Entered Thailand on one passport but want to change to different country passport ?

[Kyri]

Hi,This most probably sounds very confusing.

I entered Thailand on a South African passport just over a year ago and stayed on a retirement non immigrant O visa.

Was ripped off by some builders now have a problem with cash amounts for the bank.

Next best choice is Savannakhet which I am doing next week as I am married to a Thai lady and I will be applying for a 1 year multiple entry visa.

Now comes the complication .

I have an investment in South Africa which I can only take out of the country ( S. A. ) if I give up my citizenship which I don't have a problem with as I also have a Cyprus passport.

If I leave Thailand to Savannakhet can I come back with my Cyprus passport as I will only cancel my South African citizenship after I return from Laos?

When I leave Thailand for Laos I will have the departure card in my South African passport and then I will have to get another entry and departure card could I then use this in my Cyprus passport?

Another problem might be my driving licence which I got here a few months ago which I have to renew for the 5 year one later this year.

All help will be greatly appreciated.

[Lite Beer]

Change your passport in the air.

Not at a land border.

A land border will want to see the exit stamp in your passport.

[Tomtomtom69]

No problems, except that you must leave Thailand on the same passport you arrived on, FLY out to change the passport, and then re-enter on the other passport.

[Kyri]

Thank you very much.

Much appreciated.

[Daffy D]

Changing passports in flight should be no problem, I have done it a couple of times.

You still have your old passport with exit stamp to show if necessary.

Renewing driving licensee should not be a problem either. I renewed my last driving license after having got a new passport and was not a problem, they just entered the new number.

[Kyri]

Hi sorry about this but one more question.

I understand the bit about the flying to change passports but I think I will have a problem once I am back in Thailand when I want to give up my citizenship I will have to hand in my South African passport at my embassy then I lose my 1 year multiple entry visa which I will be getting next week.

I am quite sure knowing the ( SA ) government that they will not allow me to keep my old passport.

Some advice please.

Thanking you very much in advance.

[ubonjoe]

You should do the passport swap on the way to Savannakhet by air and enter Laos on your Cyprus passport. Then apply for your non-o with it.

You could return using the bridge using your Cyprus passport and travel over land back home or use one of the fly ride services from Mukdahan that Nok Air and Air Asia offer.