Can Thai citizens cross the border into Thailand using a foreign passport during Covid restrictions?

Thai Citizenship Visa Rules Border Crossing COVID-19 Restrictions Land Border Checkpoints Thai Passport US Visa Immigration

February 20, 2022

3 years ago

เเอนเดรีย *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello, My two sons acquired their Thai citizenships well over 1 year ago. They have Thai passports and ID cards but have remained on a US visa (family visa) due to Covid and our inability to border bounce to cancel this US visa. We want to do a land crossing and we are in Chiang Mai. Is this possible for them to cross at Mai Sai (entering as a US citizen) and come back into Thailand as a Thai and what are the requirements or implications (any quarantines for Thais)? Any help or advise would be helpful. Thanks 🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The inquiry addresses the situation of two sons who possess Thai citizenship and hold Thai passports and ID cards but remain on a US family visa due to Covid-related travel restrictions. They are considering crossing the land border at Mai Sai as US citizens and returning as Thais. Respondents clarify that switching passports at a land border is not permitted; the family must fly out of Thailand on their foreign passports and return using their Thai passports. Additionally, there is discussion about visa extensions and the implications of being considered foreign nationals if they enter Thailand on a non-Thai passport.

Tod *********

@เเอนเดรีย ********

(andrea) did you get them the year extensions based on being thai OR are you just letting them overstay their entry stamp or what?

I ask because IF they haven't overstayed they can easily get a year extension on the US passport by giving minimal documentation at the immigration office for 1900baht

However IF they did run on overstay (as in stayed past the date they were stamped in when they arrived) without you getting them extensions they can't.

AND

As people pointed out the only way to change nationality is to fly out and back in, it can't be done at a land crossing at all.

3 years ago

เเอนเดรีย *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Not in overstay and we will just have to extend again until they can exit the country and reenter as Thais. It just gets annoying to have to do 90 day reports and visa extensions when they are citizens.

3 years ago

Reply to

เเอนเดรีย *********

Ivo ***********

Sorry for the stupid question (and if admin thinks it is really stupid please remove it) .... but if they have a Thai citzenship what would they worry about that visa in their non-Thai passport?

3 years ago

เเอนเดรีย *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

This is correct and I have seen a recent story about a person with dual citizenship entering Thailand on foreign passport and overstaying for 3 years as they thought it would be fine as they have Thai citizenship. When they went on vacation, as they exited Thailand, immigration told them they were not allowed to come back for years (not sure how long).

BTW my son's are 15 and 17 and they are not in overstay.

3 years ago

Ellie *******

@Ivo **********

When Thai nationals enter Thailand on a foreign passport, they are considered as foreign nationals. Your nationality cannot be changed inside Thailand once you enter as a foreigner.

But still, there is an option they can apply for an extension on foreign passport as Thai nationality holder.

3 years ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

Meanwhile waiting for borders open, why don’t you try to get them 1-year extension based on person having Thai nationality?

3 years ago

เเอนเดรีย *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

Either way it's the second year we ave done this and it's a bit annoying 🙄

But it's fine. Could be worse 🙂

3 years ago

Reply to

เเอนเดรีย *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks, this is what I thought but good to hear from other and multiple sources 🙏

3 years ago

Oswald *******

Cannot switch passports at land crossing must fly internationally. On returning to Thailand use their Thai passport. A relation of my wife was initially refused even at airport and said she would have to use her German passport. She asked to see a supervisor who immediately agreed that she could use her Thai passport.

3 years ago

Robert *******

Land borders are still closed and to swich passports it was and is still not possible by land borders.

Only option is to fly out of the country using the foreign passport, and return using the Thai passport.

3 years ago

Reply to

Robert *******

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