Can my US wife become a Thai Citizen? I am a male Thai citizen.

[pvs1]

I'm a male Thai citizen that grew up in the West. My family and I now live here in Thailand permanently. We have a house and a business. I have been told that it is easier for female foreign wives married to male Thai citizens to become naturalized or full citizens of Thailand, than for males foreigners looking for citizenship from their Thai wives. Is this true? Does anyone here have any experience getting their foreign born wives Thai citizenship?

I would also like my daughter to have Thai citizenship (dual citizenship). She was born in the USA and doesn't look Thai at all. She has blonde hair and blue eyes. (Obviously, my wife is a blonde and blue eyed as well). That said, I don't really look Thai either. This has raised many eyebrows, when I present my Thai ID card, but so far no real issues or problems. I wish skin color was not an issue here in Thailand, but it seems to be a big deal for most Thais.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Lite Beer]

Your daughter is Thai as she has a Thai father.

You can get her a Thai Passport.

[lopburi3]

You need to register daughter with Thai Embassy in USA for Thai birth papers. As you are here now believe you can do process through MFA Consular Service above the passport office on Chiang Watanna Road here in Bangkok. Once that obtained she can be listed on home register and passport issued (and ID card when of age). She has Thai citizenship based on your being Thai.

Your wife can apply for citizenship but that will be a formal process taking some time. She will not need the PR which males formally required (it has been changed so more even table now for citizenship when married to a Thai).

[Maestro]

I have removed a troll post.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[mmail2you]

Once again a double standard Thai male can have a falang wife who can become a Thai citizen but a Falang Male can not become a thai citizen if married to a thai female.

[lopburi3]

Either can become Thai by meeting the requirements. And the old requirement for PR has been removed.

[GrantSmith]

Once again a double standard Thai male can have a falang wife who can become a Thai citizen but a Falang Male can not become a thai citizen if married to a thai female.

Suggest you do some research on this subject...

A male married to a female Thai citizen can become a naturalised Thai citizen.

Not sure on the processing timeline somewhere around the 5 year mark along with paying taxes etc...

When I was getting my yellow book I was asked by the lady at the district office if I intended to do this...

[Tagaa]

If a Thai male marries a farang woman, she can fast track to Thai citizenship...usually 5 years or so... certainly less than the 10 years they say is required by Thai immigration .

As an example...

A farang lady was married to a Thai man. She got citizenship, and they turned his used car lot into a Toyota dealership...Good for them. The Western world loves a success story.

Years pass & as happens in life, her Thai husband died.

She still owns the dealership, the land the dealership is on & the land her house is on. Not only is she, a farang, European by birth, white skin & blonde hair, owner of all the property & the business, she is also now a Mookdahan municipal court judge....Again, good for her....I'm sure she is a great judge.

Go figure...Thais being judged by a farang. Worlds are colliding...

GOD forbid it was a farang male,...the land & business would have been sold off & the farang male would have been given his walking papers, or told to qualify for a visa if he desired to stay.

But...TIT.

If you think this story is untrue, stop by Toyota in Mukdahan & ask for the owner.

[lopburi3]

AFAIK it used to be PR was required for a man but not for a woman - that has changed and PR is no longer a requirement.

[samran]

@tagaa. Interesting story.

[lopburi3]

Trolls and flame removed.

[Bung]

Well yes, we all know Farang males are discriminated against here compared to Farang women in matters of marriage and land ownership.

[lopburi3]

Foreign women are not allowed to own land any more than males. Marriage is joint property regardless of sex. The only difference that I am aware of is for immigration extension of stay financial requirement.

[spectre324]

Once again a double standard Thai male can have a falang wife who can become a Thai citizen but a Falang Male can not become a thai citizen if married to a thai female.

why would you want to become a that citizen? what is the advantage of it? pay taxes, forced to vote, and first to be discriminated against. i don not believe that any foreifner cam really become a thai citizen, they can become thai residents, but not citizens.

[dighambara]

If a Thai male marries a farang woman, she can fast track to Thai citizenship...usually 5 years or so... certainly less than the 10 years they say is required by Thai immigration .

As an example...

A farang lady was married to a Thai man. She got citizenship, and they turned his used car lot into a Toyota dealership...Good for them. The Western world loves a success story.

Years pass & as happens in life, her Thai husband died.

She still owns the dealership, the land the dealership is on & the land her house is on. Not only is she, a farang, European by birth, white skin & blonde hair, owner of all the property & the business, she is also now a Mookdahan municipal court judge....Again, good for her....I'm sure she is a great judge.

Go figure...Thais being judged by a farang. Worlds are colliding...

GOD forbid it was a farang male,...the land & business would have been sold off & the farang male would have been given his walking papers, or told to qualify for a visa if he desired to stay.

But...TIT.

If you think this story is untrue, stop by Toyota in Mukdahan & ask for the owner.

As stated, the requirement for Permanent Residencey has been removed - most Thai Lawyers do not know this. So, the playing field is now level, except for the Thai requirement for the man to be the bread winner - a truly outmoded notion. Wives have always had the easy road to citizenship - this is even true for foreign wives moving to the US

[samran]

Once again a double standard Thai male can have a falang wife who can become a Thai citizen but a Falang Male can not become a thai citizen if married to a thai female.

why would you want to become a that citizen? what is the advantage of it? pay taxes, forced to vote, and first to be discriminated against. i don not believe that any foreifner cam really become a thai citizen, they can become thai residents, but not citizens.

you believe wrong.

The advantages are obvious. Pity you are too blinded by prejudice to see it. Not sure how you are 'discriminated against' byt having the same Thai passport and ID that other hold.

Foriegners are granted Thai citizenship. There is a thread running at the moment and the citizenship approval committe meets regularly, nearly monthly.

[GrantSmith]

Once again a double standard Thai male can have a falang wife who can become a Thai citizen but a Falang Male can not become a thai citizen if married to a thai female.

why would you want to become a that citizen? what is the advantage of it? pay taxes, forced to vote, and first to be discriminated against. i don not believe that any foreifner cam really become a thai citizen, they can become thai residents, but not citizens.

Hmmm why would I want to become a Thai citizen...

Oh I don't know...

No more yearly visits to Chaeng Wattana (as lovely as they are), no more trips to the Labour Ministry (I would miss seeing those posters of Chalerm though - but he'll probably be Culture Minister by the time my citizenship comes round), can own everything in my name, no more requirements to have a 51/49 split in business, can be entirely in my own name.

Last in the discrimination queue - because lets face it, those on Non-Imm visas, tourist visas etc etc will be discriminated against before they get to the dual citizens.

No more dual pricing, can visit the Grand Palace as often as I want for the same price as Somchai - not that

Pay taxes? Well we've all got to do our part, I'd still be paying tax back in farangland anyway, so what's the difference?

Forced to vote? Last I checked it's not compulsory to vote here, with the caveat that if you wish to run for office this will disqualify you from doing so - I couldn't see myself running for office in farangland, I don't think I shiny new maroon passport is going to change my mind.

Speaking of maroon coloured passports, no need to wait in line to stamp me in, thus no need to get a multi re-entry permit either, just walk up, scan and away we go.

What's not to like?

[abrahamzvi]

I entirely DISAGREE. If the widower was a Farang who had been naturalized as a Thai citizen, he would have the same rights as a naturalized Thai Farang widow. I am not certain if it is a fact that Farang women married to Thais get their naturalization faster than Farang men, but even if this is the case, this would not be the only western country, where this is practiced.

If a Thai male marries a farang woman, she can fast track to Thai citizenship...usually 5 years or so... certainly less than the 10 years they say is required by Thai immigration .

As an example...

A farang lady was married to a Thai man. She got citizenship, and they turned his used car lot into a Toyota dealership...Good for them. The Western world loves a success story.

Years pass & as happens in life, her Thai husband died.

She still owns the dealership, the land the dealership is on & the land her house is on. Not only is she, a farang, European by birth, white skin & blonde hair, owner of all the property & the business, she is also now a Mookdahan municipal court judge....Again, good for her....I'm sure she is a great judge.

Go figure...Thais being judged by a farang. Worlds are colliding...

GOD forbid it was a farang male,...the land & business would have been sold off & the farang male would have been given his walking papers, or told to qualify for a visa if he desired to stay.

But...TIT.

If you think this story is untrue, stop by Toyota in Mukdahan & ask for the owner.

[zeichen]

I cannot believe all the trolls and just animosity.

The only difference for men and women is for marriage visa and proof of income.

Women automatically become PR when they give birth to a Thai Citizen. But since that is no longer a requirement for citizenship (which I didn't know thank you Lopburi3).

If they would change the proof of income to be equal, then there wouldn't be any dual standards.

I thought they made progress a few years back when they allowed joint income, but they got rid of that within that year.

OP's questions have been answered, but I will mimic. As long as you are a Thai citizen, your children will be Thai citizens, overall it is easier if they were born in Thailand but just a few forms and you are done. Your wife should be on a 1 year extension, but once your kids are registered as Thais, she can get permanent residency without showing proof of taxes and income. Slightly less paperwork than what men have to do.

[samran]

Zeichen - wives of Thai citizens don't automatically get PR when they give birth to Thai children. My wife has had two kids in Thailand, third on the way in Dec. Simply not true.

[Boo]

Congratulations on the new arrival Samran

I wish you all the best

[samran]

Congratulations on the new arrival Samran

I wish you all the best

Cheers Boo!

[LeeTheCelt]

It all changed quite recently, anyone married to a Thai & living in Thailand ( I think for 5 years) could become a citizen, but you had to sit an interview with all questions being asked in Thai, to which you have to answer in Thai, so like Me if you cant speak Thai you've no chance LOL

Also for Males, there's a savings & income criteria you have to meet, not sure if it's the same as retiring ie £8000.00 in a Thai Bank account & £800.00 a month income into a Thai Bank account.But as it's a farang wife, not husband, then the later dosn't apply to you's guys.

No doubt this will change when there's a change of government !

[Mario2008]

It all changed quite recently, anyone married to a Thai & living in Thailand ( I think for 5 years) could become a citizen, but you had to sit an interview with all questions being asked in Thai, to which you have to answer in Thai, so like Me if you cant speak Thai you've no chance LOL

Also for Males, there's a savings & income criteria you have to meet, not sure if it's the same as retiring ie £8000.00 in a Thai Bank account & £800.00 a month income into a Thai Bank account.But as it's a farang wife, not husband, then the later dosn't apply to you's guys.

No doubt this will change when there's a change of government !

Incorrect information. Savings has no meaning, only working in Thailand and the income you earn with that.

Correct info here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/post-a102367-Guidelines-for-Application-for-Natu.html

Discuss it here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Story-Thai-Citizenship-Applicatio-t121353.html

[PattayaPhom]

If a Thai male marries a farang woman, she can fast track to Thai citizenship...usually 5 years or so... certainly less than the 10 years they say is required by Thai immigration .

As an example...

A farang lady was married to a Thai man. She got citizenship, and they turned his used car lot into a Toyota dealership...Good for them. The Western world loves a success story.

Years pass & as happens in life, her Thai husband died.

She still owns the dealership, the land the dealership is on & the land her house is on. Not only is she, a farang, European by birth, white skin & blonde hair, owner of all the property & the business, she is also now a Mookdahan municipal court judge....Again, good for her....I'm sure she is a great judge.

Go figure...Thais being judged by a farang. Worlds are colliding...

GOD forbid it was a farang male,...the land & business would have been sold off & the farang male would have been given his walking papers, or told to qualify for a visa if he desired to stay.

But...TIT.

If you think this story is untrue, stop by Toyota in Mukdahan & ask for the owner.

If the man had been granted Thai citizenship the same as the lady it would not be stripped from him...

[zeichen]

Samran, I trust you. I read something a while back at immigration and thought it said giving birth to a Thai national was one of the criteria and it exempted from having to show tax papers. Perhaps I just misread. Sorry to give mis-information.

[Tomtomtom69]

Once again a double standard Thai male can have a falang wife who can become a Thai citizen but a Falang Male can not become a thai citizen if married to a thai female.

why would you want to become a that citizen? what is the advantage of it? pay taxes, forced to vote, and first to be discriminated against. i don not believe that any foreifner cam really become a thai citizen, they can become thai residents, but not citizens.

But being a non-citizen you are LESS discriminated against? Wake up buddy. If you live in a country long enough, one would assume you would want to integrate into that society and becoming a citizen is one way of doing that. If you don't want to integrate or become a citizen, why don't you just go back home or to another country?

[samran]

Samran, I trust you. I read something a while back at immigration and thought it said giving birth to a Thai national was one of the criteria and it exempted from having to show tax papers. Perhaps I just misread. Sorry to give mis-information.

No stress.

being married to a Thai and having a child means you only have to be married for 1 year before you can apply for citizenship. Without children, I recall that you have to wait years.

[Maestro]

...A farang lady was married to a Thai man. She got citizenship, and they turned his used car lot into a Toyota dealership...Good for them. The Western world loves a success story....

GOD forbid it was a farang male,...the land & business would have been sold off & the farang male would have been given his walking papers, or told to qualify for a visa if he desired to stay...

No, it would not. If a foreign man married to a Thai wife had obtained Thai nationality, as in your example a foreign woman married to a Thai husband did, the situation would have been exactly the same. He would have been able to inherit the wife's shares in the company and continue the business, subject to there being a testament regarding the inheritance. Without a testament and regardless whether the surviving spouse is a naturalised Thai male of female, the spouse may have to share the inheritance with siblings and aunts and uncles of the deceased spouse in accordance with the provisions of Thailand's Civil Code.

[Arkady]

A foreign wife of a Thai male is eligible to apply for Thai citizenship 3 years after the marriage registration, reduced to one year, if they have a child together and the husband needs to demonstrate that he had income of at least Bt 15,000 a month.

Since the 2008 Act the exact same rule is applied to foreign males married to Thais with the notable exception that they also need to have a job in Thailand paying more than Bt 40,000 a month and be able to show 3 calendar years' worth of salary tax receipts plus demonstrate that they had a valid work permit for the same period - job changes are acceptable as long as there are no gaps.

It is not a level playing field yet but it is a lot more level than it was before 2008. The original bill of the 2008 Act drafted by a female MP would have introduced complete parity for foreign males with Thai wives but it was amended by the Interior Ministry's legal committee on the somewhat spurious grounds of "national security", presumably the palpable threat to "Thainness" of thousands of foreign male retirees queuing up for citizenship.

The process for foreign wives is not much different that for foreign husbands. Neither have to sing but all have to wait in the same queue along with applicants without Thai spouses and the process is currently taking many years.