Second-last day in Bangkok. You’re packing for tomorrow’s flight home. Reach for your passport. It’s not in the hotel safe. Not in your bag. Not in the room. Gone. Panic sets in. Flight’s tomorrow. No passport = can’t board. Can’t exit Thailand. Trip extended indefinitely. Family waiting in India. The boss is expecting you on Monday. ₹1,20,000 lost on non-refundable bookings. This nightmare happens to hundreds of Indian tourists in Thailand annually. Hotel thefts. Pickpockets at night markets. Lost during island-hopping. Stolen from beach bags. Sometimes simply misplaced and never found. Here’s what nobody tells you: Losing your passport in Thailand isn’t trip-ending if you know the exact steps. The Indian Embassy in Bangkok handles this regularly. Thai immigration has established procedures. Insurance covers most costs. You can be on a flight home within 3-5 days—if you act correctly and immediately.
This guide walks you through every single step for Indians who’ve lost their passport in Thailand in 2025, from the moment you realise it’s missing to boarding your rescheduled flight home.
First action within 24 hours of discovering loss: Report to the nearest Thai police station.
Bangkok:
Outside Bangkok:
Critical requirement: A Thai police report is mandatory before the Indian Embassy will process an emergency certificate or passport reissue. Without a police FIR, the embassy cannot proceed.
Prepare this information before visiting the police station:
Personal details:
Passport details:
Loss circumstances:
For theft: “On [date] at approximately [time], my Indian passport number [X-XXXXX] was stolen from [specific location: hotel room/beach/night market]. I discovered the loss when [describe]. The passport was issued on [date] in [city], India, and is valid until [expiry date]. Along with the passport, [list other items stolen]. I request a police report for embassy purposes.”
For loss/misplaced: “On [date] at approximately [time], I lost my Indian passport number [X-XXXXX] somewhere between [location A] and [location B]. Despite thorough searching, I cannot locate it. The passport was issued on [date] in [city], India, and is valid until [expiry date]. I require a police report to apply for an emergency travel document at the Indian Embassy.”
Most tourist police stations have English-speaking officers. If not:
Police will issue a case number on the police card/report. Keep multiple copies:
Processing time: 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on station workload and language barriers.
Cost: Free (Thai police don’t charge for reports)
Indian Embassy Bangkok
Indian Consulate Chiang Mai
No Indian Consulate in Phuket. Phuket-based Indians must contact the Bangkok Embassy.
Call/email immediately with:
Embassy will advise: Emergency Certificate vs. Full Passport Reissue based on your situation.
Indians who’ve lost passports in Thailand have two options:
What it is: Single-use travel document valid ONLY for direct travel to India.
Who should get it:
Validity: One-way journey to India only. Cannot visit other countries. Expires upon India’s arrival.
Processing time: 1-2 working days (if all documents are correct)
Cost: Approximately 1,400 Thai Baht (₹3,750)
What it is: New regular passport (same as an India-issued passport).
Who should get it:
Processing time: 7-10 working days minimum
Cost: Approximately 4,000-4,500 Thai Baht (₹10,700-12,000) depending on pages (36 vs 60)
Most Indian tourists choose an Emergency Certificate because it’s faster, and you’re returning to India anyway.
Mandatory documents for Emergency Certificate:
If you have a photocopy: Perfect—submit it
If NO photocopy: Provide these details:
Critical tip: Email yourself passport photos before any international trip. Saves massive hassle if lost.
From September 1, 2025: ICAO-compliant photos mandatory
Requirements:
Where to get photos in Thailand:
Any ONE of these:
Don’t have ANY of these in Thailand? The Embassy can verify your identity through:
Signed in the presence of a Consular Officer at the embassy, stating the circumstances of loss. The Embassy provides a format—you sign on the spot.
Show confirmed return flight to India. The Embassy prioritises Emergency Certificates for those with imminent travel.
Don’t have a ticket yet? Get a provisional booking (refundable or hold) to show urgency.
IVS Passport Application Centre Bangkok:
No appointment needed for Indian nationals at IVS. Walk-in during working hours (9 AM – 12 PM).
Total time at embassy: 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the crowd.
Emergency Certificate ready: 1-2 working days (embassy notifies via email/phone)
Return to the embassy during document collection hours (3:00 PM – 4:30 PM) with:
Emergency Certificate looks like: Temporary passport-style booklet, valid for a single journey to India.
Critical step most Indians forget: New emergency certificate has NO Thai visa stamp. You entered Thailand on an old passport. Must transfer visa/entry stamp to new document.
Location:
Documents needed:
What to tell immigration:
“I entered Thailand on [date] via [airport] with Indian passport number [old number]. That passport was lost/stolen on [date]. I have a new Emergency Certificate from the Indian Embassy. I need the entry stamp transferred to continue my stay and exit Thailand legally.”
Processing: Immigration will:
Time: 1-2 hours
Cost: Free (no charge for stamp transfer)
CRITICAL: Without this step, you’ll face issues at airport departure. Immigration will have no record of you entering Thailand legally with a new document.
Call airline customer service immediately: “I’m an Indian passenger on flight [number] on [date] from Bangkok to [destination]. My passport was lost in Thailand. I now have an Emergency Certificate from the Indian Embassy. Do I need to update my booking details?”
Most airlines require:
Airlines flying India-Thailand:
If your flight is within 48 hours of getting an Emergency Certificate:
It might be impossible to process everything in time. Consider:
Smart approach: Once you get the police report (day 1), immediately change the flight to 4-5 days later. Gives buffer time for the emergency certificate and immigration stamp.
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Most comprehensive travel insurance policies cover lost passport expenses, including:
Passport replacement costs:
Additional expenses:
Typical coverage limits: ₹15,000-50,000 depending on policy
Mandatory:
Claim submission:
Processing time: 15-30 days after document submission
Indian insurance providers:
Why insurance might reject:
Prevention: Inform insurance within 24 hours of loss. Most policies require immediate notification.
Arrive 4 hours early. You’ll face extra scrutiny with an Emergency Certificate.
Documents to show airline:
Airline verifies:
Immigration officer checks:
Possible questions:
Processing: 10-20 minutes (longer than a regular passport)
No fees. Thai departure routine.
Indian immigration accepts an Emergency Certificate for entry.
You’ll need to:
Time to get a regular passport in India: 2-3 weeks via Tatkal
Digital backups:
Physical copies:
Hotel safety:
Common theft scenarios:
Only carry a passport when:
Total out-of-pocket expenses:
| Item | Cost (Thai Baht) | Cost (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Police Report | Free | Free |
| Passport Photos (4) | 150-200 | ₹400-550 |
| Emergency Certificate | ~1,400 | ₹3,750 |
| Transport (Embassy/Immigration) | 400-800 | ₹1,070-2,140 |
| Flight change fee | 3,000-8,000 | ₹8,000-21,400 |
| Extended accommodation (2-3 nights) | 3,000-6,000 | ₹8,000-16,000 |
| Total | 7,950-16,400 | ₹21,220-43,840 |
If insured: Claim back ₹15,000-30,000 (depending on policy)
If NOT insured: Entire cost out-of-pocket
Lesson: ₹600-1,200 travel insurance premium saves ₹20,000-40,000 disaster costs.
No. Emergency Certificate valid ONLY for direct travel to India. Cannot visit other countries. If you planned Thailand-Singapore-India route, must return directly Thailand-India.
Old passport is invalid once Emergency Certificate issued. Must surrender old passport to Indian authorities. Cannot use both. Report finding to Indian Embassy immediately.
Technically illegal. Thai immigration requires valid entry record. Without stamp transfer, you’ll face detention, fines, possible overstay charges at airport. Always complete immigration transfer step.
Contact Indian Embassy emergency number +66-61-881-9218 immediately. They can arrange consular assistance. Hotel can help with police report. Embassy can verify identity through India-based family video call. Process takes longer but manageable.
Most policies cover reasonable expenses up to limit (₹15,000-50,000). This includes Emergency Certificate fees, not full passport reissue. Check your specific policy wording.
Chiang Mai: Visit Indian Consulate Chiang Mai. Phuket/other areas: Must travel to Bangkok Embassy. No other option for emergency certificates. Budget 1-2 days Bangkok stay.
Information based on 2025 procedures for Indian passport holders in Thailand. Embassy procedures and fees may change. Always verify current requirements with the Indian Embassy in Bangkok before proceeding. Consult immigration lawyers for complex cases. Travel insurance coverage varies by policy—read terms carefully.
Eccentric Blogger, Traveler and Consultant.
