onthemoon

I am not aware of any land border crossing that is not connected to the immigration computer system. Stamps can be easily faked - what counts is what is in the system.

Thanks.

True. Actually, the ID for PR holders should have another colour, as pink IDs are associated with migrant workers. Also, foreigners with non-B and without PR can get the pink ID now. And the White Book has no meaning anymore since the introduction of computers at immigration (see auto-gates: no stamp). And the brownish-red Police Book has no meaning since the police use computers, and since the pink IDs have been introduced. These books are just a waste of money. I wonder why they don't just streamline it and do away with those books. They don't even need to be replaced with anything - all data is in the computers already. Priority for PR holders or not, this is government money that can be saved. Just my idea to help the Thai government.

Did you have to register at CW for the auto-gates?

Thanks for this website! Unfortunately: I already have the MOI interview, so my data should be in the system...

We got married in Germany in 2013. We have no problem waiting one more month to get the marriage recognised in Thailand. I understand you are not married yet, but what is your hurry?

Maybe he has to follow the law? Just thinking. Is there any reason you cannot wait until 22 January?

Next time, when you check in, show both passports to the airline staff. "This is my passport for leaving, and this is my passport for entering Thailand". I think they can tell the system somehow, as many passengers have dual nationality.

I also asked and was told that we have to register at CW to use the autogates.

Wonderful, thanks! I don't think we'll have a way to find out when the "big meeting" will take place but at least we know that it will. Things are definitely moving forward.

Does anybody know whether an interview meeting at MOI took place at the end of September? I understand they wait for at least two of the "small" meetings before arranging for a "big" meeting.

Thanks for the pointer. I found the 2008 amendment on the UNHCR website, will keep looking for the 1965 version.

I have a book, never had a digital WP. I'm old-fashioned enough to prefer the book. 😉

It would be great to read it, as I have seen that the practice of government officials is often their interpretation and not what the law actually says. I hope I won't need to insist (I still have a few years until retirement), but I would like to know what the legal situation is.

Oh, I see. Thanks for sharing your experience.

To find that out is why I am trying to find the original wording in Thai, not a summary in English.

I have no doubt about that, I'd be interested to see the original, so I can check whether this applies at time of application or through the whole process until citizenship is granted.

They asked for the WP, but we don't know what would happen if you say you have retired in the meantime. After all, the process is taking very long. Is there a regulation stating that you have to have a WP during the whole process, including oath and finally picking up the result? Or until when? I would hope the regulation - when scrutinised - should say that you have to have one at time of application.

Thanks! I found the Royal Anthem more challenging because I don't understand most of the words. The lyrics of the National Anthem are therefore much easier to remember.

I had practiced a lot, as I am not a good singer. They accepted it. Maybe they just appreciated the effort? 😉

Yes on both counts.

Thanks!

Since most people I saw were couples, I thought that most applications were based on marriage. Thinking about it, the Thai wife might have accompanied her foreign husband for support, and he might have applied based on business. Who knows. Anyway, I was told by the staff that they would interview the applicants based on marriage first, and that's why I had to wait until afternoon. This shows that there were indeed applicants based on marriage.

Correct, and I was in that batch. Phew, my waiting finally paid off in the sense that I am one step further. Most candidates I spoke to had applied in 2019, some even earlier. This meeting was number 1/2567 and rumour has it that there will be monthly meetings again from now on. While the staff would neither confirm nor deny this, this meeting shows that things are moving again. Interesting: They asked for my work permit and took a copy of the page with the personal details and the latest extension. I had brought all my books even though the invitation only asked for the passport and the alien book. They also asked for the latest tax declaration (ภ.ง.ด. 91) which I did not bring. They asked to send it by email and had prepared an email address for that. I wasn't the only one, I guess everyone who had applied on basis of business was asked or these.

Wow, that's quite some financial commitment! Congratulations.