What is the process for US passport renewal from Thailand and how can I navigate the requirements?

This is for Americans who are required to renew their passports by mail.

This is what I used:

1. Smart phone or device with a camera to read QR code.

2. Internet service.

3. Local bank account with the bank app to allow payment via QR code scan. Need to download the bank app and get it set up at a bank branch (Phone must be on “Mobile Data” mode for this one time setup as the bank must recognize the phone number and send an OTP). After that, one can use WiFi, and pay for goods/services using the merchant QR code. Many already use this.

4. An account on “Thailand Post Mart” to buy “Courier Pass Back” service. Pay with the above bank app by scanning the Thailand Post QR code. Receipt will be E-mailed to user. The embassy no longer accepts self-addressed self-stamped return envelopes. Navigate to the Thailand Post Mart using the QR code on the checklist provided on the US embassy passport renewal page. The LINE app QR code reader will take you there. You will need to apply for a log in account with name, address, E-mail, etc. A verification link will be sent to the given E-mail. Once the account is set up, log in and choose to buy the Courier Pass Back service. You can then go to the “shopping cart” page and pay. There are various pay methods including by credit/ATM card. I tried AMEX as well as ATM from Bank of Ayutthaya to no avail. Eventually tried the Siam Commercial icon and was able to sync with my SCB QR code reader in the app. Once paid, a receipt was sent to the E-mail I used in the sign up process. The E-mail arrived quickly. This is the postage payment receipt required by the US embassy to mail the old and new passport back. The cost is 100 Baht.

5. You also need to log on to the given US gov website to pay for the passport fee. There they take AMEX cards. Once payment accepted, an E-mail is sent to the E-mail used in the sign up process. That E-mail took seconds too.

6. Need a Printer to print the passport application request checklist, the US government receipt of $130 US, and the Thailand Post receipt of 100 Baht. You may be able to save all of the above and have it printed at a local print shop.

7. The passport renewal form can be filled on-line, and needs to be printed (and signed) as well.

8. The usual 2x2 inch passport size photos. Two of them.

9. A photocopy of the passport bio page

10. EMS cost of mailing above docs is ~40-50 Baht.

Number 3 above, going to the bank to set up the phone app was easy, as an employee did all the work, and this pay-by-phone app is used often by many.

Number 4 was the worst nightmare. The Thailand Post Mart website is in Thai, and even the Thai people who live with me could not figure it out. The website has a Google applet that translates the page but misses on pop op message boxes and the translation is not accurate at times. Went to the Post Office downtown but they could neither understand nor help. Went to the Post Office main distribution center and they could not help either. They had never seen the Thailand Post Mart website. I finally was able to set up the account (they send a verification link to the E-mail given on registration but that was not clear as most of these pop-up messages are in Thai) Still could not pay the 100 Baht. I called the help line but the operator who spoke some English, had never heard of “Thailand Post Mart” or “Courier Pass Back” service. Went back to both Post offices, and again, with no result. Four times now. Finally was able to pay by using the SCB icon on the shopping cart webpage with my newly acquired SCB bank app.

All this running around over 100 Baht. Then the next time one needs “Thailand Post Mart” or “Courier Pass Back” service, is quite possibly for the next renewal, ten years from now.

It really appears that some bright clock in the US government decided to do an intelligence test on passport renewal applicants. Did they themselves really pass the IT test? For Goodness’ sakes, all that over 100 Baht?

Oh, and as a bonus, a few minutes after signing up for the account at the “Thailand Post Mart”, I received messages both on my phone and in my E-mail, in Thai but with the “Thailand Post Mart” heading. When I asked the people at the Post Office the meaning of these messages, they said it was “spam” and that this happened often.

Once the new passport arrives, I’ll advise how long it took. Cheers