Gained Dual Thai Nationality but am not allowed to use Thai Passport to enter Thailand on borders

[Tony125]

I used to have a fear of flying but since I was drafted into the military in USA I had no choice but to fly. Threw up every time especially after one military flight had hard landing (blew tires ) I don't know if Thailand has (I doubt it) but in Boston MA USA and other areas they have classes that you can take to get over the fear of flying. I took dramamine or bonie on my first flight to Thailand ( and on some others) it keeps you from getting motion sickness and nausea and after a few soft normal landings flights don't bother me anymore. You shouldn't let irratonal fears control/influance your life.

[bbabythai]

confront your fear of flying by getting on a plane

[alduff]

Multi quote didn't work again (how can I report bugs on here?):

About confronting the fear of flying: I have tried therapy flights before but didn't have time to continue with them at the time as I was busy finishing my degree. I never saw the fear as limiting me really. I had to choose unconventional modes of transport and work freelance from my computer thats true, but I think I would have never travelled to places like Siberia if I could just fly straight between Europe and Thailand. Now that I found a permanent job here in Bangkok I will have to try again and having to take a 2h flight in order to stay in Thailand indefinitely does seem like a good incentive to try working on my fear again.

And here is the link to the blog (starting on the last page as the posts are chronological):

http://alexontrails.com/category/routes/eurasia-overland/page/4/

[Jonmarleesco]

I'm not entirely sure why you used your German passport to avoid an overstay in Thailand ... as a Thai. But you're now in Thailand, where you obtained your Thai passport. I should have thought the solution is to exit with that.

[wozza]

My son entered Thailand when he was 4 months old, he entered with an Australian Passport and obtained a Thai passport 1 month later and has lived in Thailand now for 1 year.

So when he departs via the airport say back to Australia, I will use his Australian Passport to depart and his Thai when he returns, so my question is will we have any issues arriving back with a Thai passport with no exit stamp?

[alduff]

I'm not entirely sure why you used your German passport to avoid an overstay in Thailand ... as a Thai. But you're now in Thailand, where you obtained your Thai passport. I should have thought the solution is to exit with that.

When I traveled to Thailand 3 months ago I didn't have my Thai Nationality yet. I just received it but can't return to Thailand on my Thai Passport as I need to first exit with my German one in order to avoid overstay on the German passport. I did this on land crossing but the Thai Immigration wouldn't let me use my Thai Passport to come back because it doesn't have an exit stamp.

However this seems to not be an issue if I were to fly out with my German passport and return with my Thai Passport.

[alduff]

My son entered Thailand when he was 4 months old, he entered with an Australian Passport and obtained a Thai passport 1 month later and has lived in Thailand now for 1 year.

So when he departs via the airport say back to Australia, I will use his Australian Passport to depart and his Thai when he returns, so my question is will we have any issues arriving back with a Thai passport with no exit stamp?

The generel consensus here is that you wouldn't have any problem if you fly out with the Australian and return with Thai Passport. So yes it should be fine.

[Jonde]

My German friend,

I'm German-Thai citizen as well. Regarding your fear for flying: I recommend doing breathing exercises, taking dimenhydrinate + cinnarizine (Stugeron 25mg). That will smoothen your inner balance.

For longterm effects: I suggest listening to high frequency radio waves/brainwaves which will greatly improve your inner body metabolism and overall balance. If you would like to know more about it, let me know.

The best thing is to challenge your fear!

I went through hell and challenged my fear and I did things I could never imagine. Right now I poses the attitude of "just do it". I used to be like ridiculously afraid of heights, especially like on the edge of some ancient building (Akropolis) or let it be some Skyscraper. You know what? I started to "practise", went up in Central mall regularly and look down. I've beat it! You want me to bungeejump from Dubai tower - I'll do it right away!

[Tomtomtom69]

Multi quote didn't work again (how can I report bugs on here?):

About confronting the fear of flying: I have tried therapy flights before but didn't have time to continue with them at the time as I was busy finishing my degree. I never saw the fear as limiting me really. I had to choose unconventional modes of transport and work freelance from my computer thats true, but I think I would have never travelled to places like Siberia if I could just fly straight between Europe and Thailand. Now that I found a permanent job here in Bangkok I will have to try again and having to take a 2h flight in order to stay in Thailand indefinitely does seem like a good incentive to try working on my fear again.

And here is the link to the blog (starting on the last page as the posts are chronological):

http://alexontrails.com/category/routes/eurasia-overland/page/4/

You could limit it to just ONE 45 minute flight. How? Well, travel overland to Siem Reap using your German passport. Then buy a one way ticket to Bangkok (Don Muang or Suvarnabhumi) on Air Asia or Bangkok Airways. These are the only 2 airlines flying this route. Present your Thai passport at check-in, get stamped out of Cambodia on your German one. Re-enter Thailand on your Thai passport. Simple and easy. And that's the only flight you'll need to take. Otherwise, try the ferry to Langkawi in Malaysia.

[manstr23]

Your only option is to fly out on the German passport to a neighboring country and return on the Thai passport.

He does not have an exit stamp in his Thai passport. I believe that was the OP's question. When in Thailand leave with your Thai passport and return with it. The German pass does not come in to play until you enter Germany. Don't make it more complicated as it is.

Work on your fear of flying. It is after all the safest mode of transportation, compared to cars, busses, boats, trains even just walking in Thailand.

[alduff]

@manstr23 I will have to leave on the German passport to avoid overstaying on it.

[samran]

I think the best alternative given the fear of flying and land borders for a non-starter is to get an annual extension of stay for 1900 baht based on being a Thai citizen in the German passport.

Then when he truely needs to fly, he can do the passport swap in/out at any airport when he is ready, rather than being forced.

[mike324]

Multi quote didn't work again (how can I report bugs on here?):

About confronting the fear of flying: I have tried therapy flights before but didn't have time to continue with them at the time as I was busy finishing my degree. I never saw the fear as limiting me really. I had to choose unconventional modes of transport and work freelance from my computer thats true, but I think I would have never travelled to places like Siberia if I could just fly straight between Europe and Thailand. Now that I found a permanent job here in Bangkok I will have to try again and having to take a 2h flight in order to stay in Thailand indefinitely does seem like a good incentive to try working on my fear again.

And here is the link to the blog (starting on the last page as the posts are chronological):

http://alexontrails.com/category/routes/eurasia-overland/page/4/

I just spent 2 hours reading through your entire blog! I kept on yearning for more details and more pictures as I move from one chapter to the next. Your English and writing style is perfect for the travel blog. That blog does not justify your trip enough! Hopefully you can continue to update it and make it a full time job!

I have to say, traveling by land is such a great experience and the friends you pick up on the way are unforgettable. I did a short week long trip in Europe last year going to Austria, Czech, and Hungary. Took buses and trains, it was fantastic, the friends you meet and experience is truly memorable. Its amazing how travelers who are complete strangers can bound in 5minutes and become travel buddies in each city.

[alduff]

Multi quote didn't work again (how can I report bugs on here?):

About confronting the fear of flying: I have tried therapy flights before but didn't have time to continue with them at the time as I was busy finishing my degree. I never saw the fear as limiting me really. I had to choose unconventional modes of transport and work freelance from my computer thats true, but I think I would have never travelled to places like Siberia if I could just fly straight between Europe and Thailand. Now that I found a permanent job here in Bangkok I will have to try again and having to take a 2h flight in order to stay in Thailand indefinitely does seem like a good incentive to try working on my fear again.

And here is the link to the blog (starting on the last page as the posts are chronological):

http://alexontrails.com/category/routes/eurasia-overland/page/4/

I just spent 2 hours reading through your entire blog! I kept on yearning for more details and more pictures as I move from one chapter to the next. Your English and writing style is perfect for the travel blog. That blog does not justify your trip enough! Hopefully you can continue to update it and make it a full time job!

I have to say, traveling by land is such a great experience and the friends you pick up on the way are unforgettable. I did a short week long trip in Europe last year going to Austria, Czech, and Hungary. Took buses and trains, it was fantastic, the friends you meet and experience is truly memorable. Its amazing how travelers who are complete strangers can bound in 5minutes and become travel buddies in each city.

Comments like these make me keep writing and posting photos on my blog. Never really thought that it would be that captivating so I really appreciate that you enjoyed it so much. Travelling is one of the best ways to broaden your horizons and meet the coolest and nicest people. Everytime I visit another country I am amazed by how helpful and kind people are. Especially in Russia and China, which you think would be the opposite. Then you also realise how good you have it back home, like it is for me here in Thailand and how ridiculous Thai Immigration is.

[Gulfsailor]

This is probably not the first choice of the OP, but a solution in case there was no fear of flying may be using the CIQ system at Suvarnabhumi. I may be mistaken but there seems something very wrong with the CIQ setup. When I fly Samui to Bangkok and have a connecting flight abroad, in many instances I can clear immigration and customs at Samui airport. Then you are in a separated departure lounge, but share the plane with passengers who have not cleared immigration and stay in Thailand or will do immigration in Bangkok. The only difference between the two groups is a sticker one wears. Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi you then follow CIQ signs to international area. What is stopping me from taking the sticker of and just leaving Suvarnabhumi airport like all the passengers who didn't clear immigration?

In case of the OP he could thus 'exit' Thailand using his German passport and stay in Thailand on his Thai passport.

There may be some flags raised over a foreigner clearing immigration but never getting on the actual plane leaving Thailand. But that could be solved by after arrival in Bangkok clearing immigration with Thai passport and actually boarding the flight that was booked.

[BritTim]

On another note. If I do get myself to fly to Vietnam (with heavy dose of valium) exit Thailand with my German passport, arrive in Vietnam with my Thai Passport and then travel overland back to Thailand all using my Thai Passport, would they let me in at the Thai border?

That would work, no problem but seems a bit of a trek, why not fly to Laos, Malaysia or Cambodia?

Can Thais enter Vietnam visa-free??

Ho Chi Minh City is much closer to Bangkok than Malaysia is. One hour vs. 2 hours flying time. BUT flying to Phnom Penh or even Siem Reap would be even closer.

There is actually an airport (one flight a day from Bangkok on Lao Airlines) at Sawannakhet (Laos). Fares fluctuate, but can be a tad high for such a short flight. I think you would have time to get back into Thailand at Mukhdahan to catch the night bus back to Bangkok. This means flying out of Bangkok at 3:50 pm and back in Bangkok around 6:00 am the next day. Not the cheapest, but probably the fastest option.

[stevenl]

"The only difference between the two groups is a sticker one wears. Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi you then follow CIQ signs to international area. What is stopping me from taking the sticker of and just leaving Suvarnabhumi airport like all the passengers who didn't clear immigration?

In case of the OP he could thus 'exit' Thailand using his German passport and stay in Thailand on his Thai passport. "

That would not be of much help, since you were already in Thailand and stayed in Thailand.

[NanLaew]

"The only difference between the two groups is a sticker one wears. Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi you then follow CIQ signs to international area. What is stopping me from taking the sticker of and just leaving Suvarnabhumi airport like all the passengers who didn't clear immigration?

In case of the OP he could thus 'exit' Thailand using his German passport and stay in Thailand on his Thai passport. "

That would not be of much help, since you were already in Thailand and stayed in Thailand.

Yes, the OP could purchase an international ticket, check in at Samui and get cleared out of the country by Thai Immigration on Samui and then wander through domestic arrival hall in Bangkok and leave the airport.

When presenting the Thai passport for a future departure, they will see it is new and issued in Bangkok so they will still want to see proof of how the OP entered the country. All he could show then is a German passport that indicates that he had already left the country some time ago via Samui via the 'flawed' CIQ system. I would wager that after they get their heads around that bit of derring do, they will justifiably fine the OP for overstay.

Than the OP can add that to the cost of forfeiting the onward and unused earlier international departure flight originating in Samui.

[Naroge]

Why make it so complicated? As you have a Thai passport you just don't use your German passport any more when passing the Thai boarder.

Worried about "overstaying" on your German passport? No one can charge a Thai national of "overstaying" in Thailand so that should not be a risk.

And on top of that the immigration cannot refuse a Thai national to enter Thailand. I have Thai friends that have entered Thailand on expired Thai passports without problem.

Happy traveling.

[arunsakda]

We frequently have passengers on our airline who decide not to fly for whatever reason ( meeting cancelled, too late to make connecting flight, fight with spouse) become actually sick, dawdle in duty free shops or lounge and miss boarding cutoff, etc. Some get denied for being too drunk. Unless another flight that day is available they all get escorted back through immigration. The agents don't even care unless you have checked bags as this often causes delays when checked bags must be located and offloaded.

I personally missed a few flights flying standby. In BKK I think they just stamped me in again. In Japan it was a 2 hour process getting the exit stamp "cancelled".

So buy a Royal Silk Full Flex return fare somewhere international last flight of day, drink some free beers in the lounge and go take a nap somewhere. When you miss your flight you can be escorted down to arrival level. Then cancel your booking. The cancellation fee is 500 baht but I don't know if that would be a full or partial cancellation.

Edited April 24, 2015 by arunsakda

[arunsakda]

Not sure how you would be able get back to arrival immigration from the departure side of the airport. Even if you were able to do it and were caught you would be in big trouble.

Book a flight. Exit at swampy. Then change your mind. You will be sent through immigration where you can use the automated gates.

Should work.

If you change your mind or the flight is cancelled they will cancel you departure stamp. They will not stamp you back into the country.

Missed this post by Ubonjoe, so ignore my previous suggestion. Guess you are going to have to suffer through one more flight or take the ferry to Lankawi. Edited April 24, 2015 by arunsakda

[manstr23]

@manstr23 I will have to leave on the German passport to avoid overstaying on it.

Do not worry !!! Thai Immigration will never see your German passport again. Your a Thai when in Thailand, overstaying ???????