Born In Thailand But Us Citizen

[QEU]

My parents were born in Laos. At the fall of the Vietnam war, my family made their way into Thailand in '75. Shortly after the family settled, I was born, in Uttradit, a small farming town in northern Thailand. Because of my father's involvment with the US during the war, my family was granted immigration passage to the US. We moved to US in '80 and I have not been back to Thailand until last year when I sent to work in Chonburi for a few weeks.

I am considering relocating to Thailand in the near future and would like to know if I can retain my Thai citizenship. Aside from some old pictures, I have no document whatsoever. If any, it would be buried somewhere in my parent's house. Given this situation, what is the best approach to regain citizenship? who should i start with and where?

Thanks.

Edited August 25, 2005 by QEU

[lopburi3]

Are you sure you ever had Thai citizenship? I suspect your parents were probably here as refugees rather than legal aliens so not sure you would have been provided Thai citizenship. I would think your parents would be the place to start.

[sriracha john]

Just to echo Lopburi's comments, I'd say you would be in the same situation here now as the thousands of Hmong who are being deported back to Laos after being here for years as refugees and having children born in Thailand, but determined to be Lao by the authorities. It would seem if you are going to attempt to attain a different citizenship from the U.S., you'd likely be referred to Laos to obtain theirs.... (and I realize that's not what you are seeking)...

In other words, I'd think you'd be at square one to obtain Thai citizenship...at the same spot any other U.S. citizen would be. It's not impossible to obtain, but it IS difficult. Details of same are available via search.

I do wish the best to you whatever you decide.