Another New Thai Citizen - Me!

[TheChiefJustice]

I am now officially a Thai citizen! My approval was finally published in the Royal Gazette last month and I am now scheduled to pick up my ID card and Thai passport next week. It was a long wait - 5 years to be exact – but as far as these things go, I think the length of time seems to be quite standard or, if anything, perhaps on the quick side. Having said that, however, I know people who have been approved in 3 years and those who have waiting and are still waiting after 10 years.

There is already a very long and detailed thread on this forum entitled “The Story of My Thai Citizenship Application” setting out the naturalization process. Click here to read that very informative thread. The process has remained relatively unchanged since 2007 so I shall not bore you with the minute details of each step along the way. However, for those that are interested, I set out below a few personal details together with the “timeline” of my application.

Personal Details

I am a male in my early 40’s from a country that recognizes dual citizenship. I have lived and worked in Thailand since 1999 (always on a valid work permit) and my salary exceeds the minimum required to apply for Thai citizenship – which, I believe, is currently THB 80,000 per month. I received my Thai Permanent Residence in 2003. I am not married.

Timeline

May 2007 – Application submitted to Special Branch (SB)

June 2007 – SB Interview

August 2007 – SB sends application to Ministry of Interior (MOI)

November 2007 - Department of Special Investigations visits me at my office for an interview

July 2008 – MOI interview

July 2011 - Minister of Interior approval

December 2011 – His Majesty approves my application

February 2012 – Attend SB to make the oath

April 2012 – Minister of Interior announces approval

May 2012 – Approval published in Royal Gazette

I think that my recent approval in April, together with 11 others (3 of whom were also Westerners) is evidence that citizenship applications continue to be processed by the Ministry. The Special Branch certainly remains busy with applications. There is no doubt that the process is time consuming – but it is by no means difficult for those who meet the requirements. The people at the SB and those at the Ministry that I have dealt with along the way have always been helpful and very friendly. For those interested in applying, I suggest you contact the Special Branch in Bangkok. They will be more than happy to give you an unofficial view on your chances. I know that a number of you have applications pending and I wish you the best of luck and hope that the current administration continues to move the process along.

I would like to send a special thanks to the following members – all of whom have helped me with information and moral support along the way: Arkady, Samran, Chatette, NewlyMintedThai, and Richard4849.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to send me a PM or leave a message. I will do my best to answer any questions people may have about the process.

Edited June 12, 2012 by TheChiefJustice

[David48]

Congratulations on your fine achievement ... you have a obtained membership to a rare club ...

[Mario2008]

Congratulations on becoming a Thai national.

[BuddhistVirus]

Congratulations and best wishes

[JimShortz]

Nice work - well done indeed!

[evadgib]

Well done:) I wish I had the ability to master the language!

[FritsSikkink]

Gratz

[aidenai]

Congratulations.

[asiaexpat]

Congratulations. It is good to see the government is moving these along.

[oggie911]

why would you want to be thai in the 1st place sorry if i upset you,are you not proud of your own country or is it so you can buy land and houses cheaper but to the thais you are still a farang in there eyes and will always be.

[guzzi850m2]

why would you want to be thai in the 1st place sorry if i upset you,are you not proud of your own country or is it so you can buy land and houses cheaper but to the thais you are still a farang in there eyes and will always be.

What a statement you are letting out, I think you are jealous! He said double citizenship man and whatever reason he might have is none of your business, I would love to have that as well, will make life here sooo much easier.

Who told you that house/land is cheaper for Thais?? In my village they have a list price for the houses for sale and they don't care who is buying as long as they sell houses (we all know that expats can't own land here so lets keep it at that).

Congratulations to OP

Edited June 13, 2012 by guzzi850m2

[jonnyscot]

Congrats and well done,,wish I could eventually get a piece of that, unfortunately the fact that I work outside LOS means its likely only a pipedream for me,, best of luck to you

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[TheChiefJustice]

why would you want to be thai in the 1st place sorry if i upset you,are you not proud of your own country or is it so you can buy land and houses cheaper but to the thais you are still a farang in there eyes and will always be.

Many thanks for your observations - none of which I find upsetting in the least. As I mentioned in my original post, the country of my birth, of which I am and will always be very fond, allows dual citizenship. That means that I will hold two passports.

I wish it were true that Thai citizenship allows me access to cheaper land and houses - but, alas, that is not the case. And, yes, I do agree with you that I will always be farang in the eyes of Thai people (I am as pale as a polar bear) - but that is neither here nor there - and I certainly did not expect Thai citizenship to change that, nor do I care.

There are many posts on the previous thread about the reasons for wanting Thai citizenship - and some are very personal. I certainly did not do it to gain entry to national parks, the Grand Palace, or the zoo at Thai prices. I did not do it so that I might use the Thai line at the airport. I did it becuase I plan to live here for the rest of my life and I wish to be treated, in the eyes of the law, as any other citizen of this country. Also, having citizenship provides me with a great sense of security. I do not need to bother with immigration ever again, I do not need a work permit and may engage in any business I wish to without needing Thai partners, and I may own land without restriction. These things may not be important to some, but they are important to me - and that is all that counts.

Having said all of that, however - I cannot wait to rush off to the Grand Palace and get in for free!!

[ubonjoe]

Congratulations

[LucidLucifer]

Congratulations.

You didn't get citizenship just so you could shop here did you?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/562038-thai-only-sign-seen-at-mbk/

[samran]

Great to hear that the last step is now only a matter of days away CJ. Many, many hearty congrats.

[Arkady]

Many congratulations Chief Jusice.

For those interested in the details current practice is for the National Intelligence Agency to interview applicants at McDonalds in Amarin Plaza with no interview at the applicant's office or home, as previously. The same officer has been conducting all these interviews alone for the last three years or so and the venue is for applicants' convenience because the NIA's office is in Ratchadamnoen Road. There may also be a budgetary constraint as the interviews were previously conducted by more than one officer and the fixed venue is obviously cheaper than travelling to homes and/or offices. The practice may change when that officer is reassigned and/or if the budget is increased. Also I am sure that they will come and investigate offices or homes, if they have reason to suspect there is something fishy about the application details.

Edited June 13, 2012 by Arkady

[samran]

Many congratulations Chief Jusice.

For those interested in the details current practice is for the National Intelligence Agency to interview applicants at McDonalds in Amarin Plaza with no interview at the applicant's office or home, as previously. The same officer has been conducting all these interviews alone for the last three years or so and the venue is for applicants' convenience because the NIA's office is in Ratchadamnoen Road. There may also be a budgetary constraint as the interviews were previously conducted by more than one officer and the fixed venue is obviously cheaper than travelling to homes and/or offices. The practice may change when that officer is reassigned and/or if the budget is increased. Also I am sure that they will come and investigate offices or homes, if they have reason to suspect there is something fishy about the application details.

They must have found a new location. My wife's was conducted at KFC at Victory Monument.

They told us they wanted to do it in a relaxing informal atmosphere!

[p_brownstone]

Many congratulations CJ!

Everyone has their own reasons for applying - or not - for Thai Citizenship and you obviously felt it was worthwhile in your particular circumstances and it's no-ones business but your own. Obviously the fact that you retain your original Citizenship too is a factor of course.

I have had PR Status for nearly 40 years but, again for personal reasons, never felt it necessary to take the final step and go for Citizenship.

Now all you have to do is wait 5 years and you can vote for the self-centred autocrat of your choice!

Patrick

P.S. Just wondering - did you take a Thai name? I understand this is no longer obligatory.

Patrick

[Maestro]

Congratulations, TheChiefJustice. And if you should get appointed a chief justice in Thailand, that woudn't be bad, either. Best wishes for your future.

[Xangsamhua]

Well done!

[TheChiefJustice]

P.S. Just wondering - did you take a Thai name? I understand this is no longer obligatory.

Patrick

I was required to reserve a Thai name as part of the original application but don't plan to use it. I will keep my original name - at least at the beginning. I suppose I could take a Thai name later but I don't really like the idea of having a different name on each of my passports.

[Grumbles]

congratulations

[NewlyMintedThai]

Congratulations, and welcome to the club!

[moe666]

Congradulations, but do get over to the Grand Palace and drop that ID card in there lap. My girlfriend really got fired up when I got a senior discount and she didn't get a Thai discount. I would chose the name Somchai Na Nahkon Si Tammarat just for grins. Congradulations again

Edited June 13, 2012 by moe666

[flying]

Congrats on completing a long journey successfully

[ubonjoe]

Having said all of that, however - I cannot wait to rush off to the Grand Palace and get in for free!!

I think I would be making a trip to a neighboring country to try out that brand new passport you will soon have.

[TheChiefJustice]

I think I would be making a trip to a neighboring country to try out that brand new passport you will soon have.

I think that is a splendid idea. Perhaps Laos. I'm very much looking forward to using the new Thai passport for the first time.

Edited June 14, 2012 by TheChiefJustice

[NewlyMintedThai]

The first thing I did was make a visit to the Emerald Buddha.

Just my luck...no one was watching as I waltzed in via the Thai line!

I was so disappointed that I went out again and re-entered when there was someone paying enough attention to ask to see my credentials! (they were exceedingly friendly and respectful, by the way).

[Arkady]

Congradulations, but do get over to the Grand Palace and drop that ID card in there lap. My girlfriend really got fired up when I got a senior discount and she didn't get a Thai discount. I would chose the name Somchai Na Nahkon Si Tammarat just for grins. Congradulations again

I don't see any problem with Somchai but good luck in getting your district office to approve Na Nakhon Si thammarat!