Can my daughter fly from Bangkok to the UK with only her Thai passport and an expired UK passport?

Mar 21, 2023
2 years ago
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can my daughter who has a Thai and UK Passport fly back to the UK from Bangkok with her Thai passport and out of date UK passport? Thanks for any info.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The consensus is that your daughter can potentially fly from Bangkok to the UK using her Thai passport and an expired UK passport. However, it's crucial she exited Thailand on the same passport she used to enter. Some voices recommend obtaining an emergency UK passport for safer travel. Based on past experiences shared by other users, it appears that entering the UK with an expired UK passport is possible, but there may be questions asked upon arrival.
Steve *******
My daughter has Thai and Australian passports. We typically enter Thailand on the Thai passport and return to Australia on her Australian passport (my wife does the same), a few years ago we went to Thailand and I neglected to check the expiry date on her Thai passport. Nothing was said when we arrived however when we went to return to Australia she was not allowed to leave because you have to exit using the passport that you entered on.

We were not allowed to use her Australian passport. I was told that a Thai citizen can enter without a current passport.

I had to return to Australian and get all of the required paperwork (birth certificate etc) couriered to Thailand. It took two weeks and she missed school and my wife missed work.
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
thanks for the info Steve . Iโ€™m pretty certain

My daughter entered Thailand on her Thai passport
Roberto *********
Which passport did she enter Thailand on? That's the one she has to leave on
Dave *********
Did she enter Thailand on the UK or Thai passport? If she entered thailand on the UK passport then she needs to leave thailand on the UK passport as well.

But if she can get out of Thailand she should be ok to enter the UK w a expired passport.
Paul *******
@Dave ********
because it's common sense. A local national doesn't need a visa or visa exempt to arrive in the country, they just need a local passport, which is Thai in this case.

Australia and the United States (among others) while recognizing dual nationality do NOT issue visas to nationals who attempt to enter on foreign passports.

Why Thailand does, is strange. The practice should be banned. A Thai national should always enter on their Thai passport.
Paul *******
Thailand should not permit dual citizens to use their non-Thai passport to enter the country period. If you're Thai, you use that passport to enter.
Dave *********
@Paul ******
why not??? If they have a visa, visa exempt or visa on arrival, whatโ€™s the prob w that??
Michael **********
@Dave ********
not smart. Why enter a country with a foreign passport while you own a passport for that country ?
Chris *********************
About 8 years ago my 2 daughter's flew to uk left Thailand on thai passport entered uk on expired uk passport no problem just a few questions.
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ********************
thanks Chris thatโ€™s some good info ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™
Chris *********************
@Mark *******
your welcome
Chris *********************
@Mark *******
I think nowadays it more the airline that might question it ,but uk has to let expired uk passport holders in.just my experience
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ********************
Thank you for your help ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ™
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for your help ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ™
Marc ********
She can fly back to UK with her expired UK passport.

But of course not fly anywhere else with it.
Lisa ********************
I think if she flies on her Thai passport she will need a visa to enter UK. Better if she can get emergency UK passport
Paul *******
@Lisa *******************
No, I think you misunderstood. I'm saying that some countries will not allow their nationals to enter on foreign passports. They recognize dual nationality, but won't issue a visa if they possess the local nationality. Australia and the United States are two such countries. I would have thought the UK is another but not sure. My point is this needs to be clarified because she may be refused a visa by virtue of holding UK citizenship, which they can easily check.
Paul *******
@Lisa *******************
the UK isn't going to issue a visa to one of its own nationals. I find it strange that Thailand allows dual nationals to enter the country on their foreign passport - they should follow the lead of the USA and Australia (among others) that require citizens to present proof of citizenship to enter and not allow a foreign passport to be used.
Lisa ********************
@Paul ******
obviously they won't issue visa if she enters UK on UK passport, but entering in Thai passport is different.
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Karim ***************
@Mark *******
Lisa isnโ€™t correct. She will be fine on her expired British passport, as long as she is clearly recognisable on the photo.
Lisa ********************
@Karim **************
I don't think the airline will allow her to board on an expired passport.
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Karim **************
ok many thanks
Karim ***************
@Mark *******
no worries. The question has been asked and answered before.
Karim ***************
@Mark *******
Lisa isnโ€™t correct. She will be fine on her expired British passport, as long as she is clearly recognisable on the photo.
Gary *********
@Karim **************
no chance sheโ€™ll be allowed to enter the uk on an expired passport. Needs an emergency passport. Speaking from a friendโ€™s experience.
Marc ********
@Gary ********
Your "friend" told you wrong. You can always fly back home. But you cannot fly out of the UK
Karim ***************
@Marc *******
thatโ€™s correct Marc ๐Ÿ‘
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gary ********
thought this might get confusing, better hope uk poassport office hurry up
Gary *********
@Mark *******
Iโ€™m just going on a friendโ€™s experience, plus the airline. Theyโ€™re not going to say itโ€™s ok to fly on a non valid passport.
Karim ***************
@Gary ********
she can fly on her Thai passport, which is in date. And enter the U.K., showing her expired British passport.
Phil ********
Exactly what she can do. ๐Ÿ‘

Hopefully the names are the same on both... with, as someone said, recognizable photos.

Always best for dual nationals to use their Thai passport to enter & leave LOS, and likewise their UK passport to enter and leave the UK.

Always best to carry both.

Obviously, she should get a new UK passport while there...
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gary ********
was your friend flying back from Thailand to uk ?
Gary *********
@Mark *******
leaving thailand. You do whatโ€™s best, obviously different opinions here.
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gary ********
ok appreciate your info ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘
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