Half Thai, Half English... Dual Citizenship, Need Help!

[EzekielRage]

Hi,

Just wondering if I could get some advice... I've searched this website, researched endlessly on the web and talked to friends in Thailand and still can't get any conclusive/definitive information!!

I'm almost 25, I'm half Thai (born to a Thai mother) and half English. I was born in the UK and lived there pretty much my entire life. I'm basically wondering if it is possible to obtain a Thai passport or hold dual nationality as this would make travelling to and from the country and accomodation much easier in Thailand. My mum is a Thai citizen, lives in both Thailand and the UK. My father lives in Thailand at the moment though currently on a 1-year visa, and is a director of a limited company in Chiang Mai. My mother and father, whilst registered as married both here in Thailand and in the UK, are currently seperated. My girlfriend is a Thai citizen, we may marry in the next year or two.

I've read that the British authorities have no problem with dual citizenship. Being of 'Thai blood' does that automatically qualify me to be of Thai nationality, ie. enable me to hold a Thai passport and ID card??? Or does the Thai government require me to choose either UK or Thai as I am over 18?

Although I spend most of my time in Thailand, I'm looking to live in Thailand with my girlfriend more permamently. All my friends are here, most of my family is here!

Anyway, any help or advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

[Mario2008]

If your mother is/was Thai at the time of your birth than you are Thai by way of law. The only thing you have to do is proof it. It will requir your birth certificate and the cooperation of your parents. Llok for more details on the London Embassy website. It is not difficult to do and Thai law doen't have a problem with dual nationality.

[Richard4849]

No problem with dual citizenship, but at your age the thing I'd be most worried about is having to take part in the draft. Others here will be much more knowledgeable, I'm sure.

[samran]

If you were born in the UK you’ll need to apply for a thai birth certificate from the Thai embassy in London. This can be done at any age, and I did mine at 17.

You can also apply for a Thai passport at the same time.

With this, it is totally possible to come and stay in Thailand for extended periods, at your leisure. Where it becomes difficult is if you want to work, and for this you’ll need to get on the house registration (tabieen baan) and get an ID card.

Doing this puts you on the radar for military service. Technically, all males up until the age of 30 have to report, and either be conscripted or officially released via lottery. The official ‘release’ form is required every now and then, especially when applying for jobs.

What is easy enough to do though is simply get your Thai passport issued in London, and use that for travel and stay in Thailand. Keep off the radar till you are 30 and then go from there….

Without an Id card, you’ll only ever be able to have a passport issued by the embassy, as doing it in Thailand requires having an ID card..

[EzekielRage]

Thank you all for your help

I'm in Bangkok at the moment so will have to wait until I next go back to London. Would I be ineligable for military service if I failed a medical exam?? ie. I was unfit for service. I've been suffering from back pain for a long while now, just had an MRI done at Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok this week which showed I have two herniated discs.... God knows how I managed to damage my back

If you were born in the UK you'll need to apply for a thai birth certificate from the Thai embassy in London. This can be done at any age, and I did mine at 17.

You can also apply for a Thai passport at the same time.

With this, it is totally possible to come and stay in Thailand for extended periods, at your leisure. Where it becomes difficult is if you want to work, and for this you'll need to get on the house registration (tabieen baan) and get an ID card.

Doing this puts you on the radar for military service. Technically, all males up until the age of 30 have to report, and either be conscripted or officially released via lottery. The official 'release' form is required every now and then, especially when applying for jobs.

What is easy enough to do though is simply get your Thai passport issued in London, and use that for travel and stay in Thailand. Keep off the radar till you are 30 and then go from there….

Without an Id card, you'll only ever be able to have a passport issued by the embassy, as doing it in Thailand requires having an ID card..

[samran]

Thank you all for your help

I'm in Bangkok at the moment so will have to wait until I next go back to London. Would I be ineligable for military service if I failed a medical exam?? ie. I was unfit for service. I've been suffering from back pain for a long while now, just had an MRI done at Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok this week which showed I have two herniated discs.... God knows how I managed to damage my back

If you were born in the UK you'll need to apply for a thai birth certificate from the Thai embassy in London. This can be done at any age, and I did mine at 17.

You can also apply for a Thai passport at the same time.

With this, it is totally possible to come and stay in Thailand for extended periods, at your leisure. Where it becomes difficult is if you want to work, and for this you'll need to get on the house registration (tabieen baan) and get an ID card.

Doing this puts you on the radar for military service. Technically, all males up until the age of 30 have to report, and either be conscripted or officially released via lottery. The official 'release' form is required every now and then, especially when applying for jobs.

What is easy enough to do though is simply get your Thai passport issued in London, and use that for travel and stay in Thailand. Keep off the radar till you are 30 and then go from there….

Without an Id card, you'll only ever be able to have a passport issued by the embassy, as doing it in Thailand requires having an ID card..

I suspect you might not be considered eligible with that. I mean, I reported at 30 and being 30 and over is reason enough not to be seen fit for concription.

I'd go down with a Thai speaking relative or friend to the district office where your mother is registered at (it is likely that you'll have to be registered there first if you want to get the ID card as it will be easiest...though you can get your registration done anywhere). Ask to speak to the sasadee, or the concription officer, and explain your medical situation. See what they say. Given that you aren't offically Thai yet, you don't have anything to worry about.

[ubonjoe]

I think you can get the birth registration done at the district office if your mother was to go with you. You would first have to get your birth certificate translated and certified by the Ministry of Forign Affairs.

[samran]

I think you can get the birth registration done at the district office if your mother was to go with you. You would first have to get your birth certificate translated and certified by the Ministry of Forign Affairs.

he was born in the UK. As such he needs to have his birth registered and birth certificate issued at the Thai embassy in London, which is responsible for issuing these documents to Thai's born in the UK and Ireland. First Thai passport will need to be issued in the UK as well, which he needs to enter Thailand on.

Local district office in Thailand don't have the power to issue a birth certificate to someone born in the next district, let alone out of the country.

With those UK issued documents, he can get on the house registry, then have the ID card issued, and then get his military exemption letter.