How can I move from a tourist visa to a Non-O visa in Thailand as the father of a Thai child?

Aug 3, 2020

4 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi, I entered on a tourist visa back in March to see my son. All the original documents for my son are in the UK as they are being used to create his British birth certificate. As I understand it, in order to move to a non O visa without leaving Thailand, I would first need to go to a family court to obtain legal status as the father. I’m assuming I would need to have his original birth certificate to do this? Secondly, I would need to have 400,000bht transferred in from abroad. I have previously been using TransferWise to move money from £ to bht , and putting it into an account in my gf name.  I have since moved the money from that account into one that has my own name. I have a trail back to my own account in the UK, is this going to be an issue? Lastly, is it conceivable for me to move from a tourist visa to non O without leaving the country based on having a Thai child? It looks like it’s a bit of an expensive gamble returning to Thailand once you’ve left. Many thanks in advance 🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To transition from a tourist visa to a Non-O visa in Thailand as the father of a Thai child, you must first establish legal fatherhood. This typically involves obtaining your child's birth certificate. Once you are the legal father, you can apply for an extension based on raising a half-Thai child or family visit. You will also need to have 400,000 THB in your bank account for at least two months, but the source of the funds should not be an issue as long as they can be traced.

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Benjamin ******

>As I understand it, in order to move to a non O visa without leaving Thailand, I would first need to go to a family court to obtain legal status as the father.

That is almost correct. You will want an extension of stay based on raising a half-Thai child, and you need to be the legal father. However, this group does not discuss how people can become legal parents.

>Secondly, I would need to have 400,000bht transferred in from abroad. I have previously been using TransferWise to move money from £ to bht , and putting it into an account in my gf name. I have since moved the money from that account into one that has my own name. I have a trail back to my own account in the UK, is this going to be an issue?

The 400K THB needs to be in your bank account, seasoned, for at least 2 months. I don't think it matters how it gets into your account, so it shouldn't be a problem.

>Lastly, is it conceivable for me to move from a tourist visa to non O without leaving the country based on having a Thai child

ONCE you are the legal father of the half-Thai child, you can apply for either a one year extension of stay based on raising a half-Thai child, or a 60 day extension of stay based on visiting Thai family. The 60 day extension of stay based on visiting Thai family will let you stay until around November 25.

4 years ago

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Benjamin ******

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