Peter58

An interesting thread and my apologies if I missed the answer to my question.

Where, exactly, can one find out the requirements to apply for Thai citizenship?

I have PR (based on the enormous amount of tax paid in my previous job), I have been married for to a Thai citizen for far more than the period mentioned anywhere above, my wife and I own our own business but my tax payments since starting this business have been less than some claim as being required...... (which is not an issue if you applied for PR based on marriage!).

Facts would be helpful!

The most important page in your Residence Permit is Page 21!! Used frequently when dealing with puzzled officials!

I head regularly to Nakhon on business and was looking for recommendations of where to eat, either falang or Thai food at reasonable prices.

I am often on day trips so places open for lunch would be a bonus.

There are good places to eat north of Nakhon City in the Tha Sala area. Try Pang Pring / Pak Duat seafront where there are a number of Thai and Farang restaurants, including the newly opened <removed> (British) Pub & Restaurant (). There is also a range of accommodation to suit all budgets.

I am a PR in the process of starting up a new business in Thailand with my Thai wife.

The lawyers and accountants seem unable to agree on the requirements for paid-up capital, staff numbers or minimum salaries where the foreign partner is both PR and married to a Thai national.

Some say the paid up capital required is 50% for a WP (THB 1 million) if married to a Thai but then another says it reverts to THB 2 million if I want to be a company signatory!

Some posts on TV say no staff required at all, others say it is the full 4! I have been told in the past that a PR counts as a Thai in the staff count (therefore no extra Thai staff required).

Are there no breaks for PRs / spouses of Thais in this process? Can anyone shed any light on these issues?

Does anyone know, for certain, if the final fee payable is based on the original application or can it be changed according to current status?

So much time has been lost in the last few years that since the application I married a Thai (longer than the qualifying period) and even started a family!

Can I pay the lower fee?

should be based on original application. better call CW and reconfirm.

It's worth asking but I am sure they will tell you that you are free to withdraw this application and re-apply from scratch as someone married to a Thai, if you want to save the dosh. That is the quid pro quo of approving people who stopped working after they applied. Remember that, if you had applied as having a Thai spouse, they would have had to do exhaustive due diligence on your wife and your marriage, including photographs of the two of you on the marital bed together.

Not saying that you are wrong about what they will likely say but I'm pretty sure that applying under family vs business and the lower fee based on marriage are separate issues. In other words, if you have been married for 3 years but apply under the business category you will still qualify for half fee.

I think his issue is whether the requirement of 3 years marriage would apply to the date of application or the date of receiving PR. It could be argued that it isn't fair because someone that got married in 2005 and applied in 2006 or 7 would pay full whack whereas the same person applying 2008 would pay half even though they received PR at almost the same time.

EDIT: You're right about the quid pro quo though. Hadn't thought about that.

Since posting my question I have received the letter (I am in the Class of 2008) and will go to CW next week. My agent says the status is as at the time of application however I will present wife and docs when I go and ask the question nicely before paying!

More in a few days!

Does anyone know, for certain, if the final fee payable is based on the original application or can it be changed according to current status?

So much time has been lost in the last few years that since the application I married a Thai (longer than the qualifying period) and even started a family!

Can I pay the lower fee?