I took the train overnight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok to get a new passport. The consulate in Chiang Mai has the authority to hang a sign outside his door and grow a ridiculous mustache, but that's about it so there was nothing I could do from there.

The ride was uneventful, I once again slept in the coffin-like upper bed but it is way cheape, the only thing I sacrificed was a window... And when it is dark outside (which, being an overnight train, is a safe assumption) staring out the window is rather like watching TV when it is off. So no big loss there.

On the train, I figured since I had no choice, I would need to give Bangkok another chance. So let me formally introduce to you the city named Krungthep mahanakhon amonratanakosin mahintara ayuthaya mahadilok popnopparat ratchathani burirom udomratchaniwet mahasathan amonpiman avatansathit sakkathattiya witsanukamprasit, or Bangkok for short. I am being completely serious.

It was not raining this time, which is a massive step up from last time. I made it to my accomodation, had phad thai for breakfast (don't knock it till you've tried it) and made my way to the French embassy, which was conveniently located only about half an hour away (but just 2km as the crow flies. That's how slowly things go here!)

The "acceuil" woman was painfully French and asked me what I wanted to do with an emergency passport... I told her it was to continue travelling and she said ooooh you don't live here? Clearly the headband, tanned skin, bum bag and Lonely Planet's "Southeast Asia on a shoestring" had gone unnoticed. I was told this would cost me 1500 baht, so left to find a bank and cash some traveller's cheques!

This failed miserably because I couldn't present my passport. I tried in vain to explain, at least 8 times, how it had gotten stolen and I needed this money for a new passport. This was met with lots of sorries and shaking heads... AARGH!

At a loss for what to do I went back to the embassy and explained myself to Mrs. Welcome Desk who told me to take a seat and went back to much more important tasks such as paper stapling and nail filing. I was almost expecting her to break out the toe separators and the fucsia nail polish.

But luckily she only made me wait about 30 minutes (I am not being sarcastic because I know it could have been a lot worse) and soon was on my way to the first floor to Mr. Passport Man and he was mich nicer and we dealt with the problem. Now it is up to Geneva to get their act together and approve my new passport, hopefully it will be done by tomorrow.