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

Question

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 🙏

Ask Thailand · Answer

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 ********* · Answer

[mention redacted] (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.

Ivo *********** · Answer

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?

Ellie ******* · Answer

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

เเอนเดรีย ********* · Answer

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

Oswald ******* · Answer

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.

Robert ******* · Answer

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.

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

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