Easy nationality change still denied to foreign hu

[Kan Win]

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/redir.php?...7ed523e2707abb8

Easy nationality change still denied to foreign husbands

BANGKOK, Oct 10 (TNA) – Foreign men married to Thai women hoping to change their nationality through the same fast-track process offered to foreign wives had their expectations dashed yesterday when the Constitutional Court ruled that foreign husbands would have to follow the same complex nationality procedures as any other foreign men.

The court through out the plea by Justice Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana, who is also the Chair of the House Sub-Committee on Social and Political Legislation, who warned that the 1965 Nationality Act could violate the Clause 30 of the constitution, which pledges equality between the sexes.

Under the 1965 Act, foreign women married to Thai men can request Thai nationality using special channels outside the normal nationality procedures.

However, foreign husbands of Thai women can only seek Thai nationality through the regular channels.

However, the court’s Secretary-General, Mr. Noppadol Hengcharoen, announced yesterday that the majority of judges had ruled that the legislation was constitutional and did not violate international laws.

The ruling was carried by nine judges to four, while two judges abstained. (TNA)--E006

[sbk]

ok guys, I am sorry for you but as a foreign wife I would love some clarification as to what the "fast track process" is and what are the "special channels" I guess it all comes down to the man being the head of the family and as the wife is a foreigner doesn't really count much beyond being "the little woman". hey, unfair, tough on the foreign men, but if I can take advantage of this before its taken away i will (why do i have the feeling that instead of making it easier for foreign husbands of thai wives that they will just make it equally difficult for foreign wives of thai husbands?). so, if anyone out there knows what the fast track process is, please enlighten!

[Kan Win]

Dear SBK,

Please correct me members on this Board:-

If you as a wife of a Thai National,  you may apply at your Local Police Station for an application form to become a Thai Citizen by Law (sorry forgot the ACT. but in 1965 or so) (Help me out with that one members).

This is the ACT. that is the “Fast Track” for you.

 ::  :cool:

Visit you local Bobby, he should be able to help you.

:cool:

Good Luck

[sbk]

thanks kan win, don't know how much the local police here would know, they seem pretty clueless. but you think it can be done locally rather than at the provincial police hq?? is it really just filling out an application? seems amazingly absurd to be so easy. I've always said if it seems too good to be true than it must not be true.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

See a commissioned officer at the regional HQ. It isn't all that common, so the local yokels won't know about it.

[sbk]

dr pat pong, thanks, next time i am in surat thani i will check it out, do you know what kind of paperwork i need to take with me? presumably marriage license and house registration. anything else that you might know of? as for local yokels, well, since are seriously yokel, doubt they would know much of anything! thanks for the info.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Take his ID card too.  There'll be forms that he'll have to sign and they might want to see him at some stage. Go for it, and your probs are over.

[sbk]

dr pat pong, is it really that easy? seems hard to believe after having required so much documentation for a one year visa! do you know how much it costs? how long it would take to get one? I read somewhere they only give out something like one hundred new citizenships a year, would this apply to me as well? I just can't understand why it would be so easy when everything else is so difficult! guess I really need to take advantage of it before it disappears!

[dr_Pat_Pong]

it is a chink in Thailand's armor....go go go    

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I'll come to the citizenship party           Don't feel bad, another couple I know, an Australian girl, and a senior  Thai Professor, have done nothing about her citizenship, or residency, for the  same reason, the Prof doesn't want to deal with the bureaucracy. Phom mai kow chai

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Married 22 years too

[sbk]

i just had no idea. I just assumed that citizenship was not an option, that i would have to give up my original nationality. any idea how long it might take? I'm assuming they can't process it at the provincial hq but maybe I am wrong! So, if you know how long it takes and how much I'd love to know. thanks again!  

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I really don't know the mechanics of it, but it is said to be a relatively simple process for a farang woman. Talk to the brass at Provincial HQ.

[sbk]

will do, hopefully we can go to the mainland next week, if we do (island time, you see) i will fill you in on all the details when i get back. however, seeing as going to the mainland requires great logisitical planning (pack, find someone to feed the animals, lock up, get in the queue for the car ferry   )

its not sure. however, if we don't go this month, we will go next month. so, as everything here is manana, manana (or rather deeow, deeow) don't hold your breath waiting to hear from me!

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Do it this year willya....

[sbk]

weelll.... that's a tough one you see. If we don't go this month and then try to go next month and its raining then it will have to wait until maybe february as december and january are peak season. life on an island isn't always easy ya know!

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I feel for you....blood oozes through  my pores as I breathe in the 2 atoms of Hydrogen and 1 of oxygen in down town Bkk. Here we get a cocktail added too like a blend. Breathe in deep, there's plenty for everyone. All you get is sand betwixt the toes. Hehehehe jealousy is a curse.      

[sbk]

found this doing a google search, from the Thai Immigration website:

In case of applying for Thai citizenship through Thai husband

        1.   Same document as in general case

       2.    Certified letter from special branch division or the concerned provincial  

               police station

       3.    A photocopy of husband's house registration

       4.    A photocopy of husband's indntification card

       5.    Interrogation report

       6.    Application must be made in person

 

and from the Thai visa website:

To acquire Thai nationality

Aliens who wish to apply for Thai nationality under the Nationality Act B.E. 2508 (A.D. 1965) a person does NOT need to be 40 years or have spent 10 years in Thailand.

They must be of the age of majority, be of good character, be gainfully employed, have continuously lived in Thailand for not less than FIVE years and have knowledge of the Thai language. (Section 10) It's an advantage to be married to a Thai citizen and having children born in Thailand or having studied in a local university/college as an undergraduate. The applicant must complete an application form and submit various required documents to the Criminal Investigation Division Group I, Subdivision 3, Police Department, Rama I Road, Bangkok.  

The official fee is Baht 5,000. The processing takes 2 to 3 years.  

In the case of a minor child sponsored by a mother or father having Thai nationality, there must be evidence of both sponsorship and the child's birth. Likewise, a wife seeking Thai citizenship based on her husband's Thai nationality must submit evidence of the husband's nationality, the marriage, and a formal request for Thai citizenship.

Hopefully we will be off tuesday altho if the heavy rains continue, maybe not! (nice Thai answer there, I thought). Anyway, have posted this on farang girls in thailand as well, just thought people might be interested. Will keep you posted as to how accurate it is once we get off the island!!

And, hey, Dr Pat Pong, we've got more problems than sand between the toes you know! Sometimes it gets in your hair too!

[dr_Pat_Pong]

do not dwell on this ...I am, sadly. a man of great imagination. Sand can get into all sorts of places.    

But, I am so pleased for your potential outcome.