Not carrying passport.

[Green Nomad]

Hi,

I am in Thailand next month and whilst there I am needing to send my passport to the uk in order to get a Saudi residence visa stamped in it.

Does anyone know if it is acceptable to carry a copy of passport and obviously the landing card etc and use this when asked by the men in black.

GN..

[DSB]

I had to do that a few years back, when I had to get a visa for India. If you have to do it, then keep a low profile and avoid trouble, you are supposed to have your passport on you at all times in Thailand, or at least be able to access youor passport quickly. If possible get a second passport for this purpose.

[Vital Spark]

In all my years of living here (now 17) I have never once been asked by a policeman to show him my passport (perhaps I look too scary ).

You should copy it before you send it off, though, just in case. It'd also be a good idea to perhaps copy any paperwork to show why you don't have it.

VS

[Gregjam]

Why take the risk? It is very easy to get a second UK passport if you need, as stated, to send one away for a visa. All you need is a letter from your employer stating this is the reason for getting the second passport. I have on occasion been asked for my passport and have always been able to produce. Others seem to be luckier.

[kendo]

Myself and Big Boy got stopped on our way to football they just wanted to know where we were going and didn't ask for ID.

Kendo.

[Big Boy]

Yes, getting stopped is a regular thing when you're driving. To date I've been asked for my passport once in 2.5 years - I obviously don't look as ferocious as VS.

My wife is usually with me, and she carries my passport in her handbag. The day kendo refers to was rare, but she wasn't with me, so I'd have been in trouble if asked.

[pharvey]

Myself and Big Boy got stopped on our way to football

The "Dangerous Brothers" comes to mind.....

Why take the risk? It is very easy to get a second UK passport if you need, as stated, to send one away for a visa. All you need is a letter from your employer stating this is the reason for getting the second passport. I have on occasion been asked for my passport and have always been able to produce. Others seem to be luckier.

100% - have kept 2 UK passports for many years without issue. I would also add that when travelling, my passport or passports are kept at the hotel/site and I do not have them on me when walking around town etc. (but 1 would be easily accessible), I do however carry a "Certified or Notarised" copy of my passport(s). Whilst my passport has not been requested in Thailand, I have had the issue in China and Turkey - the copy being accepted without any problem.

[dtaai-maai]

What happens when you produce the 2nd passport and it has no entry stamps in it? What's to stop you being arrested as an illegal?

[STEVE G]

It is very easy to get a second UK passport.....

Earlier this year it was taking about twelve weeks to get any UK passport so I suppose it depends on what you define as easy.

[Gregjam]

What happens when you produce the 2nd passport and it has no entry stamps in it? What's to stop you being arrested as an illegal?

I keep my 2nd passport separate from the one I use to enter Thailand. This is the one that is sent off for Visas. It is important to make sure you manage your passports carefully so you enter Thailand on the one you do not need to send off. The only time you are likely to be identified with two passports is when travelling as in the OPs case should they go direct to Saudi from Thailand and then you may have to explain that a UK citizen can hold two current passports. I have never had a problem with this.

[Green Nomad]

Thanks for all the comments Guys. I am now trying to get my company to give me a business ticket to uk after my holiday....GN

[Gregjam]

It is very easy to get a second UK passport.....

Earlier this year it was taking about twelve weeks to get any UK passport so I suppose it depends on what you define as easy.

Allowing for delays comes down to planning although it will not always work out. I am not sure how the fast track system was working when they had the problems or how long it is currently taking to process a passport. I still feel that the OP would be better off with a second passport because should anything go wrong from it going missing in the post to unexpected delays at the embassy issuing the visa a lot of awkward explaining could be required here.

There are always options and having been in the position of waiting for a passport caught up in Australian customs which,had it not arrived in time, would have resulted in travelling to the UK before heading back to Thailand, I prefer the safe option. I thought I had allowed plenty of time but as it was only just got the second passport in time.