I have a question.

Does anyone know if it is possible to have a dual citizenship? And, if it's legal to have both? I was born in Bkk ,Thailand at an Army hospital. Dad is an American and Mom is thai with an American citizenship. At the time, my father was a soldier for the (American)Airforce. To my understanding, I was born an American citizen being the fact that I was born under the Airforce (war brat). I have been living here in Thailand for almost 2 years. I have to get a yearly visa in order to stay here. My birth certificate is in English. I need to know where that Army hospital is in Bkk. Does anyone know of any Army hospitals in Bkk>? I figure if I had those documents translated ,and had recieved my birth certificate in Thai, it would be easier for me to have a Thai Id card, the one you need to have in your persons if you want to buy a house or car or land etc...Also, for a drivers license. If I was born here, is it possible that I could have the thai citizenship as well? I can never get an answer from my family here, they all speak thai, and not one lick of English.

We have a huge language barrier. I try to communicate in Thai to them (as much as I can) but they don't seem to care to try to learn a few english words. I am pretty much a ghost to my family here . I have to do everything for myself. So any input would sure be helpful.

Thanks So much!

Lonahl in Phetchabun

Edited September 24, 200520 yr by sbk

I would think it's possible but I would post in the visa section, that is where all the legal stuff is posted. And don't post your pic, you will get all the pervy farang guys making comments!

LOL, sbk is right, pm me if u want it removed.

I would suggest you first ask your mum if she every registered your birth at an amphur in thailand then maybe give the Ministry of foreign affairs a call & ask them what the procedure would be to getting your thai citizenship. I would think that as your parents were married at the time of your birth & being born in thailand to a thai mother would make a strong case for you getting the relevant paperwork but I suppose it may depend of whether your birth was registered with the thai govermentment at the time. Good luck & let us know how you get on. Maybe pm samran as well as he has dual nationality (thai/aussie)

There has not been a US Army hospital in Thailand for 30 years AFAIK. It was located in the Samitivej Sukumvit Hospital building; and if I recall correctly was the US Army 5th Field Hospital.

You probably will have to start with your mother and obtain her old ID card/home register information.

And yes it is legal to have dual citizenship and many people do.

To be honest, I'd get in contact with the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington DC. Without the communication skills, you'll just get the run around in Thailand.

Ask them what documents you'd need to get a Thai passport. In the mean time, get as much of you mothers Thai documentation as possible, her old ID, house reistration, your US birth certificate showing you are her daughter etc etc. This will show that you are a Thai citizen by descent.

No need for photo here - only get the pervs going!!!

Not sure w/rules in yankland, but there might be rules imposed you might have to make this choice (dual) before a certain age threshhold is met, ie 21.

I can say Wife has to maintain her resident registration ID card and keep her Thai Passport current. The Id card seems to be lynch pin in the Thai process. So if you mother has maintained that or reconstitutes it with you that seems to be key I think someone mentioned how before

Per Se United States Dual Citizenship-

Dual Nationality

The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time. Because each country has its own citizenship laws based on its own policies, persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice.

For example, a child born in a foreign country to U.S. citizen parents may be both a U.S. citizen and a citizen of the country of birth. Also, a U.S. citizen may acquire foreign citizenship by marriage, or a person naturalized as a U.S. citizen may not lose the citizenship of the country of birth. U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one citizenship or another. A person who is automatically granted another citizenship does not risk losing U.S. citizenship.

However, a person who acquires a foreign citizenship by applying for it may lose U.S. citizenship. In order to lose U.S. citizenship, the law requires that the person must apply for the foreign citizenship voluntarily, by free choice, and with the intention to give up U.S. citizenship. Intent can be shown by the person's statements or conduct.

The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country, and they are required to obey the laws of both countries. Claims of other countries on dual national U.S. citizens may conflict with U.S. law. Either country has the right to enforce its laws, particularly if the person is in that country (even just for traveling). The country where a dual national is located generally has a stronger claim to that person's allegiance. It is important to note that dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist citizens abroad.

Most U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. Dual nationals may also be required by the foreign country to use its passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport does not endanger U.S. citizenship.

Most countries permit a person to renounce or otherwise lose citizenship. Information on losing foreign citizenship can be obtained from the foreign country's embassy and consulates in the United States. Americans can renounce U.S. citizenship in the proper form at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.

For more information, see the Citizenship and Nationality area of the State Department’s website for American citizens abroad.

http://www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm/immig...nationality.htm

Other sources:

http://www.richw.org/dualcit/

Good luck Hope this helps.

P.S I agree the picture will draw that element you don't want I assume.

T HA T

IS

A LL!

No need for photo here - only get the pervs going!!!

Not sure w/rules in yankland, but there might be rules imposed you might have to make this choice (dual) before a certain age threshhold is met, ie 21.

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Neither Thailand or the US enforce these rules. They exist in thai law only as an option, but it not by any means compulsory.

Thanks everyone for all the help. I was pretty lost at what I needed to do. I think the hospital was the 5th field. it sounds right. I will have to ask my Father to double check. Also, (SBK) that would be great if you could remove the picture.I would appreciate it. I didn't know there was so many farang pervs. lol. Take care all Cheers!

Lonah

Its done! Good luck and keep us posted, I am sure we are all interested in how it turns out. I have always believed it is a good idea to keep ones options open and if you can have two passports why the heck not?

The key to getting a Thai passport will be getting a Thai Birth Certificate. My kids were born in America, so I needed to have their American birth certificates certified (by the state of Maryland and then by the US State Dept.) in order to obtain a Thai Birth Certificate. Once we had the Thai Birth Certificates, we applied for the Thai Passports. You may have an easier time obtaining a Thai Birth Certificate since you were actually born in Thailand.

By the way, although my kids have Thai Birth Certificates and Thai Passports, they do not have Thai ID cards. I don't know if that will become an issue for them in the future.

Good luck.

... and if you can have two passports why the heck not?

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Just a reminder that you should look at all sides of an issue.

A young male in your situation that was able to obtain dual citizenship would then be eligible for free room and board if drafted into the Thai Army.