What options exist for half Thai nationals regarding long-term visas in Thailand?

Aug 10, 2018
6 years ago
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello

I understand if admins don't approve this post and it is very vague but I'm getting fed up of my lack of visa options even though I'm half Thai.

Does anybody know if the 'one year Visa for a Thai national returning to Thailand' exists?

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses options for individuals who are half Thai and face difficulties obtaining proper visa statuses or nationality documentation. A user inquires about the possibility of receiving a one-year visa as a Thai national returning to Thailand. Responses indicate that it is possible to obtain a one-year extension of stay by proving Thai nationality through documentation, including a birth certificate and a Thai parent's passport. However, complications arise concerning the lack of Thai ID and the requirement for the Thai parent to assist with the registration process. Users share personal experiences with the Thai embassy procedures and the importance of proper documentation for obtaining passports and ID cards.
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just as a follow up for anyone in the future

I've been in email contact with the Thai London embassy and they say as I'm not a child and I have neither Thai ID or tabien baan the ministry of foreign affairs will not approve an application by me for a Thai passport.

It is possible in Thailand with the Thai parent present to first add the applicant to the Tabien baan then apply for Thai ID. First Thai passport can be applied for on their own if they are in possession of a Thai ID.
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
get my UK birth certificate legalized or both UK and Thai birth certificate legalized?
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yeah we rang chaengwattana they want my mum present but she's still in England for the time being.

Anyway thanks for your help Tod and I hope these updates help somebody in the future.
Tod *********
It should be possible to get yourself listed in a thai house book by one of your parents. Bring EVERY bit of documentation you have about yourself with you and get your birth certificate legalized IN the UK before you come here. There is a definite legalization process.

Also as I said, you can get a yearly extension of stay at the immigration office for 1900baht by proving one of your parents is thai.
Tod *********
Okay, it has been put out that you can indeed get a year extension of stay at the immigration office by proving you're a thai national (which were are because your mother is thai) You'd need your birth certificate and a copy of your mom's passport and her listing in the thai house book. It'll cost 1900baht and they'll stamp you in for a year.
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks very much
Tod *********
@Simon *********
you should be able to go straight from canceling your ED extension to getting the year extension based on being thai at the immigration office at Chaengwattana.
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Tod that's great news. I'm currently on an ED visa extension so Im aware I need a letter from my university to cancel my current ED extension ... Would I be able to just swap straight over to the year extension of stay if I went to chaeng wattana or would I have to leave Thailand first. ( I currently live in Bangkok and my university is in Bangkok)
Bed *****************
If your hafe Thai you apply Thai citizens. Why you worry the year Visa. But how can your hafe Thai?
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks
Anna *************
@Simon *********
just make sure that your foreign passport has a stamp out. Then u come back with thai. Immigrations dont care if ur thai one doesnt have out stamp as some thais use auto gate and theres no stamp that way.
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks.. That's something else I forgot to ask, which countries will allow me to swap passports in? As which ever way you look at it I will end up with a departure stamp or arrival stamp in the wrong/other passport.
Iker *******
Simon Rainford never could me much easier...with your birth certificate if born abroad translated into thai and certified and your mom documents (thai ID or passport) you can get you thai nationality ...thai id and passport...then you get out of the country as a FARANG and come back as THAI and no visa will be required.
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My mum does not live in Thailand anymore, she has to be with me when I apply 😔
Tim *******
You can get a passport without an ID card as an infant (because they aren’t issued until 13? Years old) but over 15 you need ID card to get passport. I found this out when my kids couldn’t get a passport (even with their expired ones from when they were very young) without having their ID cards.
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yeah I have to drag my poor old Grandma along just so I can avoid Chaeng wattana ☺
Chris ********
now they are in the system they’ll need the standard documents. But this bloke is a bit of a special case. Overseas born Thai citizens can’t get on the house registration immediately like locally born kids so embassies can bypass the need to be in the house registration for an overseas born Thais first passport
Tim *******
Cheers, good to know. To get it sorted in Aus though we would have had to fly to Sydney so considering accomodation/flights etc. it was cheaper to do in Thailand.
Chris ********
That is in Thailand. Embassies issue passports to overseas born Thais all the time.
Tim *******
You need to go with your Mum to the ampur office she is registered in (she will be on a house book), the head man (usually has an office in larger ampur offices, depending on where your Mum is from)needs to vouch for you, as you are over 15, to get an ID card, (your national ID card number is printed on the top of your birth certificate). Then getting a passport is easy.

Had to do all this for my kids. Born in Thailand, lived in Aus’ since they were babies.

Getting out of having to serve in the armed forces is another matter entirely that I have yet to get any solid information on.
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
That's actually a great read... So the age of 30 is counted from 1st January the year you turn 30.. Indeed the military and immigration are no longer connected / talk and a small fine under 400 baht to be paid ☺
Tim *******
Cheers mate.
Chris ********
Check this out
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Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm not sure how far it goes ownership wise but yeah just go pay a small fine when they get their letter.

Also this might help you or somebody else, that above information was given to me by the Thai embassy in England when I got my Thai birth certificate. They also said if I apply for my Thai passport and ID the same day at the difference offices there is no time for it to be on the system that I've not done national service ... I was 27 at the time and a 5 year passport would push me over the 30 limit. This will probably not help you specifically but that is a way around it for first passport holders.
Tim *******
Yer, I dunno also, but I was told that male thais have to show that either they served or have a letter as to why they didn’t before they can own a business/land etc... dunno how much truth is in that though
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
And you have to go pay a small fine for not doing the lottery when you go to get your letter to say you are exempt due to age
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Tim! I was told once they are over 30 they are exempt from national service... However could be called up until 45 if there is a big war, but that goes for any country in the world I guess. I have a Thai friend who now lives in England who received a letter at his family home last year saying he was due for the lottery, he has been back since and was allowed through no problems so I'm not sure how or if they are linked to immigration.
Robert *******
Your mum has dual nationality unless she gave up the Thai Nationality before your birth. So you both have to visit a Thai Embassy in the UK to apply for a Thai passport for you. If she comes to Thailand, she needs first her ID and registration in Blue Book before she can start helping you.
Robert *******
Okay, good luck with the amphur. I live near Kok Pho Chai, south of Khon Kean. Close to Macha Kiri or the Turtle Village.
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yeah she has dual I'm not sure why I wrote swapped. She still has ID and is on my grandmas tabien baan ☺ she's over for song kran so I'll probably nip to the amphur with them both and see what the crack is. Also I saw you live in Khon kaen... Are you near phu wiang?
Robert *******
There was a discussion about a Thai/Swedish girl few weeks ago, maybe you can find some information in the answers:
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Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Born in the UK lived there all my life until last year when I moved to Thailand. My mum is Thai but she's swapped to British Citizenship over 20 years ago and been in England over 30 so without her here I can't get anything at the moment.
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you!
Chris ********
You need to get your first thai passport back in the UK. Without an ID card you can’t apply for a passport here in Thailand. Embassies can generally issue your first passport without an ID card
Chris ********
You are Thai. Where were you born, in the UK or Thailand?
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes there is a lot of dead ends unfortunately. Thanks Robert I think that's what I must of heard of.
Robert *******
I know that some people get adopted, had their Thai birth certificate but nothing more, so they can not apply for Thai ID or passport, but they can get a 1 year Extension of Stay at Immigration Office.
Alex *********
OK
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I hold a Thai birth certificate but have only ever held British citizenship. Long story short at the moment it's difficult for me to apply to become Thai.
Alex *********
Don't understand why you need visa if you are Thai
Robert *******
Do you have any proof that you are a Thai National?
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