Same-day passport service to start, but will cost more
The Foreign Ministry will soon introduce a new service that will see passports issued within one day - instead of three days at present.
However, the new service will be more expensive with a new passport costing Bt3,000, instead of Bt1,000 charged under the current system.
Ratchada Jiwalai, director of the Passport division, said people who want to apply for the new service can submit a passport application at the Consular Department on Chaeng Wattana Road before noon and it will be ready for collection at 4.30pm.
Another service allows an applicant to submit documents at the department and other passport branches also before noon. The passport can be picked after 9am the following day. The fee for this service is Bt2,000. People who apply at the department or at other passport branches in the afternoon can pick up their passports the following day between noon and 4.30pm. Passports can only be picked up at the Consular Department on Chaeng Wattana Road. The fee will also be Bt2,000.
Ratchada said the new services are expected to be available before Songkran (next Monday). For more information, seet www.consular.co.th.
