Thai Citizenship After Monkhood?

[Li Xioa Long]

Hi people,

I have read somewhere recently that it is apparently possible for a foreigner to aquire Thai citizenship after having spend a certain period of time in Monkhood in Thailand. I don't know wheter that's true or not and if, how long you must stay in monkhood.

But I think it doesnt' sound unrealistic since it must be considered that Monks enjoy the second highest level in Thai society,right after the Royalty.

Thanks

Cheers

[geoffphuket]

Hi people,

I have read somewhere recently that it is apparently possible for a foreigner to aquire Thai citizenship after having spend a certain period of time in Monkhood in Thailand. I don't know wheter that's true or not and if, how long you must stay in monkhood.

But I think it doesnt' sound unrealistic since it must be considered that Monks enjoy the second highest level in Thai society,right after the Royalty.

Thanks

Cheers

Same question asked on another forum, got this response.

http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9955

[Li Xioa Long]

thanks for the link.

Unfortunately the answers in the other forum are not very clear. They didn't know exactly and weren't sure. Maybe there's someone in here who definitely knows. Perhaps somebody has contact with a monk or an abbot and can confirm that or not.

[camerata]

A shortcut to Thai citizenship via the monkhood isn't documented anywhere and I haven't heard of it in over 20 years in Thailand. Since it's so easy to get into the monkhood - no background checks, no qualifications needed, almost no Thai-language proficiency required - it wouldn't make any sense at all to give easy citizenship to foreigners just because they have been in the monkhood.

For males, the whole process of getting permanent residence and then citizenship is designed to weed out those who don't have a strong, proven commitment to Thailand and those who aren't certain to be able to support themselves for the rest of their lives.

If you've read the book Phra Farang, you'll know that the big temples are now very careful who they ordain because some foreigners have disrobed immediately after getting a 1-year visa supported by their temple. Imagine what it would be like if the Thai government handed out citizenship to every Tom, Dick or Harry who spent a few years in a monastery.

[Samuian]

"Imagine what it would be like if the Thai government handed out citizenship to every Tom, Dick or Harry who spent a few years in a monastery."...

I like Dick!

Wow.... then why the heck would someone be desperate enough to become a Thai Citizen - unless he's from neigbouring countries?

In the Land of down under a migrant can get it after just 2 years - thai in europe after 5 so what the heck is wrong with the authorities/laws of this country - I wouldn't want to be a citizen - because of exactly these circumstances!

What a sacrifice, becoming a monk, to become a thai citizen, not looking at the honesty involved about the motivation of going into the monkhood !

[jdinasia]

hmmmm 5 years of being a monk and not having to leave the country would speed things up. That being said ... 5 years sleeping on a mat on the ground etc etc etc ... ouch