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Can my British son claim Thai citizenship and avoid military conscription when moving to Thailand?
Thai citizenshipNational serviceVisa issuesThai passportExpat living in ThailandMilitary conscriptionFamily immigrationRetirement in Thailand
Jun 9, 2025
a year ago
Abe ********
ORIGINAL POSTERCan anyone advise please?
So my wife (Thai) and I have been married for 25 years this year. We've lived in the UK for most of those years, but now looking to retire to Thailand in 2 years when our son finishes uni.
Our son is 19 and holds a British passport. He was born in the UK. Would he be able to move with us and claim Thai citizenship without messing around with visas?
My concern is the whole national service thing. We didn't register him as eligible for national service as we live in the UK and at the time we had no intention of moving back to Thailand. It would be good if my son has the option of moving with us, even if it's only for a year or two.
Would this be an issue? Cheers
So my wife (Thai) and I have been married for 25 years this year. We've lived in the UK for most of those years, but now looking to retire to Thailand in 2 years when our son finishes uni.
Our son is 19 and holds a British passport. He was born in the UK. Would he be able to move with us and claim Thai citizenship without messing around with visas?
My concern is the whole national service thing. We didn't register him as eligible for national service as we live in the UK and at the time we had no intention of moving back to Thailand. It would be good if my son has the option of moving with us, even if it's only for a year or two.
Would this be an issue? Cheers
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is inquiring about the possibility of their 19-year-old son, who holds a British passport, obtaining Thai citizenship and moving with them to Thailand after living in the UK for 25 years. The concern revolves around the implications of Thai national service eligibility due to his potential citizenship and whether this could be avoided since they did not register him for military service while living abroad. Various comments suggest that acquiring Thai citizenship would indeed make him eligible for conscription, and there are specific processes and paperwork involved in obtaining a Thai passport, including the necessity of translating and notarizing his UK birth certificate. The discussion addresses the realities of national service in Thailand and the implications for dual nationality, with mixed opinions on the benefits and drawbacks of military service.
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Abe ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks for all the replies. As suspected I thought he'd become eligible for national service.
He doesn't speak any Thai, and he's definitely more brains than brawn, and joining the army wouldn't do him any good at all.😂
We'll let him finish uni, then he can decide what he wants to do with his life. He's doing mechanical engineering, so that should open up opportunities all over the World to work if he doesn't want to stay in the UK.
He doesn't speak any Thai, and he's definitely more brains than brawn, and joining the army wouldn't do him any good at all.😂
We'll let him finish uni, then he can decide what he wants to do with his life. He's doing mechanical engineering, so that should open up opportunities all over the World to work if he doesn't want to stay in the UK.
Ian **********
The problem with half Thai kids is yes, they do get called up for the military. The lottery system seems to be bypassed. But foreigners have large chunks of money to hand over so that the lad doesn't have to serve. Once he's thirty then he's safe as is your wallet. We'll, that was my experience with my son!!!!!!
Ian *********
My son hasn’t long finished his 2 year national service. Great for him personally i think but the money is dire.
Michael ********
Join the Thai citizenship group has lots of articles there and people who have been through the same thing. You are not going to get the correct answers here. There is some psperwork that will need to be verified by embassy where he was born.
Us *****
Kids these days are too soft. They all need military training to toughen them up. Also, I would leave your son in the UK for uni. The salary here sucks and there isn't a future for him.
Abe ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Us ****
We are staying in the UK until he finishes uni. He can then decide what he wants to do. He's studying mechanical engineering, so he should be able to work pretty much anywhere in the World with a decent degree.Reply to
Abe ********
Reply
Sasi ************
The son; be aware of the military situation/responsibilities
Frank **********
Going into the military builds character.
Gary *******
If he doesn't speak Thai how could he be any use to the army...surely he would be eligible for an exemption.
Alastair ********************
@Gary ******
Unfortunately that is not a recognised exemption.Reply to
Alastair ********************
Reply
Brian **********
wait till he is 30
Phil ******
@Abe *******
yes he would be eligible for a Thai passport and also conscriptionDaniel *********************
Thai military could be a good thing for him.
Tony *************
@Daniel ********************
not if he can’t speak any timeDaniel *********************
@Tony ************
he would learn it very fast.Reply to
Daniel *********************
Reply
เดแคลน ***********
Getting his passport and/or ID card will make him eligible for military conscription. And despite what people are saying in here. Most monks can also be conscripted, only monks with higher degrees in Buddhist studies are exempt.
Will ************
You will need his UK birth certificate translated and notarised and you’ll probably have to go to the Thai embassy in London
Paul **********
@Will ***********
I used a lady to do all that when we got our UK marriage certificate translated.Graham ******
@Paul *********
Have you completed this process or just 1 to 3? -1. IN THE UK: Marriage certificate legalised by the FCDO in Milton Keynes
2. IN THE UK Marriage Certificate AND the Apostille from the FCDO Translated
3. IN THE UK: Marriage Certificate AND the Apostille from the FCDO AND their translations verified by the Thai Embassy in London
4. IN THAILAND: All the above (ie all 4 documents & their translations, making 8 in total) Legalised by MFA in Bangkok
Paul **********
@Graham *****
we have got to 4 and got a Kor 2 I think it's called. The back of the UK marriage cert has a Thai stamp and something stuck to it. This was in 2016. I know my wife had to do some running back and forth between BKK and Cha Nat. Also got her ID card done.Reply to
Paul **********
Reply
Av **********
Remember he will have to do the military program if he becomes thai...unless he is disabled or unless he wants to become a monk
เดแคลน ***********
@Av *********
becoming a monk doesn't exempt you. Only monks who have earned a higher degree in Buddhist studies are exempt.Reply to
เดแคลน ***********
Reply
Robert *********
Yes ,it will be an issue .
He could volunteer and only do 6 months .
They take it seriously
He could volunteer and only do 6 months .
They take it seriously
Stephen *********
No idea mate but good luck
Kevin ************
My understanding is that he can get a passport. He has to do it in Thailand, and be included on your wife’s family book. Unfortunately, being the holder of a Thai passport, he would be eligible for military conscription.
Roger ********
@Kevin ***********
make a man of him ;-)Ian **********
@Roger *******
but because he's half Thai he'll get bullied by both officers and recruits. The system works against half Thai lads.Kevin ************
@Ian *********
especially if he can’t speak perfect Thai, and forget about any type of leadership position.Reply to
Kevin ************
Reply
Av **********
@Kevin ***********
yeah he will have to pick red or black ball for military service unless he has mental or physical disorders stopping him, or if he becomes a monk.Kylie *******
@Av *********
or you can pay to get out of it many people do thisLeon ****
@Av *********
become a monk will not stop to pick a red or black.Andy ********
@Leon ***
it will while he is an active monk. Won’t as soon as he leaves the temple.Av **********
@Leon ***
oh really I thought that counted , well guess its ball picking time lol. My brother has to do it tooReply to
Av **********
Reply
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