Thailand seeks Malaysia help over dual nationality

Thailand will seek Malaysia's help to address long-running identity and border-control difficulties involving people with dual nationality, according to National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Chatchai Bangchuad.

The issue will be among topics discussed during Mr Chatchai's planned visit to Malaysia on Aug 17-18, following talks with the government's special envoys on Tuesday afternoon, 11 August 2026.

He said the meetings were intended to coordinate operations and review border issues, including requests for Malaysian cooperation on border controls and tracking people who cross between the two countries.

Identity checks and changing names

Mr Chatchai said dual nationality had posed difficulties for years, particularly when Thai authorities need to confirm an individual's identity and maintain reliable personal records.

He said some people change their names after crossing the border, which can make identity verification more difficult. Malaysia's close cooperation would be needed to resolve the issue, he said.

Thailand will ask Malaysia to help develop personal databases that could allow officials to verify identities, monitor border crossings and establish a person's nationality status.

Security concerns in the Deep South

The Sadao Border Checkpoint in Songkhla, opposite Bukit Kayu Hitam in Malaysia's Kedah state, is Thailand's most prominent land crossing and has the highest import umbers of any border checkpoint in the country.

Asked whether dual nationals could be connected to security incidents in the Deep South, Mr Chatchai said it was possible. People who have changed their names or do not have identity records can be harder for authorities to verify and monitor as they move across the border, he said.

Single nationality requirement raised

Mr Chatchai was also asked whether a longer-term solution would require people to select one nationality. He said the law generally requires an individual to hold only one nationality, and authorities would work to ensure compliance.

On the question of revoking nationality, he said Thai citizenship generally cannot be withdrawn from people born Thai. Different rules may apply to naturalised citizens, he said.

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13 August 2026