A 70 year old friend of mine is happily living in the kingdom, meeting all of his pension and bank requirements to stay. I know its slightly off 'visa' topic but his UK passport runs out next year. He is aware that he has to go to BKK to renew but is getting concerned about how long he will have to be in BKK. He is not a well man. Can anyone advise
TLDR : Answer Summary
Renewing a UK passport in Thailand involves applying through VFS Global located in Bangkok. The process typically requires two visits: one to submit the application and another to collect the new passport, taking about 10-14 days in total. For those unable to travel, such as the elderly or unwell, using an agent is advised to handle the process on their behalf. It's possible to apply for the renewal without making the trip to Bangkok if an authorized individual or agent submits the application and picks up the passport.