Change of passport, US to Thai.

[Kasset Tak]

I'm posting this as I'm trying to help one of my friends.

He has dual citizenship US and Thai. He returned to Thailand this year after 27 years in the states on his US passport. Last week he got his New Thai passport and must leave Thailand and come back on that but how should he do that, when in the process should he change what passport he uses?! Obviously he must leave on his US passport but when should he start using his Thai passport? When entering Laos or when coming back to Thailand? Or must he fly back to US?

Thanks for any constructive responses!

[ubonjoe]

It would be very difficult to do the swap at a border crossing.

Best way is to fly out and back to a nearby country to do the swap. Leave on the US passport, then enter and depart the other country on his Thai passport and then use his Thai passport to enter here.

No need to return to the US.

[Kasset Tak]

Thanks UbonJoe!

I have passed the information on to my friend. He was a little upset that he would have to fly out as he lives just 2 hours from Mae Sod. But hey we can't get all we want in life...

[ubonjoe]

Mae Sot would be more complicated than other crossings because of he would not get a visa exempt entry to Myanmar using his Thai passport. Not sure he could do it by getting a border pass for a Thai.

Also leaving on his US passport there would be a problem unless he has a visa for re-entry. Without a visa he would no be allowed to leave the country.