Tiger Woods Keen To Give Back To Thailand

[jcbangkok]

He scoffed at Thailand when offered honorary citizenship. When interviewed he actually said, "Why would I want Thai citizenship? "

Stay in America, you're no longer welcome...

When Woods came to Thailand for a tournament in 2000, Thai officials tried to bestow on him royal decorations, and even offered him Thai citizenship, based on his mother being Thai.Although Woods said the bestowment would bring his family "a lot of honor [and] a lot of pride," he reportedly declined the offer because of tax complications (http://en.wikipedia....iki/Tiger_Woods)

and on a lighter note ...

Also from Wikipedia...

Woods was born in California. His father is mixed African American, Chinese, and Native American. His mother is Thai, Chinese and has Dutch ancestry. This makes Woods himself half Asian (one-quarter Chinese and one-quarter Thai), one-quarter African American, one-eighth Native American, and one-eighth Dutch.

Tiger refers to his ethnic make-up as “Cablinasian” (an abbreviation he coined from Caucasion, Black, American Indian and Asian.

Edited October 29, 2010 by jcbangkok

[naiharn]

...and Thailand keen to bringing Tiger Woods to Thailand after he refused a Thai citizenship.

He's an American citizen, why would he give that up. As I understand it, you cannot have dual citizenship in Thailand.

I could be wrong. If that's the case, would you suggest he drop his American citizenship?

Thais who take out foreign citizenship have no problem keeping their Thai citizenship.

But for a foreigner obtaining Thai citizenship, here is official advice from the Interior Minister as of 14th October 2009:

7. Applicants should produce a document that they have submitted to their

embassy or consulate in Thailand that demonstrates

their intention to renounce

their existing citizenship when they are approved for Thai citizenship.

How discriminatory! Thais can get foreign citizenship and keep their Thai citizenship. But any of the tiny number of foreigners who manages the reverse procedure must renounce his/her original procedure. Just another example of the extreme xenophobia of the Thai Government.

Of course, such an annoying limitation wouldn't apply to a big-shot like Tiger Woods.

It would have been different before he was a big-shot. Before 1992, a look-kreung with a foreign father and Thai mother could (usually) not get Thai citizenship. A child with Thai father and foreign mother could. That was changed in 1992 by the Anand Panyarachun administration. If Kulthida had applied for Thai nationality for her son when he was young, e.g. any time in the 1980s, she would have got nowhere. It would have been interesting for Tiger to point this out to the Thai officials when he was offered the citizenship. (I suspect he has bigger issues in his life however!)

[naiharn]

He scoffed at Thailand when offered honorary citizenship. When interviewed he actually said, "Why would I want Thai citizenship? "

Stay in America, you're no longer welcome...

Might be better to quote the whole comment that he made at the time rather than a few selected words.

I can't quote his whole comment word for word however I recall very well that he made a fairly direct comment to the effect that Thailand had not treated his mother very well and that was why he was not in a rush to take a Thai passport.

I also recall his comments caused the Thai officials who very clammoring all over him and pushing the Thai passport idea to rush for cover with their tails between their legs.

If he really said that then my admiration for him just went up 100% :-)

[jcbangkok]

...and Thailand keen to bringing Tiger Woods to Thailand after he refused a Thai citizenship.

He's an American citizen, why would he give that up. As I understand it, you cannot have dual citizenship in Thailand.

I could be wrong. If that's the case, would you suggest he drop his American citizenship?

Thais who take out foreign citizenship have no problem keeping their Thai citizenship.

But for a foreigner obtaining Thai citizenship, here is official advice from the Interior Minister as of 14th October 2009:

7. Applicants should produce a document that they have submitted to their

embassy or consulate in Thailand that demonstrates

their intention to renounce

their existing citizenship when they are approved for Thai citizenship.

How discriminatory! Thais can get foreign citizenship and keep their Thai citizenship. But any of the tiny number of foreigners who manages the reverse procedure must renounce his/her original procedure. Just another example of the extreme xenophobia of the Thai Government.

Of course, such an annoying limitation wouldn't apply to a big-shot like Tiger Woods.

It would have been different before he was a big-shot. Before 1992, a look-kreung with a foreign father and Thai mother could (usually) not get Thai citizenship. A child with Thai father and foreign mother could. That was changed in 1992 by the Anand Panyarachun administration. If Kulthida had applied for Thai nationality for her son when he was young, e.g. any time in the 1980s, she would have got nowhere. It would have been interesting for Tiger to point this out to the Thai officials when he was offered the citizenship. (I suspect he has bigger issues in his life however!)

I believe every country makes you renounce other citizenship when becoming a citizen of that country. So, I am not really sure how this applies to holding dual citizenship as related to holding a passport. Below is the first part of the oath when becoming a citizen of the USA ...

I hereby declare, on oath,

• that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen;

Edited October 29, 2010 by jcbangkok

[steelepulse]

>> WITHOUT paying

Divide up his 100 women by the 100 mil he paid for his divorce, plus all the lost income, I'd say he definitely paid for his women.

[pms33]

I think we all know why he is coming here after 10 years

[Jingthing]

He scoffed at Thailand when offered honorary citizenship. When interviewed he actually said, "Why would I want Thai citizenship? "

Stay in America, you're no longer welcome...

He asked a good question.

How would you respond if you were asked if you want Bangladeshi citizenship?

Isn't it racist to assume he would want Thai citizenship because of his Thai blood?

Think about it.

[AZBill]

Why in the world would Tiger care about Thai citizenship? He is an American! My mother is from Ireland but being born and raised an American I certainly don't identify with being Irish, nor would I have any interest in Irish citizenship, honorary or otherwise! My wife is Thai, but I would never have the slightest interest in Thai citizenship, and she has no interest in being an American citizen and is very proud of being Thai . We dont close our doors to her because of that nor would we say she is scoffing at the US for not wanting it. It's no knock against Thailand because he doesn't consider himself Thai - he's not - anymore than he is African. Heck if he wasn't Tiger Woods I doubt very much Thai society would consider him such given his farang father, who is dare I say it - "Black" - a fact that even the most over-hyped Thai whitening cream or pill could ever change! But in the end the all-mighty baht will always prevail over ALL other issues of any kind in Thailand, even one's lack of Thainess, and Tiger represents a whole bunch of baht so little issues such as his blackness that would not even get him to first base with even the most desperate bar girl is overlooked because of his wealth and potential willingness to spread it around the LOS. As far as not being welcome in Thailand, I have never got the feeling from the Thai people during my years visiting and living in Thailand that they had the slightest concern that I convert to Thai citizenship before visiting their fair country and accepting my money (farang pricing of course). Nor do I take offense at their immigration policies that basically tell Westerners, "please come enjoy our country, spend your money, and then leave or we will fine you for every day you don't. (Actually the US could learn something on that front from Thailand). If someone asked me if I would want Thai citizenship because my wife, and potentially our children, are and may beThai citizens, my response would be something like "Why would I want Thai citizenship?" I can't think of a single reason why. True, I can get into Vietnam without a visa but even so I'm just not feeling it!

He scoffed at Thailand when offered honorary citizenship. When interviewed he actually said, "Why would I want Thai citizenship? "

Stay in America, you're no longer welcome...

[nithisa78]

A great guy. Earns a great living playing game. Probably gives back more in one day than most in a lifetime. Anybody ever sit down and speak with the man? [rhetorical]

[dekbahnnok]

He is making an effort to rebuild his brand image in markets where his multiple debauched sexual adventures are not important. In some countries people might be offended by Tiger's multiple adventures with what some call whores. The allegations of violent sadism would probably cause some parents to keep their kids away from the man. For example, Tiger is alleged to have texted his porn-star lover, Joslyn James: "God girl. You better want to take care of me… I want to treat you rough. Throw you around, spank and slap you… Slap your face. Treat you like a dirty little whore… Hold you down while I choke you." Too creepy for me. In Thailand it appears no one is upset by such reports, most likely because people are oblivious to what goes on outside Thailand.

I don't think he's doing it for the money. This year, prior to his divorce settlement, Forbes estimated Tiger Wood's personal worth to be approximately $600million USD. Current divorce settlements would put Tiger's settlement in the range of $100 -$200million. Even with a worst case scenario, Tiger still would have $400million of assets. Appreciably some assets may be underperforming, however, the sheer size of his investment portfolio is more than enough to maintain his lifestyle.

Tiger's carefully cultivated image of being a nice caring guy was shredded by his adventures in perversion. He has to visit places like Thailand to change his negative image. He'll fit in quite quite nicely in Pattaya.

He will be busy chasing Russian girls downtown and supporting the local economy.

[whybother]

What has Thailand given him, that he needs to give something back?

[Soutpeel]

I believe every country makes you renounce other citizenship when becoming a citizen of that country. So, I am not really sure how this applies to holding dual citizenship as related to holding a passport.

Not every countryt, I am a dual national, both countries in my case recognise dual nationality offically and never needed to "renounce" anything, however, should both countries concened ever decide to go to war, I guess a choice would have to be made .....

[HerbalEd]

"Give back?"

More like take something from about the only country which cares about golf but doesn't know what he's truly like.

His image is destroyed, his marketing gone to hel_l, but Thailand, which knows nothing about what goes on outside its borders still loves him.

He's got nothing left so he'll, cynically milk the lat dollar he can.

But He Thai, He Rich Man, He OK.

What a broad sweeping generality. Many Thais I know are very aware of the world outside of Thailand. And, for better or worse, are particularly keen on American pop culture.

Besides that, the Thais, more than any other culture, understand that men are butterflies. Especially when a man has many beautiful women constantly offering themselves to them. It's very easy for a man to be judgmental about Tiger and his wandering ways, but they'd be just as naughty if they had hot women after them all the time like Tiger and other super-wealthy, famous celebrities. It's very easy to resist temptation when there's no temptation to resist.

[dighambara]

...and Thailand keen to bringing Tiger Woods to Thailand after he refused a Thai citizenship.

He's an American citizen, why would he give that up. As I understand it, you cannot have dual citizenship in Thailand.

I could be wrong. If that's the case, would you suggest he drop his American citizenship?

Next time do a little research before you respond. Neither Thailand or the US has an exclusionary requirement on multiple citizenship. There are thousands of dual US - Thai citizens living around the world. Example: I know of one person who was born in Italy, of an American Father and Thai Mother, so has three passports.

[bulmercke]

Sorry Tiger - too little - too late -

[Thai at Heart]

This whole debate about them offering him Thai citizenship is a bit confusing to me.

Isn't he entitled whether they offer it or not through his mother. However, isn't it an issue if you have an American passport, and then you legally take another passport as an adult? As far as I understand, that would mean he would have to renounce American citizenship, unless you can keep it very quiet(hardly an option as the highest paid sportsman in the world)?

Could you imagine the public fall out should he take Thai citizenship after he had become legally adult? If his parents had organised his citizenship at birth, it would be a far more private matter. The US media would have had a field day with it should he have chosen to taken citizenship after he had become "famous".

Has his mother renounced her Thai citizenship in order to hold presumably American citizenship?

[Jingthing]

This is a non-issue! Tiger doesn't want a Thai passport. It isn't complicated and it isn't important either.

Next ...

Edited October 29, 2010 by Jingthing

[uncletom]

I know a lot of girls he can give back to...is he going to be visiting Spasso or QBar?

Time delay, just tapped in, late comer...

In Laod Prao? Over in Din Daeng? Do have many for the Elite and nio words said. /girl, cannot!!

And if you were Tiger Woods; What would you do?

Keep inside one's hormones and your own experiences..

Don't point the arrow n be an idiot because he did things you would like to do or have done,; or have you already?.. He is only famous, so to turn it to the other way...YOU DO Want?

And then hopefully if you have you become a Saint...

uncletom

[uncletom]

There have been enough comments on Tiger Woods being half Thai but something not too well known is the discrimination that his father may have faced in the US.

While I was in the AF in Georgia living on base, I lived next door to a black guy who was married to a girl from Taiwan. Both were very nice people and he faced more discrimination from his black brethern for not marrying a black woman than he did from the whites.

Nothing was said of his wife but he was considered a renegrade to his race for not marrying as they thought he should. As Tiger Woods' father was an Army officer, I wonder if he faced the same discrimination from his black brethern as my next door neighbor. That was during the time when we had to sign a statement before being stationed in the south stating that we knew that being married to an oriental meant we would face the farcial race discrimination of the deep South at that time.

Those of us who were here when Tiger came the last time have to laugh. Why was he offered Thai citizenship? You better believe someone was looking to make some money living off of the Tiger. No other reason. Why he is coming now? I believe it is only due to his mother as she is not young anymore and probably wants to see her homeland one last time.

Where you droopin on your last paragraph istead of on the upswing, meaning:adrenaline?

uncletom

[jcbangkok]

I believe every country makes you renounce other citizenship when becoming a citizen of that country. So, I am not really sure how this applies to holding dual citizenship as related to holding a passport.

Not every countryt, I am a dual national, both countries in my case recognise dual nationality offically and never needed to "renounce" anything, however, should both countries concened ever decide to go to war, I guess a choice would have to be made .....

I should have said 'most" counties but somewhere in that post I was trying to say I don't understand how somebody can have dual citizenship in countries where you are required to renounce such as the USA. Here is the first part of the oath to become a US citizen ...

• I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen

This alone would make me believe you cannot be a citizen of a 2nd country if you become a US citizen. But the fact is I have known many people who have become US Citizens and hold dual dual citizenship (or at least hold two passport -- original country and US). Maybe I am missing something or that the technicality can be that you can renounce allegiance but still be remain a citizen of your homeland.

I do know that you will not get a Security Clearance (working for government or government contractor) in the US if you hold dual citizenship. In fact, even if one of your parents holds dual citizenship it can cause a problem. It is better to have your parent be non-US than to have dual.

[moetownblues]

...and Thailand keen to bringing Tiger Woods to Thailand after he refused a Thai citizenship.

He's an American citizen, why would he give that up. As I understand it, you cannot have dual citizenship in Thailand.

I could be wrong. If that's the case, would you suggest he drop his American citizenship?

You can have dual citizenship in Thailand my son has both Thai and Australian.

[jcbangkok]

I do believe Tiger's refusal to accept Thai citizenship was largely based on Tax issues. Any money he would make overseas or in Thailand would be subject to Thai taxes just as it is by the US when tigers makes money in the US or overseas. Technically he would not have to pay twice (each country) but it would become an issue as to which country could claim the taxes. Needing to hire another accountant (international or Thai) is an additional headache he doesn't need when it reality there would be nothing he would gain from being a Thai citizen except to help the Thai people feel closer to him.

As for Tigers whole sex related problems. The problem really is more to do with the image his father created of him since he was first getting known. The truth is that MANY popular sports figures have girlfriends in almost all the cities they visit. It really is the norm when it comes to baseball, basketball and football players. It is just so incredibly easy for them when it comes to women and their money allows them to keep these women happy and quiet. It is an unwritten rule that reporters don't write or get into this area of their lives ... unless it comes out because of an incident or some reporter wants to make a name for himself by running with a story of a sports figure who everybody thinks is squeaky clean.

This is just my opinion but I have little doubt Tiger's wife knew he had girls on the side but it was something not discussed. She could not have been so stupid as not to know. However, what caused the break-up was the embarrassment of it all coming out in the public.

Yes, tiger did wrong but lets get real here ... one of the biggest reason men get into sports, music, acting or even any position of wealth and power is to get girls.

[bitterbatter]

I know a few girls in Pattaya that are hopeful about his return. Maybe he will realize that this in a country where he can be himself.

[tomyummer]

For the last time, Tiger Woods is not Thai.

He got caught.

[moetownblues]

...and Thailand keen to bringing Tiger Woods to Thailand after he refused a Thai citizenship.

He's an American citizen, why would he give that up. As I understand it, you cannot have dual citizenship in Thailand.

I could be wrong. If that's the case, would you suggest he drop his American citizenship?

Thais who take out foreign citizenship have no problem keeping their Thai citizenship.

But for a foreigner obtaining Thai citizenship, here is official advice from the Interior Minister as of 14th October 2009:

7. Applicants should produce a document that they have submitted to their

embassy or consulate in Thailand that demonstrates

their intention to renounce

their existing citizenship when they are approved for Thai citizenship.

How discriminatory! Thais can get foreign citizenship and keep their Thai citizenship. But any of the tiny number of foreigners who manages the reverse procedure must renounce his/her original procedure. Just another example of the extreme xenophobia of the Thai Government.

Of course, such an annoying limitation wouldn't apply to a big-shot like Tiger Woods.

It would have been different before he was a big-shot. Before 1992, a look-kreung with a foreign father and Thai mother could (usually) not get Thai citizenship. A child with Thai father and foreign mother could. That was changed in 1992 by the Anand Panyarachun administration. If Kulthida had applied for Thai nationality for her son when he was young, e.g. any time in the 1980s, she would have got nowhere. It would have been interesting for Tiger to point this out to the Thai officials when he was offered the citizenship. (I suspect he has bigger issues in his life however!)

I believe every country makes you renounce other citizenship when becoming a citizen of that country. So, I am not really sure how this applies to holding dual citizenship as related to holding a passport. Below is the first part of the oath when becoming a citizen of the USA ...

I hereby declare, on oath,

• that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen;

Australia did not request that my son give up his thai citizenship he still has both. There are 1,000's of people in Australia with dual citizenship including my mother Malaysian/Australian citizenship.

[jcbangkok]

deleted - screwed up the quotes

Edited October 30, 2010 by jcbangkok

[jcbangkok]

He's an American citizen, why would he give that up. As I understand it, you cannot have dual citizenship in Thailand.

I could be wrong. If that's the case, would you suggest he drop his American citizenship?

Thais who take out foreign citizenship have no problem keeping their Thai citizenship.

But for a foreigner obtaining Thai citizenship, here is official advice from the Interior Minister as of 14th October 2009:

7. Applicants should produce a document that they have submitted to their

embassy or consulate in Thailand that demonstrates

their intention to renounce

their existing citizenship when they are approved for Thai citizenship.

How discriminatory! Thais can get foreign citizenship and keep their Thai citizenship. But any of the tiny number of foreigners who manages the reverse procedure must renounce his/her original procedure. Just another example of the extreme xenophobia of the Thai Government.

Of course, such an annoying limitation wouldn't apply to a big-shot like Tiger Woods.

It would have been different before he was a big-shot. Before 1992, a look-kreung with a foreign father and Thai mother could (usually) not get Thai citizenship. A child with Thai father and foreign mother could. That was changed in 1992 by the Anand Panyarachun administration. If Kulthida had applied for Thai nationality for her son when he was young, e.g. any time in the 1980s, she would have got nowhere. It would have been interesting for Tiger to point this out to the Thai officials when he was offered the citizenship. (I suspect he has bigger issues in his life however!)

I believe every country makes you renounce other citizenship when becoming a citizen of that country. So, I am not really sure how this applies to holding dual citizenship as related to holding a passport. Below is the first part of the oath when becoming a citizen of the USA ...

I hereby declare, on oath,

• that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen;

Australia did not request that my son give up his thai citizenship he still has both. There are 1,000's of people in Australia with dual citizenship including my mother Malaysian/Australian citizenship.

You are missing my point (or question) that I obviously didn't state clearly. The US also has tens of thousands (if not more) people holding dual citizenship but when becoming a citizen of the US you are required to renounce all other allegiances when taking the citizenship oath ... as is the case in Australia. So, I am wondering how it is possible to hold dual citizenship .. especially if both countries require you to renounce other allegiances.

Another question I have ... does Thailand even know your son holds dual citizenship or was this just an issue between you (and your son) and Australia. I have a friend who got his Thai son a passport from his home country (i believe Belgium but can't remember) and he simply dealt with the Belgium authorities as far as I know. In fact, I don't even think his Thai born son has a Thai passport yet.

Also in wondering if the oath to swear to give up other allegiances is simply symbolic since my friend's son couldn't even speak yet when he got the passport. Also being a US born citizen, I have never had to officially and solely swear my allegiance to the US ... but new citizens are required to.

Edited October 30, 2010 by jcbangkok

[Bagwan]

He scoffed at Thailand when offered honorary citizenship. When interviewed he actually said, "Why would I want Thai citizenship? "

Stay in America, you're no longer welcome...

So why would he want Thai citizenship?

Have you been the spokesman for all of Thailand long, or is it a recent appointment.? Have you also told Thaksin to stay away?

[moetownblues]

@JCBankok I did not misunderstand you. We are both talking about two kinds of citizenship. One type is for immigrants and yes they are required to take an oath to abide by the laws of the country etc. What I was talking about is citizenship by decent. You require one parent to be Australian citizen and show birth certificate from abroad and proof and I.D. of parent. No swearing in ceromony ect. also you keep your other citizenship. My son owns 2 passports Aussie and Thai and Thailand is aware of this as his aussie one produced as I.D for his Thai one.

I was assuming that the type of citizenship being offered to Tiger WOODS would be that of by decent as his mother is Thai.

[moetownblues]

I know a few girls in Pattaya that are hopeful about his return. Maybe he will realize that this in a country where he can be himself.

I thought thai's did not like dark skin that is why they bleach themselves with all these creams. What of Tiger's Thai family here in Thailand? He must have thai uncles, aunties, cousins ect we never hear of them.