What are the new requirements for traveling to Thailand with a child when only one parent is present?

@Philip *********

the difference is - stamp is NOT required by Canadian authorities. Here TC clearly says airlines told them it should be stamped and signed by lawyer - which cost at least €50. I travel with my child every 2 months and this request is ridiculous. letter of convent could be easily done by father of the child and emailed - instead, they were denied boarding and lost tons of $$$. If airlines decided to set this rule, they should have been informing customers at the time of booking when they know a child ticket is booked - same way they informed about covid restrictions

@Alistair *********

I was talking about the people who dug in their heels when confronted WITH FACTS, and was not Australian, as I specifically said. The specific person whom I was thinking of when I posted that comment has since removed her comment, but there were numerous people posting the same.

@Ruth ******

okay, all good.

@Alistair *********

btw, Australia obviously does have laws requiring parental consent, even if it's not required in writing. As such, an airline could still have its own requirements to cover their butts. For this reason, one should always know an individual carrier's requirements before traveling. Somewhere here, I mentioned what happened with Air Canada, even though Jamaica (the destination for the passenger who had the issue) had no laws requiring traveling with minors. I just think it's silly for people to be debating this. It's prudent for people to be prepared, no?

@Ruth ******

"obviously" has those laws? I mean I looked it up, 2018 was when international parental child abduction was made a criminal offence in Australia. Prior to that, it was only an offence if you violated a court order preventing you taking a child overseas.

Yes it's prudent to be prepared, which is why people ask online. Many people from strict countries assume the requirement is global, others haven't encountered those requirements. That's how people learn and become prepared.

@Alistair *********

This is an incredibly stupid fight to be having. People posted, "MY country allows me to travel without the other parent's permission." and they were wrong. It was as simple as that. That was all I was saying. You are just itching for a fight. I don't have the time or energy to fight with everyone on Facebook who just feels a need to fight with everyone to no benefit. There is absolutely no benefit in this. If you want to try to travel with a child without parental permission, go for it!

@Ruth ******

"Ruth Regal okay, all good." you kept going...

@Alistair *********

you also didn't need to start this at all. My comment was from 2 days ago and wasn't about you.

@Ruth ******

you're still going....

@Alistair *********

oh...sorry, I was supposed to let you have the last word, right? My bad. I'm done now.

@Ruth ******

you posted online, your comments are available to anyone in this group. As you said the comments you originally meant them against were deleted. Of the subsequent remaining ones there were a few related to Australia. I have real world experience of this so it's something I felt comfortable posting about. This post is two days old, there have also been a number of posts on this topic as it's blown up recently.

I literally said "okay, all good" when you informed me that the comments were directed at a separate deleted comment. But you then went on a rant like a fuckwit. I have no desire to write any further. Stop being a fuckwit. That's all

@Alistair *********

still needing the last word, eh?

@Ruth ******

okay

@Alistair *********

only because you also said Australia did not have any such requirement. I honestly don't know why people are feeling like they need to find a reason why the airlines' rules aren't relevant to them rather than recognizing that this was a warning to folks that this was a potential issue, even if they've never encountered an issue.

@Alistair *********

I assumed no such thing. As I mentioned, I knew Jamaica did not have such a law. SMH

@Arcadia ***

never been stopped travelling with my grandchildren. And they have different surname to me. So which article of the Hague convention says child needs letter from both parents / other parent to travel ?

@Ruth ******

that's not true. I called every agency I could think of for answers on this as I am a single parent and the answer was always that it is not necessary at all unless I was traveling by land to Canada.

@Talya ****

check homelands webpage.

@Ruth ******

no need. I don't require consent.

@Talya ****

ignorance is bliss; isn’t it? “If the child is accompanied by only one parent, the parent should have a note from the child's other parent. For example, ‘I acknowledge that my wife/ husband is traveling out of the country with my son/ daughter. He/She/ has my permission to do so.’”

@Ruth ******

ignorance *is* bliss, Ruth. ***I*** don't require consent because I am my child's only parent.

@Talya ****

meanwhile, it’s not possible to be a sole parent. If the other parent is deceased or you have sole custody, you make need to prove such in lieu of permission. I’m not sure why you’re arguing. This information is readily available.

@Ruth ******

it absolutely is possible to be the sole parent. Argue with yourself lol

@Talya ****

that’s not what you said

@Ruth ******

reading is fundamental(except for you 😂)

@Rachel **************

worldwide international tavels it’s till 18 (not including 18), and after that human considers adult.

@Rūta ********

and your point? So we are talking three years ago then. Still not that long ago whereas others are implying it’s not a new rule. Well it’s newer than 3 years as far as my experience goes 😂. I guess “new” is relative.

@Sandy ********

If you have full custody of your child, I do not believe this is an issue. You may want to just bring a copy of documentation showing you do. As Paulo mentioned, this is to prevent a non-custodial parent (or a parent with joint custody) from basically kidnapping a child and, of course, due to trafficking.

@Ruth ******

that’s fair enough, I have a solicitor’s letter from him stating not to contact him.

@Frozan ******

Yeah, the randomness of the enforcement is frustrating.

I believe European authorities are increasing their vigilance due to an uptick in trafficking caused by the massive numbers of refugees caused by the Russian war on Ukraine’s civilians.

@Paulo ********

that makes sense and I appreciate their efforts. We can’t pick and choose between protection and comfort I suppose.

@Rollo ***********************

no he can't. He don't exist

@Rollo ***********************

well Vader will blow up your house. My imaginary friend is as good as yours

@Kev *********

Lord Vader

@Kev *********

Good Lord

@Kerry **********

good lord who?

@James ******

on top of that every state has different laws regarding divorce and the children. Perhaps it is actually law in the state I was married and divorced in and then as you say just hit or miss as to whether or not you'll be asked.

@Wylie ******

national law says you must have a letter with permission. The fact that often airlines do not check does not change the law. How often have you seen someone speed or not come to a full stop at a stop sign without them getting a ticket?

@Ruth ******

I perfectly understand that and basically said the same thing. Although I did some more looking into it and it is NOT a US law. I believe it is a law in some states though, which is why many like myself thought it was a US law. That would also explain why it wouldn't be enforced very well.

"Be aware the United States does not have exit controls or require two-parent consent for a minor to travel across international borders. Law enforcement may be unable to prevent an abduction without a valid court order clearly prohibiting the child’s travel outside of the United States"

@Wylie ******

homeland security disagrees. See my previous post on the matter.

@Ruth ******

could you please repost the link in a reply? I don't see a previous post with any link from you. Perhaps it was a comment on another page with this exact same question.

Not that I am disagreeing with you, I would just like to know the correct answer and the information on a US government website I posted says there is no law.

@Wylie ******

nah…little miss “I’m sticking to my guns no matter what the link says” apparently took her comment down.

Here’s the link.

@Ruth ******

thanks for the link, although it's still not clear if it is an actual law. The link you attached says the other parent "should" have the letter. Not that it is "required". I 100% agree that it should be a law and enforced more consistently.

@Wylie ******

that’s always the way they word things in laws. If they say you should do something and you don’t, you may face consequences…such as not being able to travel.

@Ruth ******

I'd have to disagree that that is always how laws are worded. My experience with law and legal documents, including my divorce agreement, would never use the word "should" if it is a requirement. It completely leaves the law open to be challenged. Legal documents and laws are usually extremely specific and careful with the wording. If you search should definition in terms of legality it is clear that it means it is recommended, but not mandatory. Not saying that it is not a law, but the link you sent does not make that clear. Yet the link I attached clearly states that it is not a law. US customs and border protection also states that it "recommends", not that it is required. Although I can also find that they say it is required, at least for entering the US. Clear as mud.

Either way it is definitely something one should do out of common courtesy and I believe I am required per my divorce agreement anyway.

@Wylie ******

but people can do as they like, as foolish as that might be. You and I will do as suggested. We will leave it at that.

@Ruth ******

yes. Beyond courtesy, it is prudent if you don't want a vacation ruined. My comments have simply been more of a curiosity and interest in what the actual law states.

@Wylie ******

as an aside, recently a man brought his niece from Jamaica to Canada for a family visit. Air Canada did not check for any documents en route to Canada but they would not allow him to board with her to RETURN to Jamaica. Neither country has any laws requiring documentation but the Canadian government’s website “strongly recommend that Canadian children carry a consent letter”. Jamaica doesn’t even have that. They were able to travel to Canada but not return. Basically, it’s just best people have the documents and not fuss about what is or is not technically “required”. I think people should simply see this post as a warning to be prepared.

@Wylie ******

I would not say it’s courtesy. It prevents being stopped when boarding a flight 🙂