No two cases are the same. Every lost passport has a story.
For McGowan, that can mean moments that are almost comical, and others which are hard to shake.
“We have to help everybody no matter what their story or no matter how true or untrue it is,” she says. “But it makes things a lot easier if we know the full story and what we’re dealing with. There’s a lot of stuff we do that people don’t see.
“We are always trying to be clear on what we as an embassy can and can’t do with people and for people.
“This show is a way of showing that, and it gives context into why I can’t come down to the airport and sort out why you can’t get a flight or why you didn’t get your business class upgrade because I’m busy supporting this family whose dad has just died.”
McGowan says among her most difficult tasks are jail welfare visits — about 17 Australians are currently in custody in Thailand. “You just detach yourself from what it is that they have done wrong.
“But it’s hard seeing really good people who did nothing wrong go through horrible, heart-wrenching events. You know anything from their child dying, or being caught up in a boat crash.”
McGowan confesses it can be hard to keep a straight face at some of the half-truths that emerge — especially with male travellers who may have fallen victim to being robbed after a big night out with female or lady boy company.
“Some days I wish a woman would walk through the door and ask for help having been ripped off on a big night, lost their wallet and passport,” she laughs.
“It helps to imagine every circumstance as if it was you. It might be a stupid thing they did, but in the end it’s about how you solve it, because we all do stupid things.”
THE SUPPORT STAFF
CALLUM STARR — THIRD SECRETARY AND CONSUL
Callum has worked at the embassy for almost three years and travels regularly all over Thailand dealing with Australians in trouble. He joined DFAT as a graduate several years ago after living and working overseas in the corporate work.
“You never specialise in one thing,” he says. “The role is ever changing. I do consular and corporate work. You learn there are no normal days. The best part of the job is genuinely helping people. There are people who do the wrong thing, get into trouble and learn their lesson and we never see them again. The repeat offenders who don’t learn from their mistakes, they’re the frustrating ones.”
His best advice to young Australian travellers?
“You may get away with doing silly things here, but there’s also a very good chance you can get busted. And getting busted for drugs here is just not worth it.”
KHUN JEAB — SENIOR CONSULAR ASSISTANT.
KHUN BEE — CONSULAR ASSISTANT
Both are Thai nationals who have worked at the Australian embassy in Bangkok for about four years. Jeab previously worked at the British Embassy, and enjoys the more laid-back approach of Australians. “British customers would say you have to treat me well because I’m British, Australian customers are slightly more easy to work with,” she laughs.
Bee was well-acquainted with Aussies on holiday thanks to 10 years working as a flight attendant for Qantas on the Sydney-Bangkok route before he began work at the embassy.
He “gets” Australians. “I’d seen their difficulties in a confined space. Once the plane lands, you’re done, that passenger is gone. But this job is an ongoing thing until their issue is sorted and we get a positive outcome.” He jokes that low cost airfares meant the end of “the calm” for consular offices.