Does My Child Have To Choose One Nationality When 18?

[chuckacinco]

Dear Thaivisa members,

My son is 14 years old and has Thai and American passports. My wife talked to some government official when getting our 2 year old daughter her Thai passport and now my wife insists that my son, when he is 18, will have to choose to be Thai or American and give up one or the other. This can't be true.

I can't find a thread on this. Sorry if it's been addressed at length before.

Help.

Chuckacinco

[Pakeha]

No. It's not true. I think it used to be but this is no longer the case... but for how long? who knows.

Edit - to add thread: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Dual-Citizen...amp;pid=2598840

Edited March 27, 2009 by Pakeha

[hlfourie]

Don't let the one know about the other, it won't make a dif as one country may insist on it while the other doesn't. I know of many people that have done this and intend on following this rought with my two daughters.

[think_too_mut]

Dear Thaivisa members,

My son is 14 years old and has Thai and American passports. My wife talked to some government official when getting our 2 year old daughter her Thai passport and now my wife insists that my son, when he is 18, will have to choose to be Thai or American and give up one or the other. This can't be true.

Not only my daughter will not renounce one of her 2 nationalities, I am getting her a third one that will give her European Union passport.

[chuckacinco]

Thank you for the link and the very fast response. Thank you Thaivisa members.

Chuckacinco

[samran]

There is nothing in Thai law which mentions that a child with dual nationality needs to do anything at age 18.

The law does say that from one year after their 20th birthday, a child who also has the nationality of their foreign parent can (if they wish) decide to renounce their Thai nationality. However there is no penalty if they don't decide to give it up.

Much confusion comes from this clause in the law, as people read it as they must give up their citizenship, when infact all the law does is offer them a 1 year window to renounce it if they wish.

I have 2 passports and well past 20 years of age. My children have three passports.

Edited March 28, 2009 by samran

[ArranP]

Is Military Service compulsory in Thailand and therefore its citizens must attend ?

[Mossfinn]

Previous Thread

Have a look through the link above, you can also do a search using +military+service and if you are worried about correct and differing advice, take heed of samran, above all else.

Moss