dbrenn, on 2007-05-18 22:33:28, said:
8) In my case, no need to give up my old nationality
I see the bonus of having Thai citizenship, but would you still have wanted your Thai citizenship if you had to give up your 'old' nationality?
0
Story Of My Thai Citizenship Application
Started by dbrenn, 2007-05-18 22:33
#51
Guts
Advanced Member Posted 2007-05-20 13:58:19 I see the bonus of having Thai citizenship, but would you still have wanted your Thai citizenship if you had to give up your 'old' nationality? #52
abdulrahman
Senior Member Posted 2007-05-20 14:23:06
8) In my case, no need to give up my old nationality I see the bonus of having Thai citizenship, but would you still have wanted your Thai citizenship if you had to give up your 'old' nationality? I asked myself the same question:the answer is NO. #53
samran
Titanium Member Posted 2007-05-20 15:31:55
i got PR as well, thats why i'm interested in the tax question. furthermore all other comments to gaining citizenship mention a test in reading and writing thai. what would be my other question to the OP. i think the biggest hurdle is getting PR - citizenship is more of a bureaucratic hurdle. Please find attached the rules for male applicants and a seperate set for female applicants. They differ. I'd highly recommend going down to police special branch and having a chat. They were more than happy to chat with me about my wife applying eventually. If I recall correctly, the history of paying tax for 3 years before application (See rule 9 for male applicants) is more important than the amount. I suspect though, as with PR, the more the better. They definely look at the 'whole package' though, rather than just the some of the parts. Have a look again through Camerata's guide, as at one point I wrote about my visit there (my connection is a bit dodgy today so no link provided, so it will take ages for me to look for it) Attached Files
#54
dantilley
Platinum Member Posted 2007-05-20 19:47:26
I don't see anything humiliating about the process you went through. I must admit that, after comparing this thread to Carmareta's advantages of Permanent Residency thread, it seems like Citizenship has many, many more very useful advantages over Permanent Residency which, as far as I can see, doesn't seem to be worth the money and hassle (except, it could be argued, if it is used as a path towards getting citizenship). Well done for acquiring it! And pretty cool that you have something connected to you personally which has been signed by the King. Can't imagine that many other foreigners will have such a connection as that. Am still interested to know what your level of Thai language is though, speaking and writing. And how much did the whole thing cost, approximately? With these pieces of information, I reckon this thread would be worthy of being pinned. #55
simon43
Optimistic Member Posted 2007-05-20 20:16:00
Apologies if I've misunderstood, but from the OP's comments, it would seem that he/she is a women? And it seems that female applicants for citizenship have it a lot easier than male applicants.
Simon #56
grtaylor
Senior Member Posted 2007-05-20 20:30:24
I don't see anything humiliating about the process you went through. I must admit that, after comparing this thread to Carmareta's advantages of Permanent Residency thread, it seems like Citizenship has many, many more very useful advantages over Permanent Residency which, as far as I can see, doesn't seem to be worth the money and hassle (except, it could be argued, if it is used as a path towards getting citizenship). Well done for acquiring it! And pretty cool that you have something connected to you personally which has been signed by the King. Can't imagine that many other foreigners will have such a connection as that. Am still interested to know what your level of Thai language is though, speaking and writing. And how much did the whole thing cost, approximately? With these pieces of information, I reckon this thread would be worthy of being pinned. Certainly Citizenship confers many advantages, but unless I'm misunderstanding things here, PR is a pre-requisite of applying for citizenship. Am I wrong on this? G #57
RagingBrit
Member Posted 2007-05-20 20:44:07
Good luck to this person for obtaining a Thai citizenship, but I am highly sceptical that options to apply for Thai citizenship are available to everyone.
Is this person a farang? He maybe an ethnic Thai born in another country with another citizenship. Perhaps he has had a long working relationship within the Thai government? Who knows, he’s not saying. Vague details, many questions and evasive with answers. I am not convinced.
Edited by lopburi3, 2007-05-20 21:27:45.
#58
grtaylor
Senior Member Posted 2007-05-20 21:45:47
Good luck to this person for obtaining a Thai citizenship, but I am highly sceptical that options to apply for Thai citizenship are available to everyone. Is this person a farang? He maybe an ethnic Thai born in another country with another citizenship. Perhaps he has had a long working relationship within the Thai government? Who knows, he’s not saying. Vague details, many questions and evasive with answers. I am not convinced. G #59
dantilley
Platinum Member Posted 2007-05-20 22:04:15
I am - I know personally quite a few farangs who have obtained Thai citizenship, male and female. #60
ajc1970
Senior Member Posted 2007-05-20 22:26:24
September 2004 - Invited to the Interior Ministry. Showed them my work permit, passport, alien registration certificate and certificate of residence. Then, I was shown into a room with around 40 people watching me. I was given a microphone and asked to sing the Thai National anthem and Phra Baramee (the one they play in the cinema). What? Nobody told you about the shortcut? If at this stage you'd said, "I am shy," they would've replied, "Oh, you're already Thai" and you would've saved 2 1/2 years on the application. #61
Naam
Star Member Posted 2007-05-20 22:28:01
"Good luck to this person for obtaining a Thai citizenship.."
and obtaining a passport enabling him/her to travel nowhere without big visa hassles. #62
jdinasia
Leave my member out of it! Posted 2007-05-20 22:37:32
"Good luck to this person for obtaining a Thai citizenship.." and obtaining a passport enabling him/her to travel nowhere without big visa hassles. #63
jdinasia
Leave my member out of it! Posted 2007-05-20 22:46:08
I don't see anything humiliating about the process you went through. #64
thailand07
Newbie Posted 2007-05-20 22:53:56
Hi All, For those who are interested, the application process for Thai Citizenship in my case went as follows: Late 2003 - Picked up the checklist from the Police Headquarters on Rama 1 Road January 2004 - Took all my documents to the Police Department, in what I thought was a word perfect application. However, since I was applying in January and this being a new tax year, my tax returns from the three preceding years were not enough. An oversight on my part, so waited until I got my most recent tax retirn PNG 91 for 2003 March 2004 - Try again. This time my application was successfully lodged. Paid the 5,000 Baht fee. Got fingeprinted. Signed my name (in Thai) on dozens of firms. Took two Thai witnesses and later my wife plus kids to show that they were real. Took forms issued to me by the police department to immigration and my disctrict office. Later went back to pick up the completed forms and take them back to the police department April 2004 - Thai language interview at the Police Department September 2004 - Invited to the Interior Ministry. Showed them my work permit, passport, alien registration certificate and certificate of residence. Then, I was shown into a room with around 40 people watching me. I was given a microphone and asked to sing the Thai National anthem and Phra Baramee (the one they play in the cinema). Yes, really. Managed to keep a straight face. Got interviewed in Thai - basic Q&A about my circumstances. Around the same time, a group of three officials from the Interrior Ministry visited my house to see if my domestic circumstances were as described on my application form Waited Waited February 2006 - Got the good news that the then Interior Minister Khun Kongsak had approved my application March 2006 - Got a letter to notify me of the above Waited (September 2006 - military coup) Waited November 2006 - Got the good news that the King had countersigned my application December 2006 - One of the most memorable parts: the oath. Just after the King endorsed my application, I was asked to report to the police department in business attire, armed with a candle, a lotus flower and an incense stick. I then had to stand with these in my hands while clasped in a wai, in front of a Buddhist shrine, repaeting an oath of allegance to King and country, and promising to be an upright and law-abiding citizen. Waited Waited April 2007 - Got the good news that the new Interior Minister Khun Aree had announced in the Interior Ministry notices that a bunch of applicants including me could now get Thai nationality May 2007 - Got the paperwork and certificate from the Police HQ to take to the disctrict office to get my ID card. Now I must return my work permit, alien residence certificate and certificate of residence to respective authorities as these are no longer needed. Now I can apply for a passport Told that my application was one of the faster ones these days. Getting Thai Citizenship IS a pain in the arse - but look on the bright side: 1) Now I can own what I buy, land, house, etc 2) No need for a work permit, and no restricted occupations. I can now drive a Tuk Tuk for a living if the going gets tough in the IT industry 3) Now I can get in free to the Grand Palace and pay the Thai rate for national parks 4) I can own a business 5) I can get a Thai passport and visit countries like Laos and Vietnam visa free 6) No need for that expensive old yearly Resident Return visa. No limit to the amount of time that I spend out of Thailand without losing my residency 7) I can use the Thai passport lane at the airport (shorter queues) 8) In my case, no need to give up my old nationality 9) I have a new Thai identity, forename and surname. Good for travelling to places that dislike my country of origin 10) I think that I can even vote, although I am not sure who is worth voting for All you need to do is satisfy the following to apply: http://phuketgazette...ails.asp?id=759 Golden rules are: 1) Be patient and never get upset. The people that handle your application do not make the rules and do not have any power over what happens in the Interior Ministry 2) Get a coach. Not an expensive lawyer - just make friends with one of the officials that handles your application Cheers hello again it s Tom Young Imeant to give you my email adress, on my last message to you, if you wouldn't mind could you email me as i am still learning the thai visa sytem...my email is <<email deleted>> thanks sincerley Tom Young #65
Naam
Star Member Posted 2007-05-20 22:55:23
"Good luck to this person for obtaining a Thai citizenship.." and obtaining a passport enabling him/her to travel nowhere without big visa hassles. not all countries allow dual citizenship. my country doesn't. so even a thai passport presented to me on a silver platter would be of zero interest for me. #66
samran
Titanium Member Posted 2007-05-20 23:22:27
Apologies if I've misunderstood, but from the OP's comments, it would seem that he/she is a women? And it seems that female applicants for citizenship have it a lot easier than male applicants. Simon #67
jdinasia
Leave my member out of it! Posted 2007-05-21 00:38:01
"Good luck to this person for obtaining a Thai citizenship.." and obtaining a passport enabling him/her to travel nowhere without big visa hassles. not all countries allow dual citizenship. my country doesn't. so even a thai passport presented to me on a silver platter would be of zero interest for me.  It'd work for me! I have no problems carrying a second poassport but since the OP can go everywhere he did before and now adds even a few more places that have even fewer hassles than only having his first passport ... I guess it works for some!
#68
PeterH
Member Posted 2007-05-21 08:29:53
Congratulations to the OP!
Does anyone know what the rules are for British nationals? Are we allowed to hold British and Thai passports at the same time? #69
Khun Bob
Super Member Posted 2007-05-21 08:45:19
yes - and it may be useful in the future should you wish to drop your UK citizenship
Congratulations to the OP! Does anyone know what the rules are for British nationals? Are we allowed to hold British and Thai passports at the same time? #70
dbrenn
Thai member Posted 2007-05-21 09:13:04
yes - and it may be useful in the future should you wish to drop your UK citizenship
Congratulations to the OP! Does anyone know what the rules are for British nationals? Are we allowed to hold British and Thai passports at the same time? The UK is one of thiose countries that allows dual/plural nationality, so the answer is yes in your case. In answer to all the other questions, yes I am a bloke, early forties, PR, in a regular job though I am not going to give specific personal details in an online forum like this. Although there are various minimums regards tax and the like that appear on the application checklist, generally they are looking for people who make a contribution beyond the bare minimums. In my mind, the success of your application, even if you exceed the minimums, depends very much on how they like you as a person - if ytou come across as a complaining, whining farang, all bitter and twisted about being humiliated by a process that is beyond everybody's control, then your application will likely be consigned to one of the stacks of applications baled with twine that fill the back office. Some of them have been in limbo for "eight or ten" years and are never likely to see the light of day again, according to the officials that handled my application. #71
thai_narak
Senior Member Posted 2007-05-21 09:22:10
to the OP or to anyone who knows the right answer,
I have questions with the following requirements in the Thai citizenship procedure: "If working in Thailand, he or she must have an income of at least 80,000 baht a month or have paid taxes in the year the citizenship application is made of 100,000 baht or more." --- What if not working in Thailand but remitting income from other country where I'm working from? Can I pay tax even not working in Thailand? "He or she must have lived in Thailand contunously for at least five years before applying." --- This does not mention any residency permit. Will I be considered to have lived continously in Thailand with only Non-B (spouse) visa for the last five years? Thanks... #72
fforest
Newbie Posted 2007-05-21 09:48:03
interesting
Edited by fforest, 2007-05-21 09:51:23. #73
dbrenn
Thai member Posted 2007-05-21 10:14:49
to the OP or to anyone who knows the right answer, I have questions with the following requirements in the Thai citizenship procedure: "If working in Thailand, he or she must have an income of at least 80,000 baht a month or have paid taxes in the year the citizenship application is made of 100,000 baht or more." --- What if not working in Thailand but remitting income from other country where I'm working from? Can I pay tax even not working in Thailand? Quote "He or she must have lived in Thailand contunously for at least five years before applying." --- This does not mention any residency permit. Will I be considered to have lived continously in Thailand with only Non-B (spouse) visa for the last five years? Thanks... No recognistion is given for taxes paid abroad. You have to be living aand working here - paying Thai taxes and the evidence must only be Thai Por Ngor Dor 91 tax return forms. You have to get PR and hold it for at least 5 years before applying for citizenship. Incidentally, in answer to some of the other questions, yes there is a short reading test, your Thai language should be at least to a good conversational level (you are interviewed alone at both the Police Department and the Interior Ministry) and you need to have a clean criminal record.
Edited by camerata, 2007-05-21 17:31:12.
#74
danone
Senior Member Posted 2007-05-21 10:28:56
to the OP or to anyone who knows the right answer, I have questions with the following requirements in the Thai citizenship procedure: "If working in Thailand, he or she must have an income of at least 80,000 baht a month or have paid taxes in the year the citizenship application is made of 100,000 baht or more." --- What if not working in Thailand but remitting income from other country where I'm working from? Can I pay tax even not working in Thailand? "He or she must have lived in Thailand contunously for at least five years before applying." --- This does not mention any residency permit. Will I be considered to have lived continously in Thailand with only Non-B (spouse) visa for the last five years? Thanks... thai_narak: where you got that from? can you post the link with the whole content? #75
LoveDaBlues
Super Member Posted 2007-05-21 10:33:24
September 2004 - Invited to the Interior Ministry. Showed them my work permit, passport, alien registration certificate and certificate of residence. Then, I was shown into a room with around 40 people watching me. I was given a microphone and asked to sing the Thai National anthem and Phra Baramee (the one they play in the cinema). What? Nobody told you about the shortcut? If at this stage you'd said, "I am shy," they would've replied, "Oh, you're already Thai" and you would've saved 2 1/2 years on the application.  good one
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