This is the conclusion of US passport renewal by mail post rant I made about 5 weeks ago:
8/17 mailed passport and all forms via EMS to US embassy in BKK.
8/21 arrived at US embassy gate.
Website [members only]/ indicates “Current Processing Times (applied on or after March 24, 2023) Routine 10 to 13 weeks”. Signed up for E-mail notification
9/8 “no status avail”
9/14 Application Status: Not Available
9/16 Application Status: Mailed
9/18 Application Status: “The U.S. Department of State has mailed your passport book on 09/12/2023. We sent your passport book to you using Prepaid Delivery. Your application locator number is xxxxxx…” (this does not make much sense)
9/20 Notification E-mail received, “[members only]/, EQxxxxxxxxTH”, but upon tracking, "Data not found" is returned (post office strikes again).
9/21 Postman delivers EMS package containing new and old passports. Whole process took 5 weeks.
Immediately proceeded to local IO to transfer old visa extension to new passport.
Will need both passports, signed photocopies of bio page of old passport plus all pages containing stamps, signed photocopy of new passport bio page, and filled and signed application form requesting transfer to new passport. No pics or fee required. Takes 10-15 min. While no longer valid, IO suggests to bring old cancelled passport to next extension “just in case”.
I’d suggest updating local bank accounts with new passport. Not sure what to do about the driver’s license, but will check as well.
Still can’t get over why the US embassy sends American citizens on a wild goose chase to a foreign website, not in English, to buy 100 Baht ($3 USD equiv.) return postage. One-way public bus fare in San Francisco is $3… Anyway, end of rant. Will have a new story in 2033.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user shares their experience of renewing a US passport by mail via the US Embassy in Bangkok and transferring their visa extension to the new passport. They detail the timeline of the application, the unexpected complications with tracking the passport, and necessary steps taken at the local Immigration Office, indicating required documents for the transfer process. Additional community comments provide follow-up questions and shared experiences related to passport renewal and visa procedures in Thailand, emphasizing the need for photocopies of stamped pages and clarifying the transferring process.
