Thread: Renewing a passport in Bangkok

I could have done without this hassle before I go back to work but passports don't renew themselves unfortunately, so a flying visit to Bangkok had to be undertaken.

I had a 11:15am appointment at the Aussie Embassy on Wireless Road. I checked Google Maps this morning and and it reckoned that the 4.2km to the embassy was walkable in 1hr 7 mins. Either that or 15 minutes in a taxi. These days I do 5km every morning on the treadmill in 40 minutes of fast walking so I reckoned a leisurely walk down to the embassy was in order.

I sat on the hotel balcony and there was a nice breeze as well, so why not? May as well get my steps in.



After about 4 minutes I got a sweat on, and after 10 minutes I was absolutely drenched. But what can ya do once you're started? I had a bottle of water with me and was enjoying some of the sites that you often don't notice when stuck in a taxi.

This was the entrance to the infamous Sukhumvit Soi 4 that I've heard so much about.



And further along a 'Siam Pharmacy'. We have one in Korat and I had no idea that it was part of a chain. Whenever I visit the Bangkok Hospital in Korat I pay the doctor's fees but decline the prescribed medication, preferring to buy it from the Siam Pharmacy at around 60 to 70% of the hospital cost. I popped in to the one in Korat last weekend and the daughter counted no less than 25 staff... that place must make a small fortune.



Google Maps suggested this was the junction where I needed to turn off left from Sukhumvit Road, down Wireless Road.



I could see no sign for 'Wireless Road', just this sign for 'Witthayu Road'. Maybe Witthayu is Thai for Wireless? I could have done with a skilled linguist such as Edmond at this point, but put my trust in Google.



I was pretty fucked by this point. My water was long finished and I was drenched from head to toe in sweat. Wet jeans really aren't pleasant to walk in either and I was starting to wish that I'd just caught a taxi.

The first embassies I came across. This was the first time I've ever wished that the wife was Mongolian rather than Aussie.



Then the Rolex building.



I had the most expensive service ever on my aging Air-King Date at this place, and it still kept shitty time afterwards. I use a dodgy jeweler in Great Yarmouth for my Rolex services these days at a fraction of the cost.



The end of the queue for the American Embassy. The big guy sat on a pink stool in the loud blue shirt (who I assumed was American ) was still sat there an hour later on my return leg, so I don't know what was going on there. He must be experienced though, to bring his own stool.



In times like this, 7-Elevens are a Godsend. I was just starting to get seriously worried about dehydrating when I came across this oasis and replenished my supplies with two ice-cold bottles of water.



The Japanese Embassy.



And on the same block, finally a sign to the Australian Embassy after a 4km walk.



And there was still a way to go. This brand new pavement was probably the best I've ever walked along in Thailand.

Give it a couple of wet seasons...



The embassy was eventually in sight so I stopped a while to try and smarten meself up a bit. At least the bottom of my shirt was still dry.



And 4.2km after setting off... the Australian Embassy. As I took this photo the two guards rushed over to tell me than no pictures were allowed. This seemed a bit off to be honest in a public street, but I didn't argue the point.



And that was it... I was in and out again after around 45 minutes. The only slight glitch was an issue about the daughter's passport photos which may need to be replaced if turned down by the powers to be in Australia. I didn't mention that they were good enough for her UK passport so must surely be good enough for a bloody Aussie passport. Anyway, 5000 odd Baht later and I was out again. I was still pretty damp, but no longer drenched after 45 minutes in the Aussie aircon, so I decided to walk back.

After around 4 minutes I got a real sweat on...

I did actually walk all the way to Villa Market by Sukhumvit Soi 33 as I wanted to pick up another box of this bloody corn meal (it better be nice), so have walked almost 12km today.

I felt that I thoroughly deserved this, after around 11km of my trek.

Thanon Wiittayu like Roiet pronounced Woy Ate its Siamese word for Radio ako or 2LO Wireless

วิทยุ = Radio I usually get a nong to auto tune, as a skilled angler and engineer you may prefer to be reeled in by the hotel receptionist twiddling the knob.

May PJG Yogi and the plaa nin rise to greet you