Couple Of Questions

[SinX7]

Hello. I have a few questions that need answering. (Feel free to move or delete if post is not appropriated.)

What are the requirements to apply for Thai citizenship/become a Thai Citizen?

Can I have Dual Citizenship since I'm a US Citizen also?

Is it hard getting dual citizenship?

What document should I have to show that I'm a Thai Citizen?

And

If one of my parents is a Thai citizen, does that make me a Thai citizen, and have a dual citizen status already?

Just need the requirements and simple answer to those questions.

Thanks!

[Mario2008]

Yes, if one of your parents was a Thai citizen at time of your birth, you are automatically a Thai citizen. If born abroad, you simply need to apply for a Thai birth certificate from the Thai embassy for the country you were born in. You will need the cooperation of both parents for this and your birth certificate. Check the embassy webiste for the requirements.

Both US and Thailand don't have a problem with dual nationality in this case.

[SinX7]

Yes, if one of your parents was a Thai citizen at time of your birth, you are automatically a Thai citizen. If born abroad, you simply need to apply for a Thai birth certificate from the Thai embassy for the country you were born in. You will need the cooperation of both parents for this and your birth certificate. Check the embassy webiste for the requirements.

Both US and Thailand don't have a problem with dual nationality in this case.

Am I still a Thai Citizen even tho I was born in the US?

Thanks!

[lopburi3]

Yes but first step is getting your birth registered by the Thai Consulate in the US with help of parents. Then you can obtain Thai passport and visit Thailand to get name on a home register/ID card.

[SinX7]

Ahh, I got those stuff already. Just wanted to make sure that I'm also a Thai citizen.

Now when I go to Thailand, what passport should I use if I want to stay there permanently? The Thai passport or US passport? (I Think I need to renew my Thai passport.)

[lopburi3]

You need to enter Thailand on your Thai passport (even if expired they must allow entry) - but for entry/exit of the US you must use that passport.

[SinX7]

Ahh, Even if my Thai passport is expired I can still enter Thailand? Will there be any problem entering with the expire passport at the Airport? and Do I need to fill out one of those visitor card if I'm going there to live there permanently? (The card they hand out to you when your on the Airplane)

Thanks!

[lopburi3]

You normally fill out on departure as a Thai and present the copy on return so I would fill one out and expect you will be questioned by Immigration as to expired passport (if you can not renew) but believe in the end they have to let you enter (try not to show your other passport as they would try to use that).

[SinX7]

So when I'm entering Thailand with a Thai passport, I don't need to fill out the form, unless I'm going out of the Kingdom for a while, I just need to fill out the departure side (Lets say I'm coming back to the US to visit friends/family) and when I return to the Kingdom, I just show them the form I filled out when I leave the Kingdom to go to the US (The departure form you have to fill out when your going out of Thailand?) correct?

Sorry, I'm not really inform about this stuff and Thank you for being patience and answering my questions. If you want, I can talk to you about this on PM instead.

Thank you!

[lopburi3]

There are people who have done the process so should stay here and wait for there advise.

[SinX7]

Alright. And is there any answers to my previous post?

Thank you!

[Mario2008]

Thai people normally give the departure card of the form on arrival and the arrrival part on departure. Suspect that if you got your passport abroad, you just need to fill in the departure part and give it to them. When leaving you take a new TM-8 form and hand in the arrival section.

[SinX7]

So I can stay in Thailand as long as I want with a Thai passport (Expired or not?) and don't have to deal with renew Visa (If I use the Thai passport that is) correct?

Thanks!

[PoorSucker]

So I can stay in Thailand as long as I want with a Thai passport (Expired or not?) and don't have to deal with renew Visa (If I use the Thai passport that is) correct?

Thanks!

Yes you can stay as long as you want, no visa needed.

Renew your passport before leaving the kingdom.

[KimoMax]

Sin, Probably best to renew your expired Thai Passport at any of the Thai Consulates or Embassy in the US. Can be done by Mail or in person. If you are close enough to go to one of them in person, it is better.

Once you have your Thai passport renewed, Leave the US on your US passport, and enter Thailand on your new Thai Passport.

You can stay in Thailand as long as you wish since you are on a Thai passport and a Thai Citizen.

If you depart Thailand, do so with your Thai passport. And enter the US using your US Passport. If questioned by US immigration, show your Thai passport to them explaining you have dual nationality and use your Thai passport only to avaoid visa problems for staying in Thailand.

It is not illegal to have dual citizenship in the US, but it is discouraged. The supremem court has ruled that you can have dual nationality.

Good luck and do it right. Get your Thai passport renewed or re-issued before you travel.

It does not take a long time.

[SinX7]

Ahh, Thanks for the heads up KimoMax! I didn't know that I can leave with US passport and enter Thailand with a Thai passport. (Learned something today! ) So I guess Ima be renewing my Thai passport before I go to avoid any problem when I enter the Kingdom (And to avoid Visas and stay there as long as I want )

So leave US with US passport and Enter the Kingdom with a Thai passport.

Thanks everyone for helping me and answering my questions!

[TerryLH]

"It is not illegal to have dual citizenship in the US, but it is discouraged."

Can you explain that a bit? Who discourages dual nationality? That hasn't been my experience.