What should I do if my Australian passport is stolen in Bangkok?

Oct 8, 2024
a month ago
Ryan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi guys, i lost my Australian passport(stolen with money) in Pra Ram 9, Bangkok,

I am not allowed to get a new passport in Thailand because i need lots of documents in Australia. Only allowed Emergency Passport to go home šŸ˜Ŗ

I am hoping someone will see it somewhere, i dont want to go home, i have 5 weeks left

Passport name is Phuong Duy Nguyen.

Please contact me, many thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An individual reported their Australian passport was stolen in Pra Ram 9, Bangkok, and they are uncertain about how to proceed. They cannot obtain a new passport until they return to Australia, leaving them to seek an emergency passport to return home. Community members suggested filing a police report at the local station, inquiring further about the options with the embassy, offering a reward for the return of the passport, and checking about travelling with an emergency passport. Recommendations included contacting immigration for assistance and necessary documentation for staying in Thailand.
Jamie ********
Just wait 5 weeks, enjoy the rest of your trip and get the emergency passport when youā€™re ready to leave, thatā€™s what Iā€™d do.
Jacob ********
Near Khao San Road ?
Anthony ******************
You reported it as stolen so it has most likely been cancelled.
Dean *******
Nope Thailand is the safest country in the world! So that canā€™t happen! Just listen to anyone that has visited there !
Randall **********
Embassy
Jit **********
I think you should ask the information counter in central department rama9. Sometime they leave your bag in the garbage
David ********
Yes, I lost my passport in Bali. To get home it costs the same for a long-term passport which it is only good for one month and when you get home you have to pay the same to get a new passport. All told about $
*****
dollars nowadays. But that is what it is...no second prize. sorry
Kevin ********
I lost a phone and had a reward up on grab taxi sites but never got it.it was no good to anyone. I hope you have some luck, but you are on Thailand. Stay safe
Angela ****************
My neighbor got robbed while walking down Sukhumvit 38 years ago, we found he purse a week later in the Klong on a soi around the corner. Sometimes they dump the bag nearby after taking just the cash. Maybe they can sell the passport so not sure the odds of it getting returned but worth a try to look in bushes nearby if it was a pickpocket/grab thing.
Roman **********
It's gone, mentally write it off and report it stolen. It was stolen for a reason. Never trust Hostels.
Mark **********
Contact your embassy, perhaps someone has alerted them.
Ryan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark *********
done already
Mark **********
Yeah I figured as much.
Mark **********
This brings up a good point: we all should have a removable label on the back cover, giving our contact information to those who are willing to return it for free or as a REWARD. I have this on my phone as well. I used to have it on my keys. More often than not most people would try to return things if they were given a way. Yes, inside the passport has this, but I move so much it changes often. email is my go to.
Albert *******
People can be disgusting and act like animals. I lost my id as well and no one retuned it. Police told me most of the time they just get tossed into the garbage or sold to criminals . Hope you find yours . Good luck
Pobs *****************
Good luck šŸ‘
Alan ******
Yeah Ryan, I couldn't be further away from BKK, good luck anyway.
Scott ******
Sorry to hear that hope you will be okay from Scott new Zealand
Steve ********
I had mine stolen at Makkasan BTS in 2018. Obtained a police report and applied for emergency passport at Australian Embassy, took 3 days then had to get a new stamp at Thai Immigrationļæ¼ out near Don Muang. I had a Thai national with me (limo driver) at immigration which made things easier. If you are spending the five weeks in Thailand it shouldnā€™t cause an issue.
Mitch *****
Check with Thai immigration what you need to do when you leave on an Emergency Passport that will not have your entry visa exemption stamp, issue is that Immigration will still need to see you havenā€™t over stayed.
Anthony ********
Good luck
Dominic *********
I never carry my passport around town! I have the original in a safe, and I carry a copy, along with a copy of the visa stamps! I also have another set of copies in a safe place. Good luck!
Kace *******
best of luck to you
Taketo *********
You can ask for emergency passport from high commission (embassy) then filling PC8 new passport application to replace emergency passport when arrived at home country, isn't ?

Emergency passport validty up to 12 months then you have no issue if you want to living here for another 5 weeks
Mike *******
Firstly, yes, an emergency Aussie passport can only be used to fly home to Australia. But you have lots of time. You can go online (find the ā€œrealā€ Aussie website in Bangkok), and apply for a new normal passport. You fill in an online application form, then follow the bouncing ball. I am an Aussie living abroad (Hong Kong), and my new passports take about two weeks from start to finish. Good luck.
Ryan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mike ******
it says to get a new one, you need to show your old passport
Mike *******
@Ryan *******
I see, bugger. Oh well, an emergency passport to repatriate is your only option. A long shot, and Iā€™m assuming you have a scanned copy of your old passport, phone the consulate and ask is a copy sufficient proof?
Ryan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mike ******
i have scanned copies and drivers license but emergency seems to be straightforward. I am waiting it out another 3 weeks to see
David **********
Emergency passport is fine to finish your holiday within Thailand.... otherwise it can only be used to return to Australia.
David **********
Onve you have reported the lost passport to police and applied for the emergency passport from.the embassy, your old passport is automatically canceled so there's no benefit to finding it.
Ryan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *********
correct, i told the emabssy that ill leave it for a few more weeks to see if it turns up somewhere
David **********
@Ryan *******
it's probably sold already
David **********
Emergency passport should last 6 months, no reason that you have to leave because of that. I was in the same situation and continued my holiday on the emergency passport.
Josh ***********
Does stuff like this happen alot.. (stuff getting stolen)
Ruby ***********
Stay for the 5 weeks then get flight home with passport ?!
Samish ***********
I hope u get what u lost and really sorry buddy about this situation ...keep hope u will get it
@Ryan *******
Albert *****
U need to report police do a report n buy a ticket which u going back home . The passport still valid for a month
Ray *********
Can you not have what you need emailed to you and get your new passport or even have it sent out express mail if you need original. Not sure how long a new one will take though.
Dave ********
Why dont people carry a copy? I have electronic copy and paper copy with me at all times its easier and the passport stays in the room safe just saying!
William ******
@Dave *******
Excellent Idea & perfectly legal. Iā€™ve been visiting Thailand over last 12 years & Ido just that, carry a photocopy of my ID, Passport & Driving licence.

Never carry originals, hotel safe every time.
Anthony ******************
@Dave *******
does not helpuch other than provide details. Still needs a passport chances are it has been cancelled
Francesco *********
@Dave *******
I know that you always have to have the original passport with you. I don't know if the electronic copy or the paper copy is valid. If the police stops you, are you sure that it won't cause problems without the original passport? I'll ask those who are more expert than me.
Wally *****************************
@Francesco ********
no. Not true. Never ever let my passport out of my safe at home Never had a problem in 12 years. Just behave.
Jim ************
@Francesco ********
A good photocopy will usually be ok, if the photo is clear and looks like you.... if not, they may come with you to see the original.. depends on the reason they want to see it, and the mood of the officer ( like most of the world )
Francesco *********
@Jim ***********
Very well from now on I will leave my passport in the safe as it is getting ruined from carrying it around every day
Jim ************
@Francesco ********
I didn't say you SHOULD do that.... just suggested there's unlikely to be a big issue if you don't happen to have it with you, but have a good copy. Certainly try to keep such a valuable document in protective cover always.
Mitch *****
@Jim ***********
should also keep a copy of/ pic of the immigration stamp that you obtained on entry which makes it easier for the police to see you are not breaching your visa expiry date and the BIBā€™s then donā€™t need to engage with the Immigration police.
Dave ********
@Francesco ********
not sure, ive been coming here for 40 years never been asked for passport other than customs and immigration,
Ryan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dave *******
stolen in the hostel, locked in my bag
Joey *****
@Ryan *******
so sorry to hear. Wish you all the best.!!
Alastair *******
@Ryan *******
hostels are a thiefā€™s playground!
Dave ********
@Ryan *******
ok no safe i take it, anyway bad luck experience, hope it goes ok for you
Ha ******
May be you should check if Australian embassy can issue a temporary passport? I knew that German embassy can issue an one year passport without providing so many papers, in case you can not fly back home immediately, fyi.
JC ***************************
You need to report it stolen at all 3: Aust embassy, Thai immigration and Thai police even via the Tourist Thai Police, if a resident in Thailand, Immigration will advise what you need to stay in Thailand without a passport and naturally apply for an emergency passport so that you can return to Australia but without a valid ordinary passport you won't be able to fly anywhere
Simon ******
Just wait then get emergency passport couple of days before
Hector *********
Let the cops no you Offer a good reward maybe it will show up .
Ric ****
If its stolen not lost , you might as well start the cancellation and emergency process...before someone misuses it .
Joey *****
@Ric ***
smart! I didnā€™t think of that.
Albert *******
@Ric ***
so true
Mdl *****
Oops šŸ˜…
Ant ***********
Sorry to read this

Aust embassy in Thailand should be able to issue you with emergency paperwork til you get a new one ?
Chang ******
Are you Vietnam šŸ‡»šŸ‡³
Jasper *************
I put a piece of paper in my passport with my phonenumber and a 2000 baht reward if returned to me written on it.
Joey *****
@Jasper ************
Brilliant!

I will duplicate the idea.
Pete ********
@Jasper ************
that's brilliant
Marc ********
@Jasper ************
Passport was stolen not lost.
Billy ******
@Marc *******
the thief might claim he found it, and try to claim the reward.
Marc ********
@Billy *****
Not sure if a thief will want to take the risk of getting caught though
Diana ******
@Marc *******
omg, a thief will hand it to his buddy and the buddy will collect.
Marc ********
@Diana *****
maybe maybe not
Jasper *************
@Billy *****
thats fine. if i get my passport back
Billy ******
@Jasper ************
correct, itā€™s worth paying for.
Randy *********
@Jasper ************
great idea. Iā€™ll do the same. šŸ‘šŸ¼
George ********
Go to australis and come back?
Robert **********
Have you reported to police? Paricularly at the police station in the area you lost your passport.
Jeff *******
@Robert *********
You think the thieves will hand it in? His biggest issue is it gets copied cos thatā€™s a whole world of pain coming
Ryan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeff ******
usually, they take the money and throw the passport away
Jeff *******
@Ryan *******
You hope, depending on where you come from, US or UK passports are extremely valuable and can be sold for thousands which means chaos for you every time you travel.
Ryan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeff ******
even with the chips, fingerprints, and facial recognition? They can bypass all that now?
Ryan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert *********
yes, i have at Hai Kwang police station, i was at embassy today and they told me, only emergency passport available 250aud. But i said ill wait, just in case it turns up somewhere. I have 5 weeks left on the 60 day entry
Ruth *******
@Ryan *******
Did they tell you that the emergency passport only allows you to return to Australia? I replaced my US passport in Japan with an emergency passport. I didnā€™t need to rush back to the US. It only had a few pages, but it was valid in most countries just as a normal passport would be, France and China were exceptions. I donā€™t know what other countries may have been, but it seemed like few. I do understand your desire to get your passport back though.
Jo **********
@Ruth ******
it depends on your country some emergency passport are valide for 6 months or 1 year
Ryan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ruth ******
ohh really, i want to go Malaysia, with Emergency passport? I'll read up on it
Ruth *******
@Ryan *******
check again with the Australian embassy in Thailand. If youā€™re still unsure, ask the embassy in Malaysia. I know for absolute certain this was the case with the US passport and Iā€™d be very surprised if it were different for the Australian. One hint might be to find out for how long the emergency passport is valid. If itā€™s valid for a year, it is probably (obviously, no guarantees) similar. Best of luck!
Ryan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
7 months it seems
Ryan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ruth *******
@Ryan *******
at least you can travel. Thatā€™s a relief.
Bob **********
I would book my flight if I were you
SJ *******
Can you just use your Vietnamese passport?
Jonnie *******
@SJ ******
probably not if he entered thailand on his Aus passport
Markie ******
@Jonnie ******
assuming he is Vietnamese but he's probably Australian Vietnamese. Big difference
Jonnie *******
@Markie *****
I donā€™t think no difference at all, always you must exit the country on the same passport you entered on
Jo **********
@Jonnie ******
i have 3 passport I had a similar situation used the other passport to exit- just need to explain
Michael ********
@Jo *********
Cool thats good to know, i got two passports and always wondered about that
Jo **********
@Michael *******
they were not easy about it
Michael ********
@Jo *********
yes i would imagine would need copy of lost passport and police report
Jonnie *******
@Jo *********
well thatā€™s a new one on me, Iā€™ve 2 passports and yes entered on different ones but always been advised canā€™t exit on the other one, Iā€™ve missed out on work on occasion when sending a particular passport back home for a visa application,
Jo **********
@Jonnie ******
I explained it was lost and emergency they understand
Andrew *******
@Jo *********
I think for lost passport they should let you out on another passport if you have one
Michael **********
perhaps you could mention where in thailand it got stolen...
Euan ********
@Michael *********
šŸ¤”šŸ¤”šŸ¤”šŸ¤”šŸ¤”
Terry ******
@Michael *********
He did read properly before making you comment
Michael **********
@Terry *****
please follow your own advice next time
Micheal *******
@Terry *****
He did read it properly, OP made a post edit.
Ryan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *********
pra ram 9, Bangkok
Karim ***************
@Ryan *******
have you tried calling the tourist police? Thais are generally very honest and will hand in passports.
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