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Can my British son claim Thai citizenship and avoid military conscription when moving to Thailand?

Thai citizenship military conscription expat family visa questions national service Thai passport immigration rules

Jun 9, 2025

a day ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Can 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

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses a scenario where a British expat couple, married for 25 years, plans to retire to Thailand with their 19-year-old son, who holds a British passport. The author is concerned about the possibility of their son obtaining Thai citizenship without visa issues and the implications of military conscription, as he was not registered for national service while living abroad. Community responses indicate that obtaining Thai citizenship will indeed make him eligible for military service, and various commenters share their insights on the naturalization and conscription process, emphasizing the importance of proper documentation and procedures.

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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!!!!!!

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Ian *********

My son hasn’t long finished his 2 year national service. Great for him personally i think but the money is dire.

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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.

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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.

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Sasi ************

The son; be aware of the military situation/responsibilities

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Frank **********

Going into the military builds character.

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Gary *******

If he doesn't speak Thai how could he be any use to the army...surely he would be eligible for an exemption.

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Alastair ********************

Unfortunately that is not a recognised exemption.

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Alastair ********************

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Brian **********

wait till he is 30

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Phil ******

yes he would be eligible for a Thai passport and also conscription

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Daniel *********************

Thai military could be a good thing for him.

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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.

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Will ************

You will need his UK birth certificate translated and notarised and you’ll probably have to go to the Thai embassy in London

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Paul **********

@Will ***********

I used a lady to do all that when we got our UK marriage certificate translated.

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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

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Paul **********

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.

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Paul **********

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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

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เดแคลน ***********

becoming a monk doesn't exempt you. Only monks who have earned a higher degree in Buddhist studies are exempt.

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เดแคลน ***********

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Robert *********

Yes ,it will be an issue .

He could volunteer and only do 6 months .

They take it seriously

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Stephen *********

No idea mate but good luck

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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.

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Roger ********

@Kevin ***********

make a man of him ;-)

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Ian **********

but because he's half Thai he'll get bullied by both officers and recruits. The system works against half Thai lads.

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Kevin ************

especially if he can’t speak perfect Thai, and forget about any type of leadership position.

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Kevin ************

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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.

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Kylie *******

or you can pay to get out of it many people do this

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Leon ****

become a monk will not stop to pick a red or black.

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Av **********

oh really I thought that counted , well guess its ball picking time lol. My brother has to do it too

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Av **********

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