By Itsarin Tisantia
Photos by Itsarin Tisantia
Hundreds of people flocked to the Consular Department’s passport service unit on Chaeng Watthana Road when it reopened for the first time on June 2 after months of closure due to the political protests in Bangkok.
Read the following story from the Bangkok Post to learn more about the reopening.
The Chaeng Watthana passport service unit had been closed for several months due to the anti-government protests. Many locals in the surrounding areas were waiting to use its service, and the office has now reopened as expected.
SATISFIED CUSTOMERS
Sukanya Piamin, 43, from Bangkok’s Bang Kae district, on June 2 said she and her husband had been putting off plans to visit the department for more than a month.
“We are planning to go to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the Haj pilgrimage in September but we were worried the department could be closed again if there are any more protests, so we decided to apply for passports today,” Sukanya said.
Virach Phuangpu, 33, submitted his online booking on May 28 and came in earlier than his allotted time on June 2. He praised the online booking system for those who want to be seen by passport officials, but said he would have to pay an extra 40 baht to receive his passport by post.
EXPAT APPOINTMENT
Anya Chanpimol, 32, came in to the department at 10 am to apply for her passport. More than 700 people had come to the office before her and she had to wait an hour and a half to finish the process. She travelled from Malaysia, where she has been living for nine years, and booked her ticket to come to the department two months in advance, hoping the office would be reopened by then.
“I always follow the news in Thailand and knew that the department would reopen today,” Anya said. “I also know about the coup but I’m not afraid.” Anya said that she would come back to collect her new passport on June 5.
PLENTY OF PASSPORTS
Thongchai Chasawath, director-general of the Consular Affairs Department, said the large number of people at the department on the first day was expected. The majority of people visit the department on Mondays and numbers usually dwindle by midweek, he said.
Thongchai estimated there were 8,000 passport applications on June 2, adding that the department has more than three million passport books in stock — enough for the next three years.
“Don’t be afraid that the passport books will run out,” Thongchai said. “People don’t need to rush to apply. If possible, they should arrange to receive their passports by post.”
Exercises
Read Exercises, then decide whether the following statements are true or false.
1. Thongchai Chasawath is director-general of the Department of Land Transport.
…………………….
2. Sukanya Piamin lives in Bangkok’s Bang Kapi district.
…………………….
3. Anya Chanpimol is 32 years old.
…………………….
4. The Chaeng Watthana passport service unit was only closed for a few days due to the anti-government protests.
…………………….
Vocabulary
- pilgrimage (n): a journey to a holy place for religious reasons
official (n): a person who is in a position of authority in a large organisation
dwindle (n): to become gradually less or smaller
