Wife Needs Help. In Thailand On British Passport.

[simple1]

Why you know this things so much better, as the people, who have done this things?

Are you a Thai national?

Indeed I am a Thai national. And I have an Australian passport to boot.

Just to re-iterate, the information you have given is highly misleading.

Your answer to my second question is kind of one to my my first, too, I guess!

I'm totally sorry, that giving a information about useful, known anf done procedure is misleading anyone, here in TV.

Do you think, the op's wife is the first ever Thai female, arriving on the only passport she have, a foreign one, and 'changing' back to Thai nationality INSIDE Thailand?

That would be a misleading information, me think!

Getting a Thai ID, a Thai Passport, a Thai driving license is solving her 30 day stamp problem 100 %

And using the Thai passport for the next travel outside Thailand via any airport to any destination will not lead to a crosscheck in the computers, b/c the arriving Mrs. "Hailfire" is using a passport in her Thai name.

Thanks for clarification, but my wife uses her Thai name for both her Thai & Australian passports. I'm sure many TV member wives also do not go down the married name change path. Still don't get why you would bother to go through the time consuming, fraudulent and costly process of obtaining a replacement western passport. Each to their own...

[noob7]

Why you know this things so much better, as the people, who have done this things?

Are you a Thai national?

Indeed I am a Thai national. And I have an Australian passport to boot.

Just to re-iterate, the information you have given is highly misleading.

Your answer to my second question is kind of one to my my first, too, I guess!

I'm totally sorry, that giving a information about useful, known anf done procedure is misleading anyone, here in TV.

Do you think, the op's wife is the first ever Thai female, arriving on the only passport she have, a foreign one, and 'changing' back to Thai nationality INSIDE Thailand?

That would be a misleading information, me think!

Getting a Thai ID, a Thai Passport, a Thai driving license is solving her 30 day stamp problem 100 %

And using the Thai passport for the next travel outside Thailand via any airport to any destination will not lead to a crosscheck in the computers, b/c the arriving Mrs. "Hailfire" is using a passport in her Thai name.

I have no idea what you just wrote.

No doubt about that!

[samran]

Why you know this things so much better, as the people, who have done this things?

Are you a Thai national?

Indeed I am a Thai national. And I have an Australian passport to boot.

Just to re-iterate, the information you have given is highly misleading.

Your answer to my second question is kind of one to my my first, too, I guess!

I'm totally sorry, that giving a information about useful, known anf done procedure is misleading anyone, here in TV.

Do you think, the op's wife is the first ever Thai female, arriving on the only passport she have, a foreign one, and 'changing' back to Thai nationality INSIDE Thailand?

That would be a misleading information, me think!

Getting a Thai ID, a Thai Passport, a Thai driving license is solving her 30 day stamp problem 100 %

And using the Thai passport for the next travel outside Thailand via any airport to any destination will not lead to a crosscheck in the computers, b/c the arriving Mrs. "Hailfire" is using a passport in her Thai name.

Thanks for clarification, but my wife uses her Thai name for both her Thai & Australian passports. I'm sure many TV member wives also do not go down the married name change path. Still don't get why you would bother to go through the time consuming, fraudulent and costly process of obtaining a replacement western passport. Each to their own...

indeed strange logic.

Even stranger to think that just because someone has a Thai name the immigration database is going to ignore them.

Either way, I guess it is up to the OP's wife now though.

[noob7]

Why you know this things so much better, as the people, who have done this things?

Are you a Thai national?

Indeed I am a Thai national. And I have an Australian passport to boot.

Just to re-iterate, the information you have given is highly misleading.

Your answer to my second question is kind of one to my my first, too, I guess!

I'm totally sorry, that giving a information about useful, known anf done procedure is misleading anyone, here in TV.

Do you think, the op's wife is the first ever Thai female, arriving on the only passport she have, a foreign one, and 'changing' back to Thai nationality INSIDE Thailand?

That would be a misleading information, me think!

Getting a Thai ID, a Thai Passport, a Thai driving license is solving her 30 day stamp problem 100 %

And using the Thai passport for the next travel outside Thailand via any airport to any destination will not lead to a crosscheck in the computers, b/c the arriving Mrs. "Hailfire" is using a passport in her Thai name.

Thanks for clarification, but my wife uses her Thai name for both her Thai & Australian passports. I'm sure many TV member wives also do not go down the married name change path. Still don't get why you would bother to go through the time consuming, fraudulent and costly process of obtaining a replacement western passport. Each to their own...

Your wife kept her name, after marring you?

Or do you mean the 'maiden name'?

I do think, that the maiden name is the important part, in the computer system, here!

The important thing is only, that in the Thai passport is only the Thai Name stating!

Maybe we should ask the OP, if the status is legalized in Thailand, too?

[simple1]

@noob7 - Wife kept her maiden name - married in Australia, not in Thailand - now live in thailand

[noob7]

@noob7 - Wife kept her maiden name - married in Australia, not in Thailand - now live in thailand

The usual 'legal' reasons, for not changing the name, I guess, right?

Easier, with land and house in Thailand, for her, she is probably not registered as 'married to Farang'.

To clarify this:

My friend was married, took his name, got passport as 'Mrs. Farang', but never legalized the marriage in Thailand.

She lived happily a couple of years in Europe, her Thai passport expired, and, after the 'happy time', she decided quickly, to fly back to Thailand. On her Farang passport.

This is ~1 1/2 years ago. She never used that Passport again,to leave Thailand, but the Thai Passport. And not only one time, to accompany me on a weekend visa run. We haven't chat for a while, but last time, she still had a 'Farang' Bf. in SPore. Afaik, they to the weekend relationship thing, one week him, one week her, using passports at immigrations!

And shouldn't we not forget, we're talking about a Thai person, using a Thai Passport, to leave Thailand. i'm not saying, that this is the right way, to do it. But it is/was a working way, for others.

And the OP-wife had problems, to get a stamp at land border.

If she wanna switch it, for sure, and the right way, she need to fly out to KL, or SPore. Using the Thai passport there for the entry.

But:

The first usage of a passport at the airport, do they not stamp the Thais leaving the country, anymore? I remember, this happened some years ago with my gf. We flew to KL to get me a new visa. We (I) had to show our tickets, the hotel reservation, .....! She got stamped OUT, and on arrival, she got stamped in, again!

[yoslim]

Thailand is for Thais.. she is Thai, I don't even know why she worries about overstay

[gk10002000]

Sorry, but neglecting the not unexpected home sickness and similar issues, this sounds like something to consider walking away from. Too many traditional warning signs.

Chock dee

[simple1]

@noob7 - Wife kept her maiden name - married in Australia, not in Thailand - now live in thailand

The usual 'legal' reasons, for not changing the name, I guess, right?

Easier, with land and house in Thailand, for her, she is probably not registered as 'married to Farang'.

To clarify this:

My friend was married, took his name, got passport as 'Mrs. Farang', but never legalized the marriage in Thailand.

She lived happily a couple of years in Europe, her Thai passport expired, and, after the 'happy time', she decided quickly, to fly back to Thailand. On her Farang passport.

This is ~1 1/2 years ago. She never used that Passport again,to leave Thailand, but the Thai Passport. And not only one time, to accompany me on a weekend visa run. We haven't chat for a while, but last time, she still had a 'Farang' Bf. in SPore. Afaik, they to the weekend relationship thing, one week him, one week her, using passports at immigrations!

And shouldn't we not forget, we're talking about a Thai person, using a Thai Passport, to leave Thailand. i'm not saying, that this is the right way, to do it. But it is/was a working way, for others.

And the OP-wife had problems, to get a stamp at land border.

If she wanna switch it, for sure, and the right way, she need to fly out to KL, or SPore. Using the Thai passport there for the entry.

But:

The first usage of a passport at the airport, do they not stamp the Thais leaving the country, anymore? I remember, this happened some years ago with my gf. We flew to KL to get me a new visa. We (I) had to show our tickets, the hotel reservation, .....! She got stamped OUT, and on arrival, she got stamped in, again!

Regards my wife's maiden name, I did not ask her to change it, nothing to do with potential legal issues. Thai's departing & entering Thailand are required to complete the TM6 card that is attached to the passport - same as foreigners

[Maestro]

Oh, one more thing:

With the id card/passport, even with the driving license, it can be a great help, to get a 'lost, not found' police report!

The police will take her words for granted, so usage of old address will work with this report in the id/passport department, as well in the driving license dept.!

This way, she may need only to do the 'eye-test' for the driving license.

Sometimes it is useful to be able to read. In the very first post of this topic, Hellfire101 wrote, with reference to the new documents she got issued to her name after her arrival in Thailand:

She now has her Thai ID card, Her driving Licence and her Thai Passport (same name as British Passport).

[lopburi3]

Regards my wife's maiden name, I did not ask her to change it, nothing to do with potential legal issues. Thai's departing & entering Thailand are required to complete the TM6 card that is attached to the passport - same as foreigners

Actually this is not done the same as foreigners. Thai fill out the arrival form on departure (not on arrival) and provide the copy departure section when they return (if they have not lost it).

[simple1]

Regards my wife's maiden name, I did not ask her to change it, nothing to do with potential legal issues. Thai's departing & entering Thailand are required to complete the TM6 card that is attached to the passport - same as foreigners

Actually this is not done the same as foreigners. Thai fill out the arrival form on departure (not on arrival) and provide the copy departure section when they return (if they have not lost it).

deleted

[Thailand J]

"She's been to Camboida today, to try and get an Exit Stamp on the british passport, and then re-enter on the Thai one.

But they wont give her an Exit stamp. "

Is it because the Cambodian border officer knew she was switching passport?

May be they dont allow passport switching during a same day visa run.

May be it's worth a try going into Laos, spend a night in Vientiane and return with Thai passport?

[Mario2008]

Flying in and out is usually the best option, as then no exit stamps are checked.

She must leave Thailand on the other passport, enter Cambodia on that one and leave Cambodia on that one. When she enters Thailand she just shows the Thai paspsort and stand her ground. A Thai national cannot be denied entry into Thailand, exit stamp or not.

[lopburi3]

Exit stamps are required by both countries on land crossings so no passport change is normally allowed. As said by air this is not an issue.

[Thailand J]

Exit stamps are required by both countries on land crossings so no passport change is normally allowed. As said by air this is not an issue.

You are saying for land crossing the country u r about to enter would want to see an exit stamp from the previously visited country on the passport u want to use, now I understand why u cant switch passport.

But I don’t understand why won't the Thai immigration give her an exit stamp on her British passport . She can then enter Cambodia with the British passport, then fly to enter BKK with her Thai passport..

[Mario2008]

But I don’t understand why won't the Thai immigration give her an exit stamp on her British passport . She can then enter Cambodia with the British passport, then fly to enter BKK with her Thai passport..

That is possible.

[Maestro]

...

But I don’t understand why won't the Thai immigration give her an exit stamp on her British passport ...

The immigration officer was clearly wrong in denying her that exit stamp. We don't know his motives and any idea I might have about it would be idle speculation.

[paz]

...

But I don’t understand why won't the Thai immigration give her an exit stamp on her British passport ...

The immigration officer was clearly wrong in denying her that exit stamp. We don't know his motives and any idea I might have about it would be idle speculation.

Can we idle speculate a little longer then? We know for a fact that the dual citizenship issue for Thai is a grey area with difference between men and women. Thai law doesn't allow dual citizenship except in special circumstances (that is also the case with many countries), and officers often turn a blind eye to the matter. So it seem credible that if there is a sweep (in one direction or to the other) about Immigration allowing Thai national travelling on foreign passport, that may depend from regulations known only to immigration, or even the office personal opinion (or understanding to call that a nicer name).

[lopburi3]

Actually this seems to just be an immigration officer telling the traveler she can not do that on a land crossing due to the check for stamp out of previous country and to prevent her having problems (nothing new and standard policy).

[samran]

...

But I don’t understand why won't the Thai immigration give her an exit stamp on her British passport ...

The immigration officer was clearly wrong in denying her that exit stamp. We don't know his motives and any idea I might have about it would be idle speculation.

Can we idle speculate a little longer then? We know for a fact that the dual citizenship issue for Thai is a grey area with difference between men and women. Thai law doesn't allow dual citizenship except in special circumstances (that is also the case with many countries), and officers often turn a blind eye to the matter. So it seem credible that if there is a sweep (in one direction or to the other) about Immigration allowing Thai national travelling on foreign passport, that may depend from regulations known only to immigration, or even the office personal opinion (or understanding to call that a nicer name).

No idle speculation.

Explicit prohibition of dual nationality was done away in Thai law with a revision to the Thai Nationality Act in 1992. This essentially returned citizenship to Thai women who had lost it via marriage to a foreign male.

There have been two subsequent revisions to the act - 2008 and 2012, both of which have cast the net further and increased access to Thai nationality to those formerly deprived of it.

Just because the act does not explicitly say 'it is banned' does not make it a grey area. There are grey areas, but none which affect those who have married foreigners, or who were born to at least one Thai parent while also gaining the nationality of the other foreign parent.

[simple1]

...

But I don’t understand why won't the Thai immigration give her an exit stamp on her British passport ...

The immigration officer was clearly wrong in denying her that exit stamp. We don't know his motives and any idea I might have about it would be idle speculation.

Can we idle speculate a little longer then? We know for a fact that the dual citizenship issue for Thai is a grey area with difference between men and women. Thai law doesn't allow dual citizenship except in special circumstances (that is also the case with many countries), and officers often turn a blind eye to the matter. So it seem credible that if there is a sweep (in one direction or to the other) about Immigration allowing Thai national travelling on foreign passport, that may depend from regulations known only to immigration, or even the office personal opinion (or understanding to call that a nicer name).

Thailand does permit dual citizenship and there is no difference if male or female. My wife holds dual citizenship and there were no "special circumstances". My stepson also holds dual citizenship and has traveled to Thailand, on separate occasions, on both his Thai and foreign passports as has my wife.

[lopburi3]

Actually Thailand does not permit dual citizenship by law, but as pointed out by samran it does not have any law that prevents it (much the same as the United States). So in effect it is allowed in practice and it is not dependt on being male or female.

[simple1]

Actually Thailand does not permit dual citizenship by law, but as pointed out by samran it does not have any law that prevents it (much the same as the United States). So in effect it is allowed in practice and it is not dependt on being male or female.

Just checked this out and you're correct. When I contacted the Thai Embassy in my home country they said no issue for dual citizen and not prohibited so went ahead with dual citizenship for wife and stepson as permitted in Australia. Are you able to shed any light on why not permitted by law, but no law to prevent it.; seems rather odd

[noob7]

Actually Thailand does not permit dual citizenship by law, but as pointed out by samran it does not have any law that prevents it (much the same as the United States). So in effect it is allowed in practice and it is not dependt on being male or female.

Just checked this out and you're correct. When I contacted the Thai Embassy in my home country they said no issue for dual citizen and not prohibited so went ahead with dual citizenship for wife and stepson as permitted in Australia. Are you able to shed any light on why not permitted by law, but no law to prevent it.; seems rather odd

Not really, I think.

If a Thai has to give up on the Thai citizenship: Who would buy land for his (former) Thai wife in Thailand, b/c she as someone with a 'NonThai' Citizenship can't own it?

Actually that is the reason, that Thai can have have a 2. citizenship from other countries, even if it is usually requested, to change from the one to the other. But because giving up her Thai citizenship would be such a big drawback to her, lots of western governments implemented this fine loophole in their laws.

[Mario2008]

Most countries have a either a law that prohibits dual nationality or just say nothing about it.

Thai law says nothing about dual nationality, except for the case in which one opted for Thai nationality (you applied to become a Thai citizen by choice). When you opt for Thai nationality, you cannot make use of the other nationality.

[noob7]

Most countries have a either a law that prohibits dual nationality or just say nothing about it.

Thai law says nothing about dual nationality, except for the case in which one opted for Thai nationality (you applied to become a Thai citizen by choice). When you opt for Thai nationality, you cannot make use of the other nationality.

That is a interesting statement. I assume, applying for it is kind of choosing, too, right?

I did read (I think in TV) about 'using my new Thai Passport, to travel in the area, and my XX-Passport, to go to Europe". But it's a little time ago, so i can't link it. Don't they (Thai authorities) check on this issue? Os is it irrelevant, in this cases?

[samran]

Actually Thailand does not permit dual citizenship by law, but as pointed out by samran it does not have any law that prevents it (much the same as the United States). So in effect it is allowed in practice and it is not dependt on being male or female.

Just checked this out and you're correct. When I contacted the Thai Embassy in my home country they said no issue for dual citizen and not prohibited so went ahead with dual citizenship for wife and stepson as permitted in Australia. Are you able to shed any light on why not permitted by law, but no law to prevent it.; seems rather odd

Generally it is easier just to say what is prohibited rather than specifying every possible combination of what is allowed.

Australia is no different. Prior to 2004 an Australian citizen automatically lost Australian citizenship if they voluntarily took out another citizenship. That was written into law. However, those who were born with another citizenship, or those who came to Australia and the took out Australian citizenship were allowed to hold dual Australian citizenship. Why? Cause it wasn't explicitly banned.

[Maestro]

I am no lawyer and therefore my interpretation may be wrong, but it is my considered opinion that the Immigration Act explicitly allows dual nationality for a Thai national married to a foreigner if he/she acquires the nationality of the spouse under the prevailing laws of the spouse's country. This opinion of mine is based on the fact that in this circumstance the Thai nationality can be lost only if the Thai national specifically declares his/her intention to renounce it as per section 13 of the Nationality Act.

Section 13. A man or woman of Thai nationality who marries an alien and may acquire the nationality of

the spouse according to his nationality law shall, if he or she desires to renounce Thai nationality, make a

declaration of his or her intention before an official according to the form and in the manner prescribed in

the Ministerial Regulations.

It is not mentioned in the Nationality Act but it is my understanding that following receipt of the declaration of intention to renounce the Thai nationality under Section 13, the Ministry of Interior will then have to approve this request and cause the revocation of Thai nationality to be published in the Royal Gazette, with the loss of nationality taking effect on the date of this publication.

[Mario2008]

That would be my interpretation too. Incase one takes over the nationality of the spouse the law allows explicitly that one keeps Thai nationaity as well. (This section probably dates back to the time that it was commen, in Europe at least, that a woman who marreid a foreigner lost her own nationality and gained the nationality of the husband).