Thai and Foreign Passports, Different names

[leeroll03]

Hi.

I have a very complicated issue and would like to know if anyone perhaps are in the same situation.

I hold 2 ID. A German and a Thai one. They got however completely different names due to me being born in Thailand, then quickly moved to Germany before I was even 1 and got myself a new first and last name, lived there for over 20 years and returned now to Thailand. 

The problem is, they wont change my name in Thailand to my new German one, even with the papers from the German government showing clearly that I used to be Mr X and now I am Mr Y. They do not care about what happened to me abroad, that my mom married a German guy, I took his lastname, then they got divorced etc. They must follow thai laws whatever that indicates in this case.

My question.. Does anyone have 1 thai and 1 foreign passport with different names? Am I now forced to travel as 2 completely different names? I can only imagne the confusion on the thai border by officers. 

[OJAS]

Maybe you could get your German name changed back to your Thai one?

 

https://www.wikiprocedure.com/index.php/Germany_-_Change_Your_Name_(Deed_Poll)

 

[tgw]

@OP

why would you show 2 passports to the Thai Immigration officer? there is no need.

 

in any case, I wouldn't lose too much time trying to change anything, when you travel, just carry around copies of the German official name documents and a translation in Thai.

 

show the Thai passport to Thais and the German passport to Germans.

In your situation I guess I would travel under the Thai name, so all potential explaining would take place in Germany, where I guess any immigration issues will be sorted out very quickly, especially as the German passport is biometric.

 

 

[LukKrueng]

Changing a first name is not a big issue in Thailand normally. The only problem might be to change to a non Thai name. The used to be a law requiring Thai new born babies to be named only by proper Thai names or proper Thai words. Not sure if that law is still in force or not. 

As for last name - Thai last names are unique and one can either be born into a name or enter a family name by marriage (women only). If someone wants to "invent" a new family name they have to file a request at the district office and there is a waiting period until that new name is cleared (meaning it's not someone else's family name and no one else filed a request before you for that name). But here, again, might be a problem with a non Thai name. 

OP worries about confusion of immigration officers. What you should worry about even more is what names to book an airline ticket under... and then some more about immigration as you have to show the boarding pass with the passport...

My last name is spelt a bit differently in the Thai/ foreign passports, but only 1 letter difference and the pronunciation is the same. Never had any problem with it

[Retfed50]

My wife has both Thai and US passports with 2 different names.  She did not change the name on her Thai passport after we were married. It has never been a problem. Always shows the Thai passport when entering and leaving Thailand and the US passport when entering and leaving US.  Sometimes the airlines will ask if she has a visa to enter the US.  She just shows her US passport and all is well.

[Chassa]

1 minute ago, Retfed50 said:

My wife has both Thai and US passports with 2 different names.  She did not change the name on her Thai passport after we were married. It has never been a problem. Always shows the Thai passport when entering and leaving Thailand and the US passport when entering and leaving US.  Sometimes the airlines will ask if she has a visa to enter the US.  She just shows her US passport and all is well.

Same as my Thai ex-wife in Australia.

[mmail2you]

18 minutes ago, Retfed50 said:

My wife has both Thai and US passports with 2 different names.  She did not change the name on her Thai passport after we were married. It has never been a problem. Always shows the Thai passport when entering and leaving Thailand and the US passport when entering and leaving US.  Sometimes the airlines will ask if she has a visa to enter the US.  She just shows her US passport and all is well.

When she leaves and checks in at airline counter which name is on ticket and shows air staff ie. ticket booked in Thai name, Then leaving customs shows air boarding pass in what name ?

[Gumballl]

My Thai wife changed her surname to mine; she only has one passport (Thai) that bears this name. I would imagine the OP can pay a visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Chaengwattana and sort everything out.

 

The info posted above that the Thai gov't will not accept a foreign name is sadly pure misinformation.

[emptypockets]

Presumably the OP entered Thailand on his Thai passport as a Thai national. Look out for the military draft mate!!

[GarryP]

31 minutes ago, Gumballl said:

My Thai wife changed her surname to mine; she only has one passport (Thai) that bears this name. I would imagine the OP can pay a visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Chaengwattana and sort everything out.

 

The info posted above that the Thai gov't will not accept a foreign name is sadly pure misinformation.

When my son was born nearly 31 years ago there was no problem and he took a western name. However, when my daughter was born 18 years ago, they would not allow me to register a western first name. It had to be a Thai name. It has probably changed again since then several times. These things do not remain static. 

[cabanlit]

My child has a similar situation - dual nationality, but, at least, the naming is consistent.

 

However, the point I'm going to make is that the Thai passport expired several years ago. The UK passport is used every time for travel, even for visits to Thailand.

 

Frankly, for travel a Thai passport is a hindrance, so it was / never would be used.

 

I'd suggest the OP does the same.

[adisornc]

My sister has the same problem. She has Thai (in her maiden name) and US (in her husband's last name) passports but normally travels with US one. If she buys her ticket using US passport, can she enter Thailand using Thai passport with name on the ticket being different from her Thai passport? Would Thai immigration accept a copy of her marriage certificate as proof of name change? She only want to enter Thailand on Thai passport so that she can stay longer than visa exempt would allow without having to extend her stay at CW.

[Max69xl]

Why would you show 2 passports when travelling? 

[GarryP]

29 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

Why would you show 2 passports when travelling? 

I have no choice. Otherwise I won't be allowed on the plane. 

[Curt1591]

17 minutes ago, GarryP said:

I have no choice. Otherwise I won't be allowed on the plane. 

My wife has 2 passports with 2 different surnames. Never had a problem with immigration, airlines, or anywhere else. She simply uses the passport under which the flights, accommodations, or whatever, was booked. There is no reason I can fathom that one would travel under 2 passports. 

Many countries don't recognized "dual citizenship. In this case, it would be a "don't ask; don't tell" situation anyway.

Edited November 25, 2019 by Curt1591
cleanup

[kokesaat]

My wife is the same as several above.  Her Thai ID/Passport shows her maiden name.  Her US passport and military ID (retired) shows my last name.  When we do our annual extension of stay (I know, she could use her Thai passport, but she doesn't), she shows immigration her Thai ID with maiden name and US passport with my name.  Never a problem.  

When she travels, she just shows her US passport and uses a military ID as backup if necessary.

Never a problem traveling in and out of the country over 23 years.

[Isaanbiker]

3 hours ago, emptypockets said:

Presumably the OP entered Thailand on his Thai passport as a Thai national. Look out for the military draft mate!!

I'm in the Army now...ho ho ho..I'm in the Army.... now.

 

Only for you: 

 

[echrist]

2 hours ago, cabanlit said:

My child has a similar situation - dual nationality, but, at least, the naming is consistent.

 

However, the point I'm going to make is that the Thai passport expired several years ago. The UK passport is used every time for travel, even for visits to Thailand.

 

Frankly, for travel a Thai passport is a hindrance, so it was / never would be used.

 

I'd suggest the OP does the same.

If dual national wanted to stay long-term in Thailand he or she would have to enter on the Thai passport. Otherwise, they would only be granted a temporary visa. I'm assuming the OP is staying long-term here in Thailand. 

[GarryP]

1 hour ago, Curt1591 said:

My wife has 2 passports with 2 different surnames. Never had a problem with immigration, airlines, or anywhere else. She simply uses the passport under which the flights, accommodations, or whatever, was booked. There is no reason I can fathom that one would travel under 2 passports. 

Many countries don't recognized "dual citizenship. In this case, it would be a "don't ask; don't tell" situation anyway.

I gained Thai citizenship and am living in Thailand as a Thai citizen so when leaving Thailand to visit my parents in the UK I need to utilize my Thai passport. However, for the airline check-in desk they will not let me check-in without a valid visa for the UK, so I bring out my UK passport and check-in can be completed. I then use my Thai passport when going through immigration and put my UK passport out of sight. On arriving in the UK I just use my UK passport. I do not use my Thai passport again until I land at Suvarnabhumi.