With the troubles in Bangkok it’s been somewhat impossible to get my 10 week old Son his Thai Passport.

The issues with the Passport offices at the moment are well documented in the news. Only 1750 passports are being processed per day; half the usual number, and with numbers of other passport offices being closed nationwide due to protests people are queueing up from 2am at Bang Na passport office.

I'm not prepared to do that with a 10 week old child

To compound issues, both parents need to be present upon application and I’m currently away at work.

My Son is half British, I have obtained his British Passport.

Question:

Is it possible for my Son to travel to the UK along with both my Wife and I on his British Passport? That is, for my son to depart Thailand on a British Passport that has no entry stamp.

Additionally: Upon re-entering Thailand on his British Passport I am assuming that my Son will be stamped in for 30 days (visa exemption stamp on arrival).

He will of course overstay, but he’s Thai and has a Thai Birth Certificate, so how can he really overstay ?

At some point, once the Passport offices re-open we will obtain his Thai passport, thus any overstay will become irrelevant.

Has anyone faced a similar situation ? Am I overly concerned about this or might I be facing issues?

It will complicate things later if you don't get the Thai passport before leaving. He can leave by showing the UK passport and show his birth certificate.

When returning on the UK passport he would get a 30 entry. Then when you get the Thai passport you need to take him out of the country to get an entry on it.

Things have improved recently for getting Thai passports. There are now 17 offices open nationwide. They can now do over 2000 a day at Bangna.

You don't have to be there to apply for the passport. See here for info: http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/1415/21479-Requirements-for-the-Ordinary-e-Passports-Applicat.html.

This was just posted on the news forum.

Foreign Ministry to launch queue online service Monday

BANGKOK: -- Starting on Monday, Thais who wish to apply for passport can request queue in advance online.

Foreign Ministry on Friday announced that posapplicants of passport can click into www.consular.go.th.

The queue online service is for Passport Division’s branches at Bangkok’s Bangna, Pinklao; Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Songkhla and Yala provinces.


-- The Nation 2014-02-28

Many thanks for the replies... your help is much appreciated... especially the second reply.

My Wife had a friend who applied for a passport for her child last week. At Bang Na they had to queue from 6am to 3pm. The online Queuing system is a big improvement.

Do not worry about over stay, my son has been on it for 11 years.

Just return, overstay and then the next time you go overseas you can enter back with the Thai one by then...don't stress, its easy for kids up till 15yo.

We once got some old cow at passport control bitching and complaining but said tough titties and process it...they did, he got stamped out in the office and away were we, travelled several times.

If passports are not easier to get by the time we leave, we will be leaving on my daughters Oz one and telling them to stick it as could not renew her thai passport....tried once, won't again until normal

Departing Thailand on a British Passport with no entry stamp shouldn't be a problem as the above already said.

Years ago in a similar situation I felt a lot of understanding from the Thai officers. - Just to be sure your wife might

give the immigration a friendly phone call what they would be thinking about it...

Btw why not apply for a Thai passport at a consulate/embassy in the UK (if you have all the paperwork with you) ?

---Good luck for you and your family.---

Departing Thailand on a British Passport with no entry stamp shouldn't be a problem as the above already said.

Years ago in a similar situation I felt a lot of understanding from the Thai officers. - Just to be sure your wife might

give the immigration a friendly phone call what they would be thinking about it...

Btw why not apply for a Thai passport at a consulate/embassy in the UK (if you have all the paperwork with you) ?

---Good luck for you and your family.---

I'm not in the UK and when we do visit we'll not be in London or intend to visit london with a 3 month'er....

The Online Booking for Passport Applications for this period is from 3rd to 11th March - The Bang Na Queueing system is already fully booked.

Fortunately my Wife was able to secure a booking at the Pinklao office for the 11th March.

I will still be away at work and am unable to accompany my Wife through the application process.

I will need to Sign a Power of Attorney document. However, the sticky situation I find myself in is that I am unable to Sign this document in front of a Notary Witness.

I can however, Sign a PoA document, post it to my Wife and have her and a trusted Witness sign the form.

Have others on this forum found themselves in the Similar Situation of their Wife having to Apply for their Infants Passport in your absence ?

Failing the above We will Simply Depart on our Son's British Passport (is that Possible ?) as he has no entry stamp (but the birth certification will show he's in Thailand).

Once back in Thailand we can apply for a Thai Passport (in my presence).. naturally his British Passport will show and overstay, but it will never be used again in Thailand as for any future departure / arrival his Thai passport will be the document of choice.

Yes, the child can leave Thailand on the UK passport on show of the birth certificate. That explains why there is no entry stamp and immigration record.

If return on the UK passport, just let the child overstay and leave next time again on the UK passport and re-enter on the Thai passport. (There is no fine for children under 15 years old).

If you just leave on the Thai passport, the UK passport overstay will continue to exist.