Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok suspends new passport book exchanges for PV passport holders

Mizzima

The Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, has suspended new passport book exchanges and extensions for holders of visit-type (PV) passports, effective 19 August, according to sources in the passport brokerage community.

“It started today. They’re not processing them anymore. A notice is coming. It’s already all over Facebook,” a Myanmar passport broker based near the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok told Mizzima.

According to emerging reports, PV passport holders in Thailand whose passports have expired and who wish to convert to a job-type (PJ) passport, or who want to exchange their passport for a new book, must now have their applications reviewed and approved by the quasi-civilian military administration in Naypyidaw via the embassy, and can only obtain a new passport once that approval comes through.

The sudden tightening of this Naypyidaw-administration review requirement has caused concern among Myanmar migrant workers and students who entered Thailand on PV passports and later converted to work visas (Non-B) or student visas (Non-ED) to legally reside, work, or study in the country.

As of this report, the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok has not issued any official statement regarding this process change.

The news of this tightening around PV passport renewals emerged 11 days after junta leader Min Aung Hlaing visited the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok during his Thailand trip on 7 August.