Clarification On Using 2 Passports

[Makyai]

Hi all,

Just wanted some clarification on using Thai and Australian passport to enter/exit Thailand

1. I have read information on past forums, and just wondered if this is still correct? As below:

“Info by Samran 25/2/05

This is what you need to do:

Arriving in Thailand, she simply shows her Thai PP and gets stamped in. They won't ask where she has been.....they don't care.

Upon leaving Thailand, at airline check in, show the check in lady both Thai and UK PP's. The UK PP will tell the airline that she has the right to enter the UK visa free. Having the Thai PP there will tell the check in lady that your wife needs a departure card.

Go to immigration (after paying departure tax), and your wife should show only the Thai PP to Thai immigration. Thai immigration won't care where your wife is going or if she has a visa to go to that country. That is the airlines job.

She will be stamped out on her Thai PP.

Get to the UK, walk through the UK/EU passports line, flash the British PP.”

I have a brand new Thai passport which has never been used.

2. Should I use my Thai passport for the first time on my next trip to enter the country, or use it when I am exiting to return to Australia?

I will be using my Australian passport to leave and return Australia as suggested.

Thanks

Makyai

[singa-traz]

Hi all,

Just wanted some clarification on using Thai and Australian passport to enter/exit Thailand

...

I have a brand new Thai passport which has never been used.

2. Should I use my Thai passport for the first time on my next trip to enter the country, or use it when I am exiting to return to Australia?

I will be using my Australian passport to leave and return Australia as suggested.

Thanks

Makyai

Use it to enter for the first time.

You may be asked a few questions:

1: Where is your old passport ? (assuming you already had a Thai passport)

2: Did he had an exist card ? (T.M. ...)

You can't be denied entry in your own country, but you may have to spend 15-20 minutes of explaining with the immigration officer, to explain any discrepency with the computer records.

Last time you exit Thailand, which passport did you use ?

[lopburi3]

You must enter/exit using the same (country) passport.

[Makyai]

Use it to enter for the first time.

You may be asked a few questions:

1: Where is your old passport ? (assuming you already had a Thai passport)

2: Did he had an exist card ? (T.M. ...)

You can't be denied entry in your own country, but you may have to spend 15-20 minutes of explaining with the immigration officer, to explain any discrepency with the computer records.

Last time you exit Thailand, which passport did you use ?

I have travelled to Thailand many times in the past 6 years, but always on my Australian passport. I was only able to get my new Thai passport last year after much confusion and going from one side of bangkok to the other as the passport department could not work out where I have been for 25 years. I migrated to Australia on my Thai passport and never renewed it as it was too difficult to do back in the 1980s.

I still have my old Thai passport, so will take this with me for Question time.

Thanks for the reply singa-traz.

Makyai

[samran]

I'd use the new Thai passport to re-enter Thailand. Bring the old Thai passport that you last used as well. As happened to me when my old Thai PP expired when in OZ (and I got my new one issued by the Thai embassy in Canberra) immigration actually stamped me in on my old Thai passport which was two years expired. I then used my new Thai passport to leave.

If you get any trouble from immigration on the way in (unlikely but it has happened to other members of the board), simply insist that they use the Thai passport to stamp you in. Insist Insist Insist. Ask to see a superior who will then over rule the immigration office. They will stamp you in.

From then on: Exit Thailand on Thai, re-enter Australia on the Aust PP and then vice versa when you return to Thailand.

[BKK90210]

My situation is the same....have been traveled back and forth to thailand many times using US passport and never used my thai passport for the last 25 yrs.

I will be relocating to Thailand on my next trip and the problem is I don't have the old thai passport anymore, they took it away when I was making the new one 2 months ago.

And oh...I have my old last name on the thai passport Vs. husband's last name on the US passport. What should I do then?....

[samran]

My situation is the same....have been traveled back and forth to thailand many times using US passport and never used my thai passport for the last 25 yrs.

I will be relocating to Thailand on my next trip and the problem is I don't have the old thai passport anymore, they took it away when I was making the new one 2 months ago.

And oh...I have my old last name on the thai passport Vs. husband's last name on the US passport. What should I do then?....

It won't be a stress. My mother in Australia for 35 years has her thai surname in her Thai PP. Just make sure that the 'observations' page has your new name in it, so it matches with your airline tickets etc.

You'll benefit from the fact that the PP has issued by the embassy in the US. It will be clear to the Thai immigration that it is impossible to have an Thai exit stamp in it from a passport issued overseas.

[lopburi3]

I expect you will be in for more than the normal query if you departed under one name and arrived with a different name in these days of terrorist reporting. But I would still try and be prepared to explain why you are using two names. If you have to enter under US passport believe it is easy to obtain a one year extension of stay if you want to remain longer than the 30 day entry.

[BKK90210]

I came to the US as a student when I was around 16 and stuck here ever since, so I guess the thai PP official just took my id card and renew my PP as the same name.

At that time when I was renewing my thai passport, I didn't even know that we will be moving back to thailand this year...so I very didn't pay much attention to the last name.

My new thai passport was issued at Bangna branch 2 mos ago, not from the thai embassy in the US, and I had used the US passport to exit thailand at the time. Silly of me?...now what?

[Makyai]

It won't be a stress. My mother in Australia for 35 years has her thai surname in her Thai PP. Just make sure that the 'observations' page has your new name in it, so it matches with your airline tickets etc.

In my Thai PP issued in 2003, I can not find the "observations" page as you mentioned. The name on my Thai PP is my maiden name, whereas on my Australian and my ticket for this trip in June is my married name.

My full name on my Australian PP does include all of my Thai names though, as I have kept all of it. As you can imagine it is a very long full name to write.

My old Thai passport that I migranted to Aust on expired in 1984, when I was in my early teens. I am now in my 30s, so I am not sure if this old passport will be relevant?

As I am planning a couple more trips to Thailand between now and the end of the year, am I better of entering in Thailand on Aust PP and then when I leave used the Thai PP. Then on my next trip in say September enter on Thai PP?

My Thai PP was issued at the Department of Foreign Affairs (in Rangsit I think?)and not the Thai Embassy in Australia.

Any further help would be greatly appreciated.

Makyai

[lopburi3]

BKK90210:

Should not be a major problem and I would try to use the Thai passport and explain - but they are getting into the on-line system as used in the USA so they may will be expecting another name if it is in operation. The worst that can happen is they stamp your US passport and then when you have time you do the name change and make a trip out of country with US passport and return with your Thai passport later. Believe it is best to make a new passport with married name rather than use the notation but if you want to save the money that is also an option.

[lopburi3]

There is no "observations" page in current Thai Passport. But there are pages at the front called endorsements and amendments where that information would be put. You did not tell them so it was not put there.

You should not try to enter on one and exit on the other as it leaves you as an overstayer. You should be able to explain what happened and while you are here get the passport updated with your married name - either a new passport or have them notate it.

[BKK90210]

BKK90210:

Should not be a major problem and I would try to use the Thai passport and explain - but they are getting into the on-line system as used in the USA so they may will be expecting another name if it is in operation. The worst that can happen is they stamp your US passport and then when you have time you do the name change and make a trip out of country with US passport and return with your Thai passport later. Believe it is best to make a new passport with married name rather than use the notation but if you want to save the money that is also an option.

Thanks Lop....That's what I will have to do when in Thailand

I have tried to ask the thai embassy in LA about the problem (via email) of using both names because of the discrepancy between them, but so far no response as yet. My biggest concern will be at what name I should use to ship our household goods in....... Married name or my maiden name?

[Makyai]

There is no "observations" page in current Thai Passport. But there are pages at the front called endorsements and amendments where that information would be put. You did not tell them so it was not put there.

You should not try to enter on one and exit on the other as it leaves you as an overstayer. You should be able to explain what happened and while you are here get the passport updated with your married name - either a new passport or have them notate it.

Thanks Loburi3,

As my Thai language ability is limited I will try to get notation or new passport through the Thai Consulate here in Brisbane. I am sure that it will a lot easier for me. I only really looked at it last night and it expires in 2008 anyway, so best try to get it correct now.

I see from your name that you must have assoiciation with Lopburi? We are going to be moving to Inburi, Singburi, which is not too far away. My gandfather owns a farm out that way and we have planned to set up life there.

Any tips you can give me? If you have could you please PM me, such things as phone and internet connection, best shopping - Makro, Big C etc. Thanks

[lopburi3]

Sorry but I live in Bangkok. The wife is from Lopburi Province near Wat Li/Tha Klong which is almost on the Singburi line. Not sure what is available in Singburi but know there is a Lotus complex in Ayutthaya down the Asia Highway. But even smaller towns now have stores where most necessaries are available.

[samran]

BKK90210:

Should not be a major problem and I would try to use the Thai passport and explain - but they are getting into the on-line system as used in the USA so they may will be expecting another name if it is in operation. The worst that can happen is they stamp your US passport and then when you have time you do the name change and make a trip out of country with US passport and return with your Thai passport later. Believe it is best to make a new passport with married name rather than use the notation but if you want to save the money that is also an option.

Thanks Lop....That's what I will have to do when in Thailand

I have tried to ask the thai embassy in LA about the problem (via email) of using both names because of the discrepancy between them, but so far no response as yet. My biggest concern will be at what name I should use to ship our household goods in....... Married name or my maiden name?

Lop, correct as always, it is an endorsment and ammendement page.

I looked at my mothers PP last night and she simply had her name change put in with a stamp on that page, and she has had no problems with using like that.

In terms of shippings stuff, name isn't a problem. My Thai PP has a very Irish surname in it, and it isn't a problem. The main thing you will have to prove to customs is that you have been out of the country for more than one year to obtain duty free imports as a Thai citizen. When we bought our stuff back from London I got a stamp in my passport by the customs guys saying that my duty free import right had been used up.

As for Makyai's question about differing names, it shouldn't be a stress so long as the name and surname are the same. The names between my passports differ a bit, as I don't include my thai name 'samran' in the Australian PP and that has never been a stress.

[BKK90210]

Good to know then

Thanks bunches....Khun Samran

[lampard10]

Reminds me of an amusing story;

My wife came in on her British passport as we were only staying for two weeks, but we stayed for 31 days. My wife was on one day overstay. There were laughs all round in immigration.

[vinny]

People with the new Thai biometric e-passports will not be allowed to change/amend their names on the 'endorsement' page. They will have to apply for a new passport with their new name. The 'endorsement' page will only contain details of their old passport.