Hello all

Hope someone can help. My Thai stepson who lives with me and my Thai wife in Scotland and now has a British passport is worried about being enrolled in the Thai army. We just returned from a holiday in Thailand and his cousin had to join the army (2 years) even though he didnt want to. I told him I wouldnt worry too much as he lives in the UK and only returns to Thailand for holidays. He's concerned the next time we go for a holiday they might ask him to join. Anybody had any experience with this ? Any help would be appreciated to put his mind at rest.

cheers

Mark

Search "Military Service" on this forum - discussed at length

Have him enter Thailand on his UK passport next time he comes if he is worried about it. It will mean him getting a visa if staying longer than the 30 days visa exemption stamp on arrival.

He can enter on the Thai passport. Immigration and the military don't swap data.

Only if he is back in Thailand full time living under the age of 30 does he need to worry. After 30, he is in the clear.

Also, if he is currently studying, he can apply for deferment if ever he is called up - which is unlikely given he's overseas.

Edited August 5, 201213 yr by samran

Have him enter Thailand on his UK passport next time he comes if he is worried about it. It will mean him getting a visa if staying longer than the 30 days visa exemption stamp on arrival.

Bad advice, Having a British Passport does not exclude this, the passport page 3, specifically mentions military service and you are not protected from it if you are a dual national.

Post removed - no need to bring politics into this particular query/discussion.

Have him enter Thailand on his UK passport next time he comes if he is worried about it. It will mean him getting a visa if staying longer than the 30 days visa exemption stamp on arrival.

Bad advice, Having a British Passport does not exclude this, the passport page 3, specifically mentions military service and you are not protected from it if you are a dual national.

Your correct on this, but I think the point is if he was here on a British PP, the Military wouldnt connect the dots, for all intents and purposes, just another farang on holiday, unless of course someone shops him out

Being full blood thai, he should man up and take his obligation seriously as many others infer on the other thread.

My child being half does not have the same loyalty seeing as they do not wish him to join the royal police or become an officer, cannot have your cak and eat it too.

Getting a opportunity to work with the Thai Army is a great goal for many young Thais (including my stepson). It means government employment, which will secure his future. But as he has already got 'spoiled' by the life in Scotland, he is trying to avoid this. Up to him (and you).

Edited August 5, 201213 yr by Semper

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Being full blood thai, he should man up and take his obligation seriously as many others infer on the other thread.

My child being half does not have the same loyalty seeing as they do not wish him to join the royal police or become an officer, cannot have your cak and eat it too.

Would not becoming an officer during two years national service anyway...so your argument is moot

Have him enter Thailand on his UK passport next time he comes if he is worried about it. It will mean him getting a visa if staying longer than the 30 days visa exemption stamp on arrival.

Bad advice, Having a British Passport does not exclude this, the passport page 3, specifically mentions military service and you are not protected from it if you are a dual national.

Your correct on this, but I think the point is if he was here on a British PP, the Military wouldnt connect the dots, for all intents and purposes, just another farang on holiday, unless of course someone shops him out

I came and went on my Thai passport during my 20's. No stress whatsoever in being randomly stopped and called up.

Being full blood thai, he should man up and take his obligation seriously as many others infer on the other thread.

My child being half does not have the same loyalty seeing as they do not wish him to join the royal police or become an officer, cannot have your cak and eat it too.

Would not becoming an officer during two years national service anyway...so your argument is moot

wooosh

We just returned from a holiday in Thailand and his cousin had to join the army (2 years) even though he didnt want to.

Boo-hoo... maybe he'll get some experience out of this (compared to playing on-line games all day and night). Sounds like your stepson needs the same lesson.

Being full blood thai, he should man up and take his obligation seriously as many others infer on the other thread.

My child being half does not have the same loyalty seeing as they do not wish him to join the royal police or become an officer, cannot have your cak and eat it too.

Would not becoming an officer during two years national service anyway...so your argument is moot

wooosh

Woosh ?....the sound your toilet makes when you flush it ?

We just returned from a holiday in Thailand and his cousin had to join the army (2 years) even though he didnt want to.

Boo-hoo... maybe he'll get some experience out of this (compared to playing on-line games all day and night). Sounds like your stepson needs the same lesson.

Thanks for that. Maybe your stepson plays online games all day/night but my stepson doesn't, maybe some discipline is in order. My stepson's actually at college with a part time job. You wouldn't have got me joining the army so why should he if he doesn't want to.

Would not becoming an officer during two years national service anyway...so your argument is moot

wooosh

Woosh ?....the sound your toilet makes when you flush it ?

Nope

Have him enter Thailand on his UK passport next time he comes if he is worried about it. It will mean him getting a visa if staying longer than the 30 days visa exemption stamp on arrival.

Bad advice, Having a British Passport does not exclude this, the passport page 3, specifically mentions military service and you are not protected from it if you are a dual national.

If he still has dual nationality, then correct, he can chance his Thai passport. I read he was on a British passport.

In a worst case scenario the British Army would be a good place to make himself unavailable for a few years, providing of course that we still have one by the time he's old enough:)