Friend was born in Thailand in 1984; both parents held PR. He himself had PR until he allowed it to lapse several years ago while studying abroad. He remains fluent in Thai, having grown up here.

I know that the children of two PR's were at one time eligible for citizenship, but am not sure what year that changed.

Does my friend have any claim to Thai nationality?

Thanks!

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That should be the case. What does his Thai birth certificate say? It clearly should state his nationality.

It shows the nationality of his parents.

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And the field for the child's nationality was left blank?

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Parents probably need to show their PR status at the time of birth and take that to the ampur where he was born to get that changed. Probably not on the birth certificate but if he was a PR he would be on a house registration and that could be amended.

Still a mystery though, why he wasn't recorded as Thai from birth...

In 1984, children of PR's were automatically qualified for citizenship then?

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"Still a mystery though, why he wasn't recorded as Thai from birth... "

Do you really think every hospital had staff that knew all about PR?

In 1984, children of PR's were automatically qualified for citizenship then?

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Am in the road but 99% sure yes. Prior to the introduction of the application procedure for PR in the 70's basically any form of extension of stay granted effective PR and citizenship could be derived from that, as happened with the children of many a Chinese migrant and to my understanding a couple of farangs I know born to foreign parents living in Thailand at the time. So the rule has always been there so to speak.

Thanks. Am now waiting for a copy of birth certificate, parents' PR books, and tabien baan -- then will see what Special Branch has to say.

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