I may/may not have a passport problem with an upcoming trip

[serfty]

Qantas use TIMATEC for Visa references, all check in staff have access to it.

It is a service provided by IATA.

The qantas.com web site link posted by dazz81 uses the same source of data the check-in staff have access to.

Visa and Health Information | Qantas


This is what the check-in person will see if they looked up TIMATEC at the time of posting:

https://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/...M=AU&DE=TH&TR=00&VT=00&user=QF&subuser=QANTAS

 / 27DEC12 / 1222 UTC



National Australia (AU)         /Embarkation Australia (AU)
Destination Thailand (TH)       


 Thailand (TH)



Passport required.
- Nationals of Australia can enter with passports and/or

  passport replacing documents valid for the period of
  intended stay. 
Passport Exemptions:

- Holders of emergency or temporary passports.

Visa required, except for A max. stay of 30 days: 
Visa required, except for Holders of an APEC Business Travel
Card (ABTC)For details, click here provided endorsed  Valid for travel
to THA":
 - for a max. stay of 90 days.
Minors:
- When arriving in, or departing from Thailand, minors aged

  under 16 yearsFor details, click here
Additional Information:

- Visitors who are visa exempt are required to hold documents
  for their next destination.

- Visitors over 12 years of age are required to hold
  sufficient funds to cover their stay (at least THB 10,000.-
  per person or THB 20,000.- per family).
  For details, click here 
- For those who do not require a visaFor details, click here
Warning:
- Passport number and nationality must match those stated on

  the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC). 
- Visitors who are visa exempt but do not hold return/onward
  tickets could be refused entry. ...

Make up your own mind ...

 

[serfty]

...
... The throwaway cost of renewing (if actually possible) early is about $25 which is a small price to pay for a whole lot of peace of mind.
....

The cost of a standard Oz passport is currently $233 for 10 years.

The "Priority processing fee" is an additional $103 [-]on top of that[/-].

 

[kpc]

The cost of a standard Oz passport is currently $233 for 10 years.

The "Priority processing fee" is an additional $103 on top of that.

I guess it depends on whether you want to spend $103 for "peace of mind". I suspect that given that the only 2 business days left prior to the OP's travel were today and tomorrow, the OP has already made their decision or perhaps the passport office has made the decision either in the affirmative or negative in terms of passport renewal turnaround time.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

smarttraveller.gov.au is outdated in this case... fortunately airline check-in staff use the definitive answer in TIMATIC which is fully up to date as every countrys border authorities update it on a regular basis. looking forward to hearing how the op goes.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Thanks guys. Rang VA, got through to International staff...she didn't know much, but said as long as my passport was valid then VA would allow me to board in Australia. As I've mentioned I have one day's grace of the 6 months to enter Thailand..no point trying the consulate as they are closed.

So I've spent today on the phone to the passport office and to VA. VA were absolutely useless...the supervisor thought Indonesia and Thailand were the same country and didn't believe me when I kept saying he was discussing the wrong country and to get his facts straight!! (New Zealand call centre, I asked to be put through to Australia after that).

The passport office said I would have no problems, Virgin said it's not up to them, Passport office said it was Virgin's decision to board me or not, Virgin said it was up to immigration.
Anyway, decided to get a priority passport done, however passport office is not processing any priority passports until next Monday, of which it wouldn't be ready until next Thurs/Fri (their words)...so I am screwed either way now. I'll either be spending a coughpy week in Perth alone or I won't.

I'm surprised Virgin said it's not up to them as it's their decision whether they are going to check you in and allow you to board the flight as it's the airline's responsibility to decide whether your travel documents meet the criteria as dictated by the Thai Government.

I wouldn't even bother ringing a call centre because not matter what you are told, it won't help if the checkin person doesn't share the same view. The only people who can give you the real answer are the staff who do the VA checkin in MEL. Not sure if that is VA proper or a contractor like Toll or Menzies.

smarttraveller.gov.au is outdated in this case... fortunately airline check-in staff use the definitive answer in TIMATIC which is fully up to date as every countrys border authorities update it on a regular basis. looking forward to hearing how the op goes.

As long as the checkin staff who do the VA checkin use Timatic then there shouldn't be an issue.

 

[mella2007]

Dazz...your advice was appreciated and initially by my own calculations hence why I didn't bother with this a month ago...however after making a few calls today and getting more freaked out with conflicting advice with not even the option of getting a new passport, doesn't leave me any options IF something goes wrong on the day. Having VA not know, the passport office saying ok and the Thai embassy closed is not too comforting..
This forum is fantastic and different opinions perhaps of someone who has been in a similar situation is fantastic...as well as comments by experienced members of the forum who have always been helpful to me.
To anyone who has found this thread a drainer...sorry...but goes the same for some threads that go on for 40 pages about not a lot.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Passport required.
- Nationals of Australia can enter with passports and/or

passport replacing documents valid for the period of
intended stay.

My interpretation of the above Timatic paragraph is that your Australian Passport must be valid for the period of your intended stay so if you are staying in Thailand until 09 Jan 2013 your passport could expire the day after departure. There is nothing in Timatic that says your Passport must be valid either for 6 months from date of entry or 6 months on departure from Thailand.

 

[mella2007]

But then I'm probably just being rude again. Seriously this forum does my head in sometimes. There is such a wealth of information but people choose to ignore it and some threads just go on and on and around and around. Mods, is there a logical end to a thread ?

I very rarely start a topic and never along the lines of anything like this. I am helpful with responding to people starting threads who have asked the same question a thousand times over, but still happy to assist as I know how frustrating it is when you want re assurance or info straight away.
If any OP took just one person's advice and it went badly, with something as serious as a passport issue...how would you feel?

Thanks for all the responses...I will let you know how I go!

 

[ermen]

If were me, based on the info here, I would just travel.

Anyway isint the OPs passport ok? In that it is six months and 1 day or something like that?

 

[Sprucegoose]

It's always best to pick a female at BKK immigration. They typically process the pax at twice the speed of the men.
A bit like supermarket check-outs in Aus.

They are also less corrupt

 

[Sprucegoose]

I disagree. dazz81 has done this and passed on his personal experience but it seems the OP has chosen to ignore that advice. What is to be gained by continuing the thread ? In fact if we all stopped posting after getting an answer, AFF would be even better IMHO.

If only some matters were so simple!!

OP has little choice and will provide feedback so we are all much the wiser for. I have been detained by immigration Many times for technical alleged infringements, looking for ANY technicality or doubt to further their own ends. 9/10 I won.

Travel is indeed the best education. Many times there are no hard and fast answers, just interpretations and judgments to be made.

If the Thai website says six months validity required, is the best way forward to let them know their information is wrong?

There are no answers. There are however judgements to be made.

 

[markis10]

In fact if we all stopped posting after getting an answer, AFF would be even better IMHO.

Is that after an answer or a definitive answer, the later usually not found on the Internet? Case in point being the discussion over a system QF use to validate travel requirements in this thread which is somewhat off topic given the fact the OP is travelling VA which may or may not use a different system.

If I had a course of action which meant my last defence was not " I read it on the Internet" or "the call centre said it was OK", personally I would take it!

 

[QF WP]

Mal posted the TIMATIC information in post #6 and others after him.

dazz81 and eastflyer have given personal experience - dazz81 with less than 6 months validity and eastflyer with EXACTLY the same timing as you mella2007.

As other wise members have said, take a copy of TIMATIC with you.

Enjoy the holiday

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Is that after an answer or a definitive answer, the later usually not found on the Internet? Case in point being the discussion over a system QF use to validate travel requirements in this thread which is somewhat off topic given the fact the OP is travelling VA which may or may not use a different system.

If I had a course of action which meant my last defence was not " I read it on the Internet" or "the call centre said it was OK", personally I would take it!

TIMATIC is not only in use by Qantas but all major airlines. it is published by IATA. Google TIMATIC

 

[markis10]

TIMATIC is not only in use by Qantas but all major airlines. it is published by IATA. Google TIMATIC

But is it used by VA conclusively, have not seen that answered and thats the airline the OP is using, I have no issue that its popular, so is smartraveller.gov.au, with both coming from authoritative sources and both not compulsory in terms of who uses the data?

My guess is that there wont be an issue, but I am the sort of person that likes to get to the airport well in advance of suggested check in times, so if it was me I would be renewing the passport, although its probably more risky than just going to the airport.

 

[HarryB]

dazz81 shakes his head in disbelief I'm sure. Hey Mella2007, if you don't want to listen to the answer, why ask the question in the first place ?

I'd be more comfortable if the available information was consistent, particularly when both Thai and Australian Government web pages provide what may be outdated data so I definitely understand the OP's concerns.

The problem with advice is its, well, just advice, and no matter who provides it the person receiving it can choose to accept it or not. No one should be offended or upset if their advice is not taken or treated with some skepticism because the person it's offered to will always be given conflicting information which only increases the confusion when in a possible sticky situation like this one.

Mella, your best bet, as a couple of people have suggested, is probably arming yourself with information that supports your situation just in case. I hope you enjoy your holiday.

 

[ajca]

@dazz81 - your previous one experience does not guarantee that the OP will not have a problem. As anyone who has spend much time in Thailand knows, rules are enforced variably at different times and in different places (eg Bangkok vs coughet)

Risking the OP's holiday on the rationality and non-arbitrariness of Thai immigration officials (and VA checkin agents) seems to me like a foolish move, especially when this risk could be completely removed by paying an extra $100 and renewing a passport that would have needed to be renewed anyway in a couple of months...

Plus wouldn't it be nice for the OP to spend the flight to coughet without a niggling doubt over whether there would be any problems?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

@dazz81 - your previous one experience does not guarantee that the OP will not have a problem. As anyone who has spend much time in Thailand knows, rules are enforced variably at different times and in different places (eg Bangkok vs coughet)

Risking the OP's holiday on the rationality and non-arbitrariness of Thai immigration officials (and VA checkin agents) seems to me like a foolish move, especially when this risk could be completely removed by paying an extra $100 and renewing a passport that would have needed to be renewed anyway in a couple of months...

Plus wouldn't it be nice for the OP to spend the flight to coughet without a niggling doubt over whether there would be any problems?

it's not one experience. I know airline staff within Thai airways who work at check in and know the rules as it's all they do day in day out. anyway ... whatever.... I've had enough now... to the op please get a new passport and don't try to fly there until you do.

apparently ajca knows better even though he/she hasn't mentioned that they have had any experience in this situation.

btw, as a part time travel consultant, traveler who has flown to Thailand at least 60 times in the past 7 years and with contacts inside TG I did not simply show up at the airport with my passport with a few monthss validity at the airport. I checked into it first. but hey what do I know, Thai Airways know, or even the International Air Transport Association know. the airlines are only relying on IATA every day to ensure they do not cop massive fines and the cost of sending their passengers home when denied entry. what the hell would they know eh?

 

[ermen]

Anyway whats the argument here?

OP has 6 months and 1 day on the passport which is one day more than the requisite six months that some websites expose. 1 day or 1 year more than six months is still more than six months no?!

OK, some say that maybe the passport needs to be valid for six months from end of stay... Why not just buy a refundable F ticket for the next day to somewhere on the 3rd? And just enter the country with an intended stay of one day like a transit (i guess risk is that they will be denied entry and OP has to fly back the next day on that F ticket instead of DJ if immigration doesnt let OP through - but it seems this risk is low).

 

[mella2007]

First you tell me not to worry, now you say get a new passport!
In case you didn't read my previous posts, I cannot get a new passport in time due to the passport office not processing anything till Monday..and Tues is a public holiday.
Also...I am flying with VA, not Thai, not QF...and I cannot get into the Timatic site without a subscription, so cannot print anything off nor see what VA sees.
If I hadn't of realised so close to departure, I would have gotten a new passport weeks ago to not cause myself this hassle, nor start a thread asking for advice. VA, the passport office and both the embassy and consulate websites are giving different information. My query about the being inside the 6 months rule by one day hasn't been able to be answered by any of the legal organisations.

it's not one experience. I know airline staff within Thai airways who work at check in and know the rules as it's all they do day in day out. anyway ... whatever.... I've had enough now... to the op please get a new passport and don't try to fly there until you do.

apparently ajca knows better even though he/she hasn't mentioned that they have had any experience in this situation.

btw, as a part time travel consultant, traveler who has flown to Thailand at least 60 times in the past 7 years and with contacts inside TG I did not simply show up at the airport with my passport with a few monthss validity at the airport. I checked into it first. but hey what do I know, Thai Airways know, or even the International Air Transport Association know. the airlines are only relying on IATA every day to ensure they do not cop massive fines and the cost of sending their passengers home when denied entry. what the hell would they know eh?