Thailand's Interior Ministry has ordered the revocation of Thai citizenship held by Ariel Blustein, an Israeli national, after finding that he continued to use his original nationality and did not disclose a Uruguayan nationality during his naturalisation application.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed the order on 1 October 2026, under Section 19, first paragraph, of the Nationality Act BE 2508 (1965).
The ministry said the case concerned evidence that Blustein, a Bangkok-based gem and jewellery entrepreneur, used an Israeli passport after receiving Thai citizenship, as well as the alleged concealment of his Uruguayan nationality.
Thai citizenship granted in 2019
According to the Interior Ministry announcement, Blustein obtained Thai citizenship through naturalisation under Section 10 in conjunction with Section 11(1) of the Nationality Act.
His Thai nationality was formally announced in the Royal Gazette on 3 April 2019, making him a Thai citizen in full under the law. He was first issued with a Thai national identity card on 14 June 2019.
However, the ministry said that on the same day his ID card was issued, Blustein travelled to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China, using an Israeli passport. He returned to Thailand on 23 June 2019, again using that Israeli passport.
Officials said this amounted to continuing to use his former nationality, contrary to the conditions under which he had become Thai.
A foreign national who secures Thai citizenship can continue to hold another passport, provided their original home country also permits dual citizenship. However, they must use their Thai passport to enter and exit Thailand.
Undisclosed Uruguayan nationality
The ministry also said Blustein held Uruguayan nationality and had used it for overseas travel several times before applying for Thai citizenship.
It said he did not disclose this information to officials during the naturalisation process, nor did he express an intention to renounce Uruguayan nationality.
The announcement said the evidence met grounds for citizenship revocation under the Nationality Act, both because of the continued use of a previous nationality and because false information was allegedly provided, or material facts concealed, during the application.
In particular, it cited the non-disclosure of the Uruguayan nationality. The ministry said leaving the matter unresolved could cause serious damage to the public and the republic.
The revocation was made by the Interior Minister using powers under Section 19 of the Nationality Act and was announced publicly on 1 October 2026.
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2 October 2026
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