oxymoron

Customs Perth advised me that providing you have owned it for more than 12 months overseas no Customs Duty and no GST ( April 2005) Just checked www.customs.gov.au but could not find clarification on this though.

Biggest drama is the Road Traffic Authority in the state you live, Customs warn you about this. It is often more than just the heater vehicle must comply with ADR. WA Transport would not give me a definitive yes on a Fortuner. Container and shipping is around $3500, WA transport Authority checking approval about $500 One year licence $450-500

German company in Chiangmai called Pik-Ass International (www.pik-ass.eu) put out a good brochure where I eat in Doi Saket. Do double glaze etc offer CD of their products and say they custom build. being European I would expect them to know about "casement windows"

PS I did not believe the name either but apparently the name means Ace of Spades

And in chapter 2, section 22 of that same act as quoted above, it states:

A person of Thai nationality who has been naturalised as an alien, or has renounced Thai nationality, or whose Thai nationality has been revoked, shall lose Thai nationality.

And this small statement has been enough for Thai authorities to seize land that was bought by a Thai national who had been naturalised as an alien.

This was part of the amendments made in 2535 (14 years ago) and this same act has been amended again on 21st July 2538 (11 years ago).

This act doesn't stop Thai nationals from becoming naturalised as an alien, as section 13 says, but it does say that a Thai national who is naturalised as an alien shall lose Thai nationality.

The Thai government will not chase you down and tell you. A Thai citizen can happily use their dual passports and keep updating their Thai ID card but in law they are no longer seen as Thai citizens.

So before buying some Thai land as a dual passport holder then consider the huge risk involved - go see a Thai lawyer. They'll probably tell you to renounce your alien citizenship.

There are probably no risks travelling to and from Thailand with dual passports. There are no fines that I know of. So if this is all you are worried about then there is nothing really to worry about.

Please, if you are trying DIY law work, either read each act very, very carefully or I'd suggest getting professional help.

JamnJam clearly you have a good grip on Thai Law, and your comment above supports a decision I made 18 years ago when all our property was bought in the TW's "mothers" name and mother and stepfather have lived on it since then.

They were the days before the new rules in regard to TW's owning land and I was advised then of the risks involved in game playing. I was also advised that my TW could legally inheirit the property should her mother die.

Unfortunately this has recently occurred, can you please advise me if you comment above applies to her (my TW) now legally owning the land etc. It is of particular interest because (a) She does not want any risk of losing it. ( Her will leaves it to her sons (my stepsons) on her demise.

For 18 years my TW and I have lived in Oz and no problems even though my work demanded I travel a lot.

For the last 18 months we have been here in LOST caring for her mum who unfortunately died a month ago. Since then the house has been lit up like a Christmas Tree and I have a second shadow. the upside is though she wont shower alone so for the first time in 18 years I get to ?????

We will be going home after the mandatory 100 day period, following mums death, assuming I can get a visa of some sort to stay the extra 25 days.

I doubt the problem will exist in Oz as I expect Thai Phi Pobs have the same difficulty in getting visa's at the Oz Embassy as Thai w's or G/F's. Imagine the documentation hassles!!

As long as you can show a valid passport with the name on the ticket it should not be a problem.

As to why the 1,900 baht is just the start. Any travel would require re-entry permits and another day at immigration. There would be 90 day address reports required. I suspect it might not be cought but any employment would likely require a work permit. Social services (although probably will not be checked) would not be available (or at extra cost).

It is very easy to change name and there is no longer the "property buying" reason not to do so. But word is likely to travel down slowely in the expat community (Thai as well as ours).

Lopburi3, agree with most of your points, However:

90 Day Address reports were not asked for so she does not do that.

Leaving the Kingdom, we just go since it is cheaper to repeat the process than go through the entry/ exist route and cheapear than a Non-O in Oz.

To accompany me on the necessary visa runs she uses her Thai ID, as a Thai Passport is not required to visit neighboring countries by land.

Cannot comment on the Work Visa as I do not have sufficient knowledge but as my wife has not "worked" for the 20 years we have been together it doe not worry us.

Your comment about 'Social Security' was interesting I did not know their was any in Thailand and I assure you that (after caring for the terminally ill mother in law) the 30 Baht medical is of little help, and me for one would be in big trouble if I tried to make her participate in that after the medical care she has received in Oz.

Documentation she required was:

House papers (tabian baan) in her maiden name

Thai ID card in her maiden name

Copy of Oz Marriage Registration Certified by Thai Consulate Perth (The marrige certificate supplied buy priest, minister, marriage celebrant is not a lgal document)

Australian Passport

Maybe this will assist some of our colleagues on TV

As has been said the US passport must be used to enter/exit the US by law. Once you have departed the US you are free to use whatever other passport you have. The US is well aware of the dual passports used by a fair percentage of travelers and it is not a problem. When asked (not likely) you just show the other passport.

When leaving Thailand on Thai passport to US (where a visa would be required) you show your US passport to check-in staff to prove your right to access the US. Normal procedure.

All of the above is predicated on the fact that both passports must be in the same name. In my experience few TW's take the trouble to change all the documentation, tabien baan, ID particularly if they have married overseas.

In this new world of "terrorism" in Oz to buy an airline ticket you must provide your passport and some how those details are included on the ticket, some airlines will only issue a boarding pass if the ticket and these passport details match. My Norwegian friend (who pulls the dual passport shuffle)had this hassle in Norway recently, and my TW's friend also was refused a boarding pass this year at Bangkok because her Oz Passport expired while she was here in the LOSThailand and her ticket details did not match her Thai Passport.

My question is why do Thais pull this shuffle?? My TW' after advice from the Thai Immigration enters Thailand on her Oz passport on a VOA after around 25 days trots into Chiangmai Immigration, pays 1900 Baht and automatically gets a visa for One year ( takes her about 30minutes ) She is now 6 months into her second one year visa since she/we have now been here for 18 months caring for her terminally ill mother.

I am not sure if it was Mr T who was specifically targeting foreigners or whether it's an ingrained national trait to just be so protective of all things Thai.

I work at a government office that gives me insights that would make the average foreigner shudder with disbelief at the things being proposed by some of the more senior government people I work with. To give you one example of this, we had a meeting yesterday and I counted no less than 7 proposals out of the 10 that were tabled on subjects concerning nominee shares, land ownership issues, foreign investments and generally protecting Thai people from the foreign devils "taking their livelihoods and reducing their profits" that I almost bit my tongue off in a bid to keep my thoughts locked in and to not say anything too drastic else I burst their protectionistic bubble.

I too fall into the category of being very highly educated, also married to an educated Thai, have sufficient funds in the bank to stay here indefinitely (if I wanted to) but being under 40 (just) it means that the Thai authorities in their mindset don't recognise or understand that I and people like me could possibly have enough money to retire or relax this young so they insist on making it harder for us.

As such, the collective "we' are in a constant state of flux here and we will never really be accepted. We are tolerated 'yes' but we will never ever in a zillion years be accepted. After listening to the continued nationalist banter and protectionist nonsense coming from the senior government folks in my office who continue to hide behind notions of 'we are still a developing country' to justify their stance, I have no illusions about what is happening here and the indications are that things are not likely to change for sometime to come. If at all.

I will be leaving soon with my Thai wife to new shores as part of my longer term retirement plan and will just come back in 10 years time when it's my turn to officially retire at 50 with enough money to live the life of riley doing what ever I please.

In the mean time if anyone wants a senior position working for the Thai Government and is happy to listen to senior Thai folk proposing things that will continue to bolt down the hatches against foreign devils coming into Thailand then a post may be up for grabs in the next month or so. All you need to qualify for the post is to have done a Doctorate, hold a Bachelors Degree in Business, a Masters Degree in Engineering, a Masters Degree in Law and 20 years industry experience... oh and the ability to understand Thai and speak fluent English whilst accepting a salary equivalent to a MacDonalds or Burger King counter clerk

I continually find it amazing that many posts here on TV, made by foreigners, condemn the immigration policy of Thailand, as if that would make any difference.

Once it would be nice if a Thai spouse, or a group of such spouses, would petition (and demand) the Thai government for change. Sure it wouldn't happen overnight, but over time, anything is possible.

If the same Thai immigration policy were to be exercised in the UK or the US, half the populace would probably revolt... or just ignore the policies (the US is a good example). They would summon the media to report immigration injustices, or about a deportation proceeding that would separate mother and child. This is always done in an effort to sway public opinion. Most people (unfortunately not many Thais) know this tactic all to well.

So therefore I ask that if you have a Thai spouse, especially one that is educated, ask them to become proactive... SPEAK UP, write letters to representatives, to Thai newspapers... heck, march down the street in protest (in a non-martial law province). I know it is not Thai style, but spouses need to understand that a marriage to a foreigner requires them to change their mentality.

Till this day happens, I think it will be obvious what will happen.

Now if only my wife had a university education, didn't have a two year old to look after, and another on the way... hmmm.... for now I can only dream.

P.S. Casanundra - I wasn't picking on your post perse, but chose it because it seems that you write well, and have access to the policy makers and the plans they are conjuring up.

Gumball I too had these radical thoughts, only us oldies may remember that prior to around 2000 a TW had lost many of her national rights when she married a falang. Prior to then she was not legally able to buy land in her own name, thats why all our property for 18 years has been in her mothers name. This law has now changed as a result I am told of "people power" (a very effective tool here if we reflect on the last few months) and representation to the world "human rights organisation" There may be a window of 'opportunity here look at the removal of ML on 35 provinces to improve Thailands world image. Maybe we should all pack up go home for the 3-4 months required and not send or leave any money behind for the TW's, education or not I bet that would result in some action

From the airport it is a simple cab ride, they will mostly cost the same. There are private busses too, they are supposed to take you to a hotel, the Duxton is almost accros the road.

If you hire a car, exit the airport, turn right at the traffic lights, follow the road and follow the signs, they are in English! If you are planning adead, use http://www.whereis.com, you will get a map and directions you can print out.

Not anymore they are now located at the corner of Adelaide Terr and Irwin St. In the old Alan Bond International House next door to the Mercure Hotel. I would not recommend driving there as parking is a bxxch.

The secetary is very very helpful and if you get there early around 9.00am and explain your situation she often organises it in the same day. you go back around 2.0pm even though it is officially closed at noon.

My son born and living in Thailand (2 months old) has an Australian passport and will migrate here with my wife next year

He hasnt a Thai passport yet

My question is should we get the Thai passport in Thailand before they leave or should we just get it in Australia at the Thai consulate in out own time.

Thanks in advance

I think a better question to ask the more experienced panel members (Sunbelt Legal) is; "can he get a Thai Passport? -since he has an Oz one already. I understand that children of mixed marriages in Thailand do not get the same automatic rights they do in Oz.

Also when your boy gets to about 18 years old the last thing he or you would want is for him to be on a Thai Passport. Conscription to the Military is still on here, thats why my stepsons always come and go on their Aust Passports

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