Thread: Obtaining Thai ID & Passport

Originally Posted by ralphlsasser

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

^^I think you are incorrect on a number of points, but I really don't care as it's the OP's problem, not mine. Google "Does Thailand recognize dual citizenship". Every answer clearly says they don't. The way you lay it out is exactly the way it works here in the Philippines, which does recognize dual citizenship. Thailand doesn't.

^That is probably the way he would have to go. Reentering on a virgin passport issued in Bangkok would probably slide by, but it's a crap shoot as to whether you hit a dick of an immigration guy or not.

May I remind you that it's probable you'll hit a dick at immigration.

It's more likely you will encounter one who does not know the rules, however as I said earlier, politely ask to speak to a more Senior officer who will certainly know that Dual nationality is no problem.

In any case - again as I have already stated - a Thai citizen with a Thai Passport simply cannot be denied entry to Thailand.

Patrick

You have a real problem admitting it when you're wrong, Patrick. Nobody disputes that he can get a Thai passport. Nobody disputes that the holder of a valid Thai passport will be admitted into the country. However, your assertion that a senior immigration officer will realize that dual nationality is no problem is simply wrong - Thailand DOES NOT RECOGNIZE dual citizenship. PERIOD.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

^No question that thousands of Thais have more than one passport. That does not mean they have dual citizenship, as Thailand does not acknowledge dual citizenship - even though, being Thai, they may ignore the fact that thousands of Thais have two passports. The Philippines has a law acknowledging dual citizenship and the right of Filipino citizens to have dual citizenship. Thailand has no such law, and does not acknowledge the right of Thai citizens to hold dual nationality. If there is such a law, show me. The Filipino Law is Republic Act No. 9225 or the Citizenship Retention or Reacquisition Act of 2003, passed August 29, 2003, which grants to natural-born Filipinos who have lost citizenship due to naturalization in a foreign country the right to reacquire Filipino citizenship and be recognized as citizens of dual nationality.

I obviously should have saved my earlier remark about "splitting hairs" and used it to respond here!!

So you now claim that having a Passport issued by a particular Nation does not make the Holder a citizen of that Nation ................... unless another - totally un-related - Nation agrees??

I rather think the United Nations and various International Treaties would dispute your interpretation!

Bizarre in the extreme.

Patrick

Just out of interest, Patrick, since you are presumptuous enough to state that you wish other posters would stop posting "incorrect and alarmist" information, i.e., anything that doesn't agree with you, are you:

An American. I am.

Worked in a US Embassy before? I have.

Gone through the whole US naturalization with your wife and kids? I have.

Gone through the process to regain their birth citizenship? I have.

Traveled extensively to/from Thailand and other countries with wife/kids with two passports? I have.

Just asking - you may answer yes to all of the above. Just interested in what makes you, in your mind at least, the final word on this subject.

Patrick: Sorry, didn't see your post 30 before posting my post 31. I give up - there is simply no convincing you that you are not all knowing. Don't bother to respond to my last. I quit.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

^^Yep. That gets the OP a Thai passport. But it doesn't address any of the other problems in my previous post.

^ That can work, and usually does. But what about the fact that he entered Thailand on a US passport, and per the US passport, never exited.

Fact: My son left Thailand on his blank Thai passport issued in Thailand, entered and left UK on his blank Brit passport issued in Thailand, reentered Thailand on his Thai passport, immigration asked if he had dual nationality, said yes, produced Brit passport, waved through.

Opinion: Considering no issues with UK-Thai it makes no sense for US-Thai to be flagged. Passport place of issue should be irrelevant as long as the holder has the right to be in and also leave the departure country, which is immigration's responsibility to confirm before stamping them in or out.

If as you say there may be a problem because he entered Thailand on a US passport and never exited on it, then it becomes immigration's problem, not his, and the immigration officer who brought out the rule book is likely to lose face by causing others to sort out a problem that is either not a problem or if it is, then it's one that nobody wants. That said, as he is entering/leaving Thailand on his Thai passport, why would immigration even need to know he had entered and not exited on his US passport?

Thanks for the great info guys. I didn't even know that you can actually apply for a Thai passport in the States. I will have my dad send me a copy of my birth certificate and add me to his home registration, do they check home registration here in the States? So on my December vacation, I can just use Thai passport to enter/exit Thailand.

^
Have you got a thai ID card ?

Originally Posted by Thetyim

^
Have you got a thai ID card ?

No, I haven't got a Thai ID card yet. Do I need that to apply for a passport at the Thai embassy in US?

Wasn't you registered as a Thai when you were born here Tino and lived here for 12 years, you have a Thai birth certificate right?

Did you never fly anywhere with your parents in those 12 years ?

Originally Posted by Kwang

Wasn't you registered as a Thai when you were born here Tino and lived here for 12 years, you have a Thai birth certificate right?

Did you never fly anywhere with your parents in those 12 years ?

I'm not sure if I'm still registered because my mom and I moved out of my dad's house since I was 12 yrs old, I now live in US. I will have to check with my dad to be sure. My mom lost my birth certificate so I have to get my dad to send me a copy. I have been going back to Thailand like every other year if that helps.

Here's the phone numbers for the Thai Embassy and Consulates in USA
Call them, they will have all the information you need
Embassy of Thailand in United States

Originally Posted by Kwang

Here's the phone numbers for the Thai Embassy and Consulates in USA
Call them, they will have all the information you need
Embassy of Thailand in United States

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

However, your assertion that a senior immigration officer will realize that dual nationality is no problem is simply wrong - Thailand DOES NOT RECOGNIZE dual citizenship. PERIOD.

Some people never know when to stop arguing. You may be right, but practical implications for OP are precisely zero. He can enter and leave as he pleases, as long as uses the Thai passport when entering Thailand and U.S. passport when entering U.S.

There are no explicit laws on dual nationality in either USA or Thailand, but it's not like they'd confiscate his 2nd passport or strip him of citizenship in either place if they learn he's a dual national. It's not illegal, not particularly shady (unless you're a lawyer arguing some convoluted edge case), and not uncommon either.

Not recognizing dual nationality might come into play if he is arrested... he might be treated like a native and denied consular assistance that would be given to a foreign national (not that it's of much help usually). That pretty much covers the practical aspects.

Originally Posted by crocodilexp

Not recognizing dual nationality might come into play if he is arrested... he might be treated like a native and denied consular assistance that would be given to a foreign national (not that it's of much help usually). That pretty much covers the practical aspects.

Not sure on the legalities (of this particular case) but I am pretty sure what you say is exactly the case where dual citizenship is recognized. i.e. you do not get consular assistance in the country for which you are a (dual) citizen.

Originally Posted by tino707

No, I haven't got a Thai ID card yet. Do I need that to apply for a passport at the Thai embassy in US?

Yes..

Instead of starting a separate thread about a similar topic I will just ask my question here.
My circumstance is similar to the OP's but I was born in the US so I have a US birth certificate. My father is Thai, born and raised and currently resides here. I have lived here for over a year and I am tired of messing with Visa's and work permits and I have decided to stay long term.
I am assuming I also qualify as a Thai National due to birth rite so could I also obtain a Thai ID and passport? How would I go about it?

Originally Posted by thenoilif

My circumstance is similar to the OP's but I was born in the US so I have a US birth certificate.

That is going to be a whole new kettle of fish. Look forward to the answers, as on this one I dont have clue. Is your mom American or Thai would be the only question I would be thinking about.

Here being Thailand I think?

My mom is American, born and raised.

So you are basically in reality an American kid working in Thailand? I dont have a clue but if your mom raised you without financial support from your dad it would seem to be a problem for me.

I still want to hear more from the guys in the know. They are here trust me.

Originally Posted by aging one

I dont have a clue but if your mom raised you without financial support from your dad it would seem to be a problem for me.

Ah, not sure what this has to do with my question.