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 While no longer valid, IO suggests to bring old cancelled passport to next extension “just in case”.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.

90 days report by post to CW, I get slip after 32 days from the date I sent envelope to CW. So, as Tod advised previously, there is no worry as this can take double or triple time compared to “normal” before pandemic (4-6 weeks). I also noted that delivery was signed by Security Guard, and not by CW employee as before. I assume they get mail and then deliver it to Mueang Thong Thani to processing let’s say one time per week. So if someone still prefer reporting by mail, please use EMS and keep receipt until you get slip back. QA why I use report by mail is: if report online fails for any reason (as It failed for me couple of times before) , then I must do report in person, and this will cost me taxi + time + absence from work.