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Naming your NewBorn - Getting Right the First Time


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Posted

Naming your NewBorn - Getting Right the First Time

I've read back through the relevant threads I could find on the subject ... but I have questions I hope you know the answers to.

Background ...

  • My Thai girlfriend and I are expecting TWINS.
  • The kids will be talking by the time we are married ... so a common surname is a long way away.
  • The kids are being born in Thailand.
  • They will go and live in FarangLand in the 2nd part of next year.
  • They are entitled to Duel Citizenship and we'll do that.

So, what I'm looking for is a step by step guide to get them from the delivery table to Airport with Passports in their sticky fingers with the least amount of angst.

The tips I've read thus far ... and please correct me if I've got it wrong.

Before they are born, get my name translated perfectly into Thai so the correct name (in Thai) can be entered onto the Birth Certificate.

Because we are not married the children remain 'legally' under Thai Law with the mother ... I have no legal right until either we get married or we/I petition the Courts to have this formally recognised.

When they are born there are different types of Forms to be completed ... one appears to be more 'official' then the other and more expensive.

Which one do we go for?

Anyone have a link to the form so that I can print one so, when the time comes, I know I have the right form.

What is the best process for the kids names?

I remember reading something about they must have a Thai name to be legal in Thailand (something like that).

But, the kids will live in the West so a Thai Surname will be difficult.

Please can someone just explain the process and what works.

Be mindful that one day, maybe 3 - 5 years in the future the gf and I marry and living happily in the West with the kids.

That's the known unknowns.

Then there is the unknown unknowns ... question or issues I don't even know to ask.

So, please answer one, some or have a go at the whole process please.

I'm a babe in the woods on this one.

Feel free to take a broad brush also to the subject ...

All I ask is no relationship advice please ... we're well sorted on that front.

Gentlemen and Lassies ... start your engines.

As always ... thanks in Advance ... thumbsup.gif

.

Posted

First, you must name one after me, and perhaps both, second.................eeeeeeeeeeer, I will have to think about the second bit. facepalm.gif ..........................smile.png

  • Like 1
Posted

Why not get married and cut out all the "fixing" after the fact. Oh congrats by the way smile.png

Thanks for the congrats ...

But please ... relationship advice ... not needed.

I'd like to deal with the issues we face ...

Posted

Several off topic posts removed. The OP is asking for practical advise, not to have a go at him.

You can find websites with Thai baby names similar to western books/sites that have them.

Posted

You mention having your name (I assume you mean your surname?) translated 'perfectly' into Thai.

Depending on what your surname is, having it written in Thai script so that people will be able to pronounce it correctly. will be a bit hit and miss.

What you will need to do, is to get a version that is as close as possible, and stick to it.

Use that on their birth certificates, as the father's name.

As far as their surnames are concerned, I think they can have yours, for the simple reason that you are their father.

When they get to 'farangland' (Australia?) they may well not speak to you for years if you christened one of them 'tittiporn' so choose first names carefully! ;)

Also, you may wish to consider their future Thai identity. If they ever decide to come back to Thailand as adults, a name that works there as well might be useful? They will get a nickname, but their official name might be better being Thai.

That's just my opinion, obviously it's up to you and your wife :)

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)

My son has a western name that was transliterated into Thai. It just has to conform to the grammatical structure to be legal.

I really couldn't deal with calling him somchai or Somsak. Avoid names with strong Rs. The relatives will never be able to pronounce it.

Edited by Thai at Heart
Posted

Benjamin is the name of my son. Went back home 3 months after birth for 2 months. Guess what was his nickname upon return ?

KABUL !!!!!!!!

Like above poster mentioned do the good thing to come with a name easily pronouncable for thais.

  • Like 1
Posted

Thanks for all the name suggestions however ...

The tips I've read thus far ... and please correct me if I've got it wrong.

Before they are born, get my name translated perfectly into Thai so the correct name (in Thai) can be entered onto the Birth Certificate.

Because we are not married the children remain 'legally' under Thai Law with the mother ... I have no legal right until either we get married or we/I petition the Courts to have this formally recognised.

When they are born there are different types of Forms to be completed ... one appears to be more 'official' then the other and more expensive.

Which one do we go for?

Anyone have a link to the form so that I can print one so, when the time comes, I know I have the right form.

What is the best process for the kids names?

I remember reading something about they must have a Thai name to be legal in Thailand (something like that).

But, the kids will live in the West so a Thai Surname will be difficult.

Please can someone just explain the process and what works.

Be mindful that one day, maybe 3 - 5 years in the future the gf and I marry and living happily in the West with the kids.

That's the known unknowns.

Then there is the unknown unknowns ... question or issues I don't even know to ask.

So, please answer one, some or have a go at the whole process please.

Posted

Names must have a meaning in Thai, but if one of the parents is a foreigner that requirement is waived.

Problem is that legally you are not the father, but most amphurs will allow a foreign name. Some will however not allow it when you are not the legal father. But that seems to be exceptions.

The Thai birth certificate records everything in Thai language, including your name. So prepare that.

The Thai ID-card and Passport also show the names in English script.

Most Thai naitonals are known by their nick name, and you can for example choose an English first name and a Thai middle name.

  • Like 1
Posted

When our boy was born last year the private hospital issued a form and we took that to the local Amphur. They issued his birth certificate.

He has 2 christian names. The first is Thai and the second English. I selected the Thai name and my wife the English. He is known by his English name. My wife gave me a book with names listed. He has my surname. My wife translated this into Thai.

He has Thai and Australian passports. I read what was needed on the web re his Austalian citizenship. I also contacted the embassy. One thing that wasn't on the web was that my full birth certificate was required.

I had the doctor that delivered him endorse the photographs and form as proof of identity for his citizenship and passport. At birth my wife asked the doctor would she and she said yes. When he was about 3 months old we had photos taken and took them and the forms to her at the hospital.

His Thai passport was completed at the Chiang Rai passport office. They use their camera for the photos in his passport. The passport was sent to us by mail 7 days later.

  • Like 1
Posted

His Thai passport was completed at the Chiang Rai passport office. They use their camera for the photos in his passport. The passport was sent to us by mail 7 days later.

I've heard that the Embassy can be fussy with the babies Passport Photo.

I'll have to do mine in Bangkok.

Am I reading your post correct that the Aussie Embassy/Consulate in Chiang Rai did the photos for you?

Good tip about the Birth Certificate.

Posted (edited)

His Thai passport was completed at the Chiang Rai passport office. They use their camera for the photos in his passport. The passport was sent to us by mail 7 days later.

I've heard that the Embassy can be fussy with the babies Passport Photo.

I'll have to do mine in Bangkok.

Am I reading your post correct that the Aussie Embassy/Consulate in Chiang Rai did the photos for you?

Good tip about the Birth Certificate.

I got his Thai passport at Chiang Rai passport office. The Thai passport office take their own photos.

His Australian passport was done in Bangkok at the embassy.

The staff at the embassy that I dealt with were very good.

For his citizenship when I spoke to them on the phone they said it would take 10 working days to process. When I lodged the paperwork they said 3 days. I received a call the next morning to say it had been approved.

To lodge the paperwork for the citizenship they are only open from 10am to 12 midday.

Edited by ripstanley
  • Like 1
Posted

Don't think this applies to your process David but we turned up at the Amphur with an Australian birth certificate and got turned away cause it needed to be 'officially' translated by the correct govt dept in Australia. Suppose I should have known this was gonna happen but anyhow. Maybe we could have done this in Bangkok or another city? Not sure. This was to get her on the house book.

  • Like 1
Posted

So, I have to get my Birth Certificate translated into Thai to get the babies registered in the Thai 'House Book'?

Is this standard practise?

Anyone else's experience?

Posted

So, I have to get my Birth Certificate translated into Thai to get the babies registered in the Thai 'House Book'?

 

Is this standard practise?

 

Anyone else's experience?

No you don't need to do that.

  • Like 2
Posted

So, I have to get my Birth Certificate translated into Thai to get the babies registered in the Thai 'House Book'?

Is this standard practise?

Anyone else's experience?

Not sure, normally only the passport is translated as that has all required details.

Your birth certificate is needed to apply for a British paspsort for your child.

  • Like 1
Posted

Thanks guys.

I'm Aussie.

Birth will be in Samut Prakan (just outside Bangkok) ... will report back with what is needed.

But please don't stop ... I'd rather have the answer and your experiences please!

Posted

I think translations maybe won't apply to you David because they're born in Thailand. That's where I think our situation does not apply to your situation.

Here's what I suggest, and wish I'd done beforehand. Ring the Thai cosulate in your case Brisbane? I spoke to them here in Adelaide and he was great. Told me the exact process and could not have been more helpful, answered every question I threw at him.. Pitty it was after and not beforehand.

Posted

Here's the number for a really helpful guy who works in the Thai cosul here in Adelaide. He's Australian but worked in Thailand for the embassy for some 25 years. He knows his stuff.

08 82184848.

They are only open I think by memory from 11 til 3.

Posted

This may come from left field though you might start with contacting your Embassy or Consular office and they may be able to offer advice on contacts or offer advice on who to speak to.....

Posted

As for names I kinda like ...Familymart ...& Minimart...both translate well in thai...

Hmmmm, think your beer purchase outlet really doesn't have anything to do with the OP.........coffee1.gif

Posted (edited)

I've no input here - but this is a thread I'll watch as I'm in the same boat....

Oh...

David... What about medical insurance for the child ?

For the first 7 days the child automatically goes under my Wifes Bupa coverage, then for a fee I can extend that for 90 days.

Or, start a complete policy (not sure of costs yet).

Apologies if this is off-topic - but, I figured the medical insurance may be readily overlooked when worrying about all the other paperwork.

Edited by richard_smith237
Posted

As for names I kinda like ...Familymart ...& Minimart...both translate well in thai...

Jealousy is such a curse.

Why bother posting something like that? You make yourself look very jealous. Poor soul.

  • Like 2
Posted

I think translations maybe won't apply to you David because they're born in Thailand. That's where I think our situation does not apply to your situation.

Here's what I suggest, and wish I'd done beforehand. Ring the Thai cosulate in your case Brisbane? I spoke to them here in Adelaide and he was great. Told me the exact process and could not have been more helpful, answered every question I threw at him.. Pitty it was after and not beforehand.

Thanks for that ... but everything will be done before I hit Aussie shores.

Both Passports will be done in Thailand.

Posted

As for names I kinda like ...Familymart ...& Minimart...both translate well in thai...

Jealousy is such a curse.

Why bother posting something like that? You make yourself look very jealous. Poor soul.

Thanks Mate ... I just ignored it.

Posted

I've no input here - but this is a thread I'll watch as I'm in the same boat....

Oh...

David... What about medical insurance for the child ?

For the first 7 days the child automatically goes under my Wifes Bupa coverage, then for a fee I can extend that for 90 days.

Or, start a complete policy (not sure of costs yet).

Apologies if this is off-topic - but, I figured the medical insurance may be readily overlooked when worrying about all the other paperwork.

No Medical Insurance for the TWINS.

They will be in Thailand for maybe 3 - 5 months before coming to Australia.

If they get sick ... they are Thai and will get treated accordingly.

If Mother is not happy with the treatment being received ... we might look to Private.

Millions of Thai kids live happily on local clinics ... my kids won't be special.

When they hit Australia, they will be Australian, thus entitled to free Medical Care.

The Thailand leg, uninsured ... yes, it's a risk ... but I believe an acceptable one.

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