Hi people,
I want to know the best way of going about the situation that Mot finds herself in right now.

Mot has a British passport but her Thai passport has expired.

We will be moving to LOS semi permanantley, and when entering LOS on our next visit she will have to do so on her British passport, the problem there is that we will be staying for more than 30 days. Obviously she doesn't want to do a visa run, So my question is,

Should she apply for a Thai passport here before we go, which we don't really want to do, or Once she has her Thai passport in her hands(from Bangkok), will the immigration officials realise and allow her to leave Thailand without fear of penalty, on either her British or Thai Passport.
thanks

Using her British Passport to enter the Kingdom and then staying for however long she wishes would not be a problem for Mot. She is Thai.

Just apply for a new Thai passport when she gets there.

By... that was quick Keith cheers

Hi all,This my frist post I will have Brithish passport for when I go back to Thailand in September I look forward to useing it, my husband Tom has booked with Emirates going to Dubai then Bangkok this time, it is frist time we fly with Emirates and frist time to Dubai can you tell me what to expect. Thank you Buayom

Welcome to the forum Buayom!

As for what to expect.... isn't all much the same as any other flight or airport? Cramped legs, hours of waiting around, getting confused about what time it is, wishing they'd bring you more wine (if you drink!), getting through half your novel but then wanting a magazine, the struggle to get to the loo from a window seat, etc etc, you've done it all before!

People talk about the different flights and what have you, but really, I've found them much the same as each other!

Anyway, others here will tell you more about your airline!

Have a good flight!

Sorry for being off topic, but in answer to Buayom

I have flown with Emirate a number of times and do consider them to be one of the better airlines that I have used (other than Thai or Qatar).

The in-flight entertainment is quite good if you like that sort of thing, all flights I have been on have seat back TV's (rather than the one in the middle of the plane). These have movies on demand along with other TV series and bits and pieces.

The food (for a farang) is one of the best I have had but can not comment what it would be like for you obviously.

As I am not too tall, the leg room for me is good (not sure what the pitch is). All the staff I have seen have been very helpful with getting drinks etc. and all in all I have always had a nice flight.

As for Dubai airport: it is clean and tidy and I have always found places to sit when waiting for my stopover (never had more than 3 hours) so it was comfortable enough. There are, in some places, lounger type chairs and these are great if you want to sleep the time away.

As in all airports there is plenty to buy, but remember to get some Dubai money (can't remember what it is) or if I remember correctly US dollars are taken (I stand to be corrected on that).

Hope that helps a bit, have a good trip.

Gary

Hi, Emirates to bkk via dubai is one of the better airlines i have been on with good food, service and entertainment.
Dirhams are the currency at about 6.5 or 7 to the pound i think. Last time we went we arrived about late at night and still managed to change a little money to get some coffee. flight times were about 7.5 hours to dubai and 6.5 dubai to bkk. Time difference is +3 hours. Airport modern and clean. Have a good trip.
Gordy

Last year flew EmirateS from gatwick, Have to say it was the easist checkin ever.. Flight was fine i'm 6'9",the stopover of a couple of hours was mostly taken up by the transfer from the plane to terminal. still had time for shopping.
One thing to consider is taking a few US dollars with you. When i was in Dubai it was that or Dirhams.

theclaw

Can anyone verify Keith's response to the original question.
Thanks Keith.

If a dual Thai/UK citizen uses their British passport to enter Thailand then, AFAIK, they are treated for this purpose as a British citizen, not a Thai one.

This means that if on leaving Thailand they presented their British passport and had stayed too long they could be fined.

However, if Mot obtains a new Thai passport whilst in Thailand and uses that to leave then I cannot see a problem.

However, all the above is only my opinion, I have no facts nor evidence to back it up.

Bryn

keiths answer is 100% correct, hopefully also your wifes Id card is upto date that prooves she is thai by birth part of that number is incorporated in thai passports.

sean

quote:

However, all the above is only my opinion, I have no facts nor evidence to back it up.

Thanks Nick.
Thanks Jersey Bean

ID card up to date cheers

quote:

Originally posted by Noi & Nick:
If a dual Thai/UK citizen uses their British passport to enter Thailand then, AFAIK, they are treated for this purpose as a British citizen, not a Thai one...

Apart from the above quote I agree with Nick's basic premise. As Mot is a Thai citizen she will remain so notwithstanding the fact she used her British passport to enter Thailand.

The problem arises when her leave to enter Thailand expires 30 days after arrival. She will commit a 'technical' offence and be an overstayer because her UK passport has not been "stamped-out". That being said, as a Thai citizen she is entitled to live and stay in Thailand for as long as she likes without any immigration control.

So, how to resolve the situation? Doing nothing is not an option for me as there is a 'technical' offence and problems may be encountered on any future arrival in Thailand on the British passport. I suggest that as soon as Mot gets her new Thai passport she presents herself to the nearest immigration office and explains the circumstances of her arrival and why she had no choice but to use her British passport. The immigration officer may then 'formalise' the arrangement by making an appropriate endorsement in the British passport.

Perhaps Mot should explain all this at Immigration on arrival at BKK and seek advice there and then? They may allow her to land on her expired Thai passport, problem solved!

As it is Thailand we are talking about, she may be told to cross the border with her British passport and return with her Thai passport - obviously this is an option open to you in any event. As I said earlier, doing nothing is not an option if you want to avoid problems (and potential fines) in the future.

As to Nick's quote above, Mot's Thai citizenship will take priority over her British citizenship whilst she is in Thailand, when in the UK her British citizenship will take priority to her Thai citizenship.

By far the easiest solution as alluded to by Tobias is to enter LOS on her UK passport. Then renew Thai passport,go to Laos(say) on a day trip,exit on UK passport,re-enter LOS on her Thai passport.

She could also apply for a visa in Hull for 12 months , might cause a few raised eyebrows but would also confirm the best options
ash

Bryn,

If your wife's Thai passport is old style, not E-Passport, she can apply for temporary passport valid for 1 year. It will take 5 working days and costs £10.

I quote some information from Thai Embassy London's website for your wife to read (English version for this section is not included on website yet - coming soon).

"Temporary Passport and Certificate of Identity

หนังสือเดินทางชั่วคราวอายุ 1 ปี

สำหรับกรณีคนไทยที่เดินทางไปสหราชอาณาจักร และหนังสือเดินทางสูญหายหรือหมดอายุในสหราชอาณาจักร และมีความจำเป็นเร่งด่วน ไม่อาจรอการออกหนังสือเดินทาง E-Passport ซึ่งต้องส่งไปผลิตเล่มที่กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ กรุงเทพฯ ได้ และมีความจำเป็นเร่งด่วนต้องเดินทางไปต่างประเทศ ในกรณีที่หนังสือเดินทาง
สูญหาย คนไทยดังกล่าวสามารถนำหลักฐานไปยื่นขอหนังสือเดินทางชั่วคราว อายุ 1 ปี ได้แก่ ใบแจ้งความออกโดยสถานีตำรวจ สำเนาบัตรประชาชน/ทะเบียนบ้าน/หนังสือเดินทางเล่มเดิม ภาพถ่ายขนาดที่ใช้สำหรับหนังสือเดินทาง จำนวน 3 รูป พร้อม download และกรอกแบบฟอร์มคำร้องขอหนังสือเดินทางชั่วคราว 2 ชุด
(แบบฟอร์ม 4)

http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/extendform.pdf

http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/sample/form4_1sample.jpg
http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/sample/form4_2sample.jpg

บันทึกสอบสวน (แบบฟอร์ม 2) จำนวน 2 ชุด

http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/notification_document_form2.pdf

http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/sample/form2_1sample.jpg
http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/sample/form2_2sample.jpg

บันทึกประกอบคำร้องกรณีหนังสือเดินทางสูญหาย (แบบฟอร์ม 3) จำนวน 2 ชุด

สำหรับกรณีหนังสือเดินทางหมดอายุแล้ว คนไทยดังกล่าว ต้องยื่นเอกสารทั้งหมดเหมือนกรณีหนังสือเดินทางสูญหาย ยกเว้นแบบฟอร์ม 3 ซึ่งใช้เวลาดำเนินการประมาณ 5 วันทำการ ค่าธรรมเนียม 10 ปอนด์"

Thankyou Chula.
I am quite sure that Mot will be able divulge the info that you have supplied.
Cheers to you....and everybody else who has taken time out to answer my query
thanks chaps

As a dual national myself, I would say get the thai passport renewed, and then enter Thailand using the new passport.

Any subsequent trips should involved:

Depart Thailand on Thai PP
Enter UK on UK PP
Depart UK on UK PP
Re-enter Thailand on Thai PP

Always show the AIRLINE CHECKIN staff both passports, as proof that you have the right to travel to the final deistnation without a visa.

At immigration of each country, present the Passport of that country

No one cares about passport stamp trails anymore, that is simply not a problem

To enter Thailand on a UK passport would entail your wife being subject to thai immigration rules, with a maximum stay of 30 days if she arrives on her UK passport.

quote:

To enter Thailand on a UK passport would entail your wife being subject to thai immigration rules, with a maximum stay of 30 days if she arrives on her UK passport.

Why? Mot is a thai citizen and has the right of abode in Thailand.

quote:

Originally posted by rolyshark:

quote:

To enter Thailand on a UK passport would entail your wife being subject to thai immigration rules, with a maximum stay of 30 days if she arrives on her UK passport.

Why? Mot is a thai citizen and has the right of abode in Thailand.

No such thing as right of abode in the Thailand in the sense it is understood in the UK. You either enter Thailand on a Thai passport, and be allowed in indefinetly, or you enter on foreign PP, and be subject to immigration rules of Thailand.

If for instance at a Thai entered Thailand on the UK passport and stayed more than 30 days, they'd be charged for overstay as would all foreign nationals who do the same.

If, you as a Thai returned to Thailand to live, and wanted to import your personal belingings duty free, you have to show customs in your Thai passport that you have lived outside Thailand for a year, by showing entery/entry stamps out of Thailand.

Trust me, I've been doing the Thai dual national thing for two decades now.

quote:

If for instance at a Thai entered Thailand on the UK passport and stayed more than 30 days, they'd be charged for overstay as would all foreign nationals who do the same.

And if she leaves on the thai passport?

quote:

Originally posted by samran:
... If, you as a Thai returned to Thailand to live, and wanted to import your personal belingings duty free, you have to show customs in your Thai passport that you have lived outside Thailand for a year, by showing entery/entry stamps out of Thailand...

This information may be very important to members here who decide to move to Thailand permanently.

Presumably (and I do not know the answer) producing a UK passport to the Thai authorities which confirms the dual Thai/UK citizen has been out of Thailand for the prerequisite period will be sufficient?

Or are you suggesting that only a Thai passport can be shown as evidence in this circumstance?

If she leaves on the Thai passport, one of two things could happen:

1) Nothing, she gets stamped out.

2) Immigration catches it, which as time goes on, is more likely for two reasons. The immigration computer database is becoming more sophisticated, able to cross references data on entries and exits. It is no secret that Thailand has updated its database, and is part of an information sharing network with many EU, Australian and US authorities (immigration officers of these countries are actually stationed at BKK airport - I've been pulled up by one a couple of times).

The second reason is that even if she does leave on her Thai PP, she is still recorded in by Thai immigration as being in Thailand on a British Passport, and overstaying. Not good for the next time she decides to return to Thailand, esp on a Brit passport. Messy and complex.

The simple rule is that in Thailand, while they don't follow 'stamp' trails, Thai immigration are a bit like accountants, the debits must = credits. You come in on one passport, then you leave on that passport, with stamps to prove it.

But, hey again, don't beleive me. Lets here what immigration have to say about this.

http://www.phuketgazette.com/issuesanswers/details.asp?id=935

As for the shipping question, well, if you enter Thailand on a Brit passport (Assuming dual Brit/Thai nationality), and then try and utlise your duty free allowance ONLY allowed for Thai nationals with one of the most corrupt arms of the Thai government (who understand the rules of dual nationailty even less than a few around here), then good on you and good luck.

Having been through the process myself, if the paperwork doesn't all line up, then Customs are going to have a field day with your goods and you are then at their whim of when, if and how much they'll let your goods off the dock for.