending on the case. Usually, it takes three weeks for passport renewal to be completed.
If you wish to marry a Thai woman and wanted to take her home to UK, you need to complete several requirements to the consulate for processing. Your Thai girlfriend must pass an English language test approved at the appropriate level and secure documents requested by the consul’s office.
So, if you got immigration concerns, visit the consulate for more help. Their phone lines are open to assist you in any way, or you just visit their office.
III. Immigration Contacts
Home Office is the ministerial department of the UK, whose role and function focuses on immigration, security, law and order. Its headquarters is at 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF. It is also responsible for improving the migration system in the borders of the UK; involves in national security to identify the most pressing risks and find ways and means to address them; fight crime to ensure people feel safe; promote equality, rights, and citizenship to those who are willing to contribute to British life; and lastly, law enforcement and justice system.
For more info, you may visit their page through this link https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office.
For Immigration inquiry bureau – Provides information about immigration rules and requirements for those who are interested to stay and settle in the UK.
You can call them for inquiries through their text phone at 0800 389 8289 and can be visited at the UK Border Agency, Lunar House, 40 Wellesley Road, Croydon, Surrey CR9 2BY. They are open on Monday to Thursday from 09:00 to 16:45 and on Friday 09:00 to 16:30 (excluding public holidays).
For inquiries about Visa services – You may visit the www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk. If you want to contact them please fill up the form through this page http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/countries/ .
For inquiries about illegal working and sponsorship under the points-based system – Before inquiring, it is best that you read the business and sponsor section for UK employers and education providers.
Learn about sponsoring migrant workers from outside Europe, employing European workers, preventing illegal working, information for the transport industry, information for education providers and endorsing tier 1 for graduate entrepreneur applications.
You may also inquire through this number: 0300 123 4699. They receive inquiries on Monday to Thursday at 9:00 Am to 5:00 PM and on Friday at 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding public holidays.
For Inquiries on Citizenship and Nationality – You may only be given assistance if you have submitted an application more than six months ago. Otherwise, the staff cannot check provide you any information.
If you have already applied and you wish to change your contact details or legal representative, simply click on this link
https://contact-ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/contact/changeAddress/ fr the online form. You may also send an email through ukbanationalityenquiries@ukba.gsi.gov.uk.
For EEA Residency Inquiries – You can reach them through 0845 010 5200 andthey are open on Monday to Thursday (excluding public holidays) at 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
However, it is advised that you read the European national section (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/) so you will be informed about registration certificates for family members; residence cards; family member residence stamps; confirmation of permanent residence in the UK; how to provide the correct supporting evidence; and requesting the return of your passport.
Also, you do not have to phone them to check the progress of your application; they cannot give you information about the progress of your application; and provide information on estimated dates of completion.
For Asylum support customer – If you are in the UK and you wish to claim asylum, you must first make an application at the screening unit in Croydon. For those who have long distance to travel, they should make an appointment to avoid delays and other problems later on.
The Ayslum contact centre can help provide general inquiries, such as weekly cash support, accommodation, and emergency cash payment requests.
You may call through this number 0845 602 1739, and your questions can only be entertained on Monday to Thursday at 9:00 Am to 4:30 PM excluding public holidays.
For more information you may visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk for report immigration or customs crime, biometric residence permit changes, request return of documents, change of address in the UK, and other concerns.
We are a matchmaking company that has built an internationally respected reputation for providing the highest quality dating services for Western guys seeking a long-term, committed relationship with a Thai woman as well as Visa Assistance.
We also host Dating Events where you can meet single, lovely and trustworthy Thai ladies who are also looking for genuine relationship.
To know more about it, send us a message and we will talk.
