Warunya Thongrod
While open since early June, the Thai Passport Office’s Pattaya
branch finally “officially” opened with a politician-studded ceremony.
Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary Navin Bunseth joined Pattaya Deputy Mayor
Ronakit Ekasingh, city council members, Passport Office Director Ratchada
Jiwalai, and representatives of the Thai-Chinese Culture & Economic
Association for the July 25 ribbon cutting at The Avenue galleria on Second
Road.
Chanchai Phansopha, executive vice president for office operator Siam Future
Development Public Co. said the passport branch is the third in the Eastern
Seaboard, but first in Pattaya.
“Normally, a passport office is opened in city hall or
provincial administration office, where there are limitations in opening and
closing times,” Ratchada said. “We have seen the advantage of opening the
office in a department store since the opening-closing time is longer and
there is the convenience in parking spaces.”
Ronakit said Thais have shown excitement about the convenience of the new
office and thanked the ministry for choosing Pattaya for the location.
Pattaya office manager Chatchai Choochom said about 200 people a day have
taken advantage of the local services since its June 3 opening. He expects
that number could rise to 500 a day. He said more service desks will be
added to handle the crowds.
The only problems Chatchai said he’s seen so far is that applicants arrive
without all the required documentation.
Thais need only their identification card or birth
certificate to apply. Office staffers will take the required photograph. The
office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. The fee for a new passport
is 1,040 and passports are delivered via post within 5-7 business days. For
more information call 038-422-438.
