Thai Citizenship vs Residency

[arithai12]

Two important points not yet mentioned in this thread

-what is the cost of obtaining PR? I recall 200,000 Baht. If the main advantage is never to bother again with visas, well that's a lot of visas.

-citizenship: obtaining a Thai passport might mean, in many cases, giving up your native one. I think that merits serious consideration.

You do not have to give up your other nationality unless your home country does not allow dual nationalities..I don't think there are all that many that don't allow it.

I suspect it's the contrary, but I do not know. I know my country does not allow dual citizenship above 18 years of age. Quoting from Wikipedia: Under the 1992 Nationality Act, naturalisation as a Thai citizen requires .... renunciation of one's previous citizenship. Sure there must be exceptions and work-arounds.

[ubonjoe]

The OP posted "I recall a thread a while back which seemed to have the conclusion that if you were going to apply for residency why not go the citizenship route. It would be good to get thoughts from those who have done either. I am married to a Thai & have many consecutive 1 year extension of stay so should satisfy some criteria for both.".

I read the thread with interest as I'm married to a thai, on a 'O' marriage annual extension of stay, and in my 3rd decade of working here, but I didn't see the answer to the OPs question in the thread - is it better to go for citizenship over residency?

Can anybody advise?

If married to a Thai citizenship is the best. The cost is lower and requires less documents than residency..

[arithai12]

I read the thread with interest as I'm married to a thai, on a 'O' marriage annual extension of stay, and in my 3rd decade of working here, but I didn't see the answer to the OPs question in the thread - is it better to go for citizenship over residency?

That's because there is no clear-cut answer. It will depend on your particular situation. And while it's good to get advice and experiences on TV, if I had such an important decision to make I would go and consult a specialist lawyer.

btw, reading this link

http://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/thai-permanent-residency.php

it seems that you cannot have citizenship without PR, but maybe it's just the wording.

You can file an application to become a Thai naturalized citizen after holding Permanent Resident status in Thailand for 10 consecutive years.

[Bredbury Blue]

The OP posted "I recall a thread a while back which seemed to have the conclusion that if you were going to apply for residency why not go the citizenship route. It would be good to get thoughts from those who have done either. I am married to a Thai & have many consecutive 1 year extension of stay so should satisfy some criteria for both.".

I read the thread with interest as I'm married to a thai, on a 'O' marriage annual extension of stay, and in my 3rd decade of working here, but I didn't see the answer to the OPs question in the thread - is it better to go for citizenship over residency?

Can anybody advise?

If married to a Thai citizenship is the best. The cost is lower and requires less documents than residency..

JOE, thanks for clarifying that, cheers.

Can somebody post a link here to the best TV topic pages on applying for Citizenship. Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

I read the thread with interest as I'm married to a thai, on a 'O' marriage annual extension of stay, and in my 3rd decade of working here, but I didn't see the answer to the OPs question in the thread - is it better to go for citizenship over residency?

That's because there is no clear-cut answer. It will depend on your particular situation. And while it's good to get advice and experiences on TV, if I had such an important decision to make I would go and consult a specialist lawyer.

btw, reading this link

http://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/thai-permanent-residency.php

it seems that you cannot have citizenship without PR, but maybe it's just the wording.

You can file an application to become a Thai naturalized citizen after holding Permanent Resident status in Thailand for 10 consecutive years.

That is old outdated info on a commercial website operated by a law firm.

If married to a Thai you do not need residency prior to applying for citizenship. That was changed in 2008 when the nationality act was amended.

[ubonjoe]

The OP posted "I recall a thread a while back which seemed to have the conclusion that if you were going to apply for residency why not go the citizenship route. It would be good to get thoughts from those who have done either. I am married to a Thai & have many consecutive 1 year extension of stay so should satisfy some criteria for both.".

I read the thread with interest as I'm married to a thai, on a 'O' marriage annual extension of stay, and in my 3rd decade of working here, but I didn't see the answer to the OPs question in the thread - is it better to go for citizenship over residency?

Can anybody advise?

If married to a Thai citizenship is the best. The cost is lower and requires less documents than residency..

JOE, thanks for clarifying that, cheers.

Can somebody post a link here to the best TV topic pages on applying for Citizenship. Thanks.

Story Of My Thai Citizenship Application

[Bredbury Blue]

^Brilliant. Thanks.

[blackcab]

Two important points not yet mentioned in this thread

-what is the cost of obtaining PR? I recall 200,000 Baht. If the main advantage is never to bother again with visas, well that's a lot of visas.

-citizenship: obtaining a Thai passport might mean, in many cases, giving up your native one. I think that merits serious consideration.

You do not have to give up your other nationality unless your home country does not allow dual nationalities..I don't think there are all that many that don't allow it.

I suspect it's the contrary, but I do not know. I know my country does not allow dual citizenship above 18 years of age. Quoting from Wikipedia: Under the 1992 Nationality Act, naturalisation as a Thai citizen requires .... renunciation of one's previous citizenship. Sure there must be exceptions and work-arounds.

Renunciation, in this instance, means getting a signed statement from your embassy that says you intend to renounce your citizenship.

If you are granted Thai citizenship you are not made to give up your other citizenship(s).

[gamini]

Are you working with a work permit and paying taxes? Both require you have been doing that for 3 years to apply.

I was until last year but my extension has always been based on marriage. If that is the case then I suppose I can forget about it.

I dont see why you should forget about it. I don't think the basis for the extension makes any difference, as long as you have been with workpermit and paying taxes.

I'm in the same situation and also considering the same, so interested in this thread.

I do remember applying for citizenship years back. I had to read, write and speak Thai. So I would guess that if you can't, it is not worth trying to get it.

[SteveB2]

Hi 'Valentine'

The best way to decide between your two choices, is to understand the process of applying for either Thai citizenship or Thai Permanent Resident ‘RP’ - This information may be gleaned from the official Thai websites that detail the latest minimum requirements for applicants.

Important Note: Unlike for a typical visa application where if you meet the requirements with all the supporting paperwork and are presentable during the application process - you will normally receive your visa. The latest requirements below are very much the 'minimum requirements' meaning that... if your personal circumstances only meet the minimum published requirements, then you are unlikely to pass the overall scoring system applied to all applicants for either Thai Resident Permit or Thai citizenship.

The minimum requirements for Thai Citizenship application are detailed on the Royal Thai Police web site at the following links:-

Thai citizenship applications - Thai language

Thai citizenship applications - English language

Application can be made at any time throughout the year – In principle the application can be made at any main Provincial Police Headquarters – however, in view of the tiny number of successful applications processed every year, most provincial police HQ will be unfamiliar with the application procedure and will not know how to handle such a request – thus one is advised to apply at the Royal Thai Police HQ, Bangkok. The requirements are broadly similar to those for RP listed below.

The minimum requirements for Resident Permit application is outlined on Thai Immigration websites at the following links:-

Thai Resident Permit Application – Bangkok Immigration Main page updated Dec 2015 – Thai

Thai Resident Permit Application – Bangkok Immigration Main page updated Dec 2015 – English

Thai Resident permit Application brief outline – Thai Immigration HQ - English language

Criterion and conditions of foreign nationals residential permit consideration – updated Dec 2015 English

Application is usually possible only during a narrow window of time notified by official announcement - in recent years this has been during the last 2 weeks of December.

From the above links, it should be obvious that the requirements for either application are very administratively complex. Although it is not required for you to have a lawyer assist you in your application it is advisable to hire a local Bangkok lawyer provably experienced in these applications, liaising with Thai Immigration HQ, The Royal Thai Police HQ, and the Ministry of the Interior (who conduct the final ‘interview committee’ assessment of likely successful applicants).

Also note:

· You will need the full co-operation of your employer to produce much of the Thai tax documents required.

· You will likely need a return visit to your home country lasting several weeks to obtain the legalized documents required that confirm your personal history back home, that under the latest rules cannot be legalized by your own countries embassy here in LOS. Thailand. The legalization process now involves attaching an apostille to certain required documents. link to wiki apostille explanation.

· Be aware that much has changed in both the RP and Citizenship application processes during recent times (The last update was Dec 2015) – and much of what is on the web, and in previous years TV posts is now out of date.

This is as far as I have got through the current RP process – My own RP application has now passed muster at Immigration HQ, Bangkok and has been passed up the chain - I am due to be called for final board level interview at the Interior Ministry next month. I hope that all goes well.

Good luck with your own applications.

Edited February 8, 2016 by SteveB2

[Ron CM]

Are you working with a work permit and paying taxes? Both require you have been doing that for 3 years to apply.

Interesting!!! need to check on that one

Edited February 8, 2016 by Ron CM

[louse1953]

BACKGROUND:

I would like to stay in The Kingdom. I am a marketing guy, writer, performer, I can make a living on the internet but can also help local businesses with various things. Have trusted local gf but am gunshy of a new on-the-books marriage. GF happy either way.

*****

So as I understand it, in order to become a Thai citizen, besides language proficiency, I would need 3 years working legally paying local income tax.

It seems like latter could be accomplished, for a non-techie, only by forming a Thai company, with, you know, in-laws and gf on the payroll, then working for it as key employee.

Seems OK.

Do I have it right?

Do I also need an on-the-books legal marriage to Thai gf?

Re retiree versus resident versus citizen:

retiree (or married guy) can stay 1 year between border runs...

resident can stay forever without visa runs or border runs...

citizen can stay forever with no exits, plus he can work etc

Do I have that correct?

Also - UbonJoe points out that residency and citizenship BOTH require work record... thus for a non-techie like me, for whom working locally requires the effort and expense of setting up a Thai company, one may as well go for full citizenship -- since one has done the hard part already, one may as well be able to continue to work, do business, profit from local business, without resriction. Thus citizenship ought to be the aim. Am I making sense?

Retirees and married people don't have to do border runs.

[Sydebolle]

why do you want pay tax anyway.? if you are not a resident and over 50 you can stay long term and don't have to pay anything.

and residents can not even work without a work permit.

0 advantage to become a resident unless you want become a thai. you will always be a farang anyway.

Quite obviously you do not have a resident permit; I've had it since 1988 without the intention of becoming a Thai national and it served me perfectly fine for the last 26 years.

Work permits are issued based on qualifications and not on status although it is a rubber-stamp exercise for resident permit holders. Latter due to the fact, that by WTO standards a country must allow a non-citizen to earn his/her life by working if a resident permit is granted. And that is known to the labour department offices all over the kingdom.

On the rest I will not elaborate; I paid THB 25K at that time for the resident permit, today it is almost THB 200K and people still queue for it - so much for zero advantage. And if nobody would pay taxes then the system would collapse. You certainly will not share my point of view but I, for one, do not see any problems in paying taxes for afore-mentioned reason.

[GarryP]

Hi 'Valentine'

The best way to decide between your two choices, is to understand the process of applying for either Thai citizenship or Thai Permanent Resident ‘RP’ - This information may be gleaned from the official Thai websites that detail the latest minimum requirements for applicants.

Important Note: Unlike for a typical visa application where if you meet the requirements with all the supporting paperwork and are presentable during the application process - you will normally receive your visa. The latest requirements below are very much the 'minimum requirements' meaning that... if your personal circumstances only meet the minimum published requirements, then you are unlikely to pass the overall scoring system applied to all applicants for either Thai Resident Permit or Thai citizenship.

The minimum requirements for Thai Citizenship application are detailed on the Royal Thai Police web site at the following links:-

Thai citizenship applications - Thai language

Thai citizenship applications - English language

Application can be made at any time throughout the year – In principle the application can be made at any main Provincial Police Headquarters – however, in view of the tiny number of successful applications processed every year, most provincial police HQ will be unfamiliar with the application procedure and will not know how to handle such a request – thus one is advised to apply at the Royal Thai Police HQ, Bangkok. The requirements are broadly similar to those for RP listed below.

The minimum requirements for Resident Permit application is outlined on Thai Immigration websites at the following links:-

Thai Resident Permit Application – Bangkok Immigration Main page updated Dec 2015 – Thai

Thai Resident Permit Application – Bangkok Immigration Main page updated Dec 2015 – English

Thai Resident permit Application brief outline – Thai Immigration HQ - English language

Criterion and conditions of foreign nationals residential permit consideration – updated Dec 2015 English

Application is usually possible only during a narrow window of time notified by official announcement - in recent years this has been during the last 2 weeks of December.

From the above links, it should be obvious that the requirements for either application are very administratively complex. Although it is not required for you to have a lawyer assist you in your application it is advisable to hire a local Bangkok lawyer provably experienced in these applications, liaising with Thai Immigration HQ, The Royal Thai Police HQ, and the Ministry of the Interior (who conduct the final ‘interview committee’ assessment of likely successful applicants).

Also note:

· You will need the full co-operation of your employer to produce much of the Thai tax documents required.

· You will likely need a return visit to your home country lasting several weeks to obtain the legalized documents required that confirm your personal history back home, that under the latest rules cannot be legalized by your own countries embassy here in LOS. Thailand. The legalization process now involves attaching an apostille to certain required documents. link to wiki apostille explanation.

· Be aware that much has changed in both the RP and Citizenship application processes during recent times (The last update was Dec 2015) – and much of what is on the web, and in previous years TV posts is now out of date.

This is as far as I have got through the current RP process – My own RP application has now passed muster at Immigration HQ, Bangkok and has been passed up the chain - I am due to be called for final board level interview at the Interior Ministry next month. I hope that all goes well.

Good luck with your own applications.

While there is some very good information there, there are one or two points I would like to address as applies to citizenship. I am not commenting on PR as I have no experience with that.

For citizenship you do not need the help of a lawyer and I would not even recommend it. It is a quite simple process, although time consuming.

You do not need to return to your home country. Any documents which need certification can be certified by the Embassy. I did not have a background check done for my application.

You need to meet the minimum points requirement of 50 points out of a possible 100. People with 99 points are not treated any differently from those with 51 or 52 points. Your points are not even mentioned once your application moves from the police to the MOI.

I was ready to give up before I had even started because I was sure I did not qualify, but one kind poster gave me the friendly kick up the bum I needed to actually go and check. It turned out that I did qualify after all and so decided to apply.

[SteveB2]

Hi 'Valentine'

The best way to decide between your two choices, is to understand the process of applying for either Thai citizenship or Thai Permanent Resident ‘RP’ - This information may be gleaned from the official Thai websites that detail the latest minimum requirements for applicants.

Important Note: Unlike for a typical visa application where if you meet the requirements with all the supporting paperwork and are presentable during the application process - you will normally receive your visa. The latest requirements below are very much the 'minimum requirements' meaning that... if your personal circumstances only meet the minimum published requirements, then you are unlikely to pass the overall scoring system applied to all applicants for either Thai Resident Permit or Thai citizenship.

The minimum requirements for Thai Citizenship application are detailed on the Royal Thai Police web site at the following links:-

Thai citizenship applications - Thai language

Thai citizenship applications - English language

Application can be made at any time throughout the year – In principle the application can be made at any main Provincial Police Headquarters – however, in view of the tiny number of successful applications processed every year, most provincial police HQ will be unfamiliar with the application procedure and will not know how to handle such a request – thus one is advised to apply at the Royal Thai Police HQ, Bangkok. The requirements are broadly similar to those for RP listed below.

The minimum requirements for Resident Permit application is outlined on Thai Immigration websites at the following links:-

Thai Resident Permit Application – Bangkok Immigration Main page updated Dec 2015 – Thai

Thai Resident Permit Application – Bangkok Immigration Main page updated Dec 2015 – English

Thai Resident permit Application brief outline – Thai Immigration HQ - English language

Criterion and conditions of foreign nationals residential permit consideration – updated Dec 2015 English

Application is usually possible only during a narrow window of time notified by official announcement - in recent years this has been during the last 2 weeks of December.

From the above links, it should be obvious that the requirements for either application are very administratively complex. Although it is not required for you to have a lawyer assist you in your application it is advisable to hire a local Bangkok lawyer provably experienced in these applications, liaising with Thai Immigration HQ, The Royal Thai Police HQ, and the Ministry of the Interior (who conduct the final ‘interview committee’ assessment of likely successful applicants).

Also note:

· You will need the full co-operation of your employer to produce much of the Thai tax documents required.

· You will likely need a return visit to your home country lasting several weeks to obtain the legalized documents required that confirm your personal history back home, that under the latest rules cannot be legalized by your own countries embassy here in LOS. Thailand. The legalization process now involves attaching an apostille to certain required documents. link to wiki apostille explanation.

· Be aware that much has changed in both the RP and Citizenship application processes during recent times (The last update was Dec 2015) – and much of what is on the web, and in previous years TV posts is now out of date.

This is as far as I have got through the current RP process – My own RP application has now passed muster at Immigration HQ, Bangkok and has been passed up the chain - I am due to be called for final board level interview at the Interior Ministry next month. I hope that all goes well.

Good luck with your own applications.

While there is some very good information there, there are one or two points I would like to address as applies to citizenship. I am not commenting on PR as I have no experience with that.

For citizenship you do not need the help of a lawyer and I would not even recommend it. It is a quite simple process, although time consuming.

You do not need to return to your home country. Any documents which need certification can be certified by the Embassy. I did not have a background check done for my application.

You need to meet the minimum points requirement of 50 points out of a possible 100. People with 99 points are not treated any differently from those with 51 or 52 points. Your points are not even mentioned once your application moves from the police to the MOI.

I was ready to give up before I had even started because I was sure I did not qualify, but one kind poster gave me the friendly kick up the bum I needed to actually go and check. It turned out that I did qualify after all and so decided to apply.

Hi GarryP - thank you for your kind words....Putting the two application processes (RP & citizenship) side by side, the admin requirements are quite similar - though as per your comments above, I too was advised to apply for citizenship during last December 2015''s RP application window at BKK Immo. CW.

However, after only having just surviving the 8am to 1:30am interrogation, fingerprinting, & more interrogation session - when the final high ranking immigration official suggested "Thai citizenship would be a better and more easier route for you - and cheaper too", I simply smiled and proffered that "I did not consider myself good enough for such a high status" - she smiled back and stamped 'RP application under consideration" into my passport.

I will start attending Thai official government schooling in April to polish up my Thai reading and writing skills(These are already OK but need to be better) - and will soon be frequenting some of the better class Karaoke’s to regale everyone with my Farang renditions of the Thai National Anthem and the Royal Anthem.

Once I have everything up to a level in accordance with the scoring system I'll apply for citizenship - but for the moment, I consider that standard (in myself) to still be a long way away. Cheers.

[GarryP]

Hi 'Valentine'

The best way to decide between your two choices, is to understand the process of applying for either Thai citizenship or Thai Permanent Resident ‘RP’ - This information may be gleaned from the official Thai websites that detail the latest minimum requirements for applicants.

Important Note: Unlike for a typical visa application where if you meet the requirements with all the supporting paperwork and are presentable during the application process - you will normally receive your visa. The latest requirements below are very much the 'minimum requirements' meaning that... if your personal circumstances only meet the minimum published requirements, then you are unlikely to pass the overall scoring system applied to all applicants for either Thai Resident Permit or Thai citizenship.

The minimum requirements for Thai Citizenship application are detailed on the Royal Thai Police web site at the following links:-

Thai citizenship applications - Thai language

Thai citizenship applications - English language

Application can be made at any time throughout the year – In principle the application can be made at any main Provincial Police Headquarters – however, in view of the tiny number of successful applications processed every year, most provincial police HQ will be unfamiliar with the application procedure and will not know how to handle such a request – thus one is advised to apply at the Royal Thai Police HQ, Bangkok. The requirements are broadly similar to those for RP listed below.

The minimum requirements for Resident Permit application is outlined on Thai Immigration websites at the following links:-

Thai Resident Permit Application – Bangkok Immigration Main page updated Dec 2015 – Thai

Thai Resident Permit Application – Bangkok Immigration Main page updated Dec 2015 – English

Thai Resident permit Application brief outline – Thai Immigration HQ - English language

Criterion and conditions of foreign nationals residential permit consideration – updated Dec 2015 English

Application is usually possible only during a narrow window of time notified by official announcement - in recent years this has been during the last 2 weeks of December.

From the above links, it should be obvious that the requirements for either application are very administratively complex. Although it is not required for you to have a lawyer assist you in your application it is advisable to hire a local Bangkok lawyer provably experienced in these applications, liaising with Thai Immigration HQ, The Royal Thai Police HQ, and the Ministry of the Interior (who conduct the final ‘interview committee’ assessment of likely successful applicants).

Also note:

· You will need the full co-operation of your employer to produce much of the Thai tax documents required.

· You will likely need a return visit to your home country lasting several weeks to obtain the legalized documents required that confirm your personal history back home, that under the latest rules cannot be legalized by your own countries embassy here in LOS. Thailand. The legalization process now involves attaching an apostille to certain required documents. link to wiki apostille explanation.

· Be aware that much has changed in both the RP and Citizenship application processes during recent times (The last update was Dec 2015) – and much of what is on the web, and in previous years TV posts is now out of date.

This is as far as I have got through the current RP process – My own RP application has now passed muster at Immigration HQ, Bangkok and has been passed up the chain - I am due to be called for final board level interview at the Interior Ministry next month. I hope that all goes well.

Good luck with your own applications.

While there is some very good information there, there are one or two points I would like to address as applies to citizenship. I am not commenting on PR as I have no experience with that.

For citizenship you do not need the help of a lawyer and I would not even recommend it. It is a quite simple process, although time consuming.

You do not need to return to your home country. Any documents which need certification can be certified by the Embassy. I did not have a background check done for my application.

You need to meet the minimum points requirement of 50 points out of a possible 100. People with 99 points are not treated any differently from those with 51 or 52 points. Your points are not even mentioned once your application moves from the police to the MOI.

I was ready to give up before I had even started because I was sure I did not qualify, but one kind poster gave me the friendly kick up the bum I needed to actually go and check. It turned out that I did qualify after all and so decided to apply.

Hi GarryP - thank you for your kind words....Putting the two application processes (RP & citizenship) side by side, the admin requirements are quite similar - though as per your comments above, I too was advised to apply for citizenship during last December 2015''s RP application window at BKK Immo. CW.

However, after only having just surviving the 8am to 1:30am interrogation, fingerprinting, & more interrogation session - when the final high ranking immigration official suggested "Thai citizenship would be a better and more easier route for you - and cheaper too", I simply smiled and proffered that "I did not consider myself good enough for such a high status" - she smiled back and stamped 'RP application under consideration" into my passport.

I will start attending Thai official government schooling in April to polish up my Thai reading and writing skills(These are already OK but need to be better) - and will soon be frequenting some of the better class Karaoke’s to regale everyone with my Farang renditions of the Thai National Anthem and the Royal Anthem.

Once I have everything up to a level in accordance with the scoring system I'll apply for citizenship - but for the moment, I consider that standard (in myself) to still be a long way away. Cheers.

Assuming you are married to a Thai, by applying on that basis you do not have to sing the national and royal anthems. You will need to speak and read Thai but writing is not essential. You do not even need a university degree. Obviously, the higher your education the greater the number of points. But even someone like me who did not have PR, does not write Thai (can speak fluently and can read without any difficulty), finished my education at college level, etc. still qualified. Though only just.

Obviously if you have a PR in hand, you automatically have a nice number of points but by applying based on PR you still have the singing requirements. I am tone deaf and would probably butcher the anthems resulting in a failure to qualify.

Good luck with the PR. FWIW, I think the immigration officer made a good suggestion.

[Arkady]

I have been through both the PR and citizenship processes. If I had been married to a Thai and the 2008 amendment (allowing foreign males with Thai wives to apply for citizenship without PR first) were already in place before I applied for PR, I definitely would have applied for citizenship directly. The process of applying for PR is similar but somewhat more burdensome nowadays, as Immigration is naturally suspicious of foreigners and keeps on adding new wrinkles to the procedure, e.g. in my day there was no need for a home country police check for or a Thai language test/panel interview for PR. Applicants were only interviewed by a single Immigration officer and were free to bring an interpreter.

The fees for citizenship are much lower and the benefits are far greater. After many years as a PR I got fed up with the fact that I still needed a WP and that most Thai companies and government departments treat PRs the same as a foreigner on a NON-B visa. In fact hardly any Thais have ever even heard of permanent residence (why should they). Nevertheless,you always have to produce certified copies of your alien book (several pages), residence book, tabien baan, WP and passport, whereas other foreigners are only asked for passport and WP and Thais only have to produce two pages - ID card and tabien baan to do the same thing. Also I don't miss that annual trip out to CW to pay B5,800 and wait for several hours to renew my visa and endorsement, even though the ladies in the PR section couldn't be nicer.

Apart from anything else there is nothing the beat the feeling of satisfaction in producing ones ID card, particularly at national parks and other dual pricing venues.

[scorecard]

Have had PR since 2012. Makes life easy without the hassles of getting visas etc etc. Haven't given citizenship much thought.

Agree, residency does make life easy, no more 30 day reporting, never need to reapply or anything like that.

You can also get a plastic ID card, same overall design as Thai national ID card but at the top of the card it says Permanent Resident (in Thai) rather than Thai national.

[Arkady]

Have had PR since 2012. Makes life easy without the hassles of getting visas etc etc. Haven't given citizenship much thought.

Agree, residency does make life easy, no more 30 day reporting, never need to reapply or anything like that.

You can also get a plastic ID card, same overall design as Thai national ID card but at the top of the card it says Permanent Resident (in Thai) rather than Thai national.

Unfortunately there is no specific ID card for permanent residents. They are still supposed to carry around the clunky alien books, designed in 1927, that fall to pieces. They can also now apply for the pink card you mention, if their district office agrees, but it is actually designed for stateless minorities. It does not say 'Permanent Resident' at the top. It says 'ID card for a person without Thai nationality'. On the back it says that the holder is not permitted to leave his or her district without permission which obviously doesn't apply to PRs but highlights the fact that this card is not designed for them. It also doesn't look exactly like a Thai ID card. It is pink and of poorer quality and is also not a smart card. Probably still worth having, if your DO will agree to issue one, as it can be used as ID without lugging your passport around and hardly any Thais accept your alien book as ID or even know what it is. However, a Thai driving licence is just as good. See the example below.