Dual Citizizenship

[ubonrthai]

My wife and child have both Thai & U.S. citizenship. We'll be leaving Thailand for the first time since having both citizenships. We are traveling from Bangkok to the U.S.

1. When leaving Thailand they will show their Thai passport. Will Thai immigration request to see their U.S. passports?

2. Should I buy their plane tickets using Thai or U.S. passport information? Does it matter? Is either less of a hassle?

[lopburi3]

Airline at check-in will want to see US passport to prove they do not need visa for entry. Immigration is not likely to ask. I would use US information as they must by law use US passports for entry/exit of the US but suspect it would not be an issue as they have both if asked.

[Richard4849]

Do names match exactly on both sets of passports?

[ubonrthai]

Names match but my wife's birth date was changed in Thailand after immigrating to U.S. using original date. She had same birth date for 3 decades and then amphur suddenly says birth certificate doesn't match the crappy copy they have on file while updating household book. The abbreviated months in question both use ก, the number is the same and it appears there was a mistake when she was born but nobody ever fixed it. Her father claims the amphur told him they wouldn't change it when he tried fixing it when she was in elementary school because they don't use the birth certificate.

We spent 5 days at amphur begging them not to change it though. Big headache. No idea how to even attempt to fix U.S. docs. Probably have to do it in court if there was ever a problem. The U.S. embassy consulate general told me to just "leave well enough alone" and expects no trouble. But who knows. I'm sure immigration won't be thrilled when they see different dates which is why she's terrified of going through Thai immigration. U.S. won't matter. All Thai docs match and all U.S. docs match. She also has old Thai docs to prove it was changed and a letter from the amphur stating when and why they made the change.

[littleboylost]

On outbound flight show US passports at check-in desk and Thai passports at Bangkok Immigration. On arrival in US you must use US passports. On return to Thailand show Thai passports at check-in desk and US passport at US immigration. On arrival in Thailand use Thai passports. My wife and kids are in the same position and this works every time.

Neither Thai nor US immigration knows what passports you presented to the airlines.

[Richard4849]

On return to Thailand show Thai passports at check-in desk and US passport at US immigration.

There is no US immigration inspection for outgoing passengers, unless things have changed recently?