Phuket Thailand

Pussy Whipped · #1 10-02-2007, 22:43

I visited the Britsh Embassy in Bangkok to apply for a new passport as the current one is full.

Its very quite there these days now the visa applications have been out sourced.

It was a very quick and efficent service but....

I was told I had to have a Biometric passport. No other choice. other than not renewing my passport that is, the cost, THB 6820.

The time 10 working days, and.....this really annoyed me..........only 32 page passports availabe. No more 48 page passports at the present time.

I tried to ask some pertinent questions which were,

QU1. What information is contained on this passports chip, will it contain info about any other passports, old or current.

ANS. After the native behind the glass returned from going to ask the organ grinder in the back somewhere the answer was "No".

I later discovered that this is untrue. The chip would contain info about any lost stolen or damaged passport that the new one was replacing, but only the number and date of issue.

QU2. The passport is valid for 10 years, but the chip manufacture only give a 2 year waranty. What will happen if the chip fails before the 10 years is up?

ANS. (After another trip from the counter to ask the unseen oracle within) "Its been very thourgly checked sir we have not had a problem with this yet"

I then replied that immigration in the UK would not be checking the biometric data at airports until March, and perhaps that might have been why there had so far not been a problem.

I realised I was flogging a dead horse so I shut up then, but I am sure it won't be long until some anarchist puts their passport in the mircowave.

Any BM's got the Juice on Biometric passports from other countries? I notice that Thai passports now are sporting the Biometric symbol on the front, but I don't think they are chipped yet.

LivinLOS · #2 10-02-2007, 23:07

I heard you cant a USA visa without one ??

I also have read that the RFID can be broken easily with blunt force.. Nuking them burns the paper around the cooked ship.. This was listed in wiored (god its gone downhill.. Wired mags advise use a hammer.. How wired ??)..

Also the RFID data is wide open.. It can be scanned and cloned even by amateurs and home hobbiests.. Read a piece about this which made it seem rather pointless..

I need to replace one of mine this year.. Wait for 48 pagers tho thats why this one needs to be renewed..

LivinLOS · #3 10-02-2007, 23:08

Ohh and Thai ones are chipped tho whats ont he chip data I couldnt say.. Spinners new passport is RFID chipped in the thick pages at the back..

Pussy Whipped · #4 11-02-2007, 00:43

You still can enter US with a machine readable passport, at least last week you could. Dunno about a "Hammered" Biometricone in the future.

LivinLOS · #5 11-02-2007, 08:00

I think its a case of you can enter if your part of a visa waiver program.. But if your needing a visa anyway (longer stay or countries that need visa's) you cant get the visa without one..

I had read that I think.. I could be 100% wrong..

One of mine isnt even machine readable.. The data swipe section is missing.. Was a issued in 20 mins rush job one day..

MrDK · #6 11-02-2007, 08:16

If you come from a visa waiver country you can still enter the without a machine readable passport if you meet one of to two criteria 1. get a visa (no more waiver) or 2. you hold a resident alien card. If you are not from a visa waiver county you do not need a machine readable passport, but obviously need to obtain the proper visa. The rational is that in the process of getting the visa or resident alien card you information is already ready accessible in the computer. I have traveled many times in and out of the US with an old DK passport after the requirements for machine readable passports took effect.

Bobby · #7 12-02-2007, 20:47

Are you sure?
My gf chagedher passport 2 weeks ago at the ministry of foreign affairs in Bangkok. It costs 1000 Bahts and it was ready in only 2 days. No chip apparently but fingerprints on a small "sticker" below the picture.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Ohh and Thai ones are chipped tho whats ont he chip data I couldnt say.. Spinners new passport is RFID chipped in the thick pages at the back..

marc26 · #8 12-02-2007, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

I think its a case of you can enter if your part of a visa waiver program.. But if your needing a visa anyway (longer stay or countries that need visa's) you cant get the visa without one..

I had read that I think.. I could be 100% wrong..

One of mine isnt even machine readable.. The data swipe section is missing.. Was a issued in 20 mins rush job one day..

mine has been in the pool a few times
i get some shit....depends on the agent

hasnt been swipeable in years!!