Thai expats can now renew, replace IDs overseas

Thai nationals living overseas will be able to renew their identity cards or have them replaced in case of loss or damage at Thai embassies or consulates in their country of residence.

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul said Friday that this was part of a campaign to make the process easier for Thai expats, who previously had to return home to renew or replace their national ID cards.

The campaign, jointly launched by the Foreign and Interior ministries, does not apply to people who have never had a national ID. First-time applications can only be submitted and processed in Thailand, Surapong said.

The service has already been put in place at Thai foreign missions in Los Angeles, Taipei, Sydney and Singapore, and will be available in Berlin and New York before the end of this month.

The Nation